Wonderful Weddings and Perfect Parties

Wedding Party Etiquette Q&A (for the Bride and Groom!)

2011-10-17T08:06:00.000-07:00

wedding attendants are a wonderful part of the wedding celebration and help share in the joy of your wonderful day, however they can become an added stress as well. Don't let wedding party drama ruin your big day! These Q&A's will help you navigate through the sticky waters of wedding party etiquette.

I have wedding attendants coming from out of town, who pays for the hotel rooms?
Typically it is assumed that a wedding attendant should pay for his or her own accommodations just as he or she would pay for the wedding attire. The same goes for guests, although you can typically reserve a block of rooms at a discounted price. It can be a nice gift from you to them to offer to pay for the room, however you shouldn't be expected to pay.
Is it required to give a gift to my attendants?
It is in no way required for you to give them a gift, however it is certainly the polite thing to do. Remember that your attendants using their time and money to help you celebrate your special day and you are giving them something as a sign of your appreciation, not out of duty : )
Who pays for the wedding attendants' attire?
It is generally understood that wedding participants pay for their own wedding attire, but you should inform your attendants of this responsibility when asking them to be a part of your wedding. If you can afford to pay for the attire, your attendants will greatly appreciate you! But most couples can't afford the added expense and anyone who has gotten married understands that.
Is it okay to have an odd number of wedding attendants?
It's perfectly fine and is more common than not! You don't want to be forced to leave out your college roommate simply because your husband-to-be has chosen his number of attendants already. The only time this will typically cause problems is during the processional and recessional, but it's an easy fix! Simply pair up two bridesmaids with one groomsmen, or vice-verse if need be. It will hardly be noticed by anyone and is a perfectly acceptable arrangement.
I have too many friends and family members for everyone to be in the wedding party....what do I do?
This can be extremely frustrating because you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Try choosing the people who you are the closest with and then ask the others to have a special role in your wedding such as a guest book attendant, greeter, usher, etc. If anyone questions your decision, simply explain that you care about them greatly and really wanted them to fill that role for you. They will understand your situation and be grateful to be a part of your big day.
Who sits at the head table at the reception and what is the arrangement?
The head table is generally reserved for the wedding party (bride, groom, and attendants) and can also include the flower girl and ring bearer if the couple chooses to do so. Any other important members of the wedding and dates of the wedding party are typically seated at a guest table close to the head table, possibly even at the parents' table. The seating arrangement is traditionally the best man next the bride and the maid of honor next to the groom and so on. However, it's perfectly acceptable for the girls to sit on one side and the guys to sit on the other.
I have a friend who assumed that she is in my wedding party, how do I tell her that she's not?
This can be a sticky situation since you don't want to hurt the feeling of your friend. Try taking a positive approach and finding another position for her in your wedding, such as guest book attendant, and mention her in the program. Inform her of her true position and she should get the hint that she is not a bridesmaid. If she questions why she was not chosen to be a bridesmaid tell her that you really wanted her for this position because it's important to you. A good friend will understand and not badger you about it.

5 Reasons to Use a Wedding Planner (Or Event Planner!)

2011-09-26T06:04:00.000-07:00

During my recent web surfing I found this awesome blogpost featured on BlogOfBrilliance, a blog written by a fellow wedding planner. I don't think I could have said this any better!

A wedding can be an incredibly scary undertaking, especially when you’re not sure where to start.

