The Perfect 2018 Color Guide For Your Wedding Day

With so many colour and style wedding trends, it can be difficult to nail one down.  Wedding industry experts, Adorn Invitations have put together a style guide, based on the season in which you will host your big day, to help give you some inspiration.

Summertime Soiree

Take advantage of having your wedding in the sunshine with a soft summer palette and botanical theme. Feel inspired by nature and enhance the décor with greenery and gentle summer blooms such as peonies, roses, water lilies and even fragrant lavender. A beach wedding is always a beautiful summer option, with stunning outdoor settings and informal footwear, your guests can really let their hair down!

Autumn Warmth

Consider a unique and classy colour palette in deep burgundy, marsala and dark blue shades with a hint of gold.  Classy and elegant, with the autumn leaves as the perfect backdrop, this rich and luxurious blend of colors will not disappoint. Bridesmaids can perfectly complement your white with deep marsala shades, and even gold shoes to bring the colour scheme together. With this bold and striking colour palette, this wedding exudes sheer decadence to bedazzle your guests.

Spring Romance

Romance is in the air, so take advantage of this beautiful pastel and whimsical colour theme.  Enjoy floaty fabrics, soft pink and grey blue hues, and touches of rose gold for a modern edge. Don’t forget to add rich greenery throughout to really set the contrast and balance out such blushing and light colours.

Winter Wedding Glamour

Perfect for the modern bride who dares to be different, this charcoal, gold and ivory palette is drama drama drama! Oozing a luxurious 1920’s feel, use depth and dimension in your table settings, including candelabras and mirrors to reflect the light and gold accents and create atmosphere.

Creative Ways Of Incorporating Valentine’s Day Into Your Wedding

Valentine’s Day is all about love and bliss. The best way to bring color and love to a wedding is borrowing a valentine’s theme into a wedding. Below are ideas on how best to chip in a Valentine’s Day feeling into a wedding: –

Shout Valentine’s with flowers

Valentine’s Day is all about flowers, and gifting them, so a wedding can easily catch a Valentine feel by incorporating lots of red and white rose flowers. Another option can be making use of non-flower pieces, an example of the glamorous red-tinted Integrifolia, which is usually a narrow red foliage.

Play sweet love music

Music can be played from a record, or the wedding planners can hire a live music band. The music should be smooth and not as loud as music from other events. This music creates a love ambiance, which is the main characteristic of Valentine’s Day.

Borrow color combinations from Valentine’s

The main valentine day colors are red and pink, which are used as the primary colors for love. Wedding planners can use red or pink as the theme color of the wedding, including all the floral parts such as the centerpiece. They can then throw in a black with a red tie and pocket piece for the groom. These colors not only give the wedding a valentines touch, but also the feeling of love.

Add creative lighting

Lighting can be done creatively, such as glass covered candles lining up the center of the dining tables. The candles can be complemented with red roses for the completely natural look, and also the candle-lit dinner touch. One can also incorporate lightly glowing LED lights, especially in the dance area.

Invitation card

The first way of creating a Valentine mood is incorporating the feeling in the invitation card. This can be done by the design of the card, choosing pink or red as the predominant color, and giving the card a heart shape. The message on the card should be smooth too, such as “Come celebrate love with us” instead of the usual “We invite you to our wedding”.

A Valentine-themed menu

Normal wedding menus have heavy meals, but a valentine themed wedding should incorporate valentine like meals. This includes incorporating a lot of finger foods, such as chocolate bars, cupcakes, and oyster bars. These foods can be laced with chocolate and candy bars in red or pink wrappings for the ultimate romantic table.

Tiny gifts for guests

During the evening party, the couple can make tiny gifts such as chocolate pieces wrapped in a red or pink wrapping. This wrapping can have a special romantic message, thanking the guests for the visit.

Red or pink balloons

Weddings have ballooned as a form of decoration, though they are often round shaped and mixed bright colors. A Valentine-themed wedding can involve heart-shaped balloons, which are either pink or red in color, which gives the wedding a general Valentine’s Day allure.

Incorporating valentines into your wedding should be more exciting than confusing, if these points were to be followed.

12 New Year’s Resolutions You and Your Partner Should Make This 2018

Can you believe it? In a span of a week, we’ll say adieu to 2017 and welcome 2018 with open arms. Have you prepared your annual “New Year’s Resolution” list yet?

