5 Practical Wedding Favors Your Guests Will Find Useful Daily!
November 11, 2009 by Erica Brooks
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For couples who are looking for unique and interesting ways to thank their guests giving practical wedding favors are the perfect choice. Practical wedding favors are small tokens of appreciation that your guests will find useful long after your wedding. Here are 5 ideas for you to consider when choosing favors for your guests.
1. Coasters make a very practical wedding favor choice and can be personalized in a variety of ways. To personalize your coaster you can use special wording or a poem, choose coasters to match your wedding theme and even add a picture which makes your coaster double as a picture frame too!
2. Salt & Pepper Shakers are very practical. Just about everyone uses salt and pepper daily and they can be found in just about any theme imaginable!
3. Recipe Card Holders are a unique favor and can be used not only as a wedding favor but make a great bridal shower favor as well. Guests can share their recipe for marriage success with the happy couple and then take home a useful favor that they can use for years to come while preparing their own recipes.
4. Magnets are useful and affordable. Magnets come in handy for posting notes and pictures on the refrigerator where they will be seen daily. They come in a variety of styles and sizes and are easily personalized.
5. Kitchen Timers are a different, at the same time extremely useful favor. Even if your guests do not bake, a kitchen timer comes in handy for anyone from your personal friends to co-workers needing to manage their time better while performing certain tasks. It’s a great productivity tool that all of your guests can use.
Your guests will not only remember your special day often they will also appreciate that you put thought into giving them a gift that they can actually use.
Practical, Useful Wedding Favor Ideas
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What to Wear to a Holiday Wedding
November 10, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Christmas and the winter holidays are festive times. Add in a wedding celebration, and you will surely find yourself feeling merry. If you are like most wedding guests, you will also find yourself wondering what on earth you should wear! This is a helpful guide to help you decide what to wear to a holiday wedding.
The first thing to keep in mind is that a December wedding is going to be more festive and dressy than one at a different time of the year. It is simply the spirit of the season. This means that you would dress up more for a holiday wedding than you would for one at the same time of day in the summer or fall. Even in the daytime, guests can have fun wearing luxurious fabrics like velvet and accessorizing with plenty of sparkly jewelry, such as Swarovski crystal bracelets.
For an afternoon holiday wedding, one of the best looks is a velvet ensemble in a jewel tone. Think about what you might wear if you were hosting a holiday open house and choose something along those lines. A great style would be a flowing pair of silk velvet trousers worn with a beaded cashmere cardigan over a silk cami. For daytime, try to stay away from too much black; velvet in rich shades like ruby, forest, navy, or brown will be more festive and cheerful.
Another wonderful daytime wedding outfit would be a fitted velvet jacket worn over a skirt with patent leather heels. A long silk crepe skirt with great movement would be lovely, or choose a knee length pencil skirt. To add dimension and visual interest, layer in contrasting fabrics, such as a satin pencil skirt with a portrait collar velvet jacket. Have some fun with wintery accessories, such as Swarovski crystal snowflake earrings worn with a few ruby red crystal bracelets. This will put the perfect finishing touch on your holiday wedding attire.
When you are invited to an evening holiday wedding, it is your chance to really dress to the nines. Short beaded cocktail dresses are smashing, as are long ballskirts worn with fitted tops. Even in the winter, many of the formal items are sleeveless, so be sure to buy a stylish wrap. A fur shrug or a luxe cashmere wrap would be gorgeous and cozy. For even more style, secure your wrap with a jeweled brooch. Of course, if the wedding is black tie, a full length evening gown is ideal, worn with silk shoes. You may even wish to add a special accent to your hair, such as a set of crystal hairpins. Swarovski crystal chandelier earrings will also look amazing for such a fancy wedding.
The gentlemen invited to a holiday wedding should also plan to step up their style a notch. They can have some fun with richly textured suits in flannel or tweed for the day, or wear a dashing tuxedo for a formal evening wedding. Add a touch of holiday cheer to the outfit with a plaid bowtie or a straight tie with a subtle winter pattern, such as a holly design. Subtle being the key word here: no ties depicting snowboarding Santas or ones with light-up Rudolph noses, please!
