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More Wedding Tips

The Importance Of The Bride's Invitation List

A bride’s invitation list is a very important organization tool that keeps track of the people who will and will not be attending the wedding. The wedding invitation list will become the blueprint for the reception dinner seating chart, rehearsal dinner planning, and any wedding day- or day-after events. The wedding invitation list is also a guide for thank-you cards since you will have the necessary addresses, which are already compiled from the initial invitation mailing. For optimum efficiency, create a spreadsheet on the computer, keep a Rolodex of names and addresses, or arrange an address book to keep track of the invited guests.

The Look of Your Wedding Invitation

Your wedding invitations should represent your own uniqueness and taste. Whether you want wedding balloons or wedding bells on your wedding invitations, there are enough wedding invitation ideas available today that make your invitations exclusive to you. It is important, however, to make sure your wedding invitation reflects the type of ceremony you're having. For example, you don’t want to invite guests to a formal affair by sending out invitations with balloons announcing the place, date and time. There are all sorts of colors, designs, paper stock, and even borders to choose from when determining your wedding invitation. Make sure you get a proof of your invitation before ordering enough for your guests to ensure the look and feel of the wedding invitation is precisely what you're looking for.

Wedding Invitation Printing Options

There are many ways to have your wedding invitations printed -- engraving to thermography to lithography -- but what is the difference?

Engraving is the most popular and looks like a raised print that is pressed through and can be felt on the back of the paper.

Lithography actually imprints the lettering on the invitation with an ink, but it is not raised like engraving and cannot be felt on the other side of the paper. That said, it is the least costly of the methods and often a good option.

Thermography is yet another way to go and like engraving, it is a raised print. However, the print appears shinier and you can’t feel it on the back.

You should order wedding invitations at least three months ahead of time for engraving or thermography. Don't wait if you don't have to. Once the ceremony and reception site are confirmed, have the invitations printed. Being proactive will keep you ahead of the game in case there is a misprint on the invitation or the printer doesn’t deliver on the date promised.

Wedding Invitation Envelopes

You can't mail the invitations without an envelope! But did you know that there are specific envelopes for specific invitations? Envelopes, like the invitations, can be fancy or very simple. You will of course want to use high-quality paper to ensure your wedding invitations are protection, but have you ever stopped to think about the inside of the wedding envelope?

The inside lining of the envelope is important to consider because certain materials can rub off on your invitations. Make sure you consult your printer prior to purchasing the wedding envelopes to ensure that the wedding envelopes you chose will serve to protect, and not ruin, your wedding invitations.

The Size of Your Guest List

When putting together your wedding invitations, remember that the size of the guest list always depends on who is paying for the wedding. Generally, the bride and groom have the luxury of inviting the same number of guests (this is where parents come into play with their invite lists, too). However, there are a few rules to remember when sending out invitations:

- If you invite a married person, the invitation should include the spouse.

- Although the bride and the groom and their parents have a guest list, it falls on the bride’s family to actually send the invitations out.

- There is another term that might be considered when thinking of the invitation list. It's called an “open church” invitation. It is an open invitation to anyone who attends the bride or groom’s church. Invitations don’t go out and the wedding announcement is made during a church service or printed in the church news bulletin. Be careful with this because you won’t know how many guests to expect until the day of the wedding.

When to Mail the Invitations

When is the right time to order your wedding invitations and when should they be mailed so the guest has enough time to RSVP? Since every wedding is different, the rules can change. But in general, you should mail your wedding invitations approximately six to eight weeks before the wedding. Due to caterer schedules, wedding coordinators and last minute adjustments, your guests should have a reply date of no later than three to four weeks before the wedding. Talk to your reception coordinator or wedding planner and get the cut-off dates for the caterer, flowers, table seatings and anything else that requires a head count. Since most weddings are paid for "by the head," it's important that all responses are in by the due date to avoid paying for unattended guests.

Wording Your Wedding Invitation

There are many ways to go about wedding invitation wording. From the formal or traditional wording, to single-parent hosts or in the case of a deceased parent, there is proper wording that should be adhered to when wording a wedding invitation.

The only names mentioned on the wedding invitation (aside from the bride and groom's) are the names of person or couple hosting the wedding - usually the parents of the bride and groom. If one parent is deceased, the name of that parent is usually not mentioned as a host, but can be mentioned "in memoriam" at the bottom of the invitation.

When entering a marriage with different religions, it's important to take into consider the different customs of both religions when wording the invitation.

For a military wedding, rank will determine where the names will be placed on the invitation. If the military rank is lower than Sergeant you should omit the rank altogether. A junior officer notation is placed below the name followed by the branch of service.

