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Tag: wedding reception ideas

  • Ways to Ensure Your Wedding Guests Have an Awesome Time

    Ways to Ensure Your Wedding Guests Have an Awesome Time

    A stunning venue and gorgeous centerpieces are some of the first things that come to mind when thinking of a beautiful wedding. But the picture-perfect décor doesn’t ensure an epic party on its own. Try the following simple but effective tips on ways to ensure your wedding guests have an awesome time. These tips will have your guests raving about your wedding for many years to come.

    Don’t Let Your Friends and Family Speeches Take Forever

    Many fun events have been detailed by long boring speeches. To keep the party popping, ask your speech givers to keep their toasts short and sweet.

    Hire a Great Band or DJ

    After all, music can, in fact, make or break a party.  Look for a high energy performer that will follow your lead on what music your family and friends like. Be careful not to choose an over the top annoying personality to be your MC. A great mix of music for your family as well as your friends discussed ahead of time with your entertainer will have everyone up on their feet until it’s time to go home. Seamless song transitions and the ability to read the crowd is where  top a notch entertainment company comes into play.

    Ask for Song Requests

    Asking your guests to request a song via the invitation response will ensure everyone will have a great time and dance the night away. Give this list of songs to your DJ. That way, if the dance floor thins out, the DJ can play songs off of the request list. This pretty much ensures that the person who requested the song will get up and dance and encourage others to do so as well.

    Remember to Thank Your Guests

    It’s important to break the ice and talk to your guests to let them know how much you personally appreciate them coming to share in and enjoy this fun celebration. Make it simple and short. Encourage them to have a great time and that you expect to see them on the dance floor on this joyous celebration.

    Keep Guests in the Loop with Your Wedding Day Timeline

    Usually the best weddings are the ones that are organized and follow a timeline. When the events of the day unfold in a timely and organized manner, your day will have a smooth easy flow. The bridal party and guests are not just left standing around wondering what’s next. They will know where they should go or what they should be doing.

    Throw in an Element of Surprise

    Surprise your guests with something special or unexpected at your wedding. You could secretly organize a “Flash Mob” of select family and friends sitting all around the ballroom. They can suddenly assemble on the dance floor and bust out into an organized dance. Or the bride and groom could perform a secretly practiced & choreographed dance routine for their first dance. That will really start off your reception with a ‘wow’ factor. This will have everyone recording, sharing on social media, and talking about it all night.

    Opt for a Short Ceremony

    If possible, try to keep your ceremony simple and short in length. A long, drawn-out ceremony takes away your guest energy level from the onset. Sometimes it is hard to be recovered for the reception.

    Provide Transportation

    If you’re hosting a destination wedding or your wedding is in a remote location, provide transportation for your guests from their hotel to your wedding and back. This way people don’t have to worry about driving home intoxicated, which guarantees that they can party a little harder.

    Allow Your Guests Plenty of Free Time

    This is particularly important if you have a destination wedding or a bunch of guests in from out of town. Many of your guests probably haven’t seen each other in a while.  Give them a chance to catch up before the real party gets going. Back to back activities after a long trip will run them into the ground and have them lacking energy for your reception. Let them have some time and space to explore your venue and they’ll be refreshed and excited at all of your reception events.

  • Small Wedding Ideas for an Intimate Affair

    Small Wedding Ideas for an Intimate Affair

    Have a smaller percentage of your guest list, but keep the whole the celebration. Have you been overwhelmed by the thought of gathering 200 plus of your “closest” family & friends together for your wedding day? You can have a reception with just your closest family & friends. But still with all of the things that will make your wedding feel like your personalizes wedding. Incorporate specific preferred options like entertainment, invitations, dinner, white dress, cake, and any other detail important to both of you. Shrinking it down to a cozy, intimate size guarantees you’ll love where your money goes and have tons of memories with “every” single guest. With an intimate wedding there are planning changes to make, details to consider, and a larger budget to work with now with less invited guests. Here are a few small Wedding ideas for an intimate affair.

    Keep the Guest List Short

    A small wedding is only small if the guest list is as small as possible. Not sure how to cut it down? One handy suggested tip is to look through your text messages and calls, and only invite those you’ve spoken with in the last three months. We speak more often to those who matter most. Another suggestion is would you take this person out for an expensive intimate dinner? Or would you have this person and their guest into your home for an intimate dinner or as a weekend house guest? Thinking about how close your relationships are will help ensure you are truly comfortable with those you surround yourselves with on your intimate wedding day. Of course, other people will want to know you’ve tied the knot. Make a list of those who will want to know the big news, and send out a wedding announcement after the fact.

