Our Top 25 First Dance Songs

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Your first dance as newlyweds is a memorable moment not only for you, but for your guests as well. You want to be sure to pick a song that resembles your relationship. Here is a list of our favorite first dance songs. Who knows, maybe you’ll find the perfect song for you and your S.O.

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photo credit: Gina Dreher Photography

1. Perfect by Ed Sheeran

2. All of Me by John Legend

3. This Will Be Our Year by The Zombies

4. Stand By Me by Ben E. King

5. Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts

6. Amazed by Lonestar

7. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri

8. All On Me by Devin Dawson

9. Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley

10. Come Rain or Come Shine by Ray Charles

11. Grow Old With Me by Mary Chapin Carpenter

12. I Will by The Beatles

13. I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz

14. Make You Feel My Love by Adele

15. Marry Me by Train

16. Our Love Is Here to Stay by Billie Holiday

17. The Best Is Yet To Come by Frank Sinatra

18. We’ve Only Just Begun by The Carpenters

19. From This Moment On by Shanai Twain

20. Heaven by Bryan Adams

21. Your Song by Elton John

22. At Last by Etta James

23. No One by Alicia Keys

24. You Are by Lionel Richie

25. First Day Of My Life by Bright Eyes

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Trending Wedding Colors of 2018

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Choosing colors for your wedding is no light task. Colors help enforce the style and theme you are trying to create for your big day. We’re sharing our favorite color schemes that might help you decide your own!

1. Greens

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featured above: Cake Fork Set, Vintage Style Pressed Glass Goblet, Glass Mason Jar With Gold Lid Favor, Square Favor Tag

In 2017 neutral greens were huge in the wedding world. For 2018, these colors have developed to be fully nature-inspired. Pair these lush greens with soft greys, pastel pinks and touches of gold to really make your décor pop!

2. Black, White & Gold

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featured above: Black And Gold Opulence Menu Card

A real classic, black and white weddings feel dressy and elegant. Incorporate gold to add some shine to your décor.

3. Blues

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featured above: Decorating Glass Bottle Set, Vintage Style Pressed Glass Goblet, Vintage Romance Large Menu Card

Shades of blue as your main color scheme is a composition you can’t go wrong with. It’s great for every season and easy to dress up or down.

Shop by color at Weddingstar.com

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Top Wedding Trends We Love

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Planning your wedding and want to make sure you’re incorporating all the latest trends? There is an endless amount of inspiration out there, which can become overwhelming. We’ve created a list of the top wedding trends we love and wouldn’t want you to miss!

1. A Touch of Gold

The inherent warmth of glimmering gold is a trend that is here to stay. With its universal appeal, touches of gold will be equally at home no matter what your wedding style and theme is.

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featured above: Gold Champagne Glasses-Cheers To Love, Mr & Mrs Twisted Wire Cake Topper- Gold

2. Fun Food Setups

When entertaining, food is a key ingredient. Provide a feast for not only the palate but the eyes too. Consider the overall color scheme as well as the serve ware.

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photo credit: Jessilyn Wong Photography

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photo credit: Rhythm Photography

3. Cool Gifts For The Kids

Gift your flower girl a pretty pink floral robe to match you and your girls. This mini version is so adorable and she will love dressing up to match.

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featured above: Tween Silky Kimono Robe- Pink Floral

Customized to include his name, gift your ring bearer a personalized shirt. Great for the rehearsal or getting ready with the guys, chances are, your adorable ring bearer will be the center of attention and in many photos too. Shop more kids gift ideas at Weddingstar.

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featured above: Personalized Ring Bearer T-Shirt 

4. Balloons Down The Aisle

Balloons at weddings are back. Switch out the traditional petal toss and ring pillow with jumbo round balloons. Your youngest attendants will love making a grand entrance and this unexpected touch is sure to make your guests smile.

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photo credit: Fola Lawal Photography

5. Unique Guest Books

Put an imaginative twist on the conventional guest book. With the help of your guests, create a unique record that will become a sentimental piece of art for your home or a keepsake box packed with hand written well wishes that will be a lasting reminder of the happy day when your journey began.

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featured above: Phantom Wishing Well Acrylic Box- Greenery Printing

6. Hanging Accents

Aerial displays are a popular way to add visual interest to your décor. Paper lanterns are budget friendly, available in a rainbow of colors and simple to use.

