Butterfly Releases for Weddings

Planning a wedding, whether it involves 50 people or 500 people, can be a stressful time.  You want your guests to remember your wedding as a day filled with happiness and enchantment.

One unique effect can be achieved through a live butterfly release.  As a beautiful and environmentally-sound alternative to blowing bubbles, throwing rice or birdseed or releasing balloons, a butterfly release will make your day memorable!  Can you imagine the magnificence of dozens of colorful butterflies winging their way skyward as a grand finale to your wedding ceremony?  The release of nature’s prettiest creatures is a symbolic way to celebrate any number of occasions, including weddings, proms, parties, and quinceneras.  Butterflies have always been thought of as bringing good luck to people and everyone loves butterflies.

One way to involve your guests is to have a “butterfly attendant” hand out the envelopes in which the butterflies are temporarily kept.  When the signal is given, each person opens their envelopes and the butterflies fly out to create a magnificent display.  Some butterflies, especially monarchs, may alight on your guests.  When released, they have a slow and graceful flight.  They are actually “social butterflies!”

On a smaller scale, butterflies can be used as table centerpieces, enclosed in elegant see-through “cages” where they flutter about until time for their release.  Guests are always enchanted by this distinctive and unusual display of beauty.

Butterflies are carefully raised by farmers, who then package them in small Styrofoam coolers before shipping them overnight to your door.  Since they are cold-blooded, they are resting and dormant while in the cooler.  Exposure to warm temperatures will make them active and ready to fly.  They must be released outdoors during daylight and during months where the temperatures are high enough for them to fly ~ above 60 degrees.  Care of the butterflies is minimal; you just keep the container cool for a night by refreezing and replacing the cold pack that comes with each shipment.  Very few butterflies expire before their release and usually one or more “extras” are included in your order.  Most butterfly farmers hold permits to ship several species across state lines. The butterflies you release will be indigenous to your state and will most probably live for a few weeks, finding each other after they are released, mating and helping to repopulate the species.

A butterfly farmer will help you choose the butterflies that are right for your state, your budget and your special occasion.

Linda @ Social Butterflies     www. socialbtrflies.com  434-823-3666
A blog about butterflies ~   **butterflytalk.blogspot.com
Association For Butterflies ~ Join us ~  www.forbutterflies.org

Connecticut Wedding Industry Networking Event

Connecticut Wedding Industry Networking Event

You are cordially invited to join us for a Wedding Industry Networking Event. This gala event will be hosted by Festivities of Norwalk, CT. Enjoy a casual evening of complimentary food and drink with other wedding professionals like yourself. Bring your business cards and enjoy the evening!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Meadowlands
274 Middlesex Road, Darien, CT 06820
7 PM – 9 PM
RSVP to info@BoscoBridal.com
by November 6th

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR WEDDING BUSINESS

Please send us your Company Name, phone # and the number of people attending for a head count for the food and beverages.
Don’t forget your business cards!

DIRECTIONS: 274 Middlesex Road, Darien, CT 06820

DIRECTIONS TO The Meadowlands:
Simply follow the directions below, or for a Mapquest map, click here.

From Westchester County: Take the Bronx River Pkwy., Hutchinson River Pkwy., Saw Mill or the Sprain Book Pkwy to I-287 going East. Follow to I-95 North. Get off at Exit 10 towards Noroton. Turn left onto Noroton Ave. Turn right onto Middlesex Rd. The road is dark and the Meadowlands is set back off the road.

From the Bronx: Take I-95 North into Connecticut. Once in Connecticut get off at Exit 10 towards Noroton. Turn left onto Noroton Ave. Turn right onto Middlesex Rd. The road is dark and the Meadowlands is set back off the road.

From Connecticut South Bound: Take I-95 South towards Exit 10 Noroton. Merge onto Ledge Rd. Turn right onto Noroton Ave. Turn right onto Middlesex Rd. The road is dark and the Meadowlands is set back off the road.

From Connecticut North Bound: Take I-95 North to Exit 10 towards Noroton. Turn left onto Noroton Ave. Turn right onto Middlesex Rd. The road is dark and the Meadowlands is set back off the road.

New Jersey Social Wedding Network

If you are getting married in New Jersey, or are a New Jersey wedding professional, you should check out Jerseywedding.com the newest social wedding network.

Green Wedding Tips

We had posted an article about Green weddings back in 2007, and it remains even more important today:

Here are some tips when planning an eco-friendly green wedding, which incorporates ecologically and socially responsible products and services.

• Location: The first element to set the tone is the location. Environmentally aware pairs are opting for botanical gardens over ballrooms. Many couples are having their nuptials on untouched terrain, for example nature preserves, the beach, parks or their own backyards.

• Keep it local: Whenever possible, use local resources for your wedding. In addition to saving on transportation, you’ll be supporting small businesses and your local economy.

• Bridal gowns: Wear natural fibers like organically grown cotton, silk and hemp, which are becoming increasingly popular. If you are having a dress designed, make sure that it doesn’t contain any synthetic materials or chemical dyes. Many brides to be are also turning to vintage dresses or pre-worn wedding gowns from their family members which also adds a hint of nostalgia.

• Invitations: Use recycled or tree free paper for your invitations.

• Catering: When choosing your caterer, find one who specializes in organic ingredients. Vegetarian and vegan diets are popular for many reasons including health, ethical and environmental concerns. Speak to your caterer to discuss and create an interesting and delicious menu sans meat, dairy and processed sugars. For example, an interesting and delectable entrée would be herb-roasted seitan with grilled artichokes, Mediterranean grilled vegetables with balsamic glaze and wasabi mashed potatoes. Support local farms orchards and vineyards by buying your produce and wine there. The demand for ecologically responsible and healthy food is a growing trend overall in the catering field. Choose organic wine which is made from grapes and grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or other chemicals which damage soil and water. There are many organic wine vineyards to choose from.

• Wedding cake: Find a baker that will make a cake with organic, natural and fair trade ingredients. Be sure to serve fair trade coffee!

• Transportation: Show up in style, Get chauffeured in eco-chic hybrid limousines or opt for the old fashioned horse and buggy.

• After the ceremony: Have guests toss freeze dried flower petals or ecofetti (biodegradable confetti). Eco friendly Birdseed or biodegradable rice is also popular.

