Wedding Place Card Holder Ideas
April 20, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Lovely collection of elegant wedding place card holders and frames. Our wedding place card holders come in styles and themes to suit every couple. They are also practical and can double as a favor your guest can keep for years to remember your special day.
Wedding Planning and Seating Plans
April 20, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Mae Andrea
When it comes to your wedding reception you may feel the need to design a seating plan so that you assign your guests a particular table with other guests that they will feel comfortable with. However, in some cases a seating plan may not be necessary. When it comes to this part of your wedding planning, read these tips first to make sure you organize your seating to perfection!
Do I need a Seating Plan?
If your wedding reception is small & informal then a seating plan may not be necessary. However, if you are having a large number of guests & a formal sit down dinner then it is a good idea to draw up a seating plan so that you guests can find a table quickly & efficiently. Many of your guests will want to sit with family & friends so a seating plan will prevent a mad rush of guests all trying to sit together at the same tables! Having a seating plan that places people who will get along together will help to create the happy atmosphere that you want for your wedding meal & will make a difference to your guest’s enjoyment of the day.
Within your wedding planning you will find a number of options available for your seating plan. These range from:
No plan at all – best for standing buffets or small & informal events.
Assign guests to tables – you allocate guests to tables but the choice of seat is theirs.
Assign guests to seats – you specify the seats at which each guest will sit.
When it comes to deciding on a seating plan, bear in mind that you should do what you think will make your guests most comfortable.
The Top Table Dilemma
The traditional top table is a long table on which sits the bride & groom in the center & the rest of the wedding party beside them. Whilst this is still the favored choice, there are other alternatives being used as family structures become more complicated.
Traditionally the top table would look something like this:
Chief Bridesmaid–G.Father–B.Mother-Groom-Bride-B.Father-G.Mother-Best Man
Alternatives are used where parents are divorced & maybe remarried or have a new partner. Another popular choice is to do away with the top table altogether & just have a table for the two of you.
Top Tips for Other Tables
1. Seating families or close friends all on one table may not do much to encourage mingling between guests, although these guests will be relaxed. Sitting people who don’t know each other may be daunting for those concerned & again may not do much for the atmosphere. The best advice is to mix the tables up so that there is a combination of new & old friends. Consider your guests ages & interests also & try to seat like for like together, they are more likely to get on & have fun that way.
2. Singles can be a dilemma, especially if a large number of your guests are couples. It can be tempting to try a little matchmaking but this could back fire, making both parties & you uncomfortable & embarrassed. Avoid a singles table & try to place them on tables with other likeminded guests whom you think they will get along with.
3. Etiquette rules apply depending on the shape of the tables you are using. For round tables sit male & female guests alternately. If you are using long tables sit couples opposite one another & alternate male/female along the table.
4. Reserve the tables closest to yourselves for close friends & family.
5. Make sure each table has a name or number to identify it. You could theme them according to things relevant to you both, for instance name after your favorite places you have visited together, or your favorite films. Your venue may make these cards for you, but make sure they are shown on your seating plan.
6. If you want to assign a specific seat to each guest then you will need to write out name cards which you can then place at each setting. Aside from the traditional name card, you can use menus or wedding favors for the same purpose.
Creating your Seating Plan
Start putting together your seating early in your wedding planning. You can start even before you have had back all of your RSVP’s as you will know already who is definitely coming.
When you start ask your venue for a plan of how the tables will be arranged on the day & decide on which shape of table you will use. You will also need to know how many guests you can seat at each one.
Putting together your plan can take some time & may involve many revisions to get it right. A good tip is to write each guests name down on separate pieces of paper & do the same for each table. You can then arrange the tables out & assign guests to each one. Experiment by moving them around until you find the right layout for you. In recent years there have been numerous software programs developed to help with organizing your seating plan which can save you time & a great deal of stress as well!
Mae Andrea is a professional writer who collects wedding favors and wedding related articles. She is working with a wedding planning social networking company that caters to all the wedding needs of brides in almost every major center in America.
Funny Bride and Groom Wedding Cake Toppers
April 16, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Wedding cake fun for brides and grooms who want to add a little humor to their special day. Our collection of funny Bride and Groom wedding cake toppers are sure to be a great hit at your wedding reception. These funny wedding cake toppers come in varieties ranging from popular sports to ethnic themes.