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featured above: Hot Air Balloon Paper Lantern Set , Watermelon Round Paper Lantern- Gold

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Tips for Writing Your Own Wedding Vows

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His & Her Linen Pocket Journals – Ivory and Charcoal
Featured Above: His & Her Linen Pocket Journals – Ivory and Charcoal

Although we may never tire of the traditional vows – there is just a romance to using the same words as so many others have for centuries – your love story is unique, and writing your own vows adds that special personal touch to your ceremony. However, it’s not always easy to get all the feelings from your heart down on a piece of paper to share in front of everyone. Here are 5 tips to help you write your own vows.

1. Make Sure Everyone Is On The Same Page

First, talk to both your fiancé and officiant and make sure they are both okay with personalized wedding vows. Once it’s agreed upon, discuss how you’d like your vows to sound. Maybe you want them to be more romantic than humorous, or serious over casual? While you are at it you should ask your S.O. a couple of questions:

  • Will you write your vows together or apart?
  • Will they be completely different or maybe you’ll make the same promises to one another at the end, similar to traditional vows?
  • Will you share them with one another or keep them a secret until the ceremony?

2. Make Promises

Why have you chosen to spend the rest of your life with this person? What does this marriage mean to you? These are some questions you should ask yourself when writing your vows. Reflect on the good times, but consider all the low times you and your partner may have overcome in your relationship as well. Both your fiancé and guests want your vows to be real, so make sure your promises are meaningful to your relationship. You want to show that love is not simply a feeling but a choice, and that you and your partner are choosing to love one another.

3. Look For Inspiration

Expressing your feelings is no easy task. Gather books, poems, quotes and examples of other wedding vows to help you find the right wording for your vows. If you feel that Shakespeare or Taylor Swift said it best, it’s okay to borrow their words.

4. Be Yourself

Don’t feel the pressure to write something that sounds professionally done. Speak from your heart and do your best to de­scribe your emotions. Take the time to think about the person you’ve become because of your fiancé and put that into words. Both your fiancé and guests will appreciate how real you are being with them.

5. Dress Up Your Vows

You may think that having your vows down on paper is enough, but consider how they may they look when they are pulled out of your pocket or purse. Protect your vows by rewriting them in a notebook. This also allows for your vows to become a keepsake after the wedding, and maybe even reread for a vow renewal.

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Top Groomsmen Gift Ideas

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It has come time to buy the gifts for your wedding party. You’ve checked off the greatest gifts for all your bridesmaids, but not quite sure what to get for the guys? Well, we have you covered! Here are our top trending gifts for your groomsmen, with something for every style that they are sure to love.

1.  Beer Glasses

Ideal for any guy who likes to kick back with a cold one when he’s ready to relax. Choose a glass that suits each groomsmen’s style and customize for a meaningful gift that they will use over and over again.

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featured above: Double Walled Beer Glass, Can Shaped Glass, Giant Engraved Beer Glass, Engraved Glass Beer Mug, Etched Glass Beer Mug

2. Flasks

A flask is one of those items that every guy likes to have, especially for an important occasion like a wedding!  You can personalize each flask for each member of the wedding party with their names or initials.

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featured above: Personalized Wood Flask 

3. Water Bottles

For those always on the go, what better gift to give than a personalized water bottle!

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featured above: Personalized Chrome Water Bottle-Custom Monogram Print

4. Cooler Chair

Great for the outdoors type, surprise them with a personalized cooler chair they can take with to the beach, ballgame or camping. They’ll always have a few cool drinks and a place to sit.

featured above: Cooler Chair-Blue

5. Personalized Beer Caddy

Fill this unique caddy with bottles of craft beer and it is sure to be a hit with the groomsmen!

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featured above: Wood Beer Bottle Caddy With Opener-Typewriter Monogram Etching

6. Men’s Travel Toiletry Bag

Complete with a fresh and trendy style, this canvas toiletry bag is what every on-the-go man needs. Perfect for a destination wedding.

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featured above: Men’s Travel Toiletry Bag- Canvas

7. Travel Bags

Another great groomsmen gift for a destination wedding or if the boys have a bachelor party planned out of town.

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featured above: Weekend Carry On Bag

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Honoring Loved Ones On Your Wedding Day

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A wedding is a time to celebrate, but sometimes not everyone who you wish to celebrate with can be there. Honoring loved ones that have passed can become an important part of your big day. Gone but never forgotten, make your memorial just for you or for everyone in attendance to enjoy.

