Five Tips On Creating A Guest List

August 18, 2013 Leave a Comment

Putting together the guest list for your wedding can be the headache you never saw coming, but it doesn’t have to be. The guest list is on the list of the most important things pertaining to your wedding. I mean, what’s a wedding without people to watch you walk down the aisle in your beautiful gown? Let me help you make this a little easier with these five tips on creating a wedding guest list.

Budget- Before you can even begin to put a list together, you must know your budget. Without a budget, there is no way for you and your partner to create a good guest list. Creating a list without first budgeting, means you’ll be recreating the list later.

Share The Responsibility- You don’t have to do this alone. Decide, with your partner, how many guests is ideal to the both of you. When that is decided, you both can create separate lists. Once you have your lists completed,  you can look over both lists together.  Chances are, you’re going to eliminate people from both lists for one reason or another. Sitting down and creating a list together has been known to cause issues, which is why doing it at the same time but separately is great way to go.

No Parents Allowed- Keep your parents as far away from your list as possible. Moms get excited when they hear the word wedding. Some forget that it’s not their wedding, but rather yours. Allowing parents to get involved also means you will end up inviting family members you haven’t spoken to since you were a kid. You also don’t want to see more of your parents’ friends than you see of your own. Of course it’s ok to invite some of their friends, but keep them away from your list.

Categories- Creating lists broken up into three different categories is always great. The first one is must have.  This list is filled with close friends and family that you are going to invite no matter what. The second one is the maybe, probably, yes. This one consists of friends and family you want at the wedding but might not necessarily make the cut. Then there is the I don’t know list. This list may consist of  distant family members, and people you haven’t seen in a while but wouldn’t mind seeing. Once the three lists have been created, you can then get out your trusty red pen and start the process of elimination.

Inviting Kids- It is so important to decide whether or not children are going to be allowed at the wedding. Allowing children means more people. Your guest list can quickly go from fifty to seventy-five. Excluding children also cuts your list down due to the fact that some new mothers might not be ready to be apart with their little one. Think this through and make the right decision for you.

I know, this seems like a lot of work, and it is. However, you should think about it like this: the sooner you finish your guest list, the sooner you can get married to the one you love. In the end, it’ll all be worth it.

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5 Tips On Registering For Wedding Gifts

July 21, 2013 Leave a Comment

Combining your things with your new husband or wife is one of the most difficult things to do when your tastes are polar opposites. If your style is Old Country, and he’s into the Roaring Twenties, merging those two very different styles is going to be challenging. That’s the great thing about the wedding registry, you and your fiancé get to choose pieces for your new home. The pieces that you choose together, will help you merge the items that you’re bringing from your single home to your new marital home. However, there is a method to this madness. So, here are five tips on registering for wedding gifts:

Be Considerate- When that little scanning gun is placed in your hand, there is this overwhelming feeling of excitement that comes over you. This is the moment, you get scan things that you don’t have to pay for, and you float around the store and scan everything. The problem with this is, your friends may not be able to afford everything that’s on your list. You may also scan things you can’t really use. The best thing you can do while creating your registry, is be considerate. Think about your friends, and what they can afford, and choose your items with them in mind. Remember, this isn’t your money, just your style.

The Talk- Speaking of style, the items you choose for your marital home will represent both you and your future husband/wife. Before walking into the store, you and your partner should discuss what you want your home to look like. You need a general idea of what is needed in the home. A list is always good to organize your thoughts. Ladies, this is also a great time to get rid of your fiancé’s ugly blender or toaster that doesn’t fit into your beautiful kitchen.

Ask Questions- Look into the rules of the company that you register with. A lot of companies have a perk that gives you a discount on all of the items that are not purchased by your friends. It’s a great way to get everything on your registry, even if you have to buy it yourself.

Include Him- Often times the men hand over this responsibility to the bride and her maid of honor. Try to include the groom, he will be living in this house also. However, if he chooses not to participate, that’s ok too. This ladies, is your time to register for whatever you want.

A Timely Matter- Do not wait until the last minute to register. If you rush, it will show. When looking at a registry, you can tell just how much time was put into it. If you don’t care about your registry, those who shop for you won’t care either. Can you just imagine opening a gift that consists of a leopard shower curtain, and a fire fly soap dispenser? A badly done registry will only lead to a long day of returns for you.

 

 

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Five July 4th Inspired Wedding Ideas

July 2, 2013 Leave a Comment

The 4th of July means something different to everybody. Picnics in the park, barbecues, and of course fireworks, are all memories I’m sure many of us have.  There are so many ways to celebrate this special day on your special day. So I pulled together five great 4th of July inspired wedding ideas:

Let Them Eat Cupcakes: Although you may not want a three tiered red, white, and blue wedding cake, you can however do cupcakes with red, white, and blue icing. You can even place them in clear cupcake boxes. This allows your guests to take their cupcakes home. You have now created an edible souvenir for your guests!

Drink Up: Festive drinks are great no matter the occasion. So why not serve one that will help people celebrate the 4th? Try this 4th of July layered drink, Sobe Pina Colada, Fruit Punch, G2 Blueberry-Pomegranate. It’s not only visually appealing, it’s also delicious.

Dress Code: Give your guests a dress code. Ask them to dress in the colors that represent the 4th. Whether it’s a navy suit, red dress, or a white shoe, it doesn’t matter. Giving your friends this kind of creative freedom may be a little scary. It’s okay to give rules that may help rein in those friends who may take it a little too far. There is such a thing as being too festive.

