 Sandi Fox and Sam Fisher of Vancouver want to go down in history for having one of the most unusual weddings ever. The couple are due to exchange their wedding vows in front of 18,000 jersey-clad screaming Canucks fans at Rogers Arena. The couple won two tickets to the game from a contest that asked fans what they would do to win tickets to watch a Stanley Cup finals game from an executive suite inside the arena. Sandi, 33, a longtime Canucks fan, pledged to cancel her beach wedding and get married at the game instead. Today her dream comes true, with the wedding ceremony taking place at the arena during the first intermission. After the game, the pair will reunite with family and friends (who will not be allowed to attend the ceremony itself) and celebrate. We think they should have a special Canucks themed wedding cake with a Hockey Player Groom Cake Topper. And the perfect accompaniment? A #1 Fan Cheering Bride Cake Topper to stand alongside it, of course!
 A guest book is a lovely way to record the names and good wishes of all the loved ones who attend your wedding. But if you’re looking for something a little more unusual to retain as a keepsake from your big day, you might want to look into one of the many alternatives that are now available to you.
Want something pretty and meaningful, but not cliché or done-to-death? We have the answers…
One of the most beautiful and dramatic alternatives to a guest book is the ‘wish tree’, a custom that originates with the Dutch.
For this, you need to set up a small tree at your reception venue with notecards and string next to it, for guests to write their wishes on. The guests then attach their cards to the branches of the tree, creating a simple yet visually stunning focal point.
 Images from Style Me Pretty
You can enhance the tree further by hanging Crystal Garlands from the branches and scattering Table Glam Crystal Diamonds around the base. A Manzanita Tree generally works best for this kind of installation. Use decorative cards, cut into shapes like hearts or diamonds, and have them pre-punched with holes to make them easier to string up.
A sweet alternative to the wish tree is wishing jars, which is a similar concept but requires less space, and often works well for smaller, less formal or vintage/rustic themed affairs.
 Images from Once Wed
This is a simple concept to execute. The wish jar above is simply labeled ‘Love Letters’ and cards are clothespegged to some string for guests to write on and then deposit in the jar. We like the idea of using several jars, to build on the idea – something like these fun, vintage-y Apothecary Jars. Simply label each one ‘Love Advice’, ‘Best Wishes’ and ‘Read on First Anniversary’… you can be as creative or whimsical as you like. Give each guest a Love Notes Notebook as a wedding favor and encourage them to post notes into one or more jars. Or simply place a stack of Love Notes in a dispenser box next to the glass jars.
The thumbprint family tree is another fun alternative to a conventional guest book, and is so easy to set up. All you need is a canvas with a tree silhouette inked on it, and some pens and inkpads. Guests are meant to add their thumbprints as the ‘leaves’ and write their names underneath.
 Images from Elizabeth Anne Designs
The good news? You can buy a canvas with the tree shape already drawn out on it here.
 Koyal Wholesale Family Tree Canvas Framed Guestbook
Love the artistic element to our alternative guest books? Here’s another great one: the quilt guestbook.
 Images from Style Me Pretty
The idea, again, is straightforward, but quirky. Squares of fabric are pre-cut and pegged up on a line, with fabric pens nearby. Guests write their wishes on the fabric squares, which are later sewn together to create a memory-making quilt that can be treasured forever. So clever!
If sewing is not your strong point, don’t worry, there are other creative options open to you. How about a big corkboard full of memories of your big day? This guest book alternative was set up using a fabric-covered corkboard and some paper flowers that tied in perfectly with the elegant vintage theme of the wedding. The Antique Flair Plume Pen Set would fit in perfectly here.
 Images from Elizabeth Anne Designs
Guests wrote their messages on the flower and pinned them to the board, which was later finished off with dried blooms, pictures and other mementoes from the day. A perfect keepsake…
 Something pretty and precious and pink – for Pink! The singer, whose real name is Alecia Beth Moore, gave birth to a baby girl on Thursday. According to Pink and husband Carey Hart, the little one is healthy and doing well, and has been named Willow Sage Hart. “She’s gorgeous, just like her daddy,” Pink announced on Twitter. The couple have been together since 2001 (apart from a 2 year separation) and this is the first baby for both of them. We think Pink should celebrate by decorating the nursery with all that is pretty (and pink!) like these Baby Bottle Photo Frames, to show off pictures of baby Willow, and some delicate ornaments like the Capodimonte-baby Collection Pink Crib Figurines. And for her birth announcements, wouldn’t it be nice to send out these adorable Handmade Baby Carriage Boxes, filled with tiny chocolates – all pink, of course!