A winter holiday wedding is unmatched for its festive nature. As a guest at such a wedding, you will have the chance to put together a really fantastic outfit which will be a lot of fun to wear. Take advantage of the opportunity, and choose wedding guest attire that is festive and a bit glamorous.
About the Author Laura Firenze
Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry,receptions and gifts. Sparkling Swarovski crystal bracelets will make any outfit more glamorous.
Holiday Wedding Jewelry Ideas
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The Dos and Don’ts of Planning a Theme Wedding
November 9, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Theme weddings are extremely popular and they can be a lot of fun. Sometimes the theme is subtle, such as a carefully coordinated color scheme or a unique motif, whereas sometimes the theme is highly developed, along the lines of a tropical wedding. Whichever approach you take, there are some tricks of the trade that will make the difference between a wedding theme that is expressed to perfection or one that is either underdeveloped or over the top. These are the dos and don’ts you need to know when planning a theme wedding.
Do: Give your guests an introduction to your wedding theme with your invitations. This could mean designing custom stationery that features a motif across the top in letterpress. It could be making up invitations in a distinctive color scheme like aqua and chocolate. Or it could even be that your invitations feature an image related to your theme, such as a beach scene for a tropical wedding. Since the wedding invitation is your first chance to make an impression, be sure to take advantage.
Don’t: Require that your guests play a role in a theme. In other words, it is really not kind to insist that everyone dresses in red or that all the men wear Hawaiian shirts to your luau themed bash. Anything that would inconvenience your guests or cost them money to further your wedding theme is a bad idea.
Do: Choose attire for your attendants that ties in with your theme without looking costumey. Going back to the tropical wedding example, tan linen suits on the groomsmen would be handsome and beach appropriate, but having each man wear a pair of shorts with a tropical print would be too much. If your wedding is inspired by the a particular time period, the men could wear a tie that harkens back to that time, such as ’60s style skinny ties for a Rat Pack theme wedding.
Don’t: Expect your bridesmaids to wear a period dress from a specific era; it is much more chic to choose styles that are inspired by a theme than costumes that are better suited for a play than a wedding. For instance, if your wedding has a Renaissance theme, please do not ask your attendants to dress like wenches at the RenFair! Instead, select dresses with details which refer to that period, such as the appropriate neckline or color palette.
Do: Select bridesmaid gifts which tie in with your theme as long as they are beautiful enough to be enjoyed later. A bride having a Winter Wonderland wedding could select Swarovski crystal snowflake earrings for her bridesmaid gifts. They would both suit the theme and be a style that her friends would enjoy wearing again. Avoid any gifts that are so narrowly focused on your motif that they have no real use after the wedding. The same goes for the wedding favors.
Don’t: Overlook the reception menu when designing a theme wedding. This can be one of the best ways to tie everything together into a neat little package for your guests. Research the food, drinks, and desserts which can enhance your theme (or in the case of a color motif, design a cake in your signature shade). Guests always remember the food at a wedding, so this is a terrific place to really bring your theme to life for them.
About the Author Bridget Mora
Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. Bridesmaid gifts which have a timeless elegance will be cherished by your attendants.
Theme Wedding Favor Ideas
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Bride Wedding Speech – Essential Do’s and Don’ts
November 9, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
Filed under Reception Ideas
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When I got up to give my bride wedding speech, I was really grateful that my gown was so long because nobody could see my knees trembling! I did manage to get through it though and if you’re a bride who is worried about standing up in front of everyone you care about, I’m sure you will too! The truth of the matter is a wedding speech is much easier to create than you might think. If you are about to write yours, here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind.
Don’t make the speech inappropriate for anyone in the audience. If you have your eighty year old grandfather in attendance, you will need to make sure your speech is clean enough for him to hear. Similarly, make sure that you avoid jokes that only a small percentage of the audience will understand, this can make people feel very left out.
Also make sure that you do not let the speech go on too long. Remember that a short speech is usually much more popular, so make sure that you keep things brief. If you are nervous, it will make things a lot less scary. A bridal speech should last anything from two to seven minutes, any longer than that and you might see some people starting to look a little bit dazed.
With that out of the way, let’s start with some definite do’s! First, do start off with some humor. If you can get everyone laughing along with you, you’re half way there. Take some time to think about some funny stories which brought you and your new husband together.
