The thing about making your own centerpieces is that they should not look obviously homemade. Handcrafted, yes; homemade, no. What is the difference? When something is lovingly handcrafted by a talented artist, it will have a special and unique feeling, whether it is a centerpiece, bridesmaid gifts, or wedding favors. When something looks too obviously homemade, however, it can look unpolished, or non-professional. For your wedding, you definitely want all the elements to look polished and pulled together. It is the difference between something that looks clunky and something that looks elegant and well-crafted.

What else makes a diy centerpiece a don’t? Going overboard on a theme or color scheme. Sure red is dramatic and passionate, but when brides start pairing red flowers in red vases with red candles, it can all get too be way too much. This is where having a professional florist can be helpful, because after doing dozens of weddings, she will have an instinct for what will work and what will not. When she starts hearing that you are planning to have everything from the bridesmaid dresses and jewelry gifts to the napkins and centerpieces in the same shade of red, a florist will know to pull you back from the brink and to add some tonal variety into the mix.

Where brides really go wrong with DIY centerpieces is by using poor quality fake flowers. Even good quality artificial flowers can look fake when seen up close, and the cheap ones will be spotted the minute your guests walk into the reception space. Certainly, the fake flowers can be economical, but the reaction you want when people first see your diy centerpieces is, “Aren’t they beautiful? Can you believe she made them herself?”, not “Wow, check out the fake blue roses!”. If you prefer faux flowers to real, consider handcrafted paper flowers, which are much more appealing than poor quality fabric flowers.

Another time that a diy centerpiece is a don’t is when the bride does not have an innate sense of creativity, proportion, color, or balance. A good florist will walk into a reception venue and note the high ceilings which call for tall centerpieces, or the beautiful woodwork which would be enhanced by using blossoms in warm colors. Now, there are certainly plenty of brides who have an eye for these types of things, but if you do not happen to be one of them, you may be better off having a florist make your centerpieces, and turning your diy abilities to other projects.

The other thing that can turn even the best intentioned diy centerpiece into a definite wedding don’t is biting off more than you can chew. Think long and hard about the time commitment involved in handcrafting the table arrangements for ten, twelve, or fifteen tables. Also be careful not to get overly ambitious with your design if you are a novice. At some point, the stress of trying to make the perfect centerpieces can outweigh the money saved. If it’s not fun, don’t do it!

About the Author

Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry, receptions and bridesmaid gifts. Visit us at http://silverlandjewelry.com/ today and receive free shipping on your jewelry order over $99.

Planning Your Wedding:

When you are planning your wedding… the biggest event of your life, consider the many possibilities available to you for your wedding table linens, be sure to research well if you are considering using standard round white tablecloths, keep in mind that you can also use tablecloths with vibrant and exciting colors and make a dramatic statement, colored tablecloths are usually the same price as standard white table linens.

The size of your tablecloths and napkins will of course depend on the size of your table. Dressing your tables with beautiful table linens is the most dramatic way to change the ambience of your event space and make a personal statement with elegance, style, and color.

Never buy table linens with SERGED HEMS:… unless you want to carry an iron down the aisle… serged hems will curl up and look awful, and they will fray when laundered, and I personally think they look cheap, ALWAYS buy table linens with “folded and stitched” hems.

Will the event planner, caterer, hotel or venue, provide the tablecloths?:

Sometimes wedding planners, caterers, or reception venues will provide standard “House Linens” as part of a package deal. Some will refund part of your cost if you choose not to use their house linens, you may want to use theirs if they have “exactly” what you want in the color and size. The hospitality industry calls these table linens “house linens” or “full tablecloth” when used alone, and “under cloth” or “table liner” when a table runner or table topper is used for accent.

Will the tablecloths reach the floor?:

The critical question regarding tablecloths is what will the “drop” be, meaning the amount of tablecloth that hangs over the edge of the table. Most people at weddings and events like to see the tablecloths touch the floor, but some prefer a half-way “drop”. as tablecloths can be too long and bunch under the table but it is far better for them to be too long than to be too short. Check out a table linen sizes guide and keep in mind if your event budget is an issue in these difficult economic times shopping from online stores will give you the biggest table linens bang for your buck.

What are the most popular wedding table linen colors?:

The most popular wedding colors are white, black, ivory, burgundy, and chocolate, consult with your wedding planner or reception reception venue and choose table linen colors that work well in the room where you will be hosting the event. Make it a fun project and consider creative ideas such as matching your bridesmaid’s outfits with elements of the room decor, and don’t forget to double check your room size calculations with a Tablecloth Sizes Calculator and tablecloth sizes with a Tablecloth Sizes Chart.