• Flowers: Find a local florist who recycles everything they use from the flowers and foliage. Use potted living plants as centerpieces for the tables instead of cut floral arrangements. Select arrangements that can be replanted, and invite your guests to take them home to replant.

• Favors: Organic chocolates make great gifts with a personalized note printed on recycled paper. Jars filled with organic jams, jellies or honey. Handmade soaps or candles are a nice touch as well.

• Candles: Use soy candles, its romantic and energy efficient. They are cleaner and longer burning than regular candles.

• Photography: When choosing a photographer, make sure you chose a photographer that works in digital format. Digital photos are easier to share and much more environmentally friendly. No harmful chemicals, film or wasted paper. If you are set on film photography, there are less toxic developing methods, discuss this option with your photographer.

• Honeymoon: When planning your honeymoon, consider the rainforest in Costa Rica or an amazing adventurous escape at an eco friendly holistic luxurious spa in Africa or Fiji.

By Kristin Ciccolella, WedAlert

Planning a Memorable Wedding Ceremony

Congratulations! You and your beloved have decided to get married. Romance and excitement fills the air as you think about what you will wear, what your bouquet will look like, who will be invited, and where the wedding reception will take place. But don’t forget the wedding ceremony. These days there’s so much emphasis on planning the "fun" parts of a wedding (reception, music, food, gown, etc.) the ceremony itself can easily become nothing but an afterthought.

So what is a wedding ceremony? It is a rite of passage in the form of a public exchange of vows. Note the keyword here - "public." Two people state their vows in the presence of their guests, who are active witnesses, and an officiant. It is interesting to note that the officiant (minister, pastor, judge) doesn’t actually marry the couple, instead they marry each other, by means of stating their intent, reciting their vows, and the other formalities customary to the wedding ceremony. The officiant is merely the formal representative of your witnesses. Your officiant can also lead you through the customs and rituals associated with the ceremony.

Does this mean that you have to have hundreds of "witnesses?" Of course not. You may have your heart set on inviting hundreds of friends and family members to celebrates, and have a maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, jr. bridesmaids and groomsmen, ring bearers and flower girls. Then again, you may prefer to have a simple ceremony in front of your immediate families with only have a maid of honor and best man. Some areas only require your officiant to be the official witness. Be sure to inquire at your marriage license bureau to see what local rules apply.

Sit down with your fiancé and decide what style of ceremony will be the most appropriate for both of you. Do the two of you prefer a religious, non-denominational, or perhaps civil ceremony? Do you want readings, and if so, would you prefer them to be from scripture, literature or from another source? Are there any cultural or ethnic customs you want incorporated into your ceremony? How many guests do you want? Don’t forget to think about your parents, and the expectations, if any, they may have for your wedding day.

Adding personalized touches to your ceremony is fun, and can make for a much more meaningful event, not only for your friends and family, but for you and your fiancé. Personalization can make the difference between a cookie cutter wedding and one that is charming and expressive.

The variety of ways to add personalization is easy and abundant. You can include a special reading or prayer. A special hymn or song can be played. You may choose to compose all of your vows, or just a portion. The observance of ethnic or family customs is a nice touch. Perhaps you can carry a handkerchief or pin that was carried by your grandmother or mother when she got married or incorporate a flower that was in your sister’s bouquet into your own . . .

Be sure to inform your guests as to the meaning behind any unusual or particularly special personalization, or cultural rituals. Keeping your guests informed during your wedding ceremony, and allowing them to understand and appreciate the events happening before them will make your event more meaningful and memorable for everyone. One of the easiest, and inexpensive, ways to provide this information is by using a program, which also makes a lovely keepsake of your special day. With the use of a home computer, a color printer, and some pretty paper from your local craft store, you can easily design and create a unique program for your wedding.

But regardless of how simple or how elaborate your wedding ceremony will be, please give it some serious thought while planning your wedding. After all, your ceremony is the reason for the day, and the celebration that follows, isn’t it?

By Jean Neuhart, Professional Bridal Consultant
Weddings From The Heart

Recently engaged...What's next?

Happy New Year!

So you just got engaged, now what. After the many congratulations are received for all those who got engaged over the holiday the task of planning your wedding begins.

Here are a few tips and tools from WedAlert.

First, sit down with your fiance and go over the budget. The more detailed you can be, and the more you adhere to your budget plan, the less stress you will encounter. We have put together a Wedding Budget Checklist that you can print out for help creating your own plan. When creating your budget, you may want to consider the traditional wedding expense breakdown to find out "Who Pays for What". However, our recent polling reveals that these traditions of who pays are changing. WedAlert also offers tips for Planning a Wonderful Wedding on a Realistic Budget which is especially relevant given the current economic climate.

Secondly, wedding planning follows a logical timeline. You cannot book the essential vendors such as a photographer, or wedding band until you have secured the wedding date and reception location. WedAlert offers a twelve month wedding planning calendar to help you with your upcoming marriage plans.

Third, begin to look for essential wedding professionals. The internet has made this task much easier than in the past, since you can compare vendors online from the comfort of your home, in your own time, and without travel. However, once you have narrowed down your selections, it is strongly suggested that you meet the vendors "face to face", and that you view personally all the items and services to be used in your wedding celebration. Start with using the WedAlert Reception Site Locator to search our database of Banquet Halls, Catering Halls, Mansions, Yachts, Hotels, Reception Halls, Country Clubs, Lofts, Museums, Restaurants, Gardens, and other unique spaces. Once you have booked your date search our directory to find all the essential local and national wedding professionals.

Fourth, focus on the details. Find the perfect bridal gown, decide on favors, toasting glasses and other items to use at your ceremony or wedding reception. WedAlert offers another checklist to help you with purchasing all your wedding necessities. You may also want to find the perfect wedding songs to walk down the aisle to, use for your first dance, or any of your parent or other specialty dances. Find over 1,400 wedding song samples in the WedAlert wedding music library.

Lastly, maintain a good attitude, remain positive, and have a sense of humor.

WedAlert also has the following tools and recommended articles to help you plan your upcoming event:
Bridal Gowns and Bridesmaids Dresses
Bridal Registry List
Schedules of Bridal Shows in your area
Honeymoon Vacation Ideas and Suggested Itineraries
An online wedding consultant - Ask Mikki
Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations List
Top Bridal Fitness Questions (And Their Answers)
Wedding Photography Check List
Many more helpful articles
Honeymoon Giveaway contest.