Another thing that you should definitely do is thank everyone who helped you with the wedding. With everyone in attendance it’s very easy to thank them all quickly.
When you are looking at the do’s for your wedding speech, why not think about memorizing it? A memorized speech will be a lot more effective than one that you have written down and it’s not as hard to do as you might think. This will allow you to deliver your speech whilst making eye contact with your family and friends. It will have a much greater impact.
It’s very important to map out your bride wedding speech way in advance of the big day. It’s one of those rare occasions when you can address a lot of the people you care about in one go, so make sure that you represent yourself well. Although it’s much easier to write than you probably think, you should still take your time to prepare it properly.
About the Author Gabriela Novak
For more information about writing the perfect bride wedding speech why not visit this site http://www.brideweddingspeechtips.org – You’ll find tips, advice and other helpful bride wedding speech resources.
Brides Wedding Speech Essentials- Toasting Glasses
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How to Plan a Love Bird Theme Wedding
November 9, 2009 by Erica Brooks
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Love birds are symbols of affection, love, and commitment, what a great theme for a wedding. To begin planning your love bird fest, first consider your location. An outside wedding would work wonderfully with this theme. Parks are wonderful as they fit in with the outdoor feel. If you decide to pursue an outdoor event, always have a back up plan in case there is inclement weather. This may be as simple as having tents reserved, or you may want to have an indoor location secure for the event.
The next thing to consider would be your invitations and color scheme. There are several beautiful love bird themed invitations and thank you cards that match almost every color palette. When deciding on the colors for your ceremony, almost any color will work with a love bird theme, however natural colors are beautiful. Greens, browns, gold tones, and blues carry out the nature feel of a love bird wedding. If you are choosing to go with a more contemporary love bird theme, you may want something a little bolder, or something as simple as the classic white.
Decorations are next on the checklist for your wedding. These can be as creative as you are willing to go. You can incorporate birds’ nests into your décor, artificial of course, if you really want a unique look. This can even be carried over into the reception by using small branches with bird nests as the center pieces for your tables. If you want decorations that are a little more traditional, ivy and green plants work wonderfully. You can also incorporate some flowers as well. Another great decoration for your wedding and reception alike are to have several bird figurines around, and you may want to consider adding a few bird houses in as well. You can find them in most any color. There is also the option of having real birds, in beautiful cages, at the reception. Place card holders for the reception are also a great way to tie in your theme. There are several bird nest place card holders available. You can even get creative with the flower girls basket and the ring barer pillow. The possibilities are endless.
Favors are another big part of any wedding. There are several neat items available for a love bird themed wedding. You could go with something like love nest soaps, which are small egg shaped soaps that are contained in an artificial birds nest. If you want something a little more traditional why not go with love bird salt and pepper shakers. Mints are a great option as well, they are available in several flavors, and you can get the mint tin customized with your wedding date and theme.
Love bird wedding themes can be such fun to plan. Details are the key with this type of wedding, so look for anywhere that you can add something unique and special. Always remember with this theme or any other theme, your wedding day is your special day, so be sure to follow your heart.
Erica A. Brooks is the owner of SimplyElegantBridalAccessories.com where she offers brides elegant Love Bird bridal accessories, bridal favors and inexpensive wedding ideas to help them to plan the wedding of their dreams while saving money.
Love Bird Theme Wedding Favor Ideas
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Making the Most Out of Bridal Shows
November 7, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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If you’ve ever attended a bridal show you know they can be absolute chaos! There are multiple vendors from each sector and there are brides and their friends running all over the place. Some shows even have multiple rooms with vendors in them! If you haven’t done your homework you may not know which way to go! So…check out these tips!
Before the show
1. Make a list of what services you are looking for. Do you have a photographer yet? If not, put that on the list. If you don’t have flowers yet then put that on the list also.
2. Print out labels with your name, phone #, email address, and wedding date! (If you have room add your address also.) Many of the booths have drawings for prizes. They have forms to fill out to register for the drawing. By printing out labels you can just stick that to the vendors form and then get to the important stuff…checking out the vendors products and/or services! I’ve noticed some people just print out paper with their info on but labels are better as you can stick them onto the vendors form. If you don’t want to print out your own check out online companies like Vista Print where you can often get some printed for free!
