To the Bride and Groom – Alternative Toasts

Wedding toasts and champagne go together like… well something that always goes together. But just because everyone toasts with champagne (or fizzy bubbles from the rest of the world) doesn’t mean you have to. If you don’t like champagne then why not toast with something you do like? Or if you have a favourite drink do that instead – mind you if I suggest that to my other half we’ll end up toasting with Tennessee Twists!

Here are some alternative ideas…

Nite Owl

Nite Owl Smoking Dry Ice Drinks

If you want something memorable Nite Owl drinks are pretty fantastic! They stand out a mile (even at a crowded wedding fair) and they taste better than you’re average alcopop. If you want a bit of theatre and magic at your wedding I would definitely give these two thumbs up.

Sparkling Red Wine

Jacob's Creek Sparkling Shiraz

If you prefer your red to your white you don’t have to miss out on the bubbles. I tried some of the Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Shiraz a few years ago and it was really nice – I might just have to buy some again to make sure it’s still just as good!

Cocktails

Mojito Wedding Toast (photograph by Mister Phill)

The list of possible cocktails is endless. The Mixology App for the iPhone is a brilliant way of finding cocktails that contain your favourite ingredients and I’m sure you’re venue will have lots of suggestions too!

A nice cuppa

Who says a toast has to be alcoholic? If you’re not a big drinker or don’t drink at all then why not toast with a good old cup of tea (or coffee) I can just imagine the end of the speech “If you could all please raise your teacups…” it has a lovely ring to it and no one will forget your wedding speeches!

Teacups by Vintage Simplicity via fiftieswedding.com

Why not do something different? Whichever drink you choose for your toast some guests will like it and some won’t. Every wedding I’ve been to there’s been at least one person on the table who doesn’t like champagne (of course I’m always on hand to help dispose of any spare glasses) so you might as well drink something you enjoy while you toast the rest of your life together!

Are you having an alternative toast at your wedding? Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Share them in the comments below… 

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Living the Fairytale

My favourite Disney movie of all time is The Little Mermaid (maybe that’s why I’ve ended up being a red head) Long before my Prince Charming, or should that be Prince Eric (except he’s not called Eric), showed up I started to imagine a Little Mermaid inspired wedding. I’m pretty sure we won’t go down this route now, but I can dare to dream…

Arial - Style 201 - Disney Fairy Tale collection by Alfred Angelo

When I was doing my singleton fantasy wedding research (don’t judge me, I’m not the only one out there) I discovered you could get Disney wedding gowns by Alfred Angelo, which are actually really nice wedding gowns even if you don’t like Disney, although I’m guessing you pay a premium for the association. It looks like there’s lots of stockists of the Disney Fairy Tale collection in the UK!

Arial - Style 210 - Disney Fairy Tale collection by Alfred Angelo

I think Style 201 is more Arial… though I have to admit my favourite dress is actually Cinderella, after my crisis about white wedding dresses last week something like that might just convince me otherwise.

So you have the dress. What about the bridesmaids? Well that’s where the Disney Bound tumblr comes in. This girl is amazing… she puts together inspiration for outfits from Yoda to Monsters Inc, with all the Disney Princesses in between. Here’s some of her fantastic Little Mermaid inspired sets proving you can do Disney with style!

Little Mermaid Wedding Inspiration from Disney Bound

Little Mermaid Bridesmaid Inspiration from Disney Bound

Little Mermaid Bridesmaid Inspiration from Disney Bound

Wedding inspiration is only a fraction of the outfits on Disney Bound. You’ll find plenty of casual inspiration so you could even keep the Little Mermaid theme going throughout your honeymoon… or maybe that’s going too far?

Honeymoon inspiration from Disney Bound

Okay I’ll stop gushing now!

Follow @brightbride on Twitter or Like Bright by Design on Facebook for lots of bright and exciting wedding inspiration! 

Who’s afraid of the big white dress?

As soon as I put any white clothes on I attract dirt… whether it’s a splash of mud, a spilled drink or half my dinner. I own two white tops, and one of them has a stain. I even destroyed a friend’s white shirt a few years back when I lost control of  a glass of red wine. I was mortified.

White and me just do not go together. And that can be bit of a problem when it comes to weddings.

Trash the Dress Shoot by Taylor Jackson Photography

Thankfully I seem to avoid destroying anyone else’s wedding dress, but I don’t trust when it comes to my wedding day that I’ll last more than five minutes before getting a stain in the most obvious spot. And that is not a good look for walking down the aisle.

If I fall in love with a white dress I know it will be followed with months of cold sweats and panics.

I can’t be the only one who doesn’t trust themselves to wear white? There must be a name for those of us who have a phobia of white clothes…

What do we do?

We could just go for it. Try and forget about it until the big day, and demand only white foods and drink.

Or perhaps we could break tradition and embrace colour? Maybe we were just not designed to wear white and that includes our wedding day. Read on for a few examples that could even tempt white lovers away from their spotless gowns…

Karen Caldwell Design via The Style Saloniste

My obsession with tulle continues… and the dress below by Ouma can be dyed to any colour you wish!

Tulle Wedding Dress by Ouma (Etsy)

Dress bought (and sold!!!) by elsie*cake

If you want some really bold inspiration I spotted this gorgeous green dress on Rock n Roll Bride last year, you need to take a look at the full post to appreciate the dress in all it’s glory!

'No Rules, Just Right' - Amanda & Tysons Party Hard Weekend Wedding

And to finish with another dress I spotted last summer… and after a lot of digging (tumblr is a right pain and I like to get my credits right) I’ve discovered that it’s from the Valentino Pre-Fall 2010 collection, worn by Liv Tyler in Tatler July 2010. And it is gorgeous!

Valentino Pre-Fall 2010 collection (Liv Tyler in Tatler July 2010)

Are you a fellow fearer of white? Have you worked out how to wear a white dress without having a nervous breakdown or destroying it? Are you thinking of ditching the traditional gown and being a colourful bride? Share your thoughts in the comments below…