Wedding Planning – How to Make the Lighting of the Unity Candles More Interesting
April 16, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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By Jennifer Walter
Making an inclusion of the unity candles in your wedding arrangements is something worth doing. But ahead of doing this, you should know that not everything should be done the same. This means that you need not think like every other wedding planner. Think a bit different from others.
It is habitual for the unity candle to comprise of three different parts. One should be for the bride. The second should be for the groom and the third and last should be for both the bride and the groom. Remember that having both of them light one candle is a symbol of uniting their love together. You can make the lighting of the candle a bit different from what is normal. This should be an inclusion of the whole family members. Each family member will be required to light up his or her candle and this will be used to light up the unity candle. Keep in mind that this is also a way to be a symbol of uniting the bride and the groom’s family.
If you want to make the event look extraordinary, there are some features that you can include in the activity. Ahead of lighting the unity candle, every invitee should be offered a candle. When the newly wedded have lit their candles, the entire guest will light their candles from this. Remember that this can be very convenient when only a small guest is present. But the idea at the back of this is to let the world know that not only is there unity between the bride and the groom, but there is unity between family and friends.
If the guest is large, you can decide to devise another simple method. After the unity candle has been lit, it can be placed at a convenient place such as the entrance of the hall and every guest will be provided with a small candle to light from this bigger candle.
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There are some brides who will think of something completely opposite from the above. This is envisaged when the issue of time is put under discussion. Some people will consider timing to be of utmost importance. They view the process of lighting the unity candle and enjoining others to take part in the process to be a waste of time. If you are of the same opinion as them, you should omit the lighting of the unity candle. There is no problem in this so far as it is a matter of your own deciding. You can decide that the candle will be lighted at a certain but pious moment within the wedding ceremony. You can decide that this should be done at the time of the cutting of the cake.
There are so many alternatives to this. The issue at stake is that there should be a symbolism of unity. Remember that it is not an obligation that a unity candle must be lighted at every wedding ceremony. Your main concern should be to come up with something that will be interesting to your wedding.
Discover some of the exiting games and some entertainment at a wedding engagement ceremony as well as some exciting thoughts for your marriage pictures when you visit http://www.bridalweddinggames.com, the premier resources on fun wedding games.
How to Plan a Low Budget Wedding
April 15, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Erica Brooks
Whether it be due to the economy or just the fact that you do not want to overspend, if you are planning a wedding on a budget then you are sure to want to be able to achieve the wedding you hope for without breaking that budget.
The good news is you can do it. You can plan a low budget wedding that is beautiful and memorable, but yet not so costly. You might be wondering “How?” Therefore the following are a few ways to keep your wedding budget low:
1. Prioritize. Setting your expectations from the beginning and prioritizing your wishes will help you to keep your wedding budget low, yet still have the wedding you were hoping to have. If wedding portraits are top priority set aside the highest percentage of your budget for that purpose. If you do not mind less flowers or no reception then you could cut those budget areas to help give more budget for your higher priorities.
2. Shop Around. Shopping around and finding bargains is another way to save on your wedding budget. Many times you will spend more if you buy the first dress you see rather than shopping around to find the best dress for the amount of money you want to spend. Price several caterers before sticking with one. You will be surprised at the variations in price you will find if you take the time to find out costs from several places. You can do this for flowers, photographers, caterers, locations and more.
3. Lower your guest list. It is inevitable the more people you have at the wedding and / or reception the more costly the wedding will be. If you can weed down your guest list to your closest friends and family you can drop your costs significantly, saving money on both food and the location. Obviously the bigger the wedding party and guest list the bigger the location must be to accommodate, not to mention that you will have to have enough food to feed everyone at the reception.
4. Skip the full bar. Sure, it may seem nice to be able to offer drinks of their choosing to your guests it may not be the best for your budget. Limiting your guests to beer, wine, or a special selection of drinks can help you save in this area of your budget.
5. Serve cocktails and hors d’ h oeuvres rather than a full meal. Food costs money and therefore if your lessen the amount of food you are serving you will significantly lessen your budget as well. You will need to keep this in mind when setting the time of your wedding as it is proper and customary to serve a full meal at certain times of day, while other times are known to be times when hors ‘d h oeuvres are just as acceptable.
6. Do it yourself. There are many areas of your wedding where creating your own do it yourself projects can save you money. Invitations for instance, there are amazing at home options that you can now print from your personal computer saving you a ton of money. Doing it yourself is a great way to save on decorations as well. You can arrange your own flowers, create your own centerpieces or even make your own favors and gifts.