3. Check out the wedding shows website to see what vendors will be there. If you need a photographer then check out all the photographers that will be there. If you need a cake…do the same.
4. Decide what you’re looking for in the vendors you still need. For example, for a DJ do you want one that plays games with the guests to get them involved or one that plays songs to keep the dance floor packed? Do you want a photographer that provides you with albums or do you just want a full resolution disk of your photos to do what you want with? Make a list of what you are looking for and questions you want to ask them.
5. Once you see what vendors will be there in the categories you need then check out their websites. By doing this you can get a preview of their work and get an idea if it’s a vendor you’d like to work with. Add the vendors you’re interested in to your list of services needed.
wedding flowers, bridal flowers
At the show
1. Bring with you the list of services needed and vendors you’re interested in as well as your labels. Also bring a notepad and pen to take notes.
2. Bring a camera to take pictures of any ideas you want to incorporate into your wedding.
3. Bring your checkbook. Many vendors offer specials if you book while at the show. However, don’t book a vendor just because of a show special. If you have any doubts about them…wait until you get to have a one on one meeting with them to book.
4. Bring your mom or a friend whose opinion you trust. Plus, as a bonus, they can help you carry things!
5. Register when you get to the show and be sure to grab the map or program they provide so you can locate the vendors you’re interested in.
6. Many people attending bridal shows head straight for the cake vendors because they are giving out free cake. I know it’s tempting to do this…but if you already have a cake vendor booked…don’t get caught up in the long lines just for a free piece of cake! If you do need a cake vendor then definitely check them out, but keep them for the end of the show as that’s when the lines will be the shortest.
7. Take notes! You will probably meet with multiple vendors offering the same services so be sure to take notes so you remember who you like and why. And be sure to ask the questions you listed before the show.
After the show
1. Pull out the brochures and/or business cards from the vendors you liked.
2. Call or email those vendors to set up consultations so you can see more of their work and so you can get to know them to make sure your personalities “click”!
I hope these tips help you! Now find some bridal shows to attend and have fun!
About the Author
Melissa Miville is owner and event planner of Stylish Occasions by Melissa Miville. Melissa specializes in wedding day coordination as well as full and partial wedding planning. Check out her website at http://www.yourstylishoccasions.com and her blog at http://stylishoccasions.wordpress.com to get more info.
If you want to have a eco-friendly wedding visit Charm City as she shares information on how to attend the Mid-Atlantic Green Wedding Bridal Show.
Bridal Show Planning Tools
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Unique Wedding Ideas – The New Hot Trend – Photo Booths
November 7, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
Filed under Reception Ideas
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Looking for a unique way to make your big day a little more unforgettable and entertaining? Try renting a photo booth for your wedding. Photo Booths supply a fun and memorable way for you and your guests to interact and create amazing mementos of your special day.
Photo booths are a hot new trend for weddings. They not only provide something fun and interactive for your guests, but they are a great way to create a photo montage of your big day. Many photo booth companies provide you with a CD compilation of your day’s photos, and others will even place them online for you and your loved ones to access, share, and print. Many companies offer a scrap booking option too, a must have if you want to create a detailed archive of special notes and pictures from your wedding day.
Choosing the right photo booth for your wedding is a delicate process. You want someone you can trust, but you also want to make sure the photo booth you rent meets your desires. There are a few things to look for when choosing a photo booth company:
Do I Want a Vintage or Digital Booth?
Vintage
-Some folks like the classic look and feel of a vintage photo booth. If you are looking to invoke nostalgia, a vintage booth is perfect for you. Their old school look and feel will remind you and your guests of days when these were a common site. One drawback is that they are bulky and are limited in where they can be placed. They also tend to cost somewhere in the range of $1500-$2000+ for an event. However, if you love the idea of having a classic booth and those unforgettable photo strips, then this is for you.
Digital
-For others who don’t have their hearts set on the classic look, a digital booth may be the answer. Digital booths have the advantage of being light weight and highly mobile, and thus are cheaper, usually ranging from $1000-$1200 for an event. Additionally, these booths can create high resolution photos and can fit 8-10 people, sometimes more. If you are looking for something with a little more bang for your buck, and are willing to spare the vintage look for a more modern curtained booth design, then a digital booth may be right for you.
What to Look for in a Photo Booth Company?