Good luck, have fun, and best wishes on your upcoming wedding from all of us at WedAlert.

Diamond Education

Blue Nile has a wonderful section on Education & Guidance for purchasing diamonds.

Everything you need to know about the 4C's Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight is explained in detail with great explanations and illustrations.

WedAlert also has numerous articles about engagement and wedding rings to help you with this important purchase.

Good luck, and please share your experiences with us here regarding your search for the perfect rings.

More New Local Wedding Professionals

WedAlert welcomes the following new preferred wedding professionals for the last week of July, 2008.

Sugar N Spice Events - FL - Wedding Consultants
Creative Photos - PA - Photography
Green Planet Ministry - NJ - Officiants/Clergy
VideoExperts - CT, NY - Videography
Elliott Event and Floral - WA - Florists and Event Decorations
Dave Ivaz Music - IL - Entertainment Orchestra, Entertainment Bands
Gerry Johnston, Guitarist - MA, CT, NH, RI and ME - Entertainment Musicians
Exquisite Events - LA - Wedding Consultants
Wedding Window - MA - Unique Services
From The Gown Up - WA - Bridal Shops-Gowns and Bridal Accessories
Windstar Gardens Event Center - AZ - Banquet Facilities and Reception Sites, Ceremony Locations and Rehearsal Dinner-Shower Locations.

If you are a wedding professional and would like to learn more about WedAlert can do for your business, visit our Wedding Professionals page

Wedding Invitations – How to be Creative Even on the Outside

Wedding invitations are one of the few pieces of mail that people enjoy receiving. It’s fun to open up that envelope knowing there’s a custom invitation inside. But amidst all of today’s junk mail, how can you make your envelope stand out to get your guests’ attention?

There are actually several ways you can make your mailing envelope as unique as your wedding invitation.

• Shape - With so many wedding invitation designs available today, you could easily select a uniquely shaped style such as square or tea length. The mailing envelope will then reflect that same distinctive size to fit the invitation.
  
  
• Style - Another option is to select a Seal and Send wedding invitation style. This all-in-one invitation is designed to be folded into a self-mailing piece eliminating the need for a mailing envelope. The response card is attached to the invitation so it can be easily detached by your wedding guest along the perforation. This also eliminates the response card return mailing envelope and saves on your postage cost as it only requires a postcard stamp.
  
  
• Color - How about using color for emphasis? Some wedding invitations now come with colored mailing envelopes. In particular, self-mailer invitations often include a colored envelopment. The envelopment holds your invitation card and has a built-in pocket for keeping any extra enclosures. It is then folded up wrapping around all your invitation pieces to become your mailing envelope.
  
  
• Decorative Seals - Adding a seal to your wedding invitation envelope could be that extra touch you’ve been looking for. Even though your envelope is sealed, you can choose to place a special seal on the back so it gives the illusion that the seal is actually holding the flap down. There are many seal design choices, from monograms to first names to specific themes. Their appearance can be clear, white, silver, gold, embossed, etc.
  
  
• Custom Wedding Stamps - There are now websites that offer you the option of creating your own personalized postage stamps using an uploaded photo or choosing from ready-to-use wedding designs. This is a great way to dress up your wedding invitation envelopes to reflect your personal style.

You want to be sure your wedding invitation gets the attention of your guests as soon as it arrives in their mail and that it doesn’t get lost in their sea of junk mail and bills. Using any of the above suggestions will surely accomplish this and will start building their excitement even before they see your actual invitation.

By Sara Haese
Printed Creations Wedding Store

Wedding Invitations – How to be Creative Even on the Outside

Wedding invitations are one of the few pieces of mail that people enjoy receiving. It’s fun to open up that envelope knowing there’s a custom invitation inside. But amidst all of today’s junk mail, how can you make your envelope stand out to get your guests’ attention?

There are actually several ways you can make your mailing envelope as unique as your wedding invitation.

• Shape - With so many wedding invitation designs available today, you could easily select a uniquely shaped style such as square or tea length. The mailing envelope will then reflect that same distinctive size to fit the invitation.
  
  
• Style - Another option is to select a Seal and Send wedding invitation style. This all-in-one invitation is designed to be folded into a self-mailing piece eliminating the need for a mailing envelope. The response card is attached to the invitation so it can be easily detached by your wedding guest along the perforation. This also eliminates the response card return mailing envelope and saves on your postage cost as it only requires a postcard stamp.
  
  
• Color - How about using color for emphasis? Some wedding invitations now come with colored mailing envelopes. In particular, self-mailer invitations often include a colored envelopment. The envelopment holds your invitation card and has a built-in pocket for keeping any extra enclosures. It is then folded up wrapping around all your invitation pieces to become your mailing envelope.
  
  
• Decorative Seals - Adding a seal to your wedding invitation envelope could be that extra touch you’ve been looking for. Even though your envelope is sealed, you can choose to place a special seal on the back so it gives the illusion that the seal is actually holding the flap down. There are many seal design choices, from monograms to first names to specific themes. Their appearance can be clear, white, silver, gold, embossed, etc.
  
  
• Custom Wedding Stamps - There are now websites that offer you the option of creating your own personalized postage stamps using an uploaded photo or choosing from ready-to-use wedding designs. This is a great way to dress up your wedding invitation envelopes to reflect your personal style.
  

You want to be sure your wedding invitation gets the attention of your guests as soon as it arrives in their mail and that it doesn’t get lost in their sea of junk mail and bills. Using any of the above suggestions will surely accomplish this and will start building their excitement even before they see your actual invitation.

Sara Haese
http://www.PrintedCreationsWeddingStore.com
Visitors can also sign up to receive her FREE Wedding Invitation Guide.

Twin Cities has been added

The Twin Cities Metro Wedding page has been added to WedAlert. So if you are planning a wedding in the St. Paul - Minneapolis Metro area or the surrounding counties, visit http://www.wedalert.com/local_wedding_services/minnesota/St.Paul-Minneapolis_Twin_Cities.asp.

Memphis Tennessee Weddings

The Memphis Wedding page has been added to WedAlert. So if you are planning a Memphis Tennessee Wedding, visit it at http://www.wedalert.com/local_wedding_services/tennessee/memphis.asp.

Whether you are local to the area, or planning a destination wedding, Memphis is a great setting for your wedding ceremony and reception.