    Alternative Venues Choices

    Fewer people on the guest list means you open up your choices to a multitude of different venues when choosing a nontraditional venue. Restaurants are at the top of the list. They’re unique spaces that have everything you need in one place. Just make sure you love everything (the style, the menu, and the existing décor) as being able to change it is less likely. Also recommended are hotel suites, many of which have beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces as well as galleries, gardens, wine bars, and nightclubs. You can have it in an intimate affair in a place that is meaningful to the couple. Family homes can pose many challenges for events with a large guest list, but work well with a smaller group.

    Rethink Traditional Options

    If you’re still in love with the idea of a space that’s more of an expected wedding venue like a hotel ballroom, museum room, or a dining room at a country club rethink it.

    The challenge with a traditional venue is making sure it feels full with an intimate amount of guests and not like a lot of guests didn’t show. Design comes into place here in making a large space feel intimate as you have the opportunity to get really creative with seating and table layouts, as well as adding things like a lounge or creative bars and food stations. Consider an extra-large round table for 20 to fill more space, or mix up how the venue is usually used by having the ceremony where others might have dinner and vice versa. With a smaller group, you can think outside the box about where you host each part of the celebration. Also, when you’re looking at venues, keep the size of your celebration in mind. Privacy is of the utmost importance, especially with a small guest list. Before you book anything, make sure the venue won’t have another wedding at the same time as yours. You really want to feel like you have the place to yourselves.

    Traditional venues are full of unexpected spaces that are perfect for smaller celebrations. Consider areas that are often overlooked, like the library of a large historic estate for example.

    Know What You Need

    Every wedding, no matter the size, will need entertainment, food, a bar, staff, rentals, and some décor. Keep those options in mind as you’re making plans.

    Even tho it’s more intimate, it’s a great idea to hire a wedding planner. Even if it’s only for a day of coordinator since you have more of a budget to work with. To have someone there to facilitate the flow of the day. You can enjoy it instead of worrying about whether alcohol or food is running low. Top priority service for any wedding is important but with an intimate celebration, the service should be over-the-top excellent.

    Skip What Isn’t Important

    As you’re determining the details, decide what is important to you and your partner and skip the things that don’t matter. Many couples choose to skip some of the traditional dancing and other formalities at a small wedding. Know your crowd and replace it with an activity everyone will enjoy. Or keep it in the timeline if your loved ones love to dance. Of course, if you do love dancing, keep the DJ set up or band’s size in mind so not to overwhelm your intimate wedding space. Be sure to hire a simple DJ/MC team or smaller group of musicians. That way you can have the formality of special dances and other formalities without it being over the top.

    You can easily skip some of the typical add-ons that couples try to get into their budgets.  For example, there’s no need for a photo booth, printed ceremony programs, or wedding favors. You will be spending much more one-on-one time with each guest, so some of those extras aren’t worth the cost.

    Splurge Wisely

    Your budget will go further with fewer guests, so use those extra funds to really enhance the evening. You can hire live musicians like violinists for your ceremony and a jazz trio to play for cocktails. A top notch photographer is also a great investment. With fewer people at your tables your guests will really relax. That will create an intimate atmosphere. Hire a trusted photographer who will capture the laughter, the tears, and the clinking glasses, etc. since those are the moments you’ll treasure most. You can also upgrade the dinner menu. Make it an indulgent seven-course meal, complete with a choice of fine wines and spirits. Valley says. With an intimate group, you can really personalize every detail of your menu.

  • Ways to Honor Your Dad at Your Wedding

    Ways to Honor Your Dad at Your Wedding

    Your wedding day is a great opportunity to give recognition to those who gave you unconditional love and support along your journey, from your first steps as a toddler to your ceremony. On the day you say “I do,” consider these ways to honor your dad at your Wedding. These tips from our friends at  brides.com will create special moments for your father, stepfather or father figure. Aside from having them walk you down the aisle. You wouldn’t be who you are today without them.

    A Special Dance

    Most weddings have the traditional father-daughter dance but you can take it a step further. If dad is not much of a dancer you can possibly spend some quality time together by attending dance lessons prior to the special dance. Either to learn to dance a little better or maybe even surprise everyone with a choreographed routine. Or you can surprise him with a sentimental song you both have a connection to.

