Most commonly associated with children’s birthday parties and junior high dances, balloons may not seem like the most elegant choice for wedding decor, but we think nothing makes a plain old balloon more wedding-worthy than a beautiful gold finish. And it seems we’re not the only ones, as gold balloons are taking center stage and couples are finding all kinds of creative ways lately to incorporate them into their wedding day. Today, we’re sharing a few of our favorites.

We love the idea of floating balloons at different heights to create a unique ceremony backdrop. And filling the ceiling with them for dramatic effect ain’t too shabby either!

When it comes to bachelor getaway weekends, the boys have always had Vegas, but what about the ladies? Don’t we deserve a bachelorette weekend away with our girls? Sure, we could go to Vegas too, but if gambling and all that sin city has to offer isn’t your thing, here are 8 weekend bachelorette getaways we think are perfect alternatives:

1. Get your Cowboy Boots on and Head to Dollywood

Everyone knows that Dolly Parton is the best, so what better way to spend a girls weekend than hitting the rides at Dollywood in Tennessee. The family friendly theme park is pretty much the antithesis of Vegas, but the kitsch factor is high and that’s half the fun, isn’t it?

2. Say Om at a Weekend Yoga Retreat

Need to zen out before the big day? A yoga retreat is the perfect bachelorette weekend for stressed out brides-to-be in need of a recharge.

It’s a well known fact that the cutest weddings always involve either pets or children, which means, Samantha and Kyle’s Savannah wedding has to be the all-time cutest, because they had both! Drake, the couple’s 4 year-old yellow lab, donned a vest and tie for the occasion as one of Kyle’s groomsmen while the bride’s 3 year old niece made for the most adorable flower girl you can imagine. Can you say, cute overload??

Thanks to Jennifer Woodbery for capturing all the cuteness and the love, and for sharing it with us today!

Samantha, 26 & Kyle, 24

Savannah, GA

Wedding Date: October 11, 2013

Number of Guests: 60

Wedding Cost: approximately $15,000

Wedding Ceremony and Reception Location: The reception and the ceremony were both held at the Savannah Railroad Museum. Also known as The Roundhouse, it’s a beautiful old historic building that didn’t require much decorating.

The look for the minimalist bride is all about clean lines, sculptural details and a structure that still has fluidity. This trend for simplicity is not equated with being mundane; it is anything but boring!

When it comes to minimalist wedding dresses, the focus is on the complexity of the cut and design. The overall effect is polished and natural. Minimal wedding gowns are for ladies who are not into heavy embellishments and want a subtle dress that still makes a statement.

When people talk about centerpieces, we usually envision some sort of flower arrangement, but who says wedding centerpieces have to be floral? A flowerless table doesn’t have to mean a naked table and it certainly doesn’t have to be boring! We believe that just about anything can be used to create a fabulous focal point for your table setting and we’ve found some great examples to prove it.

Edibles make excellent centerpieces. Fruits and vegetables have the most amazing colors and textures that rival any bloom out there, while herbs add an earthy green touch and delightful aromatic punch to the table.