Unity Candles: A Symbol of a Couple’s Love

Your wedding is one of the greatest milestones which you could every experience in your life. It is an event which has a lot of meaning and you want to share it with your friends and loved ones. In short, your wedding is holder of many symbols of the love between you and your future husband, as well as your love as a couple for every single person who is in attendance on that memorable day. Because it is a holder of symbols, many different things that are ever-present in your wedding also stand for things that ultimately point towards the direction of love, togetherness and eternity. One such symbol is the unity candle. The lighting of the unity candle is a beautiful wedding tradition that has been carried on for centuries. One can only hold his or her breath in awe as the unity candles are lit, as a sign of your love and willingness to go through life as a couple.

These unity candles are used during the wedding ceremony, specifically in the part where the vows are read and the corresponding rituals and traditions follow. Unity candles are a lot more special than the other decorative illuminants in your wedding, as they hold a special meaning and stand out from the rest by being lit during the time when you declare wholeheartedly your desire and determination to spend forever with a single person until death do you part. However, the purpose and beauty of unity candles do not end with “You many now kiss the bride” or when everyone leaves for the much-awaited reception festivities. Some couples specifically instruct their aides to bring the unity candles with them to the reception hall and be placed in front of the couple’s dining table as a way to romantically illuminate and further enhance and solidify the evidence of their togetherness.

Unity candles are a wonderful part of any couple’s wedding mementos. Apart from the obligatory keeping of the wedding dress, ring cushion and other whatnots, the unity candles are also carefully placed in storage as part of the remembrance of that special day. Some couples even make it a point to continue to celebrate their relationship year in and year out with their unity candle, bringing it out and lighting it for a moment as they reminisce of that beautiful day that they were proclaimed man and wife. Some, in their old age, keep it out as a symbol of the love that has carried them through the decades and now look forward to a quiet togetherness in their twilight years, with plenty of beautiful memories to share together.

Indeed, unity candles are more than just some pretty store-bought item that must be purchased to complete the entire wedding procedure. Unity candles are meant to be cherished not just for their beauty and intricacy, but for the symbol it carries – the love of a man and woman and their desire to create a beautiful life of their very own.

Submitted by Engraved Gift Creations

Winter Wedding Tips

Are you planning on getting married this winter? Here are some tips on how to decorate and plan your winter wedding.

Décor that appeals to the senses is important when trying to pulling off a romantic winter wedding. "Choose colors of rich jewel tones such as purple, forest green, and navy. Sapphire blue, ice blue or powder blue, silver and white can be used if you want to steer clear of the traditional Christmas colors", suggests Lynette Gamble, senior coordinator of Affairs of Grandeur. The glow of candlelight will add warmth and ambiance to your ceremony and reception site.

Lynette also suggests to keep floral costs to a minimum, use flowers that are already available during the winter months. Some flower choices are: poinsettias, roses, amaryllis, and lilies. Evergreens are popular choices for decorations while holly branches and other plants with red berries are ideal for use in floral arrangements.

The season that you are getting married can spark some great, creative ideas for wedding centerpieces, says Stephen Badali of the Wedding Ideas Guide, who suggests adding pine cones or holiday items.

Mikki Viereck, WedAlert's resident wedding expert from Ask Mikki advises choosing white flowers (with touches of silver twigs and/or silver netting. Additionally, silver ribbon on the cake, tables, bouquets or chairs would work.

Many reception facilities have cozy fireplaces to add ambiance and warmth for your winter wedding.

Adding an ice sculpture to display during your cocktail hour and/or reception is always a great idea for a winter themed wedding.

Also, you can consider winter foods for your menu. Include hot chocolate with the coffee service, and start with a hot soup appetizer.

As for favors, Lynette Gamble recommends candles of course. "Cinnamon Apple, Pumpkin Pie, and Vanilla are all pleasant scents that remind you of being a kid in your grandmothers' kitchen and they're nice this time of year", says Gamble. "Spiced teas, coffee mugs, snow globes and Christmas ornaments imprinted with the couples name and wedding date will also make great favors."

Good luck with your upcoming wedding. May it truly be a Winter Wonderland.

WedAlert Resources:
How to Create a Romantic Winter Wedding
Ask Mikki
Wedding Centerpieces - Four Tips For Stunning Centerpieces

PhotoStamps perfect for Weddings

PhotoStamps are a perfect way to make your special day even more special.

Use these personalized stamps for wedding invitations, save-the-date cards, thank-you notes, and gifts!

So before you mail out anything to your wedding guests get PhotoStamps first.

Bridezillas is looking for WedAlert Brides

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bridezillas is looking for WedAlert Brides

HACKENSACK, NJ (November 6, 2007)-WedAlert.com, one of the most popular and fastest growing interactive online wedding planning directories on the Internet, today announced that Bridezillas is looking for WedAlert Brides.

Bridezillas, WE TV’s most successful series is back for a 5th Season and is currently seeking brides that are getting married from November 2007 to April 2008.

Bridezillas is looking to WedAlert to find these brides. Therefore, if you are planning a wedding in the next six months, and your wedding plans are getting out of control, and you are doing everything in your power to make sure your wedding is perfect, and you think you have what it takes to be on America's top rated wedding show, then visit http://www.wedalert.com/showcase/Bridezillas to submit your information.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About WedAlert.com
Established in 1995, with headquarters in Hackensack, NJ, WedAlert.com is one of the most popular and fastest growing interactive online wedding planning directories on the Internet whose mission is to match the local bride and groom with wedding professionals in their geographic area, taking them from the engagement all the way through to the “I do” straight through to the honeymoon. By offering free access to the largest wedding song library on the Internet and other multimedia tools, such as virtual tours and streaming video, WedAlert.com saves couples both valuable time and money involved in planning their wedding. For more information, please visit www.WedAlert.com.


About Bridezillas
Bridezillas has been featured on The View, E Entertainment, Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, as well as many other notable news outlets. The show has become a cultural phenomenon and the word itself “Bridezilla” has become part of our urban dictionary.

Sedona has been added

The Sedona Wedding page has been added to WedAlert. So if you are planning a Sedona Arizona wedding, visit it at http://www.wedalert.com/local_wedding_services/arizona/sedona.asp.

Whether you are local to the area, or planning a destination wedding, Sedona couldn't be a more romantic setting for your wedding ceremony and reception.