    A Daddy-Daughter First Look

    First looks with your soon-to-be spouses have become a popular way to share a special moment together privately prior to walking down the aisle. So why not consider having a separate first look with your dad? He’ll probably be nervous pacing the halls waiting to see his little girl all dolled up for her big day anyway. By setting aside a few minutes for a pre ceremony moment with him you’ll not only create a memory that will last a lifetime, but it’s also a great photo op!

    An Unexpected Shout-Out

    Many times fathers of the bride will read a speech at the rehearsal dinner or a welcome speech at the wedding itself sharing memories and words of wisdom to his little girl. You can change it up a bit by instead giving him a special shout-out. You and your fiancé may want to take a moment to thank all of your parents, or anyone who made your special day possible and memorable just a minute or two of time to verbalize your love and appreciation could mean the world to him and the other parents.

    A Photo Surprise

    This may take just a little bit of planning, but it’s a fun and creative way to make dad feel special after the wedding. Coordinating with your photographer, create a sign or prop that says something sentimental like “I’ll always be your little girl”, “I loved you first”, or even something short like ”Thanks, Dad!” You can possibly pose  with your dad and while he is not looking you can hold the sign up. Like this when your photos come in he is given the sweetest surprise picture he will cherish forever.

    Ask Dad to Officiate

    What an honor to be asked to officiate your daughters wedding. It may take some preparation to become qualified but you can get ordained in a few minutes online. He would probably consider it the ultimate compliment to be asked to be the person who makes your marriage real. Dad will have the opportunity to share loving words and special moments with your guests while making your union official. You can work with dad to create the a special & personal ceremony. You will give him the honor to be a very special part of your wedding day.

    Something Borrowed from Dad

    Typically brides will borrow an item from their mom or a past bride to count as their something borrowed. But what father wouldn’t feel special if, you asked him to help out. Maybe you’d like to borrow one of dad’s handkerchiefs, or sew a cut-out heart from one of his old dress shirts into the lining of your dress. Or you can add a borrowed cufflink into the wrapped stem of your bridal bouquet. Think outside of the box, and there’s plenty of cute ways to incorporate your dad into the tradition.

  • How to Host Your Wedding at Your Home

    How to Host Your Wedding at Your Home

    There are many ideas on how to host your wedding at your home. A sense of familiarity, undeniable charm, and personal sentiments make for a day that’s original. Invite your guests into a space that holds some of your most cherished memories as a child, an adult, or both. Nothing says love like a wedding with a home sweet home welcome mat. Since residences are rarely suited for events and large gatherings, private homes need considerable attention when it comes to finalizing logistics like lighting, parking, and additional rentals.

    Depending on the size of your home and your guest list it’s important to consider factors like catering, landscape design, ceremony setup, and décor. For larger homes built with a significant number of hosting rooms, the need for an outdoor tent might not be as necessary. But for a more intimate setting, the use of a backyard tent might be a good idea for added space. The balance between wanting to highlight the unique features of your home and adapting the space to your unique personal preferences is important. That is something that needs to be planned out with all you vendors. Here are some tips from brides.com for hosting your own successful private wedding at home.

    Reserve Dressing Rooms

    Eliminate the need for transportation. Organize all of your wedding prep as well as your wedding party’s within rooms of your home. Just like any other location, it is so important that the getting ready area has ample lighting (natural is always best). With a good space for the hair and makeup team to set up, mirrors, and access to outlets.

    Utilize the Entire Property

    Make sure to embrace all indoor and outdoor space and elements of your home. Create a flow throughout your home by hosting different events in a variety of different areas. A ceremony in the garden followed by cocktails poolside is a great way to keep the flow of movement. Then transition guests to a tented space or inside your home into large room or rooms for dinner.

    Have a Weather Plan

    Be flexible and ready for a plan B in case of rain or inclement weather. Depending on the formality of your reception, choose a tent or tents that are as casual or refined as your day-of style and décor.

    Get Creative With the Uniqueness of Your Surroundings

    Embracing the uniqueness of your home’s surroundings is a great way to make sure your wedding day vision is unique & comes to life. Envision a ceremony backdrop in the back or front yard.  Next to a custom groomed tree or vine filled wall or fence or possibly a side wall of your home made of brick with a fireplace, to name a few ideas.

    Have a Strategy for the Catering

    Continuing these tips on how to host your wedding at your home includes catering. Caterers will stress the importance of bringing in the right equipment. This will put on a top notch celebration in such an intimate setting.  From their perspective, working in someone’s home requires a few extra steps. Checking for a water source, power source, and other lighting needs. It also means bringing in all of the required equipment for cooking and serving your guests high quality, fresh, and delicious cuisine.