Don't Forget the Cocktail Hour Music

After you've planned the music for the wedding reception, make sure you didn't overlook cocktail hour music. This is the music that is playing when the first guest arrives at the reception and it also lets everyone know the celebration has begun. Some ideas for the cocktail reception music include an a cappella group, strolling violinists (more than one), a jazz trio, a gospel group, French accordion players, a steel band (perhaps playing reggae) or even fiddlers. The most important thing to remember is that people will be arriving, saying hello to one another and getting into the spirit of the wedding celebration. Give them something to smile about as they sip their aperitif and snack on appetizers.

First Dance Music

Everyone knows the importance of the first dance at their wedding. This can be one of the most special moments at your wedding reception. Ballroom dancing is the way to go if you can do it, so consider taking lessons before the big day. Otherwise, you will still be expected to get on the dance floor and do a little something. Go for the waltz because it's a basic box step dance that anyone can do. If you are taking dance lessons before the wedding, ask your dance teacher to help you choreograph something special.

Other things to think about include wearing the proper shoes and of course, the song you will dance to. There are so many first dance song choices that it’s hard to know where to begin. If you have a favorite song with your future husband, go with that choice as it will be more meaningful. Otherwise, some tried and true songs include “In My Life” by the Beatles, “Just the Two of Us,” by Grover Washington, Jr., “Annie’s Song” by John Denver or “Here and Now” by Luther Vandross.

Reception Music

There are two mainstream options for music at the wedding reception: a DJ or a band. How do you choose which musical act to go with? Your budget will play a big role in what you can afford for your reception entertainment. Consult your friends, co-workers and family members on DJs and bands they've used for their wedding reception, cocktail parties or events. .A DJ is usually the less expensive option, but if your heart is set on the band, try and cut your budget from another wedding section, like favors or flowers. If you do decide to go with a band you want to make sure the band is able to perform a wide range of songs, both fast and slow. The bandleader will also serve as the “master of ceremonies,” but there will be an extra cost for this so be sure you factor that into your overall wedding music budget.

Get Creative With Wedding Favor Bags

Wedding favors on their own should provide your guests with a memorable item to treasure your wedding day. They should stand out as suitable gifts on their own, but by dressing up favors with wedding favor bags, you can turn virtually any gift into a visual delight. Here are three instant ways to dress up your favors with wedding favor bags.

For a petite sized wedding favor like a keychain or miniature photo frame, try a sheer organza bag to wrap around each piece. An organza bag is inexpensive, closes up in a cinch, and an instantaneous decorative piece for many different types of favors.

Planning on giving away seeds for your wedding guests to plant? A small floral gift bag might be your answer for a chic way to package it all up. You can find a felt version in bright springtime colors, adorned with a single flower.

For the elegant wedding where your guests will be receiving chocolates, try putting the delectable pieces in a colored ribbon gift bag. You can have your wedding commemorated on a card in front of the bag. The result is a simple, stylish wedding favor.

Ordering Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations do more than offer up the place, date and time of the wedding. They also serve as a memory keepsake. There are endless options for finding your wedding invitations, including in stores and also online. Think outside the box and consider searching in other places for just the right invitation. If you're looking on the Internet, keep in mind that you might not be able to see the invitation until after it is ordered. In some cases, you can order a proof for a small fee so that you can touch and feel the paper stock and approve the font.

Mailing Out Your Wedding Invitations

Did you know there is actually a "proper" way to stuff your wedding invitation envelope? Wedding etiquette spans all areas of the wedding, so make sure you don't neglect your wedding invitations.

Most invitations come with an "inside envelope" that holds the invitation, response card, and any directions. The inside envelope is the placed in the mailing envelope. Place a piece of tissue paper (supplied by the printer in most cases) over the invitation to protect the lettering. Put the response card face up underneath the invitation, and place any directions or other information underneath the response card. Every item should face up so that when the guest opens the envelope, they see everything immediately.

If you have opted for an irregular shaped envelope, be sure you know the cost of postage. That goes for heavy invitations loaded with extra envelopes and response cards, too.

How Your Mother Can Help With the Wedding Invitation List

One of the most important people in a bride’s life during her wedding day countdown will be her mother. When it comes time to send out wedding invitations, the bride's mother can be a big help. Let mom help compile your guest list, write and mail the invitations. The bride’s mother should also keep track of who has accepted and declined the invitation to attend the wedding. A bride can expect anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of those invited to the wedding to send condolences. Depending on the budget -- which should be determined early in the planning stages -- you will also know how many of your family and friends can be invited from each side. One way to manage the invitation list is by using a spreadsheet. It is easy to keep track of invitations sent out, replies received, wedding gifts received and who has been sent thank you notes.

