It’s short on text, but a picture is worth a thousand words, and each post features a photo that’s sure to intrigue and inspire.

Here are some of my favorites!

photo via erin hearts court

vintage stockings from here

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NYC wedding in the rain! Let the umbrellas be accessories! Cup of Jo’s blog

wedding accessories from j.crew bridal boutique

Deep purple, velvet Ralph Lauren bridesmaids dresses. I kind of like it!

Halloween wedding inspiration from little dailys

How about escaping the cold, and having a greenhouse wedding? Photo source

Can’t get enough? Head over to little winter bride for more!

This monogrammed plastic tumbler looks pretty spiffy, but it actually costs less than many rental glasses. You can get 100 of them for $89.95 at The American Wedding. (These are filled with tangerine juice and Double Cross Luxury Vodka, a play on a standard screwdriver.)

These are so pretty, you can get away with serving them in disposable plastic cups!  The exotically flavored gin and tonics are embellished with a lemongrass-stalk stirrer and flowering spearmint.

These retro-looking drinks are garnished garnished with a lime peel-wrapped melon ball.  Now that looks gorgeous… but time-consuming!

I’m not much for “wasting” food, but this is a cool idea!  Here we have sparkling wine with thin slices of nectarines, apples, and grapes steeping inside.

Not only are the glasses orange, but this lovely little lollipop is orange too! It’s actually made from a rolled-up piece of orange peel, speared with a wooden swizzle stick!

Simple yet stunning, this is the signature cocktail at Los Angeles’s Table 8 restaurant.  A single basil leaf and an organically shaped glass are all it takes!

Like I mentioned before, check out Brides.com for even more great ideas, yummy drinks, and info on where to purchase all these pretty little extras.

feature photo from squidoo.com

Decorate using poinsettia, holly, mistletoe, wreathes, garlands, bells, strings of lights, and of course, red and green flowers. A white dress can be made extra festive trimmed in fur, velvet, or silver-colored accents. And the bridal party can be dressed in colors of the season too, such as silver, crimson, or green.

photos above from squidoo.com

Holiday-themed wedding favors can be really fun and unique.  BellaOnline suggests including a holiday ornament, tea lights, CDs of your favorite holiday songs or carols sung by celebrities, small picture frames for thier favorite holiday photos, miniature pumpkin pie, or personalized tins of hot cocoa, coffee, or cookies.

The photos below from Brides.com create maximum impact by keeping the colors clean, simple, and seasonal.  Shiny ornaments and other trinkets infuse the decor with additional holiday cheer.  Note how the tables are “wrapped” in bright red ribbon to echo all those pretty packages you’d find under your tree!

Here, the chairs at the Head Table are trimmed with ornaments and mini bouquets.

Make guests merry with crimson-and-peppermint martinis…

…and brighten their spirits with a sumptuous cake designed to mimic a pile of gift boxes!

If you are having a lot of children at your wedding, how about this idea from Dana at iVillage? “For a very special touch, we’ve invited Santa Claus to hand out gifts to all of [the kids]. We’re going to get some special photos taken with Santa and us with all of the kids. It should be great fun!”

Another bonus: low centerpieces are easier to DIY than higher, more ornate ones. They can also be a more cost effective, but still gorgeous, option!

Here are some pretty ideas to get you inspired! And remember, centerpieces do not have to be flowers only. See how others incorporated things like sea shells and live fish in glass bowls!

2 images above from Manolo

10 images above from the Knot

feature image from Mind Body Partnerships Blog

Do Something You Loved Doing as a Kid

Do you ever long for those days when recess, pillow forts, and Saturday morning cartoons were your biggest pleasures?  Just because you’re all grown up now doesn’t mean you can’t still partake in the simple joys of childhood. Turn off your cell phone, disconnect from the internet, and act like a kid again!