Weddings are among the most beautiful, yet most stressful events we have to look forward to in our lives. So why not invite a professional to lend a hand? There are a plethora of things in our daily lives that we need help with. A wedding should be no exception.
It can be scary to put your special moment into someone else’s hands, but with a little research, I think you will agree that going it alone is a far scarier prospect.
Time
Planning a wedding takes an incredible amount of time, especially if you want it done right. Depending on the type of wedding you are looking to have, you may find it difficult to plan it all on your own. Having a wedding planner is like having a personal assistant who is there to do all of the calling, ordering, and looking after details that you may not have time to deal with.
As human beings, we often fall victim to procrastination. In what can be an extremely high-stress situation, there is little room for putting things off. Many women go into the wedding planning process without knowing the first thing about timelines, and that can lead to some preventable disasters down the road. Do not waste another minute worrying about what you don’t have time to do. Get back on track by hiring a wedding planner.
Knowledge
Here’s a novel idea: Wedding planners plan weddings! Have you or your friends and family ever planned a wedding before? I’m going to venture to say the answer is no, and even if the answer is yes, I’m sure it hasn’t been many. So why are you leaving one of the most important days of your life up to amateurs?
Well-known and respected wedding planners have been doing their job successfully for quite some time, so they know where to find the best flowers, the best photographers, and the most original centrepieces. It is their job to listen to your dreams and make them a reality, so why would you settle for anything less? There is very little that a good wedding planner can’t do. Let them be the professionals they were meant to be, and give yourself a chance to enjoy the engagement.
Support
Let’s face it; men are not always the best partners when it comes to a planning wedding. They would rather let you choose the colour combinations, flower arrangements, cake flavours and seating arrangements. After all, this is your wedding, not theirs. Many brides rely on mothers, sisters and best friends to help with the details, but I say you should turn to someone who can provide the ultimate guidance and be completely honest.
Wedding planners are as much there to lend support as they are to take control. Sometimes planning a wedding can seem like an impossible task, but a wedding planner has numerous lists giving him or her instant access to the best of everything, including books full of stunning displays to bring your ideas to life. Go ahead and add another friend to your wedding entourage – after all, it’s true what they say about safety in numbers.
Affordability
Weddings can be an expensive undertaking, and while hiring a wedding planner can seem like a superfluous cost, it could save you money in the long-run. Wedding planners have valuable connections with every central name in the business, which afford them discounts and special advantages that would not be open to just anyone.
They will also work within a budget, so as long as your eyes are not bigger than your wallet, they should be able to give you everything you desire, and perhaps a little more. Also, it is not uncommon for so-called “professionals” such as photographers or deejays to take advantage of unsuspecting brides and grooms. A wedding planner will ensure that you only receive the best.
Attention to Detail
Any event has the potential to look nice, but it is the attention to detail that really gives a special occasion some life. We all know there are certain things that must be covered when planning a wedding. These include finding a dress, choosing colours, picking flowers, selecting locations for the ceremony and reception, and so on. But beyond that, how do you make your wedding memorable?
This is what wedding planners were made for. A vast portion of their job is to take the wedding of your dreams and make it better. Let them.
_______________________________
leave it to the pros
Your wedding day should be the most fantastic day of your life, yet we always hear those bride horror stories – don’t let that be you. Make your first wedding phone call to a wedding planner because as the newly engaged, it is your responsibility to relax and enjoy. Before you know it, it will all be over.

Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile

2011-09-01T17:25:00.000-07:00

Lately I have felt the autumn bug take hold of me and it has given me an uncontrolable urge to put away all of my summer stuff and bring out the fall decor. I'm ready for the cool weather, cozy house and the smell of cinnamon! There's something so relaxing about this time of year and what better way to settle in to this new season than throwing a fabulous fall party?! To satisfy my hunger for everything fall related, I found some thrifty and charming ways to spice up any fall party and to put everyone in the mood for the season without breaking the bank!

An easy way to shed a light on your table or mantle! Just scoop the insides out of any apple, gourd or pumpkin and place a small candle on the inside.

Simple and darling table decor for any outdoor party!

These make fabulous place settings at your table that all of your guests will adore. Simply scoop the insides out of any small pumpkin or gourd, let dry, and fill with your favorite fall candy!

Perfect way to add some color to your table and use up those extra pumpkins that you have lying around!

Babies Babies Everywhere!

2011-08-31T20:22:00.000-07:00

It's been quite a while since I've written any riveting blog posts for everyone to read ; ) To make up for this, I have pictures from a recent surprise baby shower that I coordinated that is sure to satisfy your craving for cute! The shower was a pink and green princess theme (inspired by the mom-to-be's nursery scheme) and even after some minor catastrophes (melting food and uncooportive decorations...yikes!) it turned out BEAUTIFULLY and I couldn't have been more pleased with this celebration to welcome the beautiful little girl into the world! Enjoy!