 It’s the most hotly anticipated wedding of the year. Stand aside Will and Kate – Edward and Bella’s wedding on the yet-to-be-released Breaking Dawn movie is being looked forward to by thousands of fans across the globe. Producers of the film have just released a ‘teaser’ – fifteen seconds of the fairytale wedding scene that has Twilight fans begging for more. Although the shots have revealed only a little of what promises to be an achingly romantic climax to Edward and Bella’s story, we’ve managed to make out a few details of the setting. Held in the Cullens’ garden, the wedding set features a luxurious carpeting of Rose Petals and a beautiful flower-bedecked altar. As for Bella’s dress, there is not much to be seen of it yet, but a simple Ivory Rose Bouquet is just visible. Can’t wait for more? The full clip is due to be shown on June 5th, and the film will be released in November. As for whether stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart will re-enact the scene with a wedding of their own in the future – well, that remains to be seen. The pair have been dating throughout shoots for the five Twilight films and may just be living the fairytale for real soon!
 A lush green garden, the scent of flowers on a cool breeze, the sun shining down on a couple standing under a beautiful arbor – it’s the ultimate wedding dream for many. But if you’re one of those who would love to have an outdoor wedding in a garden, there are several things you should keep in mind, like the weather, the decoration, and the setup. An outdoor wedding demands a whole different kind of plan, and it’s one that needs to be flexible as well as practical.
1. Setting the Date. Although it’s impossible to predict the weather far in advance, try to choose a time of year when the days tend to be sunny and rain-free, but not unbearably hot.
2. Developing a Plan B. A garden is lovely – except when it starts to bucket down with rain. Always have an alternative place to shift the ceremony and/or reception in case there is bad weather.
3. Deciding on a Tent and Lighting. You don’t have to have a marquee, but you should consider how you will light the event and whether you’ll need extra electrical connections.
4. Choosing a Theme and Color Scheme. Take your inspiration from the beauty of Nature and pick a floral theme, a ‘green’ palette or a rustic country theme.
5. Designing the Décor. The main advantage of holding your wedding outdoors is that Mother Nature will provide you with a beautiful backdrop. But you’ll have to decide what extra decorations, floral arrangements and tables and chairs you need.
Depending on the garden you choose, you can opt for any number of themes. Your own or your parents’ garden is always a lovely, homely choice, and you can build on that theme with rustic-inspired decorations. Hang Glass Lanterns, filling them alternately with candles and full-blown flowers. Try grouping together colored Glass Votive Holders for a really simple but pretty centerpiece. And fill jam jars or Glass Pitchers with hand cut seasonal flowers for a home-made look!
 Images from Elizabeth Anne Designs, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Koyal Wholesale Pink Scalloped Shaped Paper Parasol, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Koyal Wholesale Turquoise Damask Table Runner, Koyal Wholesale Hanging Moroccan Lantern, Koyal Wholesale Turquoise Votive Candle Holders, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Elizabeth Anne Designs
Flowers are a popular theme at weddings. One of the best contrasts with the green of a garden wedding is pretty, delicate pink. Forget cliché roses – choose the flamboyant peony as the symbol for your wedding, and fill the centerpieces, bouquets and aisle decorations with these dramatic blooms. You can extend the floral theme to smaller details like the place card holders and bottle openers, even the Favor Boxes, Invitations and Wine Bottle Labels.
 Images from 100 Layer Cake, Koyal Wholesale Flower Place Card Holders, Kelly Oshiro Events, 100 Layer Cake, Koyal Wholesale Flower Bottle Stopper, Style Me Pretty, Koyal Wholesale Personalized Wine Bottle Labels
A really beautiful theme that is easy to create is the vintage garden tea party. Use lots of authentically old pieces like the gorgeous distressed dresser in the picture below, used to display the cake. Have your bridal party dress in twenties or fifties style outfits, invest in some retro Hair Accessories, and go wild with long beaded necklaces, feathers and cocktail rings. Other great ideas: an old-fashioned White Birdcage to hold the place cards, Vintage Crystal Drop Candleholders in the center of each table, and a Personalized Aisle Runner with a traditional scroll to walk in on.