When buying wedding table linens online are the table linen colors on most websites the exact colors I would receive if I buy them?:

Viewing exact linen colors on a computer screen is somewhat subjective as the exact color you see depends on your own computer monitor settings and your computer screen resolution, but for the most part the online color will be exactly or almost exactly what you will receive, usually if there is a difference it will be very slight and hardly noticeable. The best idea is to ask for fabric swatches in the colors you are interested in, or better still why not buy 1 tablecloth, runner or napkin so that you can exactly compare under the venue room lighting and make sure it’s exactly the color you want, don’t take chances, do your due diligence and you will have a successful event.

Event Venue Lighting:

It is wise to consider any room lighting change that may occur during your event, many events begin when it’s daylight and as the evening progresses electric lighting is switched on and this can color the room decor and in some cases can noticeably change the overall ambience and style of the room, the degree of change depends on the type of lighting so be sure to consult with your wedding planner or the reception venue staff, and if possible go to the reception venue and check it out for yourself.

Table runners or full length tablecloths?:

If your wedding planner or reception venue will be providing tablecloths it is cheaper to just buy a suitable table runner. However, if no tablecloths are provided then you will need to buy both a tablecloth and the table runner or buy a full floor length tablecloth for each table. It is not just a matter of budget but also of having the “right look”. Some people prefer the layered two tablecloth style while others prefer the smooth style of one tablecloth. Both ways are correct it’s purely a matter of taste and style.

How many people will fit at each table?:

The standard table sizes for event tables are 60 inch round tables that seat 8 guests comfortably and 10 guests not so comfortably. 72 inch round tables seat 10 to 12 guests. Ideally you seat to the lower number at the table but sometimes guest comfort can be sacrificed for other reasons, mabey a group of colleagues or sisters may all want to sit together and they would rather be seated together than separated, or sometimes it depends on the size of the event room and the number of guests, each time you add a table you will add an additional table centerpiece and tablecloth. 160 people seated at 60 inch round tables can be either 16 tables of 10 guests or 20 tables of 8 guests. Sometimes the reception venue will only have one size table available or a set configuration of tables due to the room size and layout. The most important thing is to make your guests as comfortable as possible with the tables and space you have available.

Napkins:

When choosing napkins be sure the napkin fabric is heavy enough to hold a fold and will be absorbent. 100% visa polyester fabric is a good choice for weddings and catering events, most are stain resistant and wrinkle free.

Wedding Chair Covers and Sashes:

The chairs at your reception venue may be suitable, however, if the chairs are unsuitable consider using chair covers. Wedding chair covers and sashes are available in a variety of colors and styles and may easily solve any problem with the chairs. Make sure the chair covers you want actually fit the chairs your going to use and do you need folding chair covers or banquet chair covers.

Chairs and covers come in different sizes and do not always fit each other, it’s better to find this out well before your event, also make sure the event caterer, planner, hotel or reception venue has the staff and have agreed to put the chair covers (and sashes) on and take them off after the event. The alternative to chair covers is to rent a better chair, there are a wide range of chair styles and costs ranging from a basic plastic folding chair or higher end white wood folding chairs to very expensive banquet chairs. Keep in mind that the venue’s existing chairs will have to be removed and stored and also put back after your event so allow for this labor cost in your budget

Catering Buffets:

The catering buffet should always be styled with additional table linens. If the guest tables have upgraded linens then the buffet should be matched with the same or very similar style table linens. If you have plain house tablecloths on the guest tables then the catering buffet should be dressed with decorative table linens that match with the room. The buffet is of course about the food on the menu, but it is also about the overall presentation of the event room.

Gift Table Location:

The location of the gift table varies and the location will determine the extent that it should be decorated. If it is in the main dining area then it should match or blend with the guest tables. If it’s situated outside the main dining area then it should be dressed in a single tablecloth with minimum decorations.

Head Table Decorations:

A head table if you choose to have one, should be decorated to a greater degree than the guest tables, at many weddings the bride and groom have specially decorated chairs dressed with flowers, garlands, or ribbons. Many couples choose to have chair sashes with names embroidered to keep as a keepsake of the wedding.

Cocktail Table Linens:

Make a BIG statement immediately with the decor in the cocktail area by choosing a tablecloth that is bright, vibrant, elegant and an understated preview of the dining room, or for more adventurous tastes, decorate in direct contrast to the dining room decor. If the cocktail and dining areas are visible to each other the wedding table linens should be matched in style and color. When all the pieces are put together the main room should produce the “Oohs” and “Aahs” that you deserve to hear when the doors are opened to welcome your guests.

You should have strong statements from your flower arrangements and the tablecloths that can be seen from a distance, and also in the napkins and favors that will be enjoyed by your guests after they are seated.

