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  • Keep Calm Enjoy Your Day

    Tips to Enjoy Your Wedding Day

    You spend a lot of time planning your wedding day. So it’s only fitting that you want to actually enjoy it especially all the little moments. But stress and worry can take over and keep you from enjoying the all the time and hard work you put in. Our friends at Brides.com came up with some tips to enjoy your wedding day. So keep in mind the most important part of a wedding is the celebration of your love and beginning of your lives together. If brides don’t stay present, their wedding day will go by in the blink of an eye without actually experiencing or enjoying it. 

    Be Comfortable

    • If you’re not used to wearing heels, be sure to buy a comfortable pair of shoes and break them in before your wedding day. Don’t be distracted with aching feet and blisters on your wedding day. This also goes for your strapless bra or corset.

    Is It In Place

    • Hiring vendors that are reliable, experienced, and talented will remove so much of the worry. They will take care of what’s happening behind the scenes the week leading up to the wedding and the day itself. If you made the investment of hiring a wedding planner, all of the details will be handled. Walk into the ceremony and reception knowing that everything and everyone are in their place and ready to have a good time.

    More tips to enjoy your Wedding Day

    • There is so much to do in the days leading up to your wedding. But rather than leave everything to the last minute tackle them as early as possible. This way the stress of your last-minute projects and to do’s doesn’t linger on your wedding day. Make sure things like your programs, escort cards, welcome bags, and DIY projects are done well before the week of your wedding. Setting the tone with a calm, restful week will put you in the right frame of mind and be mentally present on your wedding day.

    It’s A Very Long Day

    •  You don’t want to deal with a growling stomach. Start your day with a good breakfast, and then take short breaks for snacks. Have light appetizers before you put on your wedding dress, before the ceremony, and before you’re introduced into your ballroom.

    Take A Moment

    • You’ll probably have very little time alone with your spouse on your wedding day. Take a moment after your ceremony for some quiet time. Go to the bridal suite or another private area to take in and cherish the special moments of your day. Let your planner and caterer know about your plans ahead of time so they can have things as champagne, water, and a sampling of your hors d’oeuvres ready for you.

    Put It Away

    • Leave your phone in your purse, or give it to your maid of honor. Phone’s are a daily distraction, and will be on your wedding day, too if you don’t put it away. You definitely don’t need something else pulling your attention away. You’ve hired a professional photographer, so you don’t need to take photos. Also anyone you’d think to call or text will be there in person that day.
  • hashtag ideas

    How to Get Your Guests To Use Your #Hashtag

    Here are some great ways on how to get your guests to use your #hashtag from our friends at Brides.com. Couples spend a lot of time and creativity coming up with a unique & perfect wedding hashtag. This is so they can easily see all of their guests’ photos in one place. Hashtags should be created & used from the get go. Use it at all events leading up to the wedding such as engagement dinner/party, bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, etc.

    Get your bridal party to spread the word.

    When your bridesmaids post sneak-peeks of them trying on their gowns, bridal shower, bachelorette party etc, ask them to add your hashtag to their captions. Guests are likely connected to your wedding party as well. This will help to begin laying the groundwork for getting the hashtag out to other guests. Start using your hashtag before your wedding day by including it on your save the date, website, invitation, and welcome bag. Guests are more likely to remember and use your hashtag after the repeated exposure.

    How to Get Your Guests To Use Your #Hashtag, make it easy!

    Choose a hashtag that’s easy to remember to increase the chances of your guests actually using it. Rhymes, play on words on first/last names, and puns are all ingredients for an awesome and memorable hashtag. Include your hashtag throughout your reception on small frames on bars, on menus, on seating charts. You can also include it on video screens if you incorporate video production into your reception. Here’s another way on how to get your guests to use your #hashtag. Have your DJ or band leader announce it right before introductions and throughout your reception as well.