These are some great ways to keep your wedding budget low and by doing so you do not have to sacrifice what is important to you. Remember the first step, prioritizing and then consider the others if you still need to cut your budget. Pick and choose the areas of your wedding that you are willing to sacrifice. Remember you will not be able to have it all, but you will be able to have what is most important to you and still keep your costs low.
Personalized Kate Aspen Favors
April 10, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Elegant and well suited for every occasion our collection of Personalized Kate Aspen Favors are sure to capture your personal style at your wedding and bridal shower.
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Click here for more Kate Aspen Favors
Elegant Bridal Evening Bags on Sale Now
April 9, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Collection of elegant bridal evening bags for the bride-to-be and her bridal party. Stylish purses brides can wear with traditional or modern wedding gowns. Your bridesmaids will thank you for giving her one of these chic bridal evening bags that can be worn not only to your wedding but for future events as well.
Decorations for Your At Home Wedding Reception
April 7, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Having a intimate wedding at home with close family and friends? Our collection of elegant decorations, favors and accessories are perfect for transforming your living space into a perfect at home wedding reception area. For tips on rentals, catering and more at home wedding preparation visit Preparing Your House For Your at Home Wedding
Preparing Your House For Your at Home Wedding
April 7, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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By Giselle Perez
A wedding in your or a family member’s home can be a very personalized experience. Your friends and family may have been to your home many times, so it offers them a comfortable environment. It can also afford you some luxuries you may not have at other venues. You can decorate completely as you choose, and your style is already reflected in your home. You don’t have to worry about what time you, your florist and your caterer can get in the space, or what time you have to leave. Even after the main event has wound down, your closest friends and family can stay long into the night, chatting on the patio, around the fireplace, or the dining room or pool table, if you want.
There are, however, some preparations to do to get your home ready.
1.House and Garden Clean and Spruce Up
- Does something need to be painted (i.e. front door, address plaque)?
- Is there a cluttered room which needs to be cleared?
-Are there rooms that need to be set off limits from guests?
- Does the garden need cleaning? Do you need to weed or plant? Make sure to water a couple of days before, so everything is fresh, but not still soggy wet. And don’t forget to turn your sprinklers off if are on a timer. You don’t need any surprises as the procession down a garden aisle starts.
- Do large potted plants need to be moved?
2. Caterer
- Can the caterer use the kitchen (if so, are there any appliances that need to be repaired)?
-If not, is there place for the caterer to set up a kitchen area?
- Is there storage space for the caterer (perhaps one of those cluttered rooms that’s getting cleared)?
- Ensure there is enough refrigeration space for the caterer’s needs.
-Are there enough electrical outlets? Do you need to pick a power strip or extension cords?
3. Rentals
- Determine your needs. Will you need tables, chairs, linens, a carpet to create an aisle? Have a rep from the rental company, event planner, caterer, or all of them do a walk through of your home.
4.Trash
-Do you have sufficient trash receptacles? Hint- empty them before the wedding.
5. Decor
-Can you put lights or paper lanterns in the trees?
-Will you want to rent some potted trees or plants?
- If you have a pool or a pond, can you float candles or water lilies?
Hint- a rental company can help you decorate your home or yard, adding lighting, a latticework structure to create a bower, even extra furniture).
6. The Wedding Day
- Make sure that items like toilet paper, guest towels, hand soap are handy and in sufficient supply, and perhaps designate someone to make sure they are replenished, if needed.
Finally, you may want to have a house keeper or someone who’s familiar with the house and family (not a member of the wedding party or family- remember- they, too, are there to celebrate- not work) to help your vendors find things and their way around the house, and also act as a liaison to you and your family, or your wedding party or planner.
Gisele Perez opened small pleasures catering in Los Angeles after working in some of the finest hotels, restaurants and catering companies in New York, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area. For more tips and insights into the catering life visit her at: http://giseleperez.typepad.com/smallpleasurescatering
She is also the author of the new E-book “Help! I Need a Caterer- the Ultimate Guide to Hiring the Perfect Caterer to Create a Fabulous Wedding Reception- or any Other Special Party” available for purchase at http://www.helpineedacaterer.com
Wedding Shower Invitations – When and What to Do
April 5, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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The wedding shower or bridal shower is an important part of the wedding process. It not only gives the bride and her close friends a chance to get together before the wedding but also allows those who are close to the groom to learn more about the bride and her bridesmaids. However, before planning for the actual shower events shower invitations need to be sent out. Here are some guidelines to help you with the process.