Deciding On Your Wedding Invitation List

After the excitment of getting engaged dies down, you and your partner have to discuss who will be invited to your big day. Much of this will have to do with your budget and what you can reasonably spend on your wedding.

Often family and friends will not understand why they were not invited and you will have to make sure you have the right answers. There can be a lot of politics that goes into making the invitation list, so forge ahead with a sense of humor and a smile. Some of the bigger questions you will need to meet face include whether to invite children, your parents' dear friends and even distant relatives that you have not seen in many years.

If you are not inviting children, be clear by not including their names anywhere on the invitations. Be fair -- you can’t make exceptions for some families and not for others. Inviting children? Determine a cutoff age. Distant relatives might also need to be cut from the guest list. However, be fair and don’t invite one third cousin and not the other two.

Avoid Wedding Invitation Guest List Problems

It's important to tackle wedding invitation problems early on. Can your guest bring a guest? What should you do about divorced folks when you are still friends with both of them? What about a coworker who invited you to her wedding -- do you have to invite her to yours?

The answers to these questions depend on several things. If you are diplomatic about telling your single friend that you would prefer she not bring a guest because of budget reasons, there should be no hard feelings. On the other hand, you should invite someone with a guest if it's their spouse, unless it is a coworker. In this case, it is appropriate to just invite the person you work with individually.

What if someone recently invited you to their wedding? If you are having a small wedding, be up front and honest and tell the person that you are on a limited budget. It is quite understandable and should not cause hard feelings. When dealing with divorced parents, family or friends, gently remind them this is your day and you hope they will know not to air their differences at your celebration.

Wedding Favors That Will Grow

Wedding favors don’t have to be trinkets or edible items. You can also give away wedding favors that will grow after the wedding. They’re thoughtful gifts that guests can look forward to tending to. The plantable love bean is one wedding favor that will definitely surprise guests. They’ll be delighted to find a decorative hand painted pot containing a tiny bean. Give the bean a week and some tender loving care before it grows to a charming piece which announces “Love” right on the sprout. Seed kits are another popular option. Find them in heart shaped packages, bookmark shaped packages, and tin containers. Their decorative packages are elegant enough to place on any wedding reception table. Choose from a variety of types of seed kits including daisies and other wildflowers.

Wedding Favors For Under $5

Not all wedding favors have to be pricey to make great gifts. You can get affordable wedding favors that won’t put a big dent into your wedding budget. Here are some inexpensive wedding favors you can get for less than $5.

Bottle Opener – They make a fun accessory to use for your guests’ bottles of wine. Choose a heart shaped version of the bottle opener if you want to carry along the wedding theme.

Linen Napkins – Linen napkins are an elegant way to say thanks to your wedding guests. You can get a boxed set of two with the word “Love” embroidered on each napkin.

Photo keychain – You can get an affordable photo keychain for under $5. Try a black leather version that’s sleek and sophisticated. To dress up your photo keychain wedding favor, add a decorative card commemorating the date and a brief note of thanks.

Cookie Cutters – Guests can leave the wedding with something to look forward to - making their own shaped cookies from their wedding favors. For a beach wedding, pick up a set of cookie cutters with the whole beach scene – palm tree, dolphin, seashell, and starfish.

Sweet Chocolate Wedding Favors

Any fan of sweet treats would be more than happy to receive chocolate wedding favors. If you’re planning your wedding, you have a lot of choices for chocolate wedding favors to give away to your guests. Here are a few suggestions for you.

Personalized Chocolate Wedding Favors – Pick the perfect design to coordinate with your wedding theme. Personalized chocolate wedding favors can come in the way of chocolate bars or gold coins.

Truffle Wedding Favors – Truffle wedding favors are just as divine to eat as they are elegant to look at. Package them up in an elegant box with ribbon for the perfect wedding favor.

Shaped Chocolate Wedding Favors – Have chocolates for your guests that carry on the wedding theme. A container full of seashell shaped chocolates will be perfect for a seaside wedding. A box with chocolate butterflies is great for a garden wedding.

Gifts Your Guests Won’t Expect To Get As Favors

Planning a wedding can be taxing on one’s creative energies. If you’re not interested in planning a run-of-the-mill wedding – favors included, read on for some ideas on unique gifts your guests will be pleasantly surprised to get as favors.

Treat your guests to a local activity. These favors work especially well if you’re planning a destination wedding or have a lot of out of town guests. Package up tickets to a local theater or send them on a complimentary trip to the local museum. Make your gift truly wedding worthy by packing it up in a wedding favor bag.