  • To Do Checklist

    Week of the Wedding “To Do” Checklist

    With only a few days left before the wedding reception, it’s  totally understandable that a few things on your growing Week of the Wedding “To Do” Checklist might slip your mind.  You should use the whole bridal entourage (including the future spouse) for help on the to do list. Keep track of your master checklist, but delegate tasks as needed. You will need all the support you can get. It’s best to get all of your to do’s in order sooner than later, so you can kick up your feet up and enjoy every second of your wedding reception. Below is a checklist to help with wedding week to do’s.

    Wedding Dress, Shoe and Jewelry “To Do’s”

    Try on your full wedding dress, including shoes and jewelry. Practice walking down the aisle and make sure everything looks and feels comfortable. Try going to the bathroom in your dress as well so there are no surprises.

    Go to your jeweler to get your engagement ring professionally clean so it’s extra sparkly on your wedding day especially for pictures.

    Break in your wedding shoes. Wear them for a short period of time each day around the house and walk around on a few different surfaces.

    Things to get ready for your Wedding vendors.

    Shoot all your vendors an email or give them a quick call on the Monday before the event. Be sure to confirm arrival times. This includes your hair and makeup team!

    Send off your pictures to take list to your photographer and designate a responsible family member or member of the wedding party to regularly check in with the photographer on the wedding day to ensure they are all your key pictures are being taken.

    Get any checks or final payments ready for vendors. Check your contracts for payment deadlines.

     

    Other Week of the Wedding “To Do” Checklist Items

    Be sure to give your email a last minute read through and answer any emails that are filled with pressing wedding questions a few days before you get to your wedding day.

    Reach out to the last-minute stragglers who haven’t RSVP’d yet to see whether or not they’re coming to your wedding. It’s better to know the final count sooner than later for seating arrangements, final venue bill, or for those guests who might show up and have nowhere to sit.

    Sit down with your spouse-to-be and finalize the seating arrangements. Be sure to send a copy to those who need it, like the wedding planner, photographer and designated bridesmaid.

    Make sure your marriage license is in order and assign someone to keep track of it on your wedding day to ensure it’s signed correctly and doesn’t get lost in the mix.

    Take care of any work to do assignments so that you don’t have a Week of the Wedding “To Do” Checklist work tasks floating around in your head. Work should be the last thing you want to think about heading into your wedding weekend.

     

  • Thoughtful Ways to Thank Your Parents

    Thoughtful Ways to Thank Your Parents

    Parents usually play a major part in the lives of brides & grooms. They’ve been with you through all the major milestones in your life. From high school & college graduations, birthdays, major life events, etc. It only feels right to thank them for helping couples get to this major milestone: their wedding day. Take this opportunity to remind them that they, no matter what, they will always be important to part of your life. Here are some suggestions for Thoughtful Ways to Thank Your Parents from BridalGuide.com.

    Special Message

    • On your wedding day you’ll be showered with gifts and special gestures all day.  Take this opportunity to give back to those closest to you. An embroidered handkerchief with a special message is a touching and useful gift. A special piece of jewelry, such as an engraved necklace, watch, or cufflinks is touching as well.

    Meaningful Token

    • Incorporate part of your mother’s gown, veil, or jewelry into your bouquet handle or gown. Attach or wear a meaningful token such as miniature-sized version of their wedding photo.

    Mini Display

    • If you don’t like the idea of cutting up your mother’s wedding gown, then you can put it on display. Create a mini display by showcasing your mother’s gown, grandmother’s gown, or any other special ladies’ dresses. This is a great way to decorate the walk up to the ceremony area.

    Great Picture

    • Parents love a great picture with their child your wedding is a great opportunity. When compiling your picture list for your photographer, ask them to take pictures with them to pay respect to Mom and Dad. Some ideas are a picture of you holding your parents’ wedding photos. Another would be a “first look” with Dad and a “last hug” with Mom before you tie the knot.