Golden Anniversary Party

2011-07-11T06:56:00.000-07:00

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to help plan and coordinate a 50^th wedding anniversary celebration for my loving grandparents. It was such a joy to be a part of the momentous occasion and I had a blast watching them enjoy it! We helped recreate the table and décor from their original wedding reception table and we had a ceremonial second cake cutting….it turned out awesome! I posted just a few pictures from the special day because most of the rest are of friends and family : )

Sunny Summer Party Trends of 2011

2011-06-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

Elle magazine recently published an article featuring the hottest colors for summer 2011. Since reading this article I’ve decided to show you how to work those sizzling trends into your backyard bashes this summer!

Hot color trend number one is neon yellow. Although bright yellows have always been popular during this time of year, neon colors are making a comeback! This picture, recently featured in Country Living Magazine, uses neon yellow as the focal point of the table. With gorgeous sunflowers as a centerpiece and the bright yellow napkins as an eye catcher, the smaller yellow details are just a bonus! Check out their use of yellow straws, lemons place card holders, and lemon slices in the glasses. This yellow accented table is sure to brighten anyone’s summer day!

Color trend number two is Pink! More specifically pink and orange together, making an even spicier pair. This beautiful backyard bash, featuring a garden party theme, flaunts these colors well. From the flip flop favors, to the garden hats, to the perfectly pink iced cupcake, this party is PRETTY IN PINK!

Color trend number three is the ever famous trio: red, white and blue. Nothing says summer like the Fourth of July, and where would the fourth of July be without red, white and blue?! This picture, recently featured in House Beautiful magazine, sports a barnyard barbeque theme. Guests are treated to red, white and blue seat cushions, tablecloths and even decorative flags. This Independence Day themed party is simple enough for even the most inexperienced party-throwers and cute enough to WOW the guests.

The fourth and final hot trend of this summer season is green, and I’m not just talking Eco-friendly! With all of the heat outside, it’s nice to cool down with this refreshing color. This picture, recently featured in Southern Living Magazine, displays an array of delicious green delicacies on a simple white backdrop. Pair this fabulous spread with some white tablecloths and some simple green flowers and you have yourself a gorgeous green get-together that will surprise you at how easy it is!

5 Ways to Make Your Wedding Unique

2011-06-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

There are over two million weddings held in the United States each year. Every bride wants her wedding to be the most unique and unforgettable, while still maintaining many of the traditions. It can be hard to come up with unique ideas that no one else has thought of before, however there are many ways to achieve a picture perfect wedding that guests walk away from WOWed. One of the best ways to make your wedding unforgettable is to bring your personality as a couple into the wedding and allow your guests to have fun with it. Those who know you best will take joy in the wedding and will love the personal touches that were woven into your special day.

1. The first way you can make your wedding unique and unforgettable is to choose a theme or item that makes surprise appearances throughout your wedding day. A great way to achieve this would be a special color, monogram or item (such as butterflies, or musical notes) that you weave into all of your wedding details such as flowers, cakes, favors, aisle runner, table centerpieces, sashes on dresses, etc. This makes guests feel like they are seeing a special part of the couple that is not typically seen and creates a sense of familiarity.

2. A second way that you can bring your personalities into your special day would be to choose a decade or era that represents the personality of you two. If you two are fun loving and love to dance, maybe try a 20's themed wedding with jazz music. Weddings like this are a blast and the guests leave feeling refreshed and upbeat. If you two are a more subdued couple, try having a formal Victorian wedding with elaborate centerpieces.

3. A third way to create a sense of uniqueness for your wedding would be to choose a unique color combination. Surprising color combinations, such as red and blue, or orange and pink are very trendy right now and brighten up any wedding day.

4. Another great way to bring tradition and personality together to form an unforgettable day is to bring ethnic traditions into a wedding. A bread dance, jumping over the broom, or taking part in a special food or drink ritual are all fun ideas sure to surprise your guests.

5. The fifth great way to make your wedding unique is to put a twist on common wedding traditions. You could have your bridesmaids carry something other than flowers, such as umbrellas. Or have pie instead of a traditional cake. Anything that you do out of the ordinary for your wedding is sure to be great fun for your guests.