The Cake Table Setting and Location:

Cake tables are normally a small round table anywhere from 30″ inches (2 1/2ft) wide to 48″ inches (4ft) in diameter. Although it should be well decorated your cake table does not need to be decorated too much so as to detract from the cake itself. The cake table tablecloth can be a little shorter as most cake tables need to be easily movable and they almost always have wheels for this purpose.

Place Card Table Setting and Location:

Place card tables are normally situated set in the reception venue lobby or in the cocktail area and they provide a good opportunity to do a single tablecloth that either matches the place cards or something really special such as a large flower bouquet arrangement, but be sure that it does not appear “too busy or loud” or disturbs the natural layout of the place cards.

Wedding decorations for your tables, ceremony and wedding reception venue are many and varied, limited only by your imagination and, perhaps, your budget!

Using the internet will uncover a variety of ideas for you to consider, particularly if there is a forum where brides to be can swap ideas and experiences. A good example of this is YouAndYourWedding.co.uk. Two other great places for generating ideas are wedding magazines and wedding fairs.

To get you started, here are 6 great ideas for decorations that you may want to incorporate into your wedding.

1. Confetti – Confetti has evolved from scattered leaves and flower petals, which were originally used in pagan ceremonies, to today where there is many options, such as metallic hearts or stars, tissue paper hearts or dried rose petals. The theme for your wedding can be set immediately if you include some of your chosen confetti inside your guests’ wedding invitations when you send them out.
2. Wedding Favours – The tradition of giving favours to guests at weddings dates back thousands of years when the guests received five sugared almonds which signified health, wealth, happiness, long life and fertility. Sweets or chocolates are more likely to be used today than sugared almonds, and these are generally wrapped in cellophane and tied with a ribbon. Favours aren’t limited to foodstuffs though, and they can come in a wide variety of themes. For example, if the bride and groom are golf nuts they may want to present their guests with a golf themed favour. A great site for favours is MyWeddingFavors.com.
3. Flowers – These have always been a firm favourite for decorating weddings. Not only can they be used for table centre pieces they are also needed for buttonholes, corsages, pew ends, buffet table decoration and top table arrangements. Although flowers have been a tradition for a long time there is a new challenger.
4. Balloons – Bouquets of balloons in the middle of the tables can add bold flashes of colour and can really lift a room. These are tied to decorative weights with beautiful coloured ribbon. As well as balloon bouquets, arches and columns can also be constructed with balloons which can be strategically placed to mask less picturesque areas of your venue.
5. Glass bowls, vases or giant wine glasses – each one of these can be filled with decorative material such as coloured stones or leaves, or filled with coloured water with a lighted candle floating on top. Placed on top of a small circular mirror in the middle of each table, these make spectacular decorations.
6. Wedding Backdrop – One other very big item that you may want to consider for your wedding decorations is a wedding backdrop. These are great for placing behind the top table to really emphasise the bride and groom. They can also sparkle and twinkle so are great for the evening disco.

There are clearly many more ideas for wedding decorations and if you use the two resources I mentioned at the beginning of the article, you should be able to add dozens more ideas to the handful I’ve suggested here. Visit this website for some great balloon decorations and wedding backdrops.

About the Author Ian Worrall

Ian Worrall welcomes you to visit his site http://www.MyBalloonDecorations.co.uk where you will be able to see some great examples of wedding and party decorations.

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

Brushed Rhinestone Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $42.00	Satin Finish Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $47.00	Royal Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $42.00
Toasting Champagne Flutes in a Vase & Cake Server Set From $37.00	Beach Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $30.00	Designer Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $40.00
Simplicity Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $23.00	Trumpet Wedding Toasting Flutes $36.00	Beach Wedding Toasting Flutes $26.00

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

Swaying Calla Lily Pearlescent Place Card/ Photo Frame Price: As low as $1.50	“Thanks For Hanging Out” Photo Frame/Placeholders (Set of 4) Unit Price: As low as $1.50	“Work of Art” Antique-Finish Place Card Holder/Photo Frame Price: As low as $1.50
Elegant Arc Photo Frame and Placeholder Price: As low as $1.30	“Good Wishes” Pearlized-Glass Photo Frame/Place Card Holder (Set of 4) Unit Price: As low as $1.50	“In Favor of a Cure” Pink Ribbon Frosted Glass Photo Frame (Set of 4) Unit Price: $1.00
“Beautifully Beaded” Photo Frame/Placeholder “As seen in the hit movie 27 Dresses” Price: As low as $1.30	“Graduations” Antique-Finish Photo Frame/Place Card Holder (Set of Four) Unit Price: As low as $1.50	Brushed Metal Photo Frame and Placeholder Price: As low as $1.44
Memories by the Dozen – Set of 12 Miniature Photo Frames/Placeholders Unit Price: As low as $0.72	Beautifully Beaded Gold Photo Frame/Place Holder Price: As low as $1.30	“Beach Memories” Miniature Adirondack Chair Place Card/Photo Frame (Set of 4) Unit Price: As low as $2.96
“Flip-Flop” Photo Frame with Flower Accent (Set of Four) Unit Price: As low as $2.25	“Four Seasons” Glass Photo Coasters – Summer Price: As low as $1.65	Picture Perfect Pink Glass Photo Coasters Price: As low as $1.65
‘Seaside’ Sand and Shell Placecard Holder Price: As low as $1.60	Capture My Heart Photo Coaster Price: As low as $1.56