Ride a bike to the park. Start a pick-up kickball game with your family or friends. Go to the beach and bring along your favorite book. Make a snowman in the wintertime. The possibilities (and your imagination) are endless.  Take along your own kids, or borrow a friend’s to really get into the spirit of things!

Cost: Free!

Volunteer Your Time or Expertise

One of the best feelings in the world is giving back to others.  Non-profit associations are always looking for more help, so even if you can only donate 5 hours a month, your time will be very much appreciated and well worth the effort. Volunteering can be something small – like reading a story to young cancer patients one day a month – or something bigger – like serving as a disaster relief nurse. No matter what you do, you can be content to know that you’ve made a difference in someone’s life.

(Extra bonus: Not only is volunteering incredibly fulfilling, it’s also a great resume builder. If you’re a recent grad or career changer, volunteering can give you valuable training and hands-on experience to jump start your career!)

Cost: Mostly free! (You may have to provide your own transportation and pack a lunch). Volunteering abroad may cost the price of airfare and lodging.

More Info: Check out AllHealthcare’s exclusive Guide to Volunteering. You can also Google “volunteer” and your town and state or visit Volunteer.gov, American Red Cross, Serve.gov, Volunteers of America, and Habitat for Humanity.

Stretch, Breathe and Meditate

It’s hard not to feel stressed and overworked by the hectic pace of our hyper-connected society.  Before you go into meltdown mode, hit pause, relax and take a breather.

Yoga is a great thing for some , but even some basic meditation, stretching and breathing techniques can work wonders for your stress relief. When you stress out, tension is stored in your body, causing pain and tightness, especially in your back and shoulders. Stretching will get your body loose and your circulation flowing in full force again.

To meditate, find or create a relaxing atmosphere, sit on level ground (use a cushion if you like), close your eyes, relax every muscle and breathe deeply with your abdomen, not your chest. Focus on each inhale and exhale to exclude other thoughts and quiet your mind.

Cost: Free
More Info: Google “how to meditate” or visit How-to-Meditate.org

Have a Really Good Laugh

It’s been scientifically proven that laughter is both preventive and therapeutic. It decreases your stress hormone levels and boosts healthy hormones, like endorphins, while strengthening your immune system. You even get a mini workout for your abs, diaphragm and your shoulders!

One good way to achieve this is to spend some quality time with your funniest friend. Not only will you laugh a lot, it will also take your mind off all the stressors in your life. Plus, the emotional bonding will boost your self-esteem and feeling of connectedness to others.

Laughter really is the best medicine, so call up your funniest friend and hang out. You can also rent your favorite comedy or watch re-runs of a funny show together. You’ll be glad you did.

Cost: Free

SLEEP

Nothing beats a good night’s rest.  Many working professionals bring their troubles home with them and that equals more stress for you and your loved ones. Why not sleep it off? Getting even 30 minutes of shut eye can help you relax and put your problems in perspective.

If you’re going to try to sleep off your stress, make sure you’ve got surroundings that promote good quality rest. A dark, cool, quiet room with few electronics is best (turn off the phones, blackberries, and laptops!). If you still feel too antsy to rest, try a cup of Valerian Root or chamomile tea. A warm bath can also help put you in a restful state of mind.

Cost: Free
More Info: National Sleep Foundation

Get in Touch with your Creative Side

Looking at art definitely has its calming effects, but it’s not always all about the finished product. You don’t have to be Picasso to get the health benefits of producing beautiful works of art either. People who make art as a hobby find that the process of self-expression through unwinding and creating art can be extremely soothing as well.  Art therapy is thus frequently used in hospitals, clinics and rehab facilities to promote physical, emotional and mental wellbeing via creative expression.

Artistic self-expression helps lessen anxiety, stress and depression, and promote self-awareness, self-esteem and insight into your life. You can pick up reasonably priced art supplies or art kits at any hobby store. Just set aside an art space, turn on some relaxing music and paint to your health!