Wedding Centerpieces - Four Tips For Stunning Centerpieces

There are many details that go into planning a wedding reception. After you find a location for your reception, book the caterer, and hire the entertainment, your focus can turn towards other topics like wedding centerpieces.

As with all wedding details, wedding centerpieces come in a wide range of choices. From expensive and over the top to cheap and modest, you will have to search for the option that is right for you and your wedding celebration.

Set your budget and start thinking of wedding centerpiece ideas. As the saying goes, sometimes less is more, and centerpieces are no exception.

If you are having a simple, elegant wedding you would not want to have lavish, obnoxious centerpieces that excessively stand out. On the other hand if you are having an elaborate wedding affair an extremely simple centerpiece may look out of place.

Here are four tips for finding the perfect wedding centerpiece:

Look For Unique Vases or Items For Flowers

Flowers are the most popular choice for centerpieces, but that doesn't mean you can't be creative. Try finding unique vases instead of ordinary clear glass vases. There are many options including different color glass vases and unique shapes.

Instead of vases you can also choose other items to hold your flowers like birdcages or fishbowls. Try adding items to the containers like stones, pearls or other objects that match your theme.

Think Seasonal For Centerpiece Ideas

The season that you are getting married can spark some great, creative ideas for wedding centerpieces.

For a Fall wedding consider incorporating pumpkins into your centerpieces. Options include small carved pumpkins that can double as wedding favors and pumpkins filled with flowers or candles.

Summer weddings have many items that can be used for centerpieces. These include seashells, lighthouses and other nautical items.

For a Winter wedding, add pine cones or holiday items.

Get Creative

Think outside of the box and come up with something unique. If you have an overall theme to your wedding, try incorporating something from that theme into your centerpieces.

For example, if you are getting married in a city like New York or Chicago, try tying in something unique from that city. New York is called The Big Apple, so you could somehow incorporate apples into your centerpieces.

Ask a Professional

Having trouble coming up with unique ideas for your centerpieces? Ask your vendors for help.

Florists, caterers and wedding planners are great resources for centerpiece ideas. They have a lot of experience and have seen a lot of things, so bounce your ideas off of them.

This article was submitted by Stephen Badiali
hthttp://www.wedding-ideas-guide.com

Diamonds are Cheaper in Summer Time

The following was provided by Freddy Diamonds:

It is hard to believe it is already August. My wife woke up this morning, and we were talking about two of our single friends, one of which is always reading bridal magazines.

My wife explained to me that she was told by her firend that Summer is the best time to buy a wedding dress. I explained that it is even a better time to buy a diamond.

The reason is simple, most people are going on vacations, getting their kids ready for school, buying school clothes, things like that. The last thing anyone is buying is a diamond. Therefore, all the brokers, importers, and retailers have to wait until fall for engagements, and for the holidays.

Due to these reasons, if you are considering buying a diamond summertime is generally the best time to buy.

Difficult Invitation Wording Situations Part 2

This is a follow up to our last posting about difficult wedding invitation wording situations:

There can be more situations that create difficult-to-word situations. Because weddings are so diverse and so personal to any couple, you are bound to encounter invitation situations that are hard to address in writing. As couples want to say the right thing without offending anyone, we wanted to bring you solutions to your most-asked questions.

As tradition states that the party who is hosting the wedding should do the inviting on a wedding invitation. Traditionally, this would be the bride’s parents. However, what happens if the groom’s parents are hosting or if the bride does not have parents. There are two ways to remedy this wording problem. If the groom’s parents are hosting the wedding, then you can use wording similar to this:

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth McDonald
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Miss Elise Brennan
to their son
Jason Harold McDonald

Another way is to word the invitation so that the couple is hosting their own wedding. See the example below.

The honour of your presence
is requested
at the marriage of
Ms. Valerie Atwood
and
Mr. John Thomas

Some couples also struggle with invitation wording when they want to let their guests know that children are not allowed. Many times, couples will have printed, “Adults Only,” or “Adults Only Reception.” According to etiquette, this is not correct. If you do not want children, simply do not invite them. Another option is to have a family member or close friend spread the word.

What if you want to provide registry information to your guests? It is not traditionally acceptable to provide gift registry information on your wedding invitation. However, more and more couples are turning to the internet and establishing their own wedding webpage. Your wedding website can include information about how you met your fiancé, the proposal, the wedding party and even your gift registry. Travel and accommodation information can also be included on your wedding webpage, along with local attractions. More and more couples are using their wedding webpage so that their guests can obtain registry information and much more.

Situations may seem difficult when trying to explain them formally, on a wedding invitation. The best advice to remember is to say on your wedding invitations what you are comfortable with, and use etiquette to guide you along. If you say what is best for you and your fiancé on your wedding invitations, you can’t go wrong!

Should I let a friend videotape my wedding?

I was recently at a wedding where, during the ceremony, there were probably 7-8 people crowding around the bride and groom. Each person was armed with a palmcorder or handycam, jocking for a good spot and nearly pushing the photographer, a paid professional, and myself out of the way. She, the photographer, had to kindly inform someone that she was getting paid and had to ask them to move. I noticed that over half of the seated guests were pointing either digital cameras or cell phones at the bride and groom and, even though the ceremony was outside, on a sunny day, the repeated auto-flashes, strobing and beeping was enough to cause a headache.

With that many people holding a camera of some sort, it made me wonder why anyone would hire a professional videographer. With digital technology becoming less expensive and more accessible, and with it getting easier to share pics and video clips with anyone in the world that has internet access, it seems that just about anybody could, possibly, shoot a decent and watchable wedding video.

So, should you let a friend or family member shoot yours? Chances are, you probably know a few people that own a camera and probably own one yourself. Why not let someone you know do it for you? They'll enjoy having a chance to be creative and you'll save some money.

The benefit of having a friend shoot your wedding video is that while you might have to give them a few bucks for tapes, you won't have to spend anywhere from $600 to $3000, or more, to hire a professional. With a professional, though, they know what they're doing. That's not to say that your friend isn't capable of producing a quality video that you'll enjoy watching, but more than likely, a professional has gone to school and received training, or both, for specifically this kind of work, has shot numerous wedding videos, has years of experience, and has spent literally thousands of dollars on pro-grade equipment.

