The Royal Wedding: One Year Later

It takes no time at all to put together a fun website including music, pictures, registry lists, accommodation information, local attractions, etc.   You can get as carried away as you want to.   There are some great themes to choose from so your website resembles the overall look and feel of you wedding.   You know how much I like everything to flow!

A few weeks ago I talked about some great registries that I found online, and now with a website you can control even more using your computer.   You know your guests better than anyone, and if you think that the majority of your list has access to a computer it can be a great way to have them RSVP.   I don’t have any studies as to whether people RSVP more online via mail, but it can never hurt to give a few options.

One of my favorite benefits about having a website is that you can list where you are registered, and you can put your website address in with your wedding invitations.   So if one of your guests isn’t going to be invited to any of your showers, they will still be able to find out where you are registered without having to state it directly.

As a bonus, this could be a task for your groom.   If you do ask him to complete your website though remember that this is his project and try not to be too critical.   Make sure you talk about the end result up front to avoid any possible sticky conversations down the road

What is an option about creating a website for your wedding that you enjoy?

Nobunny Loves You like Jesus – Detail Oriented Diva

One of my Favorite Peeps – Itsy Bitsy Paper

Food Labels – Catch my Party

Cupcake Toppers – Catch my Party

Cupcake Wrapper

Thank You Tags – Catch my Party

Water Bottle Labels – Catch my Party

Although this is the Algarve our version was lot more rural!

Have you ever seen a sunrise?   Ever seen one on Easter in Portugal??   I have, quite a few of them.   I lived in Portugal from ages 8-14 and during those years we attended a church in the Algarve, the south of Portugal.   Every Easter my mom would wake me and my sister while it was still dark outside and we would get ready to witness the sun rise in true Portuguese fashion.   I don’t have that many memories of the early mornings but the egg hunt is something I will never forget.

While most children hunt for plastic colored eggs with treats inside, our hunt was for real eggs (they were hard boiled to prevent any mess).   The church we attended was an old farmhouse and the country side was breathtaking with many places to hide and find our eggs.   I’m sure we got treats that day too, but that’s not what I remember.

I am going to be on WKNY this Friday chatting about different ways to decorate for Easter and to host an Easter Egg Hunt.  Be sure to check back on Friday for ideas, but for now here is an invite to give your friends to join in your hunt.

Easter Invite – Catch my Party

What are some of your Easter memories?

But I digress watching Leo watch Elmo and Big Bird was the highlight of my week or month.   I’ve never seen that little boy as quiet as he was last night, he was mesmerized.   Here are a few pictures from our experience …

Consider having a basketball movie playing for small kids, like Space Jams or Coach Carter.   For background music before the game maybe some ESPN Jock Jams.   For food keep it simple like stadium food.   Obviously if you are supporting a particular team, like UK or UofL you can use their colors.   I tried to be neutral and kept everything orange and black.   Drop me a line if you have any questions.

Bag Toppers – Creative Party Buzz

Basketball Circles – Creative Party Buzz

Place Cards – Divine Party Concepts

Cupcake Wrapper

It’s about what to do when you already have what you need.   When it comes to bringing two lives together many times couples will find that they have too much and don’t need another towel or cereal bowl.   (Most of the time unless the man has extremely good taste or his mom did all his shopping for him, it is the woman’s towels and cereal bowls that are kept!)   You will never hear me say that a marriage is all about getting gifts in fact your guests aren’t required to get you anything.   But most guests will want to give you a token, no matter the size, to “celebrate” with you.

As hard as I try, I can’t have a post about registries without giving some etiquette advice – you should never, ever, ever put where you are registered on your wedding invitation.   That’s not the point of an invitation.   Where is okay is your bridal shower invitation or your personal wedding website.   I’ll talk more about that next week.

While helping one of my couples I found some pretty cool unique registry ideas.   And I thought I’d share (I hear you – finally she gets to the point).

* What about donations to your favorite charity?   Let guests make donations in your name – idofoundation

* Have a fabulous honeymoon planned?   Let guests help you pay for it – honeyfund

* Do you enjoy a nice glass of wine?   Sign up for some favorite bottles that you can’t always get locally – bottlenotes

* This is my personal favorite myregistry.   This allows you to register for anything that you can find on the internet.   I’ll say it again, anything that you can find on the internet that is for sale can be added to you registry.   Anything.   The options are limitless.   My couple are using this site to landscape their yard.   How cool is that?   Or what about creating a bunch of future date nights, like gift cards to restaurants, tickets to a show, a spa day for two!

There are many more that you can find, but these will hopefully help you start thinking outside the box.

What are some unique gift registries that you have seen?

I’m excited to be 33.   I have lots of great plans for this coming season in my life and I’m kicking it off with a week of kindness.   I read about an awesome lady named Robyn who celebrated her birthday with random acts of kindness (you can read about it here).   Basically I am going to do 33 random acts of kindness this week to celebrate my 33 years.

I’m making a list of potential kindness I can perform and I’ll post the results next week.   I’m looking forward to hopefully making some people’s days a little brighter this week with my planned randomness.

Robyn did this (if I steal an idea I make sure and steal it all) and I’m asking all my friends to perform one random act of kindness this week.   Please leave a comment below or send me a message via Facebook or Twitter.   Let’s see how many smiles we can add!

Here goes …

Video by: Choice Media Production

What would you like to see at a bridal soiree of this kind?   Let me know if you would like to contact any of the vendors.

So, weddings.   What a great way to get ideas, from other people who have used the ideas and proven they work.   Whether you are looking for ring bearer pillows, hair styles, guest favors or a signature cocktail, just search the idea and you’ll find a plethora of pretty pictures that are linked to their origin.   Great way to start an inspiration board to show the vendors you are working with what your “style” is.   With so many beauties out there it is easy to go crazy with what you like, but a good vendor will be able to find your style through whatever madness of images you create.

Gather pictures of things you like and then turn around and make it your own.   Then pin your ideas for others to follow.

Any wedding related pins that I need to know about???