Resolutions often get a bad rap but they work for you if you give your 100% in taking a leap and making significant changes in your life. And they say that two is better than one, so fulfilling these promises with your significant other can help you stick to your words, and hopefully strengthen your bond. Instead of “New Year, New Me,” how about “New Year, New Us”?

Have you thought about the changes you’d like to see? What are the positive differences you want to achieve as an individual and as a couple? What are the issues you have to talk about? And what are the ones you have to let go?

If you’re looking forward to another blissful year with your partner and you want to improve not just your bond but your individuality as well, here are some resolutions to list down and achieve.

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How to Improve Your Love Life in 5 Effective Steps

They say that when you’re single, the world is your oyster, and in many ways that’s true. There are plenty of advantages to being single, but at the end of the day, we’re all longing for that one person who will be everything. We want a friend, a confidant, a lover and someone around whom we can be our most authentic self. In today’s strange dating world you could be taking all the steps that seem right to you, but still fall short. Times have definitely changed, and in order to get to ‘the one’ there seem to be a lot more obstacles than before. Still, that’s not a reason to give up.

No, this is the time when you pick yourself up, even after the worst of experiences and try something new. You know the saying – you can’t do the same thing and expect different results. These five steps are probably something you haven’t tried before, and they are bound to get your love mojo back, whether you’re single and looking for love or already dating and searching for ways to improve a relationship.

Compromise with a twist

The general rule of thumb is that relationships are about compromise, and there is great truth to that. One of the biggest mistakes people make comes as a result of misinterpretation of the concept. While you should do things for the other person that aren’t exactly your cup of tea, such as for instance going hiking even though you’re not exactly outdoorsy, there is a fine line between compromise and accepting things that truly bother you. Certain types of behavior are unacceptable, they’re what we call deal-breakers, and when these arise, you need to have an open conversation with the person you’re dating and express your feelings.

If they are worthy and willing to make an effort for the sake of the relationship, they will change these habits. If not, your frustration will continue to increase. Sometimes being smart is knowing when to call it quits. For those who are single – try to see the potential in someone, and don’t discard a possible relationship as soon as you notice one flaw.

Know your worth

When you look back at your dating record, do you sometimes get the feeling that you’ve been dating the same guy over and over again? We all have a pattern, and when picking a certain type of person is one of yours, you need to put an end to it. This is where doing the same thing and expecting the same results resonates most true. If things aren’t working out and you keep dating, it’s because you’re constantly choosing virtually the same guy, and that guy is not the one for you. Step out of your comfort zone and realize that you deserve better.

As an experiment, just once go out with someone completely different from your usual type, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how refreshing this change could be. This next person might not be the one, even though you might be insanely attracted to them. Always be aware of that there is a battle of lust vs. love going on, and try to keep your head above the clouds and not get swept up by the first. Dip your feet in the water, date several different types, and ultimately you’ll find the one that truly fits. There are many things one should compromise on, but the choice of partner is not one of them. Always know your worth  and never settle for a treatment that leaves plenty to be desired.

No such thing as perfect

People are quick to notice the shortcomings of others, but quite reluctant to accept and acknowledge their own. If you’re the kind of person who always claims to be right, and whatever goes sour is someone else’s fault, you need to take a long hard look in the mirror and reexamine your own actions. Taking your share of the blame, whether for a bad date or a small fight that escalated, there are always two sides of the story. When in a fight, instead of instinctively placing the blame on the other person, step out of your body and listen to the words coming out of your own mouth and pay attention to your body language. Believe us, it takes two to tango.

In coupling and in singleness

You should never, ever stop improving yourself and lose sight of who you are. This isn’t only relevant for your love life, although it can be a great bonus. Never stop doing the things you love, chasing your passions, taking up hobbies – in short, never stop elevating yourself, culturally, spiritually, intellectually. Being the best possible version of yourself inevitably increases your sense of self-worth, and your positive and confident attitude as well as all the wonderful quirks and interests make you incredibly attractive. People pick up on that – the right people that is, so the more complete you are as a person, the more high-quality people you will attract. It applies to co-workers, friends and potential partners.

Out of want, not out of need

Never enter a relationship when you’re at your loneliest. That is when we are prone to accepting whatever little attention is given to us. Loneliness often leads to desperation, and that in turn can make you fall in the arms of a completely wrong person, simply because you needed a pair of hands to hold you. These kinds of relationships inevitably make you feel stuck and you end up resenting the person, thinking they’ve tricked you into being with them. Accept the loneliness, work on yourself, and when you realize that you want someone instead of desperately needing someone, you will be able to make much better choices.