Some real-life examples:

My partner took a job where the groom used his own camera to shoot he and his bride's wedding video. During the ceremony, the camera was mounted on a tripod and positioned at the back end of the room. You could see everything in the frame, albeit, not clearly. The bride and groom looked like a couple of blurry dots in the background, which was probably due to the camera being set on auto mode. And, since the built-in, on-camera microphone was used, the sound was almost unbearable to listen to. There was a continuous noise that sounded like tape hiss throughout and the guests seated on the back rows, talking and sniffling, were about the only thing that could be heard. The exchange of vows was missed entirely. Those important words, "I do" and "I now pronounce you husband and wife," were completely inaudible.

Another couple wanted their wedding video put on DVD. They had also asked someone they knew to shoot it for them. It seemed that there was an almost endless amount of footage that was mostly boring to watch. Aside from having some bad footage and bad audio (again, the built-in mic was used), the couple didn't have the proper tools and skills to take the footage from their tapes and transfer it to DVD. They also didn't have the right tools or know-how to edit the video in order to make it more interesting and enjoyable to watch. A professional videographer is, in many cases, an editor as well, and would normally allot 20-30 hours just for editing a wedding video.

These are just 2 examples, and quality isn't necessarily everything. You could purchase a digital videocamera for $200 or $300 and spend $40 or $50 on a simple editing program, and either do it yourself, or have a friend or family member do it for you. But, hiring a professional videographer, one who is equipped with the right gear, may be a better choice than handing a camera to someone you know and trusting that they'll produce a video that you'll actually want to watch. Professional camera, sound and editing equipment can cost more than a new car and it takes a considerable amount of time, training and talent to learn how to use it effectively and proficiently.

A consumer-end camera manned by a friend would get the job done. You would definitely have a document of your wedding day, but here are some questions you might ask:

If the picture and sound quality were poor, would you watch the video once and store it on a shelf or in a box somewhere?
Would you be able to even watch it once without fast-forwarding to the good spots?
Would your friend be able to hold the camera steady and keep the subjects, you and your soon-to-be husband, in focus?
Would your friend simply put the camera on a tripod and hit record, hoping that the camera's automatic functions do the job and that the picture and sound are clear?
Would you end up with an artistic, cinematic video that runs between 45 minutes and an hour long, which tells only your story and shows exactly what you would want to see, or would you end up with 3 to 4 hours of raw footage, where only a small portion is interesting to watch?

There are many other factors to consider when trying to decide if you want to hire a professional videographer or go with a friend, but the key thing is whether you would want to basically be the star of your own movie, or if you would rather have a home video.

Written by Matthew Mercier
©2007 Magic Productions

Hawaii has been added

The Hawaii Wedding page has been added to WedAlert. So if you are planning a Hawaiian wedding, visit it at http://www.wedalert.com/local_wedding_services/hawaii/.

WedAlert is now the 3rd most popular wedding directory.

According to Alexa:

The most visited sites in all 'Weddings' categories.

1. The Knot
2. WeddingChannel
3. WedAlert

Thank you for your support. We will continue to strive to help make your wedding planning easier!

Why Wedding Colors Aren't Such a Huge Help After All

It was during the holidays, most likely. At the glitzy restaurant, you got your diamond solitaire and the proposal you'd been waiting for, maybe for years (which wasn't, "hey, you wanna get two tickets to the Rangers this weekend?"). Then it was tears, a smattering of applause, crème brulée (hopefully), a frantic call to the parents and the top five BFFs, and then with any luck, you sat back for a good week or three to simply enjoy the moment, before diving head-first into what could be a solid year of wedding planning. You did, didn't you?

After that, it was binder time ... or event planning software time, depending on how addicted you are to your Blackberry. Now it was a simple matter of selecting a generous handful of vendors and checking off a few hundred boxes. But somewhere in all this, you and your fiancé needed to lead the troops, set the flow. Where do most people start? By choosing wedding colors.

The problem is, this is a lousy place to start. There's no question, wedding colors are valuable. Fundamental, even. You can't choose your invitations or even something as minuscule as a bouquet wrap without them. But these days, the average wedding is a very big event. And very big events need a center with far more emotional resonance than colors can offer. And that center is a theme.

Some brides balk at themes. They picture bridesmaids with fairy wings or magic wands, or towering piles of pumpkins and gourds stacked on hay bales. "Not for me," you hear. "My theme is 'a wedding.'"

But a wedding planner won't let you get away with that. And let's listen to her, because she
knows what she's doing. A wedding planner knows that every love story has a theme, including yours.

Let's make the theme-haters feel better by calling it by some other words. Let's try 'mood.' Or get wordy, and say 'a sense of place and time.'

Your wedding is a day-long dramatization of your story as a couple. Think of it as a movie ... goodness knows you'll be spending enough on photography and videography to justify that. So even if you plan to skip the hay bales, your event still needs to have a storyline, a look, a feel, a heart. And that heart depends on you two: your personalities, what brought you together, and your gut feelings about romance.

Arsty couples are basing their receptions on black-and-white movies (for some, a picture of ultimate glamour) or even a painting, like van Gogh's Starry Night. Starry Night evokes a definite mood. And within that mood are all the elements you need to plan an event: even one as big as a wedding. Moulin Rouge's love story is another mood, place and time.

The problem with pink and silver, say, or peach and chartreuse, is that there just isn't enough emotional vibration to move forward. Pink and silver doesn't say much about your hopes and dreams for your new life together, or how you met at the coffee shop, or cheered in the stands together as college sweethearts. It doesn't tell your guests much about you as a couple: how he left a rose on your car seat, or stayed up all night with your sick dog (now the happy ringbearer), or how you both independently came to the conclusion that you simply have to bike across France within the next ten years.

And that's what a reception is for ... to breathe that love story to life in some way that your guests will absorb, and remember.

So think about you two as individuals before you think about colors. The colors are secondary, if that. They're workhorses, and they'll serve you well, but settling on colors before you flesh out a theme is like distributing the trailer before you storyboard the movie. It leads to a lot of frustration and dead ends. And if you don't believe me, visit the color sections on my site where bride after bride is agonizing over what to do next, now that she's picked her colors. The colors give her no clue.

Spend your time on the theme, and let the colors play a supporting role. You'll find that a well-developed theme starts to almost plan the wedding for you. And then, when the day arrives, it tells your guests exactly who you are ... and how you love. And that's what a wedding's for.