 Images from Style Me Pretty, Koyal Wholesale Personalized Aisle Runner, Koyal Wholesale White Birdcage Card Holder, Style Me Pretty, Style Me Pretty, Koyal Wholesale Miniature Teacup and Tealights, Style Me Pretty
Feeling inspired? Great. But while you’re planning your fairytale garden wedding, don’t forget to consider these essential points.
- Summer days can be very hot, so plan to rent free-standing fans or provide guests with Hand Fans.
- Your menu needs to be practical – don’t order things that will melt after five minutes in the sun!
- If you’re getting married during the popular summer holidays, book everything way in advance.
- Open grounds are susceptible to gusty winds, so avoid having open flame lamps or candles.
- Think about whether you will need to guard against mosquitoes, bees or other insects.
- If you’re getting married at home, work out how much parking will be available for guests.
- Decide how you will get an electrical supply for sound systems, fans etc.
- Work out what lighting will be needed – Paper Lanterns, Spotlights or String Lights.
- And always, ALWAYS have a backup plan in case it rains!
 Celebrities are known for multiple marriages. Liz Taylor walked down the aisle eight times. Joan Collins married five times. But yesterday 58-year-old grandmother Pat Higgins, from Tyne and Wear in England, wed for the NINTH time! The lucky man? Her 24-year-old toyboy Mark Sanderson. Despite members of the groom’s family boycotting the event, the couple looked happy as they took their vows. Funnily enough, the oft-married Pat managed to put the ring on Mark’s right hand instead of left – though you’d think she would know the drill by now!
The wedding had a Gothic flavor, with the bridal party dressing in purple and black and the guests adopting the style too. We think Pat and Mark could have had a really dramatic reception with lots of Goth-style decorations, like these Black Glass Candelabras and some long Black Damask Table Runners to create that edgy look. And given her penchant for getting married – again and again – perhaps Pat would have done well to save money on the invitation cards and ordered Printable Invitations online!
By the way, in case you were wondering, Pat is not the record holder for the most-wed woman in the world. That title belongs to American Linda Wolfe, from Indiana, who has tied the knot a whopping 23 times!
Now that the weather’s hotting up, many couples are choosing to hold their wedding outdoors, and make the most of the summer sun. But what happens when the sun starts to set and your reception guests are left in semi-darkness? We have the perfect solutions for you to light up your garden and keep that glow going!
Evening lighting is all about creating ambience. You don’t want harsh floodlights, but softer, more subtle lights that will help the party morph into a laid-back but elegant soiree. One of the best solutions is to attach strings between the trees and hang lots of Paper Lanterns – the effect is pretty and almost magical. You can choose almost any color and shape to tie in with your wedding theme.
 Image from Style Me Pretty
Fairy lights or String Lights are a great idea too. Wrap them around trees, drape them across the garden fence – they can be used almost anywhere. Plus they make a gorgeously atmospheric backdrop for some beautiful pictures!
 Image from Junebug Weddings
Another good way to bring light to the area in a stylish way is to hang decorative glass lanterns. There are so many different kinds available – you could go for Mini Hanging Garden Metal Lanterns for a smaller area, or the larger Clear Glass Star Lanterns for a more fairytale look. If your color palette is on the warm side (red, orange, pink or burgundy) you could even lean towards a Moroccan-style look, with Red Glass Moroccan Lanterns or Tradewinds Candle Lanterns. Lanterns also look lovely when suspended on Shepherd’s Hooks to create atmospheric pools of light.
 Images from Once Wed
Finally, don’t forget to light up your tables! Simple glass Votive Candle Holders in clusters are the best bet, like the ones pictured below, but you could also go for fancier Beaded Votive Candle Holders if you want to dress the tables up a bit!
 Image from Junebug Weddings
 Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo has officially given up his hot bachelor status. The American footballer married Candice Crawford this weekend in Texas. The beautiful bride, a former Miss Missouri and a Dallas TV news reporter, is the sister of actor Chace Crawford.
We hear wedding planner Todd Fiscus put together a really footballer-friendly event for the couple, with a menu that featured short ribs and pizza. “We did lots of man food – I have a lot of football players to feed,” he told reporters. We think he could have made the reception even more football oriented with some All-Star Football Mini Cascade Centerpieces and a cute Football Couple Cake Topper. And for that perfect final touch? These fun and fabulous Deluxe Danglers, featuring the blue star of the Dallas Cowboys!
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