    Don’t Skimp on Entertainment Space

    You want your guests to have a great time! So keep in mind the importance of a dance floor area when allocating space in your home for your reception. Setting up a dance floor in a spacious outdoor tent is a great consideration. This will ensure there’s plenty of space for dancing as well as your DJ or bad entertainment and their equipment. This area can also be a focal point for all your guests to witness your formalities.  These include your introduction, first dance, toast, cake cutting, etc.

    Adapt the Space to Your Needs

    Make it easy for your guests, and yourself, by adapting your space to fit all of your event’s hosting needs. Bring in power generators, restroom trailers, additional lounge seating, additional tenting, tables & chairs etc. The last thing you want to worry about is adding additional stress on your home. That includes not being able to properly accommodate all your guests with seating, restrooms, and coverage for inclement weather.

    Emphasize the Intimacy of Your at Home Wedding

    A perk of having a wedding in your own home is the intimacy that comes with it. Your entertainment should most definitely highlight the intimacy and coordinate all other elements throughout your event to keep guests informed & engaged on formalities & special moments. From the table layout of your reception to the personalization of your rehearsal dinner menu, each event is an opportunity to reflect the familiarity of your home venue choice.

    Surprise your Guests a Grand Exit

    Ending the night with a spectacular send-off. This is one of the best ways to cap-off your celebration. Just because you found a way on how to host your wedding at your home doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice this special moment. Keep in mind to leave space open either in the front, or the back of your home with no parked cars, etc to guarantee a seamless & special send-off experience.

     

     

  • Maid of Honor Responsibilities to Help the Bride

    Maid of Honor Responsibilities to Help the Bride

    Maid of honor responsibilities to help the bride aren’t quite what they used to be. Your choice will need to be on her toes in a very different way. The maid of honor is in charge of the bachelorette party and bridal shower. She also leads the rest of the bridesmaids throughout the planning process and on the day-of. A bride will traditionally appoint a sister, female relative, or best friend as the maid of honor. It is a privilege reserved for the closest person to her. Here are some of her roles.

    Ensure Bride enjoys Events leading up to Wedding

    Brides have a lot to do while at their wedding. While your maid of honor should be your go-to source for an extra set of hands, it’s more important she ensures you enjoy every moment of your engagement leading up to the wedding. From getting mani-pedis to a full-blown girls’ night out, your MOH is first and foremost your best friend. That’s the role she should take most seriously during the planning process.

    Shopping Consultant

    Brides usually make an event of wedding dress shopping so your maid of honor should be at the top of your guest list to help you. She should be from fitting room to fitting room, as you try on way more wedding dresses than you ever intended. She should be willing to give her honest opinions and constructive criticism.

    Point Person

    Brides usually don’t have time for wedding guests bugging them about such details as what time the ceremony starts and where you’re registered. Brides.com suggests give all the information to your maid of honor, so she can be your guests’ point person. When questions arise she can take pressure off you and point them in the right direction.

    Bridesmaid Wrangler

    Your maid of honor is also your bridesmaids’ go-to. She can try to keep the peace between any conflicting personalities in the group because the last thing you need is to be mediating fights between them. You need someone to delegate & assign tasks concerning any pre-wedding events. She will be available to answer any questions the bridesmaids may have about where and when they should be on the wedding day.

    Party Planner for Pre Wedding events

    Maids of honor lead the way when it comes to planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party. From reaching out to family members and bridesmaids to help with the details of planning to keeping everyone’s budgets in mind, maids of honor become expert party planners during the wedding process.

    Your Record Keeper

    If you’re opening gifts at your bridal shower, your maid of honor should keep track of who gave you what. This is another one of those maid of honor responsibilities to help the bride that will give you an easier time writing those thank-you notes later.

    Timeline Tracker Helper

    While you might have a planner or coordinator who will take the helm when it comes to your wedding day timeline, it’s worth sharing with your maid of honor as well. She’ll be able to watch the time in the bridal suite, making sure hair and makeup appointments are moving along, and let you know when it’s almost time to get in your dress.

    Another Maid of Honor Responsibilities to Help the Bride, Food Provider

    A hungry bride can get cranky and uptight, especially when the reception is many hours away. Your MOH should check in periodically to see if you or the rest of bridal need something to snack on while the bridesmaids are getting ready or before the bride leaves the bridal suite for your ceremony or reception. You may be too excited to think about food so if she can provide a quick healthy light snack it will help you fend off hunger pains for you and the bridal party.