Photo Resolution
-You want to make sure that the booth you choose provides high photo resolution. This will ensure the clearest, sharpest pictures. Some companies may try to charge you extra for “high resolution” photos, but there are many companies out there that provide the same resolution or better, at no greater cost.
Booth Size
-Most classic booths are a little smaller inside than digital booths. Make sure you ask your classic booth provider how many people fit inside before booking with them. Typically, it’s 2-4 people at a time. Digital booths have a little greater range. These booths can fit anywhere from 4 or 5, all the way to 15 people in some cases. A bigger booth usually means more money, but once again, some companies provide large booths at no greater cost than other’s small booths.
Photo Archive
-Some Vintage and most Digital photo booth companies will provide you with a CD of all your event’s photos. You can take this and copy it, print the pictures out, and share at will. This is a great benefit if your chosen company provides this service. Some companies take it a step further and offer online password-protected galleries. You and your guests can log into the gallery with your chosen password and view all your wedding images. You will all be able to share, save, and print these pictures for usually 2-3 months after your event.
Booth Attendant
-Some companies will offer a booth attendant to watch over your booth. The last thing anyone wants on their big day is something extra to worry about. Be sure to choose a company that provides a trained booth attendant for your event.
Scrap Booking
-Some companies will offer scrap booking options. Scrapbooks are a perfect match with photo booths. Most companies will offer double prints with this option and your guests can take the doubles of their pictures and add them to your book with a memorable note. This is a great way to create a special keepsake from you wedding.
Choosing a photo booth company for your big day is a tough decision. Be sure you know all the facts before choosing a provider. You will find that some companies want to charge you extra for upgrades that you can find for free elsewhere. Be sure to make sure you know what you are getting for your money. Most importantly, get what you want. It’s your wedding! If you are in love with the vintage booths, go ahead and choose one, even if you can’t cram 10 people in there. Likewise, if you love the idea of an online gallery or a booth attendant, go for the digital booth. Either way, you are going to have hundreds of priceless memories to look at after your big day.
About the Author Kristian Meiswinkle
Working out of Somerset County, NJ, East Coast Photo Booths provides classy photo booths, with all the extras, for the best prices on the market. We serve NJ, PA, NY, CT, MA, and DE. For photo booth rental information, professional service, and a great way to make your wedding even more memorable, visit our website at http://ecphotobooths.com
For more unique wedding reception ideas visit Sparkalatti as she shares a clever wedding photobooth idea.
Photo Frame Favor Ideas
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Unique Wedding Favors – 8 Ideas
November 6, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Wedding favors often evoke a “been there, done that” response from wedding guests. Looking for something a little more memorable than a bag of Jordan almonds? Here are our top choices for a few inspiring guest thank-yous.
Late night munchies
After dancing for hours, rolling out individual snacks like mini hamburgers with a fixings bar are a big hit
Photo shop
Rent a photo booth and let your guests take turns posing for the camera. Set up a DIY station with mini-frames so they can take home their favorite shots.
Escape the Elements
If you really want to impress, give your guests something sublimely stylish yet useful to keep them smiling through the elements: stylish sunglasses (to deflect glare), sleek umbrellas (in case of rain), or cashmere scarves (should a breeze pick up).
Personalized Thank-yous
Place small journals at each place setting, and write every guest a personal thank-you note on the front page.
Make some noise
Liven up the party, and hand out maracas, small horns, or even kazoos – a great idea for a relaxed affair or a particularly festive bunch.
Family-favorites
Gather a collection of favorite family recipes from both sides into a small recipe book or box printed with your names and wedding date.
Final Farewell
Send guests away with a final parting gift, and enlist the parking attendants to place a flower with an attached thank-you note on the dashboard of each car. If you’ll be providing guest transportation, be sure to place a basket of these favors at the front of the bus for guests to take prior to departure.
Give Back
Yes, this idea has been done – but altruism is at an all-time high, and we’re jumping on the bandwagon . Donating in the name of your guests to a charity, one that holds special meaning for the two of you, adds another sentimental personal touch to your wedding.
Get even more ideas for unique wedding favors at the Elegala.com wedding favors and gifts guide.
About the Author
Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete weddings and wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to walk brides and grooms through every step of the planning process.
Unique Wedding Favor Ideas
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