Cost: $7 and up
More Info: Google “art store” or “hobby store” and your town and state. For more info on art therapy, read Mending the Heart–Calming the Mind With Art Therapy

Cook a Delicious Homemade Dinner

America’s “Fast Food Nation” has us plowing through processed, barely digestible microwave dinners and super-sized extra value meals. Not only is our physique suffering, our stress and anxiety levels are off the charts. Everything around us, even food, is moving way too fast.

Back up, slow down and consider taking the time to cook your next meal with simple items you already have in your fridge and cupboards.  The process of chopping, measuring, stirring and sautéing (and even washing the dishes afterward) can be incredibly therapeutic.

Check what ingredients you have in your kitchen, and look up a recipe (see below). Pick something simple that won’t stress you out! Let the culinary sensations overtake you, and then invite a friend (or fiance) over to enjoy your delicious meal and bask in the compliments!

Cost: Free!
More Info: Visit any of these websites to get recipes:
• Allrecipes.com
• Cookingbynumbers.com
• Bigoven.com
• Recipematcher.com
• Supercook.com

Get Outdoors, Go to the Park, Take a Hike

Let’s not forget to stop and smell the flowers!  Science has proven time and time again how the psychological benefits of nature can calm the brain and better your mood and concentration. Hospital patients recover faster when they have a view of trees and flowers from their window, and children with attention-deficit disorder exhibit less symptoms in a natural environment.

So get back to basics, and enjoy nature. Bring a blanket to the park and lie out, or go for a hike and take in the scenery. Bask in the sun, breathe in the fresh air, and appreciate all the colorful simplicity of the outdoors. Your brain’s health depends on it.

Cost: Mostly free (Some parks/hiking grounds may charge $3-5)
More Info: Check out this great great interactive park directory or just Google “hiking trail” or “park” and your town and state

Take a Bath with Candles and Aromatherapy

The recuperative and healing properties of water have many stress-relieving benefits and allow the body to fall into a deeper sleep. Submerging in a bath tub relieves your body from the constant pull of gravity, and heated water relaxes muscle tension, improving circulation, range of motion and energy flow.

Melt away your stress by creating a mini spa in your bathroom. Turn on soothing music, dim the lights, light candles and prepare fresh towels. The music will drown out household sounds that you may associate with everyday stressors, and relaxed lighting can go a long way when creating a peaceful mood.
Most importantly, make arrangements for your well-deserved uninterrupted solitude. Turn off your cell phone, log out of email and if you have roommates or family around, tell them to leave you alone for an hour or two. Be sure to prepare your bed beforehand so you have a nice, comfy space to crawl into after your bath.

Cost: $4 and up, depending on how many spa items you want to buy.
More Info: You can pick up high-end aromatherapy bubble bath soap, scented candles, skin-moisturizing oils, and exfoliating body scrubs on the cheap at your local T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross stores.

1. Hang amber-lit lanterns

The warm-colored light perfectly coordinates with fall wedding colors.  With so much going on overhead, you can keep things simple on the guest tables.   Use rustic lanterns in place of elaborate floral centerpieces that might compete with the suspended setup. Also, consider using a lantern motif on all of your stationery. (From the Knot)

2. Warms-your-Heart Wedding Favors

• Make it – homemade goodies like fudge, candy apples, or jams presented in festive packaging always go over well
• Bag it – fill mini burlap bags with coffee beans, bulbs, or any treat you desire, and tie a label with your monogram or wedding date to the top
• Pour it – miniature bottles of maple syrup are a sweet treat
• Fill it – miniature wood crates lined with straw and filled with goodies are a rustic touch (From Elegala)

For more autumn-themed favors and inspiration, visit American Bridal!