Carry their images with you

Whether you pin their photos to your bouquet, add them in your cufflinks, or wear a locket with their picture in it, you can take comfort in knowing that they are right there with you. HonoringLovedOnes_2 HonoringLovedOnes_1
Featured Above: Love Locket – Antique Silver, Vintage Book Locket Cufflinks

Include a flower for them in your bouquet

Have a single flower in your bouquet just for them. Whether it’s their favorite flower or just a different color than the others, this subtle touch could mean the world to you and any that knew them.

Reserve them a seat

Others may not know who this seat is for, but you will, and that’s all that matters. Place a single flower or a personal item from this person on the seat. When you look at the seat, you can’t help but remember them.

Write them into your vows/toasts

Incorporate special speeches in honor of your loved ones during the ceremony and/or reception. This is a great way to share some good memories with everyone.

Lighting a candle

A single candle on an entryway table or lighting the candle during your ceremony can be a special moment of remembrance that all can appreciate. HonoringLovedOnes_3
Featured Above: Personalized Memorial Pillar Candle

Play their favorite song

During the reception, have your DJ/band play their favorite song with a special dedication to them. A thoughtful gesture in which anyone can join in by getting on the dance floor, or just by enjoying the song from their seat.

Offer a special favor

Send wedding guests off with a token inspired by your late loved one. You can even include a sign to explain the favor.

Make a donation

Depending on how they passed, you may want to set up a donation in their memory to help fund further research. Or maybe you just want to donate to a charity you know they supported.

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Top 5 Expert Tips For Creating A Whimsical Wedding Ceremony

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When it comes to wedding ceremonies, classic tends to be the style of choice. Wedding planner and Weddingstar Ambassador, Rebecca Chan, created a quirky and fun ceremony inspiration to encourage brides to embrace their fun-loving side! Here are her top 5 tips for pulling off a whimsical, yet elegant wedding ceremony

1. Bring The Outdoors In

Larger than life artisan paper flowers combined with garlands of natural greenery and glimmering gold lanterns provide an ultra-fun nod to the outdoors.

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featured above: Small Decorative Candle Lantern-Gold / Medium Decorative Candle Lantern-Gold

2. Welcome Your Guests

Greet your guests with a playful welcome table sure to grab their attention. The giant blush-toned XO letters are topped with a decorative display featuring an ornamental birdcage and a sweet chalkboard message of thanks.

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Shop similar birdcages and chalkboards at weddingstar.com

3. Glam Up The Rings

Beautiful small-scale boxes help glam up the presentation of the all-important wedding rings. Nestled among luxurious blossom petals in a customized acrylic or shimmering rose gold jewelry box, the look is so pretty and a modern classic in the making.

 

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featured above: Small Glass Jewelry Box With Rose Gold-Modern Serif Initial, Acrylic Wedding Ring Box- Woodland Pretty

4. It’s All In The Details

Incorporate a mix of modern with vintage elements. This will create a layered effect that feels romantic with touches of whimsy.

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Shop similar balloons at weddingstar.com

5. Dreamy Accents

Incorporate a key element in your ceremony, like this dreamy vintage bicycle. Designed for use as a photo backdrop, this charming vignette captures the essence of this style perfectly – romantic, fun and definitely not boring.

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Credits:

Styling: Rebecca Chan Weddings & Events

Photography: Rhythm Photography

XO Table, paper flowers, aisle runner and balloons: Ettridges

Vintage Bike, window shutters, ladder and bird cages: Southern Charm Vintage Rentals

Calligraphy: Ink & Jo

Birch Arch: Chuppah.ca

Flowers and garland: Fete Boutique

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Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

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Wedding planning season has officially started, and one of the first things to consider is getting your bridal party together. Whether you gather your girls together or ask them individually, popping that one big question to them is almost as exciting as getting engaged! Make the whole experience more memorable with a proposal pack they are sure to love.

She Sparkles, She Shines

Let her know how special she is with a one-of-a-kind gift pack that has her name all over it!

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Shop this Gift Box:

Pretty in Pink

Pink is trending this season, and this gift pack is filled with personalized and pink things you know she will cherish.

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Shop this Gift Box:

Spa and Go

Pamper your besties with spa essentials gift wrapped with a little extra love.

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Shop this Gift Box:

Totes of Honor

Your squad will be giddy when they discover their names on one of these proposal packs. Personalized canvas totes make great gifts, and whatever is tucked inside is an added bonus!

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Featured Above: Canvas Tote, Silky Robe

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Featured Above: Wine Tote, Stationery Holder, Signage (coming soon)

For more gift ideas for your girls, check out Weddingstar.com!