    Special Song

    • If you don’t have a song that’s special to the two of you, pay tribute to your parents by using their wedding song for your first dance. If you prefer to use another song, you could always play their wedding song later in the evening and dedicate it to them. Either way, it will be such a special tribute to them.

    Something Borrowed

    • If you’re having trouble selecting a cake topper, re-use the one from your parents’ wedding. It’s a great way to add a little something borrowed to your dessert tables. 

     

    All of the above are touching and thoughtful ways to thank your parents that they’ll most probably love.  But don’t forget that a simple handwritten thank-you note goes a long way and will always hold a special place in their hearts. 

  • Some Wedding Ceremony Etiquette Tips

    Some Wedding Ceremony Etiquette Tips

    We found Some Wedding Ceremony Etiquette Tips from our friends at Brides.com that seemed very helpful. These tips will take the stress out of your ceremony, take a look.

    Taking A Break

    • Taking a pre-reception break between the wedding ceremony and reception is a good idea so you can take your formal pictures and still mingle I your cocktail hour. But keep in mind your guests may be sitting around twiddling their thumbs if a “short” break means hours. Try to keep the break to under an hour & possibly invite guests to a hospitality suite either at the hotel or the venue, where they can grab a light refreshment. If everything is happening at the same location, considering extending cocktail hour so that guests can mix and mingle while you take a breather. With a little longer event, you’ll get to enjoy it too.

    Avoiding Drama

    • Couples are avoiding drama by having a small wedding party. Even though it’s a great way to honor your friends and family, it’s not the only way. The wedding party has morphed into the VIPs of the day who are also helping the to-be-weds. But that brings a lot of drama, commitment, & expenses to those you ask and sometimes it’s easier not to pick and choose among your best buds. Just keep in mind that you will need two witnesses for your marriage license, usually the maid of honor & best man—so be sure to give two guests a heads up that they have an important job to do after the ceremony recessional.

    Include Your Pets

    • Many couples are choosing to include their dog or pets in the wedding ceremony.  Besides dogs, couples have included cats, llamas, and even turtles to help their owners say “I do”. But, you should check a few items before doing so. If the ceremony takes place in a religious institution, consult the officiant to make sure it’s ok to have a pup/pet present. You need to be honest with yourself about how your dog/pet will react to large crowds. Will your pet sit quietly during the ceremony or start barking, run off to find the appetizers or possibly have an accident on your train. If you think they will react reasonably include them and designate a dog/pet attendant to escort them down the aisle and hold the leash during the ceremony. Keep a treat on hand to keep them calm.

    Wedding Ceremony Etiquette Tips

    • As we suggest some wedding ceremony etiquette tips here is another idea. Many brides have best/close friends that are guys and/or gay and are including them in their bridal party. You can include them as a man of honor or a “bridesman” and have him participate in all the same activities as the ladies. The same goes for grooms who want to include their close lady friends as “best woman” or “groomslady.” Definitely include them and have a good time with it.

    Not So Traditional

    • Some brides don’t ever normally wear dresses and sort of feel pressured to wear a gown on their wedding day. In this day and age, brides are following the not so traditional current trends so they can let go of the expectation of having to wear the traditional wedding dress. Designers are taking into consideration that it’s not just all about strapless lace ball gowns and are designing elegant pantsuits and jumpsuits for sale at local bridal salons and online. Brides are even custom designing their own bride in pants wedding dress. Search and you’ll find the perfect pair of wedding gown dress pants.