3. Create a Mini Pie Bar

Pie is the dessert of choice for fall! Apple, cherry, blueberry, persimmon… and and miniature food is a huge trend, too.  You can send guests home with mini pie tins as wedding favors, including recipe cards for your favorite kind of pie.  (From the Knot)

4. Go Glam

You are not confined to rustic and casual in the fall (you can skip the hay bales and pumpkins if that’s not your style!).  To create a posh autumn ambiance, use accents such as lush velvets, antique broaches, crystal stemware, and elegant candelabras.  (Chair covers from Dreams Do Come True)

5. Blooming Bouquets

The colors of the season (red, orange, gold, purple…) can be expressed in so many ways. This beautiful bouquet of flaming calla lilies is perfect for a fall wedding. It also adds a stunning contrast against the bride’s ivory gown. (From Martha Stewart Weddings via Allwomenstalk)

1. Rent bikes and go for a ride in the park or by the beach. Pack a picnic lunch or grab hotdogs at a nearby stand.

2. Grab your partner and go treasure hunting at local garage sales. If you go to the the ritziest neighborhood in your area, you up your chances of finding something special.

3. Go roller skating or ice skating. Treat yourself with ice cream or hot chocolate afterward, depending on the season.

4. Find a local farm to go fruit picking. When you’ve loaded up on all the apples or berries you can transport home, look up some recipes and get busy in the kitchen.

5. The bookstore can be a great place to bond. Browse through the isles sharing your old favorite or the ones you couldn’t stand. Find a section that appeals to a hobby of each of yours, like art, sports, cooking, or gardening, and buy yourself a small gift.

6. Build something together! Been meaning to buy a small bookshelf for the bedroom? Why not put one together yourselves.

7. Go to a fair! Do all the appropriate things: share cotton candy, let him win you a prize, and ride the Ferris wheel until you get dizzy. Your inner children will have a ball!

8. Hauntedhouse.com has listings of spooky mansions in your area. Start off  by watching a scary movie before you go, and then spook yourselves silly at a “real” haunted house.

9. Play 20 Questions. Whether you’ve been together for three weeks or three years, there are probably things you don’t know about each other.  Make sure your questions are open-ended so you don’t get yes-or-no answers — and fire away.

10. Take a hike. Enjoy the weather, the scenery, and each other.

11. Take a class together at your local community school. You can find lot of options for 8-week classes, from cooking to karate.

12. Go to a museum–there are so many options! Art, science, natural history, cars, Ripley’s, miniature… and the best part is that almost all museums have one day a week where you can get in for free or for a small suggested donation.

13. Check the theater offerings at local colleges and high schools. They’ll often have a spring and a fall show, and it’s a great way to see a version of your favorite plays and musicals for a fraction of the cost.

14. Celebrate the first snow of winter with a day of sledding. Pick a hilly spot in your town, and if you can’t get ahold of real sleds, and use garbage can lids.

15. Stop at your local library and rent a few movies. Toss a coin to see whose pick you’ll watch first, and try not to roll your eyes or snore during each other’s choices.

Click here for all 50 Cheap Date Ideas!

Showers for a Cause

Who said the bride needs to get all the gifts? Instead, direct that spending power toward a greater cause, and dedicate the day to a charitable organization that holds special meaning for the bride and groom.

Some ideas: Help the fight against breast cancer with a Pink Envelope Bridal Shower. Or have a green bridal shower where you plant trees and serve locally grown vegetarian cuisine. Pack care baskets for the homeless or gather warm clothes for the neighborhood’s underprivileged children.

Thought Exchange

Instead of (or in addition to) exchanging household gifts, focus on the exchange of heartfelt gifts like advice, emotions and feelings. This listening and sharing will help the bride connect with her friends and explore her own feelings about the wedding and marriage.

Some ideas: Each guest can come with their thought to read aloud, or the maid-of-honor can gather submissions ahead of time, and compile them into a scrap book that’s presented to the bride at the shower. Another idea is a recipe exchange with a twist. Each guest brings a recipe card, with a favorite recipe on one side, and on the other side, the recipe for a good marriage.