Smartphones Don’t Ruin Relationships – Sick Phone Habits Do

A smartphone is a powerful invention designed to keep us connected, and it’s ironic how it also becomes the culprit for keeping most people apart. But the question is, should smartphones take all the blame?

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6 Smart Makeup Tips for your Wedding

Makeup has become an essential part of every woman’s life. One feels not only beautiful with it but also complete and confident. It is done by almost everyone daily no matter if you are a working-woman, a student, or a housewife. Being dressed up correctly and in the complete makeover is what you check before going anywhere. In current times when it has so much value therefore when we talk about the wedding day which is the biggest day of every girl’s life, you have to be very conscious about your makeup. You should have all the necessary products and all of the best quality. Continue reading

Three Steps To Resolving Conflicts Without Starting A Fight

Why do most relationship issues go unresolved? Because you hesitate to talk about them.
Why do you hesitate to talk about them? Because you don’t want to start a fight.
Why don’t you want to start a fight? Because you’re so worried that expressing anger will damage your relationship.
Why are you so worried that expressing anger will damage your relationship? Because the foundation you built was thin.
Why was the foundation thin? Because you leave most relationship issues unresolved.

It’s a cycle, a tiresome cycle many relationships fall into. It goes on and on, leaving two strangers walking on eggshells, constantly trying to avoid sparking negative emotions. We consider relationships where two people regularly swear at yell at each other unhealthy, but relationships, where two people are keeping issues under the rug to refrain from heated arguments, are just as terrible.

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How to go off-beat with your honeymoon in Oregon

Personally, I find Oregon a thing of beauty. It’s anything but normal, so after I got hitched I looked for the most unusual destinations to set up my honeymoon. I really wanted to feel like a tourist, so I tried to search for the most off-beat place. Here are some of my favorites:

Climbing Mount Jefferson

My husband and I are avid mountaineers, and Oregon has a variety of mountain regions that one can explore. Dog mountain trail is perfect for beginners; although we’re daredevils and prefer Mount Jefferson. It’s very steep and challenging, but we truly enjoyed the experience. We cannot wait for winter to come to try out the routes on rough weather conditions!

Silver Falls State Park

It’s no wonder the locals call this place Oregon’s “crown jewel” of park systems – personally, I find it sublime. Silver Falls State Park is great offbeat location that made our honeymoon a dream come true. We loved the wealth of recreational opportunities available, natural beauty, and historic presence. Located at the foothills of Cascade Mountains, and only 1 hour away from Salem, the park is home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve seen in my life. Make sure to hop on the Trail of Ten Falls; a hiking area that descends into a beautiful winding creek! There are great camping spots nearby; as well as a playground and barbecue stands if you want your little honeymoon to really feel personal and alluring.

Cannon Beach

Moving from the top of the mountain to the beach, I do think Cannon Beach is the perfect travel destination for romantic honeymooners in Oregon. Famous for its sandy shores and peaceful vibes, this place exudes romance inside out. There’s Ecola State Park nearby; with sweeping views of the endless ocean, and the most surreal sunset. We stopped by Arcadia Beach as well; where we had a picnic and explored Hug Point with its secluded sea caves.

Portland – Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

We’re already familiar with Portland’s famous Peninsula Park and International Rose test Garden, meaning I was convinced that Crystal Springs will blow my mind. We visited the garden in late spring; the 2,500+ rhododendrons and beautiful azaleas made our honeymoon memorable. At the entrance, we decided to go for the self-guided tour because we really wanted to spend some time alone and admire the wildlife at our own pace. Crystal Lake never looked better!

Northeast Portland Cliff – The Grotto

Spanning on 62 acres of lush gardens, The Grotto is a sheer sanctuary with a very unique aesthetic. The tranquil paths and carved Catholic shrines really made us honeymoon feel even more romantic. At Lower Level, the imposing cave has a very nice trekking trail we decided to explore. The art gallery displayed spectacular nativity scenes; and from the gift shop nearby we got ourselves some souvenirs that we will probably cherish for a lifetime. I was impressed by the soft choral music in the background; definitely a must-see for couples.