Weddings are such fun to plan and are just as much fun, if not more, to attend. Treat yourself, and your guests, to a unique and special wedding by implementing some of these great ideas or creating some of your own!

Exceptional Etiquette for the Rehearsal Dinner

2011-06-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

Planning a wedding is stressful enough without adding to it the stress of planning showers, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners and receptions. I’m here to de-bunk some of the myths of rehearsals dinners, and answer some of the most asked questions.

Who pays for the rehearsal dinner?

In the past, tradition had it that the groom and/or the parents of the groom were always expected to foot the bill for the rehearsal dinner. This was typically the case because the bride’s parents were the ones paying for the wedding and reception. However, today more couples are paying for their own weddings and feel uncomfortable asking parents to pay for such a dinner. In many cases the parents will offer to host a rehearsal dinner for the couple or to split the bill, but if that is not the case the couple will need to budget a rehearsal dinner into their plans.

Who should be invited to the rehearsal dinner?

While there is some flexibility to this list, any and all people involved in the wedding should be invited to the rehearsal dinner. This would include any grandparents, musicians, officiant, flower girls etc. As for additional people invited, some couples choose to invite out of town guests to the rehearsal dinner as well. However, this is completely up to the discretion of the couple and the people who are paying for the dinner.

We are on a tight budget, is it required to host a rehearsal dinner?

A rehearsal dinner is typically a thank you for being involved in the wedding and is a courtesy for the wedding party taking the time to be involved in the rehearsal. This also serves as a wonderful way for all wedding participants and family members to become better acquainted. If you are on a tight budget, consider hosting a low-key cookout at your home and making the food yourself. There is no need to have a formal dinner at a restaurant or banquet hall for a rehearsal dinner to be meaningful and memorable. After a busy day rehearsing and with wedding preparations most guests will be grateful for a chance to relax.

Should formal invitations be mailed out for the rehearsal dinner?

This completely depends on the type of rehearsal dinner you are hosting, whether a sit down dinner or back yard bbq. It is polite to inform your guests of the dinner with some kind of invitation, however if you are simply inviting the wedding party and you feel comfortable doing so, a phone call could suffice as an invite.

When should I invite guests to the rehearsal dinner?

Guests should be notified of the rehearsal dinner no later than 4-6 weeks before the event, same as wedding invitations. Especially for out of town guests, it can be difficult taking the extra time off of work and arranging travel plans.

Who, if anyone, should give a toast at the rehearsal dinner?

It is not required to give a toast at the rehearsal dinner if you do not wish, however some sort of short speech or toast is typically given to thank the guests for attending and to wish the bride and groom well. This can either be done by the groom, or by the person hosting the dinner.

What can I do to make my rehearsal dinner memorable?

There are many simple ways to make a rehearsal dinner memorable such as having a special groom’s cake, inspired by something meaningful to him, made and served as the dessert. Choosing a theme or special décor always promises to surprise and awe guests as well.

When does the rehearsal dinner take place?

The rehearsal dinner typically takes place immediately following the rehearsal, which is typically held the day before the wedding.

How formal should the rehearsal dinner be?

The rehearsal dinner can be as formal or as informal as you wish. There is nothing wrong with a formal sit down dinner as there is equally nothing wrong with a poolside pizza party. The choice is completely up to the bride and groom and/or whoever is hosting the dinner.

More Ways to Cut Costs from your Special Day

2011-05-05T06:36:00.000-07:00

This is part two of my cost cutting wedding blog posts...glad to see you've come back for more! In today's economy eveyone is interested in saving a few bucks and I'm here to provide you with more easy steps to keep your money in the bank without skimping on your perfect day.

6. Decorations! these beauties take up a large chunk of the budget, and it's no question as to why. What would a wedding be without decor?! A fun and cheap way to decorate your wedding, not to mention give it character, is to consider using unusual items to decorate with, such as family heirlooms, silk flowers or pillar candles that you personalized yourself. Little things like this can turn your wedding into a unique experience that people will walk away from WOWed. And best of all, these things can be resold after the wedding, earning you money in return!