Memory Lane Shower

Have a shower focused on reminiscing shared memories and friendships. This is not just fun and entertaining, but it will help the bride reconnect with her old self as she prepares to take on a new identity.

Some ideas: Create a memory book where every attendee to write a page or two detailing their fondest memory with the bride. Gather these stories along with photos into a memory scrapbook. Or have each attendee bring a gift that represents a memory – a cd of favorite songs, a photo album, that old cheerleading uniform. A slide show of photos set to music, where everyone contribute some of their favorites, is another great idea (my sister did this for me at my shower and it was great!).  The evening is sure to provoke a lot of heartfelt reminiscing, laughter, and maybe even some tears.

Slumber Party

Break out the PJs, sleeping bags, and tubs of ice cream – it’s time for some serious female bonding. A slumber party is a great way to revel in that special connection you have with the women in your life, and it affords her an encouraging setting to share feelings openly. Consider incorporating some of the above ideas into the slumber party – such as exchanging advice or creating a scrapbook.

Literary Shower

Treat a bride with a passion for literature or poetry with a feast of beautiful quotes. Have all attendees bring an excerpt or poem containing wisdom or sentiment about love or marriage, and take turns reading. The evening will be intellectually enriching and inspiring.

Adventure Shower

Some brides-to-be may cringe at the thought of an emotionally vulnerable shower of intimate bonding. Instead, taking to the outdoors can be a powerful alternative for an emotional and physical release. Enjoy a day of hiking, white water rafting, rock climbing, biking, ropes course – you name it. Successfully accomplishing these challenging outdoor activities can act as a symbolic metaphor for entering into marriage – which also requires strength to overcome its own set of challenges.

Get even more ideas for Bridal Shower Games.

Feature image credit

Here are some ways to dress up your programs in order to make them as fun and fabulous as they are functional! All photos are from The Knot.

Multi-Functional

A multi-functional fan kept guests cool and included ceremony information along with a photo of everyone in the wedding party. The “programs” (left) included a simple printout folded over a Popsicle stick—an easy DIY project. The five-leaf program on the right, decorated with bright yellow lily burst also doubled as a fan for the warm summer day.

Groovy Graphics

The bride and groom made their programs themselves. They printed their large oak tree design (left) on pearlescent paper and tied the programs with Hanna Silk hand-dyed ribbons. The programs on the right, bearing the peacock motif, were especially important because they explained the significance of the Hindu ceremony.

Creative Genres

On the left, postcard-sized ceremony programs detailing the wedding party and ceremony information mimicked the Wild-West style of the custom-designed invitations. Comic book lovers designed a custom-made program with a cover featuring cartoon images of themselves, on right.

Embellishments

The bride made the programs on the left herself using heavy bronze and cream card stock. She added eucalyptus leaves and a brown silk ribbon to incorporate the wedding colors. On the right, the program features a glued-on starfish for a waterfront wedding.

Roll it up

On the right, a scroll program features the events of the day, the delicious menu, and a Rumi poem.  The programs on the left were rolled around twigs and tied with brown velvet and satin ribbon.

Ribbons and Bows

The beautiful programs on the left picked up the black-and-white pattern of the wedding invitations, made eye-catching with crimson and gold ribbons. The chocolate-brown programs on the right are tied with gorgeous yellow-and-white gingham ribbon.

Added Features

One inventive couple included a crossword puzzle in their program, with questions about the couple. (“We said that the puzzle was meant for early-comers and shouldn’t be done during the ceremony!”) Be creative and think of ways to make your program a personalized, fun, and interactive part of your wedding.

What to include in the Program

Basic Info: Names, wedding date, location, and time.

Order of events: What will happen during the ceremony, including processional music, greeting, readings, prayers, exchange of vows, ring ceremony, unity candle ceremony, etc.

Members of the bridal party: Officiant, parents and grandparents of the bride and groom, maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, readers, and anyone else you’d like your guests to be acquainted with.