For an extra $6 we also went to visit the Upper Level of the grotto. The famous botanical garden at the peak overlooks Columbia River Valley, Mount Saint Helens, and Cascade Mountains; a scenery that will always have a special place in my heart. I’m not a fan of meditation, but we got to the Marilyn Moyer chapel, I somehow felt the need to gather my thoughts and just embrace the serenity.

Crazy jet charter experience from Portland to Eugene

Because I’ve always wanted to see Eugene in Oregon, we chosen an air charter service in the last minute, and went on a crazy trip to Eugene. I was pleasantly impressed by the wonders of the city. The mix of impressive museums, variety of parks, and historic allure really made our honeymoon special. My favorite spot was Mount Pisgah Arboretum; a vast area of hills and valleys with stunning farmlands and a very traditional yet welcoming vibe.

What’s not to like Oregon? We had the best honeymoon ever and we would come back to the places I mentioned above anytime. I’m sure there’s plenty more to explore, and we’ve already started making plans for next year.

Before The Wedding – 4 Ways to Make Your Long Distance Relationship Work for You

It can be difficult for a relationship to work ordinarily, but it’s even tougher to make a long
distance relationship work sometimes. If you have a real connection though, there’s no need
to give up! I’ve got some great ways to make your long distance relationship work for you
even if you live far away from your significant other.

How to do Long Distance?

I’ll tell you right away that long distance doesn’t work for everyone, and these tips won’t
necessarily help every relationship. Long distance is difficult, but these tips can certainly give
you a fighting chance!

Make Commitments

It’s difficult to really commit yourself to a person who’s so far away, but in order to give your
relationship a chance, you’ve got to really go for it. First, you’ve got to accept that the
situation will be tough, and from there, you’ll be better able to really mentally prepare
yourself and work on how you respond to one another. As soon as you know that both of you
are really committed, you’ll be able to take it more seriously.
Once you make commitments, be sure to communicate to reaffirm them! You can make a
plan to talk or just go randomly using skype, chats, or texts. Just be sure to stay in contact.

Understanding

Make sure you understand each other. Agree to what you’re both getting into and the
situation in general, says wedding planner Martina from factory51.com.au. She’s met with
couples that have come from long distance relationships, and knows that the best way to
avoid jealousy, concern, and frustration is to understand one another.
That means that you’ve got to ask even those awkward questions, like if the relationship is
open, are you both dating, are you trying to make this work, or if you’re just testing the
waters. No matter what, be sure to stay on the same page.

Save Your Money

This might seem a little odd, but yes, you should save your money. A lot goes into long
distance, including gas charges, phone bills, bus tickets, rental cars, or even plane tickets,
so you’ve got to make sure you have some money to spend! Don’t let money prevent you
from this wonderful connection when you want to meet up and have some fun.

Keep the Fire Going

Long distance relationships, like any other relationships, need love and attraction. If you
want this to go anywhere, you have to keep things spicy! Keep your partner in your mind,
tell them what you love about them, have a little fun talking or showing some skin over
skype, and do whatever you can to stay familiar with one another.

It does sound like a lot of work, but it actually isn’t! People do this stuff normally in
relationships anyway, and if you want this relationship to work, you’ve got to put some effort
in it. With a little effort, you can definitely make your relationship last.

Conclusion

I know how difficult it can be to make a relationship work, especially a long distance one, but
it’s possible if you take a deep breath and follow some of these tips. Once you talk with one
another and reaffirm your commitments, you can find ways to move forward with trips, chats,
and new experiences. Don’t give up that connection if you’ve found it!

And before you start panning your wedding, and booking wedding venues etc etc, make sure you are in a healthy relationship.

5 Non-Traditional Wedding Dress Ideas For Brides Who Don’t Want To Wear White

“Mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, listen. On my wedding, I’m going to wear… wait for it… pink.”

It wouldn’t be surprising to see your whole family, including your dog, glaring at you for saying this. Tradition suggests (enforces, rather) that every bride must wear white on her wedding day. When asked why, people will instinctively say, “white symbolizes purity of the soul.” But history explains that it is Queen Victoria who should be blamed for starting the whole white wedding dress bandwagon. In 1840, the queen wore a momentous white wedding gown. The wedding pictures were widely published and being a trendsetter during her reign, many other brides opted for white too. The norm has stuck ever since.

Most brides choose to follow, while some brides refuse to let tradition dictate their wedding fashion. If you have a solid style statement, here are some ways you can use a non-traditional wedding dress without taking away the “bridal” feel.

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