Letting it loose!

For the look on the left, a curling iron and water-free hairspray are all that were needed to set and finish the bride’s lush locks. In the photo on the right, Brides.com placed tiny braids throughout the bride’s wavy mane; they add dimension without looking the least bit fussy.

Half and Half

To keep hair out of your face, but still achieve the beach-blown style, pull the sides back and add a spritz of texturizing spray.  Or pin the center section of hair back, leaving a few loose pieces around the hairline to frame the face.  This style is also set in teeny-tiny braids, giving hair an angelic, delicate look.

Pile it up!

Keep it looking loose and uncomplicated with an unstructured updo. Starting with an extreme side part, sweep hair back in sections and pin the ends under.  Straggling ends are anchored by jeweled hair combs placed just so.  For another great updo, work styling cream through slightly damp hair and scrunch-dry. Then make a center part and two loose braids. Coil each braids behind the head, and pin into place as you go. Top with a narrow band, and you’ll be Queen of the beach!

Wear it Straight

If you’ve been wondering what to do with your silky straight hair that won’t hold a curl, you can still be beach-tressed with the best.  Dress up straight hair with a shiny clip or two and wear a simple veil clipped in back. Short, straight hair looks great when you iron it

Flowers: The natural hair accessory!

A single bloom or a floral wreath stands in for a traditional headpiece, creating an earthy, free-spirited look that’s perfect for an outdoor wedding.  Achieve this breezy island-inspired style by simply prepping hair with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Apply a curling mousse and let hair dry naturally. Once it’s dry, pin up with clips.  Crown your lustrous, wavy tresses with a floral wreath. First brush hair with a round brush, and use a large barrel curling iron to curl. Spray with a medium hold hairspray and let it set in for 10-15 minutes. Remove pins and let the hair naturally fall into place.

Tip: Creating a floral headband is easier than you think. Just use a hot glue gun to attach flowers of your choice to a soft white headband or wide ribbon, which you can tie in the back.

A friend of mine got married last month and she just sent me some pictures from the wedding. The back lighting in some of them was so amazing I just had to share them with you. It creates a vibe that is super dramatic in some pictures, and lighthearted in others… but each one unique! Here are some of my favorites! (I will have to find out who the photographer was, to give credit where credit is due…)

I loved this style so much I looked around online to see what else I could find. Here is a gorgeous back-lighted photo from Bloglalicious: a philipene photo odyssey. I love the blue tone in this one…

This one uses natural outdoor lighting, which illuminates the sky, but leaves the bride’s features in shadow. (from Flickr user katbphotos)

Here’s another beautiful bride from photo.net, this time with the natural light coming in through a window. The fact that it’s in black & white creates such a peaceful feeling of sweetness and anticipation…

This one is from Flickr user DARK-O-krizmanic, and I LOVE how their silhouette is barely lighted around the edges. Magical!

And a really fun one from digital pro talk… I love the red glow and the pattern reflected on the bride’s dress:

If you are a photographer and want to learn more about using this technique, you can visit the digital pro talk blog for more info. David points out that the light can’t be too close to the subject: The “magic” distance is from 12 – 15 feet behind the subject about 4 feet off the ground. There’s a lot of techincal talk about flashes, lenses, and shutter speed, which I don’t understnad, but I DO understand this: Back-lighting is one of the fastest, coolest ways to add “Dramatics” to your wedding images. This image is a “money shot” every time. Our clients love it.

I can totally see why they do!

According to the bride, Carol: “We did have the guests stand, after much debating about moving chairs around. In the end we had a semi-circle for those that needed to sit and everyone else just huddled up. Our ceremony was only four minutes long, so it worked really nicely in the end.”

A beach setting is another place where it may be easier to stand rather than deal with seating arrangements. Standing with the bride and groom during the ceremony creates a feeling of togetherness, especially if it’s a small, intimate group.

At Jewish weddings, which are traditionally held outdoors, the custom is for guests to stand clustered around the Chuppah. This is often done in Jerusalem, and I’ve been to many weddings like this. There’s something timeless and a little magical about this ancient tradition:

Of course, the key is the length of your ceremony. If guests are to be on their feet, you should try to keep things as brief as possible! If you are having elderly or feeble guests, try to bring along a few folding chairs to save them discomfort. Happy standing!

The Faire Garden blog has pictures of the most beautiful garden wedding! I can catch the scent of those flowers all the way from here! And not just flowers… don’t you wish you could offer your guests treats like this… straight off the vine!

Even if you don’t have a gorgeous 5 acres of lush gardens at your disposal, the garden theme is transplantable.  Take a cue from this WedSmack collage, and you can make any venue bloom with backyard charm.

Invitations

It’s a whiff of spring in your mailbox! Who wouldn’t want to join you in your garden celebration? Whether your invitation says English tea party or Palm Beach tropics, your guests will reply “YES!” with a flourish!

Colors & Accents

Your palette is as unlimited as the variety and shades of Mother Nature herself! Pastels work particularly well to create that garden theme. Try pairing a delicate green with pinks, yellows, or creams. To really make your wedding bloom, add garden accents like butterflies, baskets, terracotta and outdoor figurines… and of course lots & lots of flowers!

Tables & Centerpieces

Truly Wedding blog suggests using large round tables with light-colored umbrellas. For centerpieces, you can includes both flowers and fruits, nestled in something like a fruit basket or a straw hat.

Or you can grace your tables with this handsome prince, a bargain at only $6.95 each, from OurGreatDeals. (The froggie couple is unfortunately *out of stock* but I had to include them because they are just so adorable!  Wouldn’t they make a great wedding table centerpiece?)  Pretty birdhouses add a touch of whimsy ($24.99 for a set of 3 at Terry’s village) and butterfly yard stakes will add charm to your table decor ($14.97 for a set of 3).

Wedding Favors

For whimsicle, try little butterfly baskets with packets of wildflower seeds ($17.95 for a set of 12) or gerber daisy boxes filled with candy ($2.50 each).

For a more elegant look, try butterfly-decorated crystal candleholders ($1.95 each) or wine bottle stoppers ($2.50).

Bride and Bridesmaids

The garden bride does not have to pass up a brocaded gown with a trailing train, if that’s what she has her heart set on. But many bride who are getting married outdoors choose shorter dresses with a simpler dresses. This bride wore a formal dress for the ceremony and changed into something lighter for dancing:

The groom and his groomsmen can wear light colored suits in linen, beige, grey or green. The bridesmaids can wear shorter dresses in light airy fabrics.  I love these pink floral patterned dresses, they are so elegant yet girly! Apple green is also a great choice, pastoral and pretty.

Do yourselves a favor and skip the stilettos, which can easily sink into the ground. Instead wear ballet flats or chunky heels.