This article was provided by Blake Kritzberg at FavorIdeas, a site for wedding favors, theme wedding ideas and sharing bridal finds.

Eco-Chic Weddings: Green Wedding Tips

Green is becoming the new white when it comes to weddings. Eco-chic weddings are becoming increasingly popular among couples.

Here are some tips when planning an eco-friendly green wedding, which incorporates ecologically and socially responsible products and services.

• Location: The first element to set the tone is the location. Environmentally aware pairs are opting for botanical gardens over ballrooms. Many couples are having their nuptials on untouched terrain, for example nature preserves, the beach, parks or their own backyards.

• Keep it local: Whenever possible, use local resources for your wedding. In addition to saving on transportation, you’ll be supporting small businesses and your local economy.

• Bridal gowns: Wear natural fibers like organically grown cotton, silk and hemp, which are becoming increasingly popular. If you are having a dress designed, make sure that it doesn’t contain any synthetic materials or chemical dyes. Many brides to be are also turning to vintage dresses or pre-worn wedding gowns from their family members which also adds a hint of nostalgia.

• Invitations: Use recycled or tree free paper for your invitations.

• Catering: When choosing your caterer, find one who specializes in organic ingredients. Vegetarian and vegan diets are popular for many reasons including health, ethical and environmental concerns. Speak to your caterer to discuss and create an interesting and delicious menu sans meat, dairy and processed sugars. For example, an interesting and delectable entrée would be herb-roasted seitan with grilled artichokes, Mediterranean grilled vegetables with balsamic glaze and wasabi mashed potatoes. Support local farms orchards and vineyards by buying your produce and wine there. The demand for ecologically responsible and healthy food is a growing trend overall in the catering field. Choose organic wine which is made from grapes and grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or other chemicals which damage soil and water. There are many organic wine vineyards to choose from.

• Wedding cake: Find a baker that will make a cake with organic, natural and fair trade ingredients. Be sure to serve fair trade coffee!

• Transportation: Show up in style, Get chauffeured in eco-chic hybrid limousines or opt for the old fashioned horse and buggy.

• After the ceremony: Have guests toss freeze dried flower petals or ecofetti (biodegradable confetti). Eco friendly Birdseed or biodegradable rice is also popular.

• Flowers: Find a local florist who recycles everything they use from the flowers and foliage. Use potted living plants as centerpieces for the tables instead of cut floral arrangements. Select arrangements that can be replanted, and invite your guests to take them home to replant.

• Favors: Organic chocolates make great gifts with a personalized note printed on recycled paper. Jars filled with organic jams, jellies or honey. Handmade soaps or candles are a nice touch as well.

• Candles: Use soy candles, its romantic and energy efficient. They are cleaner and longer burning than regular candles.

• Photography: When choosing a photographer, make sure you chose a photographer that works in digital format. Digital photos are easier to share and much more environmentally friendly. No harmful chemicals, film or wasted paper. If you are set on film photography, there are less toxic developing methods, discuss this option with your photographer.

• Honeymoon: When planning your honeymoon, consider the rainforest in Costa Rica or an amazing adventurous escape at an eco friendly holistic luxurious spa in Africa or Fiji.

By Kristin Ciccolella, WedAlert

How to Pick Your Best Man for Your Wedding

Congratulations. You asked her to marry you and she said "yes" without hesitation. You know which girl you want to spend the rest of your life with. But first, there is boot camp to get through – it's called planning the wedding.

A vital step after popping the question is to pick your best man. This guy will be most involved in your wedding and carry the brunt of the responsibility of your groomsmen. Your best man will most likely throw your bachelor party, he'll hold your wedding rings on the big day, he'll convey your wishes to the other groomsmen, he gives a toast and short speech at the wedding reception, and pretty much stands by your side and keeps you from going nuts throughout the whole planning process and on the wedding day.

That being said, your best man should be someone responsible and reliable. Don't pick one of your underachiever buds for this job. You want someone that won't let you down.

A high school or college friend or roommate that has been part of your life on an almost daily level is a good choice. If you are fortunate enough to have a long-term friend, then your choice is a no-brainer. Your best friend is the obvious choice.

If you have one brother, he is also a good candidate for the best man. Your best friend could drift away after college as the years go on, but your brother will always be your brother.

If you have more than one brother, I would hope that you have a long-term friend you can pick as the best man. And then let your brothers all be groomsmen. This way you are not singling out a favorite brother and causing strife amongst the other brothers. But if one brother was the closest in age to you, got along with you the best, and spent the most time with you of all your brothers, then there is nothing wrong with picking him as a best man.

Sometimes a guy will pick his father to be his best man. This is very touching and tells the world that you and your dad are really best friends and understand each other. It's an unexpected twist and will mean a lot to your old man. Don't feel pressure to do this just because it would be you being nice to your dad. He'll be in the wedding in a tux anyway, just like the bride's dad.

You could break tradition and have a woman as "the best man". Although, a title such as "groom's honor attendant" is a better choice. This is a controversial move and may spark some gossip on the wedding day. Your bride is supposed to be your best woman friend. Several eyebrows could be raised amongst the older guests, but the younger guests may not think anything of it. If you are considering this, please be sure to discuss it with your bride-to-be. You want to make sure that all guests are focusing on you and your bride and not one of your attendants.

Whatever you do, go with your gut feelings. It's your choice and anything goes these days. You pick your best man based on who you want to be by your side as you embark on married life.

This article was provided by Lisa Gunther. Lisa is a freelance writer and product reviewer for Gunther Gifts which provides for groomsmen and engraved gift needs.

Related articles:

Choosing Your Groomsmen
How To Give The Perfect Best Man Speech
Best Man - The requirements and duties of the Best Man

Wedding Video Montage Song Selections

Michele and Aaron Hechtman from Crystal Ball Creations have provided the following song suggestions that either they selected or their past clients have used in their video montages.

Certain songs can be used in different categories. Most songs can be found in the WedAlert Wedding Song Library as well.