    Social Media Point Person

    You should spend the morning of your wedding relaxing and staying as unplugged as possible, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be documented. Give your maid of honor your phone so she can get behind-the-scenes shots of the champagne toasts, happy tears, and the moment you slip on your dress. Let her know if you want these moments to be private or if you’re all about Instagram, you could also ask your MOH to post to your accounts throughout the day. Don’t forget to give her your hashtag.

    Bathroom Companion

    This isn’t the most glamorous task, but you’ll appreciate it: a little help from your MOH getting the dress, heels, and hair into the ladies room for a final go before the ceremony begins. It’s a moment full of laughter and some tricky maneuvers, which no one will forget. It gives new meaning to BFF.

    Toast Maker

    Some brides opt to have only family members give speeches at their receptions. Others forgo speeches entirely. But your maid of honor should always be game to deliver a speech—and not embarrass you during it.

    Dance Partner

    You’ve made it to the reception, when hopefully all the planning stress has melted away and you’re finally married. Celebrate on the ballroom floor and grab your MOH for plenty of boogying to your favorite jams. As much as you’ll want to get down with your new spouse, don’t forget your main dance floor partner through the years. Selfies are welcome.
  • Winter Weddings

    ADVANTAGES TO HAVING A WINTER WEDDING

    Contrary to some misconceptions, there are advantages to having a winter wedding. Summer weddings can be amazing but there are some downsides to consider.  An extremely hot day could make a hot mess of a bride’s beautifully done hairstyle and makeup. With hectic summer schedules and vacations a good portion of your guests might have to RSVP ‘no’ to your warm-weathered reception.  That will affect your list of guests you want to share in your special day. With a  winter wedding, you can avoid those pitfalls. You also get some beautiful snowy wedding photos, holiday-themed wedding decorations, and more.  Being a winter bride or groom can lead to a special wedding day and have advantages. From less stress over heat & humidity to better venue rates, check out these advantages to having a winter wedding from our friends at brides.com to a winter wedding.

    LESS STRESS

    -With winter weddings there is a lack of stress about the outdoor elements since they typically take place inside. The risk of rain and wind can make the planning extremely stressful and costly if you need to add a tent. Also, guests can be exposed to heat and cold at outdoor weddings which can make them very uncomfortable. By taking Mother Nature out of the mix means less stress for you, your vendors, and your family & friends.

    MORE VENUE DATES AND BETTER RATES

    -Most locations and vendors book up quickly during the spring, summer, & fall months and come with a heftier price tag.  The same venues and vendors are available for a lower price during the colder months. Because the winter months aren’t as busy as others, they’ll also be able to focus more of their attention on your wedding reception. That will give you better service. Fall is tough for vendors and venues because they’re juggling so many events along with more brides, families, vendors, and logistics.

    FREE DECORATIONS AS A BONUS

    -There are several benefits to a wedding celebration during the winter during the holidays. One is that any venue you select will be already be decorated for the holiday season.  That adds a more celebratory feel to your wedding day. It also is at no extra cost to you and fares well with pictures and the holiday spirit.

    CHEAPER TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS

    -Travel and hotel stays are at peak pricing in the summer when school is out and families take vacations. Winter weddings allow your guests to take advantage of off-season pricing for their travel and accommodation options. This bodes even more so if it’s a destination wedding. This is a plus for all your guests as certain honeymoon destinations will have preferable winter pricing as well.

    BEST TIME FOR A BLACK TIE WEDDING RECEPTION

    -If you’re planning a formal black tie wedding, you’ll hear much less complaining from your guests in black tie attire when it’s cold outside. Tuxedos weren’t meant for the heat of outdoor summer ceremonies and cocktail hour. They are the perfect choice for indoor winter weddings, as are gowns covered in sequins.

    SUMMER HEAT CAN AFFECT YOUR OVERALL MOOD

    -Some people don’t deal well in the summer heat. It makes them irritated, cranky, and a sweaty mess. When it comes to weather, you can always add layers to combat the cold, but in the hotter months, well, you can’t exactly take off your clothes. So if you’re stressed about being hot and sweaty for your wedding photos, then a winter wedding is the way to go.

    BEAUTIFUL SNOWY WEDDING PHOTOS

    If you’re blessed with a sprinkling of snow on or before your big day, you can snap some stunning snowy wedding photos that will rival any sun-drenched summer pictures.

  • 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.

     

  • 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.