Brides.com

Much more than a sweet finale to the reception meal, wedding cakes are a major style statement. And trends in wedding cakes, like all other wedding details, evolve with the times. The wedding cake presents a perfect opportunity for creative brides to play with shape, color and embellishments. For those of you who need a little inspiration, consult this list of top trends for wedding cakes in 2009

Back to Buttercream
Buttercream was once the traditional frosting for wedding cakes, but sleek cakes came into favor, and rolled fondant became the frosting of choice. Not any more – thanks to advanced tools and techniques that allow buttercream to look as smooth as fondant, cakes iced in buttercream are again the norm. We love this trend, since buttercream frosting tastes better, has natural ingredients, and costs less than fondant. Now you can literally have your stylishly sleek cake – and eat it too.

Chocolate Face
Brides have bucked the traditional white wedding cake for the last few years, but today´s brides are no longer hiding decadent chocolate behind a shield of white frosting for appearances sake. Dark chocolate is now front and center on the face of the cake, as chocolate or mocha cakes are appropriately decked in chocolate mousse or whipped chocolate frosting. The result is a full blown chocolate dessert that tastes as good as it looks.

Blue Rules
Shades of blue dominate the 2009 wedding décor palette, and your wedding cake is a perfect canvas to incorporate this hot shade. Consider a cake saturated in turquoise, periwinkle, or even navy, and embellish it with complimenting colors like silver, white, grey, lavender, or yellow.

Square Mini Cakes
Cupcake towers in lieu of wedding cakes have been around for awhile, but brides are making cupcakes interesting again by playing with shape and size. Brides are stacking square shaped mini-cakes (slightly larger than cupcakes) adorned with flowers or dressed as presents for a completely different take on the cupcake frenzy.

Think Pink
Pink – the perpetual hot color for weddings – had begun to fall out of favor as brides experimented with more non-traditional hues like browns, grays, orange, and even black. But pink is back in a big way, and brides are incorporating the hue into their wedding cakes. Pink instantly freshens-up classic white: Tone down an all pink cake with white floral or lace details, or dress up a white cake with pink embellishments.

Scripted Text
Wedding cakes adorned with calligraphy-style motifs and writing is one of the year´s hottest trends. Create an antiqued look with black writing on a white or ivory cake, and get creative with the text. Some options? Write a favorite poem or verse, your wedding vows, or words representative of your wedding theme – such as names of flowers for a garden wedding or types of shells at a beach wedding.

Groom´s Cakes
The old Southern tradition of the groom´s cake is shedding its regional trappings and growing in popularity throughout the nation. And no, it doesn´t have to be the iconic red velvet armadillo from “Steel Magnolias.” Today´s grooms cakes, now just as elaborate as the wedding cake itself, often reflect the groom´s interest in a dramatic and whimsical expression; a deer grooms cake for an avid hunter, shaped like a race car for an diehard Nascar fan, or decked with his favorite sports team logo.

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete Weddings, Wedding Planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, photo galleries, checklists, and expert advice to walk brides through every step of the wedding planning process. View the complete sitemap to find everything you need to plan your wedding.

Visit Swanky Tables for some awesome jewelry inspired wedding cakes ideas.

Personalized Wedding Cake Toppers

Lettered Swarovski Crystal Cake Toppers From $22.00	Personalized Acrylic Heart Cake Topper $25.00	Personalized Acrylic Square Cake Topper $25.00
Square Glass Photo Vase $30.00	Personalized Acrylic Circle Cake Topper $25.00	Photo Cake Topper $22.00

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.

Getting cold feet at the thought of being wedding emcee? Terrified of being asked to make a toast? Betty Seymore can help! Betty writes for PlanningForAWeddingInfo.Com. She provides informative articles on all things wedding-related, including maid of honor wedding toast. Check out the site today for free tips and more!