Other things you may wish to include in your wedding program (from About.com)

• An explanation of traditions or customs used in your ceremony
• A request for audience participation in certain parts of the ceremony (e.g. affirmation of the marriage, communion, singing, offering of the peace, standing or kneeling)
• Thank yous
• Memorials (for example: The memorial candle is lit in honor of the bride’s mother, Shirley Fielding.) More advice on honoring a deceased parent or relative
• A short sentence about each of your bridesmaids and groomsmen, describing why they are important to you.
• An explanation of the significance of the location, theme, first dance song, etc.
• Quotes or poems about love or marriage
• Directions to the reception

For more Wedding Program inspiration, visit The Knot to view hundreds of real wedding programs!

Karen Sherman, Ph.D., (www.drkarensherman.com),a practicing psychologist in relationships and lifestyle issues, says “NO WAY!” According to Dr. Sherman, it’s the little things, particularly well-loved rituals, that let your spouse know you care. It’s all about the security of being a pair, and acceptance and understanding that comes with a deep connection.

This desire for feeling connected all starts right from the beginning when you are born and in your childhood—there’s a need for attachment to a caring figure. When couples come in for help, the biggest problem I see is a sense of disconnection and feeling that he or she does not matter to his or her partner. The question then becomes how do you let your mate know that he or she really is important to you?

Do you remember the movie, Fiddler on the Roof? At one point in the script, the couple reflects on all the things that they do for each other, but then ask, “Do you love me?” For me, this raises the issue that perhaps going out and working all day to support the family or staying home and taking care of the house and kids—as monumental as those tasks are—are just not enough to let the other person know how you feel about them.

There are a lot of things you can do to let each other know how important you are to one another. They are rituals. They say a lot about your bond, even thought they are only small behaviors.

Dr. Sherman points out that for most people, acknowlaging birthdays and anniversaries is important. It lets your spouse know that he or she is not forgotten. You can turn this opportunity into a yearly ritual that will come to be cherished over time. “You don’t even need Hallmark to do the job; my father-in-law always wrote a poem for my mother-in-law on the morning of their anniversary and left it on the kitchen table before he left for work. He wrote it on a napkin! She never complained that she felt ignored.”

Daily rituals are equally important, and Dr. Sherman shares one that her husband does to start off each day. “When he hears me get up, he comes to greet me with a hug and kiss. I can’t even tell you what it means to me to feel so welcomed each day.”

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Do something to greet or say good-bye to one another—even if the absence is for short periods.
2. Have a ritual to acknowledge each other at the beginning and ending of each day.
3. During the day, make a phone call, send an e-mail or send a text message in order to connect with each other.
4. Rather than just spending time together to resolve an issue, make sure there’s also some time put aside just for enjoyment.
5. If one of you has to go on a trip, leave a surprise note inside the luggage.
6. If your partner has accomplished something special (even if it’s around the house), let others know within earshot of your partner.
7. If your mate is having a problem, try being supportive rather than trying to fix the issue.
8. Show appreciation to your spouse for things he or she has done—even if it’s mundane.
9. Bring novelty into your relationship. When you try new things together, it helps to keep the relationship fresh. And when you share this adventure together, it’s also connecting.
10. Turn on the affection. Touch is very important for a sense of connection.

Remember, this is only a starter list. Keep it going! And remember, the more personal your rituals the more meaningful they will be. The need for connection is something you both need and when it’s there, it is very magical!

Karen Sherman, Ph.D., (www.drkarensherman.com) is a practicing psychologist in relationships and lifestyle issues for over 20 years. She offers teleseminars and is the author of “Mindfulness and the Art of Choice: Transform Your Life” and co-author of “Marriage Magic! Find It, Keep It, and Make it Last.”

Source: Hitched: Entertains, educates, and inspires marriages

Special gifts to say “I love you” for her… and for him!