    Personalize Songs

    • Brides are shying away from walking down the aisle to a classical song such as Pachelbel’s ‘Canon in D’. They are picking their favorite pop songs instead. Outside of religious institutions who have a list of specific, approved songs you must choose from, it’s fair game. Whether it be your favorite song or artist, brides are choosing to personalize songs for their wedding processional & recessional songs. The only etiquette requirement is to make sure the lyrics are appropriate for all ages. You may want to consider the instrumental versions which avoids any questionable words or have a string quartet play arrangements of popular music.
  • writing your wedding vows

    Writing Your Special Wedding Vows

    Tips on Writing Your Special Wedding Vows

    Exchanging vows during your wedding ceremony is one of the most intimate and nerve racking moments of your life. Standing in front of the person you love & making that life long commitment in front of all your guests can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on writing your special wedding vows we found at brides.com It’s a moment of laughs, tears, and a request for tissues so that your mascara won’t run and stain your veil.
    -You don’t have to make your vows perfect, just speak to your spouse. Right from the heart in your own words as if it’s just the both of you.
    -Don’t make your vows all mushy. You can add some humor about the both of you to get your guests laughing.
    -Keep your vows under 2-3 minutes. That’s just enough time to keep your guests’ attention. It’s also long enough time to say and express your feelings without rambling or being repetitious.
    -Don’t wait till last minute to write your vows. Give yourself time to brainstorm on what you’d like to say. If you wait for the night before your wedding you may be overwhelmed. When you are a bundle of nerves you won’t seem to string together a sentence.
    -Skip clichés, instead use specific details of your relationship with your spouse. Make it very personalized and geared towards sharing your passion, commitment, and connection. Writing your special wedding vows makes the ceremony all about your relationship. Isn’t that what all of this is about?
  • Unity Ceremony

    Unique and Special Unity Ceremony Ideas

    Looking for ways to make your Ceremony your own? Unique and Special Unity Ceremony Ideas represent the ritual of two becoming one. There are traditional ways to add these ceremonies. These touches will make your special moment even more heartfelt. Here are some common and not so common ideas from BRIDES.com.

    -Lighting a Unity Candle

    Unity Candle

    This usually involves the couple lighting one large candle from two smaller family candles. Usually lit by each of their moms, this represents the coming together of two families.

    -Pouring of Sand

    Sand Poring

    The couple takes turns pouring colored sand from smaller vases into another larger vase. When this is done they blend their sand together to make a pretty colorful display. This is a great unity-ceremony ideas for blended families. The couples children can also add sand to the family vase to show the coming together of 2 families.

    -Handfasting Ceremony

    -In Handfasting the bride’s and groom’s right hands are bound together during a portion of the wedding ceremony. Thus symbolizing their commitment to each other.

    -A Lasso Ceremony

    This ceremony usually takes place after the vows have been said. The officiant or designated person or persons drape a floral garland or rosary around the couple, twisting it into an infinity symbol. At the end of the ceremony the lasso is removed and the couple saves it as a symbol of their love and unity.

    -Releasing a Wish Lantern

    Wish Lantern

    This ceremony is very moving. The couple releases a paper lantern into the air, allowing their love to pass into the universe as one.

    -An Anniversary Capsule

    Before the ceremony, gather up important mementos from your relationship: ticket stubs, hotel room keys, cards, etc. Some couples also write a love letter to each other. This ceremony is a reminder of the durability of the love and the lifetime commitment of marriage. During the ceremony, all these items of love are sealed in a box, and then you can open it on your 5-, 10-, or 20-year anniversary.

    -Circling Ceremony

    -In a Circling Ceremony, a Jewish wedding tradition, each partner takes turns circling around the other. This is typically seven times each. This symbolizes the creation of a new family and the circle of protection and love each is placing around the other.

    Adding one of these Unique and Special Unity Ceremony Ideas will make your ceremony more personal. With that not only do you create a memorable moment for your yourselves but a special moment you guests will take with them.

  • Wedding Table Center Piece

    Wedding Table Centerpiece Ideas to help fit your personal style.

    Decorating your reception tables with the right centerpiece can be a time-consuming process.  From floral arrangements to LED lit vases, there is a multitude of different options and choices that can become overwhelming. Our friends at Brides.com found some different Wedding Table Centerpiece Ideas that are worth checking out.