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Trendy Bridal Shower Ideas

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Celebrate your bride to be status with a bridal shower you and your besties are sure to love. Here are some of our top bridal shower ideas from decorations to favors and gifts, all with a floral theme that will make your event ultra-feminine.

featured above: Twisted Stem Champagne Glass / Small Personalized Stemless Wine Glass / Personalized Paper Napkins

Get the party started with a signature cocktail served in glassware that’s personalized for your bridal shower. For an extra touch, accompany your drinks with personalized napkins served in an acrylic tray.

featured above: Tall Geo Candle Or Floral Centerpiece / Large Geo Hanging Tea Light Holder

Geometric decorations are super trendy this year, so why not add a mix of gold geo candle holders to your bridal shower table tops.

featured above: Vintage Style Pressed Glass Goblet Pink / Classic Glass Votive Holder

And speaking of trendy, blush tones are a popular color for all things wedding. Add blush elements such as pressed glassware and votive holders to your table décor for a chic feminine style.

featured above: Metallic Gold XOXO Cake Topper

Mini cakes are a fun bridal shower dessert idea that can be dressed up for the celebration with a cake topper.

featured above: Surprise Bloom Favor Box / “love” Print Muslin Drawstring Favor Bag

Bridal shower favors are just one more way to say thanks. Fill beautiful favor boxes or bags with your favorite treat. Your girls are worth every pretty little detail.

For more popular favor ideas for your bridal shower or wedding, visit weddingstar.com

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Style Spotlight: Celebrating the DIY Bride

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Featured Above: Decorative Chalkboard With White Frame

A DIY-loving bride, along with her like-minded friends, gathered for a creative get-together with Weddingstar ambassador, Lorrie Everitt. Together they created some charming handmade crafts, as well as heartfelt memories, to prep for her rustic wedding.

Pretty Petals and Embroidery

With the creative juices freely flowing and the assistance of many hands, everything from the centerpieces to the guest favors was embellished with the handmade touches. Pretty florals, dried petal confetti, delicate ribbons and crafty embroidery all come together for a one-of-a-kind homespun celebration, brimming over with personality.

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Featured Above: Decorative Chalkboard With White Frame, Rose Gold Glass Jewelry Box

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Featured Above: Vintage Inspired Mason Jar Set in Wire Holder

Sweet Handcrafted Details

While working on the DIY projects, party guests were treated to a boxed lunch, and assorted sweets and tea were served in the prettiest fashion. Versatile acrylic trays, blush pink stemware and out-of-the-ordinary diamond engagement ring chocolates inspired thoughts of romance and helped to add casual elegance to the setting.

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Featured Above: Mini Glass Bell Jar With White Fluted Base

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Featured Above: Diamond Ring Ice Cube Tray, Chalkboard with White Frame, Glass Vase Sign Holders

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Featured Above: Chalkboard with White Frame, Glass Vase Sign Holders

Chalkboard Hand Lettering

No need to be an artist to create a graceful handwritten message on a chalkboard sign or personalized gift tag. We have two DIY chalkboard sign tutorials, which also include downloadable lettering templates to make hand lettering doable for any DIY’er. Whether displayed on an easel or all on their own, these multipurpose chalkboards will get your message across beautifully.

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Featured Above: Decorative Chalkboard With White Frame

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Featured Above: Ornate Chalkboard With Vintage Frame in Antique White

Takeaway Tea

Packaged in an adorable mini mason jar, loose-leaf tea is not only delicious, but it looks pretty too. To match, personalized vintage teacups were included in this darling takeaway for all your tea sipping needs.

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Featured Above: Mini Glass Mason Jar With Lid, String of Lights with Light Bulb Wire Cage

Sources:

Creative Direction & DIY Blogs by Lorrie Everitt

Photography by Sara Wilde

Packaging & Party Supplies by Creative Bag

Shot on location at Fox and Fawn Antique Shoppe

Hand Lettering by Jenna Mackintosh from Prose & Fawns Paperie

Florals by Colleen Milne from Petal 2 the Metal

Invitations and Illustrations by Alicia Bint from Alicia’s Infinity

Catering by Andrea Bercovitch-Scaringella at Savoury & Cake

Embroidery Kits by Michelle Galetta from Kiriki Press

Tea by Melissa Lowry from Makeology

Macarons by Zander Rodriguez from Macaronz

Decorative Sugar Cubes by Marnie Lippa from Parties Made Simple

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