Baby Songs

Forever Young – Rod Stewart
You’re So Young & Beautiful – Elvis
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Shooting Stars
When you Wish Upon a Star
Butterfly Kisses
Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston
I Never Saw A Miracle Until I Saw You – Barry/Mann/Curtis Montrose Singers
You’re The Love of My Life – Carly Simon
Tiny Dancer – Elton John


Growing Up

My Girl
You’re So Beautiful – Joe Cocker
She’s a Lady – Tom Jones
Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
Let’s Hear It For The Boy
Daughters – John Meyers
I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
You Are The Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder
Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
I Never Saw A Miracle
Brown Eyed Girl
Beautiful – Jim Brickman
Three Times A Lady – Lionel Richie
Circle of Life
Every Breath You Take – UB40
American Girl – Tom Petty
Love Her Madly – The Doors
Drops of Jupiter – Train
Uncle John’s Band – Grateful Dead
The Wind – Cat Stevens
Money – Pink
Break on Through - Doors

Family Pictures

Time of My Life – Dirty Dancing
I’ll Be There For you – Friends Theme
In My Life – Beatles
We Are Family
525,000 Minutes - Rent
You and Me – Lifehouse
Circle of Life – Elton John

Friends

Uptown Girl
Footloose – Kenny Loggins

Couple Pictures

Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis
Forever and Always – Shania Twain
From This Moment – Shania Twain
I’ve Got You Babe – Sony & Cher
What’s Left of Me – Nick Lachey
I Can’t Smile Without You – Barry Manilow
True Companion – Marc Cohen
You and Me – Lifehouse
Amazed – Lonestar
Love of a Lifetime – Lifehouse
Whenever You Call – Brian McKnight & Mariah Carey
Here in My Heart – Kenny Rankin
Till There Was You – Music Man
You’ll be In My Heart – Phil Collins
This Will be An Everlasting Love – Natalie Cole
Spend My Life With You – Eric Benet
A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson
Nobody Loves Me Like You Do – Whitney Houston
God Only Knows What I’d Do Without You – Beach Boys
Danny’s Song – Kenny Loggins
I’ll Be – Edwin McCain
I Could Not Ask For More – Sara Evans
Beautiful Day – U2
Everywhere – Michelle Branch
When I Look To The Sky – Train
With or Without You – U2

Should Your Wedding Invitations be Professionally Printed?

Should Your Wedding Invitations be Professionally Printed?

Today’s brides seem more and more interested in printing their own wedding invitations using home computers to save on costs. Even though you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive some styles of professionally printed invitations really are, there’s so much more to the process than just the monetary cost.

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, so be sure your wedding invitations match the beauty of your special day! Your invitations will be giving your guests their first impression of your wedding.

The whole wedding invitation process starts with choosing your style. Professional printers are able to provide a great selection of different designs including quality papers, unique colors and trendy sizes. They commonly have a style to fit any theme, budget or colors you have in mind.

Professionally printed wedding invitations are typically created by using a process called thermography. This produces the beautiful raised lettering that makes wedding invitations look so elegant.

When it comes to choosing your font style and ink color, you will appreciate all the choices a professional printer has to offer. They can also print your return address on your outer envelopes and provide a color lining for your inner envelopes if you so choose.

Additional matching items such as response cards, maps, direction cards, reception cards, thank you notes and wedding programs can be easily printed at the same time you order your professionally printed wedding invitations.

There is no doubt that your time is at a premium as you are planning your wedding, and printing your own wedding invitations can be a tedious task. So consider saving precious time and possible frustration by letting the professionals handle your wedding invitation printing. Let them do what they do best…provide superior quality resulting in gorgeous wedding invitations.

This information was provided by Sara Haese. She owns Printed Creations Wedding Store where you'll find a great selection of both elegant and inexpensive wedding invitations as well as save the dates. Visitors can also sign up to receive her FREE Wedding Invitation Guide.

So you just got engaged...what now?

Happy New Year! Congratulations are in order for all those who got engaged over the holidays. Traditionally, many people "pop the question" between Christmas and New Year's Day. For all those who are beginning the task of planning your wedding here are a few tips and tools from WedAlert.

First, sit down with your fiance and go over the budget. The more detailed you can be, and the more you adhere to your budget plan, the less stress you will encounter. We have put together a Wedding Budget Checklist that you can print out for help creating your own plan. When creating your budget, you may want to consider the traditional wedding expense breakdown to find out "Who Pays for What".

Secondly, wedding planning follows a logical timeline. You cannot book the essential vendors such as a photographer, or wedding band until you have secured the wedding date and reception location. WedAlert offers a twelve month wedding planning calendar to help you with your upcoming marriage plans.

Third, begin to look for essential wedding professionals. The internet has made this task much easier than in the past, since you can compare vendors online from the comfort of your home, in your own time, and without travel. However, once you have narrowed down your selections, it is strongly suggested that you meet the vendors "face to face", and that you view personally all the items and services to be used in your wedding celebration. Start with using the WedAlert Reception Site Locator to search our database of Banquet Halls, Catering Halls, Mansions, Yachts, Hotels, Reception Halls, Country Clubs, Lofts, Museums, Restaurants, Gardens, and other unique spaces. Once you have booked your date search our directory to find all the essential local and national wedding professionals.

Fourth, focus on the details. Find the perfect gown, decide on favors, toasting glasses and other items to use at your ceremony or wedding reception. WedAlert offers another checklist to help you with purchasing all your wedding necessities. You may also want to find the perfect songs to walk down the aisle to, use for your first dance, or any of your parent or other specialty dances. Find over 1,400 wedding song samples in the WedAlert wedding music library.

Lastly, maintain a good attitude, remain positive, and have a sense of humor.

WedAlert also has the following tools and recommended articles to help you plan your upcoming event:

• Bridal Gowns and Bridesmaids Dresses
• Bridal Registry List
• Schedules of Bridal Shows in your area
• Honeymoon Ideas and Suggested Itineraries
• An online wedding consultant - Ask Mikki
• The Top Ten Planning Tips
• 5 Steps to a Fit Wedding Day
• Wedding Photography Check List
• Marriage Laws

Good luck, have fun, and best wishes on your upcoming wedding from all of us at WedAlert.

Minnesota has been added

The Minnesota Wedding page has been added to WedAlert. Visit it at http://www.wedalert.com/local_wedding_services/minnesota/

Eye makeup tip

Besides neutral gray and brown eye shadows, try a color that'll really complement your peepers! Are your eyes blue? Go for warm metallic tones like copper or bronze. Brown eyed girl? Go for blue. Have hazel or green eyes? Make them pop with purple.