    Traditional floral

    • These have been the most popular over the years. Keep your venues size and decor in mind as you select your floral centerpieces.  Smaller centerpieces are more for intimate wedding setting that is conducive to guest having conversations across the table.  Tall arrangements work well in larger venues with high ceilings. Keep in mind what flowers are popular during certain seasons as well as your wedding theme. You can’t go from a rustic theme in a barn type setting for your reception to a palatial type setting with big centerpieces placed atop tall decorative stands or tall lit glass vases. If you’re trying to stay within a budget, keep in mind the larger the floral centerpiece the higher the cost.

    Candles

    • Candles will add a romantic glow to any ballroom. It is a great way to give your ballroom a sophisticated look while not breaking the budget.  Candles come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors to accommodate different themes. They can be put on candelabras for an old world statement, votives among a floral arrangement, or tall clear hurricane vases is for a bold sleek statement. Just keep in mind that some older or historic venues may have restrictions on candles.

    Greenery

    • Garlands and loose leaves are different and simple ways to decorate your tables.  Greenery really works well on long tables and give us a lush look without breaking the bank.

    Chandeliers

    • Be it a crystal chandeliers, floral chandeliers, lanterns, etc. this is a unique centerpiece decor. As a result hanging chandeliers are a great way to make a statement. A crystal chandelier works well in venues with castle, mansion, or château in the name.  Lanterns work well in a tented venue or rustic setting venue.  Floral chandeliers in the shape of chandeliers but using flowers,  can be rigged with a thin wire over tables and dance floor giving the illusion of floating in air.

    Books

    • A small stack of the bride & grooms favorite hardcover books with a simple vase with some flowers or candles on top is an intimate way to share with your guests some of your personal tastes.

    Lights

    • LED light bars & neon lights in custom shapes are a contemporary & cool centerpiece idea to bring some color & energy to your ballroom.  Name your tables in neon lights to classic movies or sports team name & color.  Have LED light bars set to different colors at different parts of the night and even change colors and chase around the tables during dance sets.  LED light bars and neon lights can be used to compliment more traditional centerpieces.

    Using these Wedding Table Centerpiece Ideas will give your reception those unique touches to help fit your wedding theme and personal style.

  • brides maids

    What your bridesmaids should & should not pay for?

    Being a bridesmaid is a big responsibility and could be very costly proposition. Weddings in this day and age involve so much more than just the reception. There are several events and expenses for your bridal party to incur leading up to the big day. Are you thinking what your bridesmaids should & should not pay for? Below is a guide we found on Brides.com for who pays for what on events leading up to the big day as well as expenses for the big day.

    Bridesmaid Dress

    ⁃  This is usually covered by the bridesmaid. If the bride requests a general type shoe or accessory to go along with the dress, it is paid for by the bridesmaid as well. If the bride wants the bridesmaids to wear specific shoes and accessories to go along with the dress, then the bride should pay for them.

    The Bridal Shower

    ⁃ If the bridesmaids are hosting the bridal shower then they should all share in the expense of paying for it. If a family member, like a grandmother or aunt, offer to host a party then they will pay for it but the bridesmaids should also contribute to help cover the cost. Bridesmaids should also help with setup, breakdown, or any necessary cooking. Bridesmaids are expected to bring gifts to the bridal shower as well, either individually or as a group.

    The Bachelorette Party

    ⁃ For a single night event, the bridesmaids are all expected to split any expenses incurred for food, drink, entertainment, and transportation for the bride. This would include champagne and sage for the bride as well. If going away for a weekend everyone, including the bride, should pay for their travel and accommodations. The bridal party should split the expense of any favors, T-shirts, games, or other gifts for the attendees and treat the bride. The weekend activities should be split by all including the bride except for the “big night out” or highlight night of the weekend where the bride will be treated as above.

    Hair and Make Up

    ⁃ If the bride requires everyone to have it done by the same salon or same artists, then she should pay for it including the tip. If hair and make up is at the discretion of the bridesmaid to do it themselves or use their own artists, then it’s at their own expense.