When to Send out Bridal Shower Invitations
Usually you would send out wedding shower invitations about 4 weeks beforehand. You could ask for reply about two weeks before the event if needed. This provides plenty of time for guests to reserve the date of the event without being notified too far in advance.
What to Send and Include
The obvious things are the date, time, and location of the shower and the name of the host. If you are having a special theme shower, do not forget to include special instructions so the guests can bring any required items to the shower. Many guests appreciate if the location at which the bride and groom are registered or a suggested list of gifts for the bride is also included with the invitation. Often we would recommend written directions or including a map with the invitations. Lastly, be sure to include a phone number to call in case people get lost on their way to the shower.
Who is Invited
The person or people hosting the shower should do the inviting with the bride’s assistance. A good place to start is the bride and groom’s wedding invitation list. If at all possible, do not invite anyone to the shower that will not also be invited to the wedding. Traditionally, you are supposed to invite only people who personally know the bride. However, it is not uncommon for the mother and close family or friends of the fiancé to be invited so they can get to know the bride better and be included in the festivities.
Who should Host the Shower
Usually the maid of honour and bridesmaids would host the shower. Today, a bridal shower is sometimes hosted by very close friends of the bride. The mother of the bride should never host the shower, but she can help with the arrangements or preparation of the food, if the shower is hosted at someone’s home.
Who should Receive an Invitation
In general, the rule is one invitation per person. So if you are inviting roommates or people living at the same address, then each should receive their own invitation. If men are invited then one invitation would be sent per couple.
Wedding Shower Invitation Themes
A popular bridal shower theme is the “Bathrobe and slippers” theme. The guests get together and shower the bride with gifts meant to help her relax and unwind before the big day. Send out invitations for the shower with a picture of a bathrobe and slippers on it to set the tone. The invitation should instruct the guests to bring items suited to the purpose, such as bath products, gift certificates to a spa or salon, and yoga lessons.
Themes can also be practical. For instance, a honeymoon shower can be planned with the honeymoon destination in mind. Gifts can include helpful items like maps, travel books, or luggage. Food, decorations, guest favors and music can also be used to incorporate the theme of a honeymoon destination.
For a tea party theme, serve tea along with finger foods such as scones, finger sandwiches, petite fours, to your guests. Incorporate pictures of teapots into the shower invitations and give away tea packed in vellum pouches to each guest as a gift to take home.
For a winter bridal shower you can use Christmas Ornaments as a theme. Guests can be instructed to bring a ornament for the couple’s first Christmas tree. Serve apple cider and egg nog and find a warm location with a roaring fire to shower the bride. Place vases filled with pinecones and candles around the room to add a warm glow and play some Christmas music in the background to help celebrate the season.
For a garden party theme, the shower can be held in a garden setting and each table can be decorated with a pot of fresh growing herbs. Hang a few lanterns off the tree branches and give away packets of seeds as shower favors to accentuate the garden theme. Have each guest bring some of their favorite gardening tools for the bride to use at her new home.
For a favorite memories theme, have each guest brings a gift that represents a favorite past time spent with the bride. Have pictures of the bride and her friends and family posted around the room so each guest can reminisce about the times they have shared with the bride-to-be. For each favor, tie a printed picture of each guest from their childhood onto a box with the bride’s favourite sweets inside.
For a pajama theme, have guests arrive dressed in their PJ’s. Keep it simple and fill the evening with manicures, pedicures, facials and massages, comfort food, and lots of girl talk! As a perfect gift at the end of the night giveaway a bottle of your bride-to-be’s favourite nail polish!
For a cooking or baking theme have each guest write their favorite recipe on a recipe card and bring the card along with all non-perishable ingredients for the recipe in a box or gift basket. The invitations can be printed with pictures of cupcakes and other baked goods or a spatula and spoon. Place baskets with baked goods and flowers around the room to double as decorations and plan games around the bride-to-be’s favourite desserts and dishes.
Thank you Cards
Thank you cards should be written, by the bride, as soon after the shower as possible, and most certainly before the wedding. The thank you cards should be signed using the bride’s maiden name. During the shower, a bridesmaid should keep track of gifts given by guest while opening the presents so they may be properly thanked for the item they purchased for the bride.
For more information or ideas please visit www.stephita.com.