Kiddie Blankets: If your reception is outside, this tip may be perfect for you. Often times kids aren’t allowed to attend the reception. If by chance you are allowing them to do so, instead of a table for the children, try laying out picnic blankets for the them to sit on. Create a space where they can eat, and make a mess. It’s also helpful for parents who worry about their children spilling on the beautiful tablecloth, or knocking over the centerpieces. This is also great if by chance you’re going to have a fireworks show.

Ending The Night: It’s traditional to throw rice, rose petals, or even blow bubbles. Try bending tradition a little. Give sparklers to your guests to light for your exit. You can then walk down the lit aisle arm in arm with the one you love, and into your wonderful new life that’s sure to be filled with infinite happiness.

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Five Ways To Incorporate Dad Into Your Wedding Day

June 16, 2013 Leave a Comment

A mother’s dream is to plan her daughter’s wedding, a father’s dream is to see his little girl happy, even if that means giving her away at her wedding. However, it is not easy for dad to release his little girl’s hand into the hand of the man who is vowing to protect her forever. Mom’s get to plan the wedding with their daughters, and fathers get to give their daughters away. So in honor of father’s day, here are five ways to make dad feel like he’s a part of your big day:

Breakfast With Dad: On the day of your wedding, have breakfast with your father. Some mothers and daughters do this. It’s a time where the two get together and talk about marriage, babies, or reflect on the bride as a child. Have one last meal with dad as a single woman before he walks you down the aisle to your future.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something for YOU: Gifts are given to the bridesmaids, the maid of honor, and the mothers, but rarely do you hear about a gift given to the fathers. Give dad a gift of appreciation. Special cuff links he can wear during the wedding, a beautifully crafted double picture frame, one side with a photo of you and dad when you were younger, and the other one can be reserved for the photo of your father daughter dance.

A Dance With Your Father: The father daughter dance is a big tradition, one that you won’t want to break. However, make it special by taking dance classes with your dad, you can even have a choreographer put a routine together for you two, so that you and your father can WOW the crowd at the reception. Not only do you get to spend quality time with dad, you also get to put on a great show that you two will always remember, and your friends and family will not soon forget.

Words From The Heart: Some brides and grooms give speeches at the reception, thanking everyone for sharing in their special day. The best man and maid of honor are sure to give a speech also. Take a moment to give thanks to dad who may or may not have paid for the wedding, let him know that you appreciate everything that he’s done.

Honor Thy Father: For those of you whose father will not be able to attend your wedding due to them no longer being alive, light a candle in honor of your father, leave an empty seat where your dad would have sat, or place a photo in the chair to represent your father. Just because your father has passed, doesn’t mean he can’t be present.

 

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Popping The Questions: Five Creative Ways To Ask Your Friends To Be Your Bridesmaid

June 3, 2013 Leave a Comment

He’s asked you to marry him and you’ve accepted.‭ ‬Now,‭ ‬it’s time to get your wedding party together,‭ ‬and plan that fabulous wedding you’ve always dreamed of.‭ ‬However,‭ ‬you may not want to just call your friends up and ask them to be your bridesmaids.‭ Often times bridesmaids feel like accessories. They are dressed up in dresses that they may or may not have had a say in, and they are told where to be and when to be there. It’s a good idea to make the people who are in your wedding feel special. Make them feel like they are a part of your special day. Remember, a happy friend makes for an even happier bridesmaid. ‬So,‭ ‬here are five great ways to ask your friends to be in your wedding.

The Invitation-Send all of the ladies you want to participate in your wedding an invitation with the words,‭ ‬will you be my bridesmaids ‬printed on them.‭ ‬A nice touch would also be to add a nice charm bracelets that the ladies could wear on the day of your wedding. Place holes on either sides of the card and connect the bracelet so that it hangs just below the message.

 

Scramble Anyone‭?‬-Remember the Soul Train Scramble Board? Fill a small satin bags with colorful letters that spell out the words,‭ ‬will you be my bridesmaid ‬and send‭ (‬or hand deliver) them ‬to your bridesmaid.‭ It’s a fun and creative way to get your bridal party excited about your wedding, and the role that they will play in it. ‬They will be totally shocked and impressed once they’ve put the pieces together.

 

Box Of Love-Purchase boxes‭ (‬small cupcake style boxes.‭) Inside,‭ ‬place ring pops in your bridesmaids favorite colors, and write will you be my bridesmaid on the lid inside.‭ ‬Create labels with your friends names on them,‭ ‬and place them on the outside of the boxes. It’s a fun, creative and tasty surprise.

 

Fortune Cookies-Who doesn’t like fortune cookies‭? ‬Have a message placed inside of each fortune cookie,‭ ‬put them in a cute little box,‭ ‬and when your friends open the‭   ‬cookies,‭ ‬they will get the surprise of their lives.‭ ‬I’d suggest doing it over dinner and having the waiter bring it out.‭ ‬That way your friends won’t suspect a thing. Great thing about this one is, you can have colorful fortune cookies if you’d like.

 

Fashion Is A Girl’s Best Friend-Every bridesmaid needs a nice little clutch to carry at the wedding.‭ ‬Purchase‭ cute (‬affordable)‭ ‬box clutches.‭ ‬Inside,‭ ‬place a mini calendar,‭ ‬a checklist,‭ ‬and other wedding essentials.‭ ‬They will probably look at you with questions,‭ ‬and that’s when you pop the question. ‭It’s a wonderful gift that will get many uses, and it’s fashionable.

 

Most of these can be Do It Yourself projects,‭ ‬if you have the time. If you don’t have the time, Etsy is the perfect place‭ to find affordable handmade items to help you pop the question.

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