    Travel and Hotel Accommodations

    ⁃ The bridesmaids are expected to cover their own costs to the reception for a destination wedding. Brides will usually book a block of rooms at a cheaper rate for accommodations. This makes it more cost effective for the bridesmaids. Brides will also research and shop for travel options to help find less expensive options for the bridesmaids.

    ⁃ With all of what your bridesmaids should & should not pay for they are expected to give a wedding gift on the wedding day.

  • Time Management DASH OF CLASS PLATINUM

    Time Management Tips for your Wedding Day

    After months of investing much time and money into your wedding day & reception, you want to be sure you will enjoy it and take it all in! If you have your ceremony on premises and a possible viennese hour, the 4 to 7 hours can really fly by. Even though the average reception is 4 to 5 hours, dancing time may be limited to only about 2 to 2 1/2 hours because of formalities & dinner courses. Here are some helpful tips on how to enjoy, mingle, and dance the night away at your wedding reception with your family and friends.

    Helpful Time Management Tips for your Wedding Day

    ⁃ If you’re having an on-site ceremony, be sure to have a “first look” before the ceremony. Taking most of your formal pictures with your spouse-to-be, family, & bridal party before so you will not have to take them during cocktail hour and then be rushed to your introductions into your ballroom.

    Picture time

    ⁃ If you are not having an on-site ceremony, give yourself 2-3 hours between the end of the church ceremony and arrival to your reception venue so you are not rushed. By doing that you can enjoy the day with your family & bridal party. Some couples want to make a stop to at a picturesque-location which takes time as well. Try to get to your reception hall at least one hour before cocktail hour so you can take the majority of formal pictures with family and bridal party at the venue. This will allow for a little time to kick back, relax, and have a bite to eat before mingling in cocktail hour.

    Your Cocktail Hour

    ⁃ Most couples are now electing to mingle during their cocktail hour. This gives you the chance to say hello and have brief conversations with the majority of your guests in an informal atmosphere. Doing this will not make you feel obligated to visit each and every table during your reception. If you’re possibly having 150 to 200 guests for example, that’s 15 to 20 tables you may have to visit and say hello to which will cut into your dancing and partying time.

    Time to Toast!

    ⁃ Recently, couples are having multiple maid of honor‘s and multiple best men which are doing toasts as well as parent’s possibly doing a welcoming. It would bode well to give a gentle respectful restriction on the time allotted (such as 2-3 minutes for each) before the reception, such as at the rehearsal dinner. If there are many toast/speeches(ie, more than 4) it would be well advised to split them up and possibly have some after the first dance and others during the first course when you have a captive audience. This is a great way to make everyone happy and will not cut into dancing time.

    Special performance or presentation

    ⁃ If you’re going to have any family or friends sing/perform, it would be prudent to have them do so during downtime such as during salad, appetizer, or main course, etc. so as not to cut into dancing time. This would bode well if you have any type of couple photo montage presentation as well.

    Dessert time isn’t always sweet

    ⁃ After your cake cutting (and possible Viennese tables) we advise for couples to stay away from their sweetheart/main table. That is usually the time that some guests may be looking to leave early. This is the first place they will look for you and if a line forms by your sweetheart table you will be stuck there. You don’t want to miss your last dance set. This is the time you want to party it up with your immediate family and friends especially now that all the formalities are over. You should be mingling and dancing around the dance floor area. Guests leaving can give you a quick hug and goodbye and you can continue partying to the end of the reception.

    Time to say Good-Bye

    ⁃ If you are providing transportation for your guests to and from hotels or a particular central meeting place, think about the time you should have your first shuttle/bus come. Keep in mind after the reception ends there is a time of mingling, socializing, & saying goodbyes. Too many times couples have the shuttle/buses come too early before the reception ends. The entertainment is making announcements regarding the shuttle/buses being outside your venue essentially chasing your guests off the dance floor and out of your ballroom. This is the last thing you would want to do after all the time and money invested into your reception.