7. Photography can be extremelely expensive today, but this is one area where you probably don't want to nix. A great way to lower the cost is to consider using a photography student or apprentice. They may not have as much experience working the events, but they will have just as much talent and will appreciate your business! Many times they will give you a package for a fraction of the cost of a “professional photographer.” If you find someone who matches your style and price range, book them!

8. Another obvious way to save money would be to limit the number of guests you invite. Remember that this is your wedding and people will have to understand that you cannot invite everyone you have ever met or spoken to. If you simply cannot cut your list any farther, consider doing an appetizer only reception, or a fun dessert-only reception with lots of festive cake, cookies and candies. This can turn into a fun theme and your guests won't even miss a sit down dinner!

9. If you find yourself invite 400 of your closest family members and friends and are wondering how to pay for a cake that size, keep in mind that most bakers will charge you 3-5 dollars a SLICE…that adds up very quickly! To keep costs down, try ordering a cake that feeds only a fraction of your guests for ceremony purposes and then having a big sheet cake to feed the rest. If your caterers are cutting the cake in a separate room and serving it to the guests, no one will ever know the difference!

10. Lastly, for all of your extra must-haves, consider buying used or borrowing. Whether this means buying your shoes, jewelry and decorations at a thrift store or on craigslist, or borrowing your table centerpieces from a friend. Regardless, it will save a significant amount of money and leave more to splurge on your honeymoon!

Planning a Wedding on a Budget-Ways to Cut Costs from your Special Day

2011-04-25T06:46:00.000-07:00

This first blog post is two-part series on ways to cut costs from your special day! this can be one of the hardest parts of wedding planning....but it doesn't have to be!As soon as the ring is placed on her finger, and sometimes even sooner, the idea wheels start turning in the Bride’s mind about wedding details. What flowers will she carry? What colors should she use? What will her dress look like? The questions are endless! However, the thing going through the mind of the person footing the bill is, “How are we going to pay for this?!” SoundVision.com stated that an average of 72 billion dollars are spent on weddings in America every year; 20,000 of those dollars being spent on each wedding. That’s a lot of money to have lying around waiting for your special day!

Thankfully, there is hope for the budget-loving brides out there! There are numerous ways to cut costs from the wedding bill and to keep money in your pocket, even something as simple as making a budget and sticking to it. Listed below are the first five ways to cut money without sacrificing the details, or beauty of your special day.

1. The first and most important way to save you money is to establish a budget. Every budget has a little wiggle room, but overall you need to stick to that budget! Write down a list of what you want for your wedding and rank it highest to lowest in order of importance to you. If you don't really care about favors, put this low on your list. After you have completed this step, track our expenses. If you end up getting your dress on sale and still have money in that section, move it over to the next section you want to splurge on. This will help keep you from going overboard and let you sleep peacefully at night that you aren’t going bankrupt!

2. Another money savvy trick essential to saving money on your wedding is to learn to make what you want. Flower bouquets and arrangements, favors, decorations, programs and almost anything can be made by you, a family member, or a family friend. This saves the cost of hiring a vendor to do it and can be a time to bond with those bridesmaids of yours!

3. If you are not creative or feel you would rather spend your time doing something other than making wedding paraphernalia, then a wedding coordinator can save you lots of time and stress. A coordinator can many times offer you supplies at wholesale cost, saving a significant chunk of money. Many big stores offer things at a wholesale price, which is the price they offer to businesses and vendors, so you are skipping the store markup. A wedding coordinator can also be useful in haggling with other vendors and find you the best price for the best product.

4. Another way to save money is to be willing to work for what you want. It has been said that “time is money,” and many vendors feel the same way! For example, If you are willing to purchase and style the flowers for your cake, your baker may be willing to do the decorating for free, saving you extra money.

5. An increasingly popular way to save on your wedding day is to have your wedding on an unusual day. For example, you may decide to have your wedding on a Friday night instead of a Saturday afternoon, or a wedding in October instead of in June. Many vendors offer an "off peak" season price which can save you thousands of dollars.