Create personalized mementos. This isn’t appropriate for large parties, but if you have an intimate gathering, make sure each guest feels special by making each favor personalized. One way to do this and maintain the same theme is by getting identical favor boxes. In each, give away a framed photo, unique to each guest. Enclose a personalized message, poem, or story, specifically catered to each guest.

Wedding Gifts for the Parents

When you begin thinking about gifts for your wedding party, don't forget about your parents! In many cases, the parents of the bride are paying for most of the wedding so a parents wedding gift from the couple is in order. Remember, your parents are working tirelessly to help make your big day as wonderful as possible so don’t overlook them. Likewise, the groom’s family will also have their share of things to pay for so it's fitting to give them a gift, as well. While you don’t have to spend more than you can afford on gifts for your parents, a weekend getaway, a gift certificate to a nice restaurant, a department store or perhaps even theater tickets are all great ideas. show your parents some appreciation and pay for their airline tickets into town if they will be flying in for the wedding. While this might not be in every bride and groom’s budget, it’s a wonderful gesture if you can afford it and will make your parent’s out-of-pocket expenses much more reasonable.

Wedding Gifts to the Guests

While the couple will want to find the perfect gift for the bride’s attendants and groomsmen, it is also necessary to give wedding favors to your guests on the big day. Giving wedding favors to your guests in attendance is a tradition and is the best way to say “thank you” to the people who shared your big day with you. While wedding favors are fun to give to your guests, they aren't mandatory if budget constraints exist. If you do decide to offer wedding favors to your guests, make sure these gifts are unique and speak to you and your fiancés personality. It's important to give favors that the guests can use. For the most part, wedding favors are either displayed in the home, used for a particular reason or eaten (like a bag of Jordan almonds).

Wedding Party Gifts

Once you've decided on who will be in your wedding party, you should think about wedding party gifts to give them to show your gratitude for their involvement. There are many bridesmaid gifts, including jewelry, stationery, perfume, jewelry or trinket boxes, silk scarves or even gift certificates that can be used for spa treatments, department stores or weekend trips. While you can certainly give each bridesmaid a different gift, the most common thing to do is give everyone something identical. Buy something that can be engraved or monogrammed to make it more personal or buy a gift in different colors for each one of your bridesmaids.

Groomsmen are also given gifts from the groom. Ideas for these gifts include money clips, date books, cologne, silk ties, gift certificates or perhaps a travel kit. Again, it is common to give each groomsman the same gift, but these gifts can be different in color or can be monogrammed. The children in your wedding should also receive gifts, but find something appropriate for the age and remember, gift certificates are a good idea at the children’s favorite toy store.

What to Spend on Your Wedding Party

Throughout your wedding planning experience -- whether it's weeks, months or years -- your family and friends have been there for you as you planned your big day. You will want to show them your appreciation by buying them a gift as a token of your appreciation. While the gifts are often matching, you don’t have to follow these rules anymore, so be as creative as you like because that's part of the fun. When you are individualizing gifts, think of each person you are buying for and how it can reflect their personality. This goes for both the bridesmaids and the groomsmen. For groomsmen, you can think about their favorite hobby and find something particularly unusual. It is important to spend roughly the same amount of money on each person as you don’t want to show any favoritism. There is one exception, however. You can certainly spend a little more on the maid or matron of honor and the best man as they have bigger shoes to fill on the big day.

Buying Your Wedding Dress

You probably won’t buy your gown on your first shopping trip, but if you find a dress that is "the one," tell the bridal boutique you will be back to purchase it. You should consider waiting 24 hours to think about the dress and to make sure you don't change your mind. Bring your best friend or maid of honor with you to find your gown. You might also want to include your mother because finding the perfect wedding gown can be one of the most special moments you will have while planning your wedding.

Choices For Finding Your Wedding Gown

The first place most brides go for wedding dress ideas is wedding magazines. Magazines can inspire you and give a sense of what is fashionable that season. If you find a dress in a magazine, take it to a wedding boutique to have it replicated. If you have your dress made, take a few things into consideration. A handmade dress can take anywhere from six months to a year to make, so plan early. You will get to choose the fabric and design, but you will also pay for that luxury.

If you decide to buy a dress off the rack, find a bridal salon that has many dress options. Remember that a dress you saw in a magazine or on someone else might look different on you. It's best to make an appointment at a bridal shop when you plan to try on dresses. This ensure you will get the best service.

Choosing Fabric And Lace For Your Wedding Gown

You've chosen the style of your gown, but have you considered the fabric being used? Wedding gown fabrics play a large part in the shape of the gown and how it will fit to your body.  For less-structured gowns (i.e. flowy), charmeuse, chiffon, crepe, georgette, jersey, shantung and silk are great choices. For a more structured gown, satin, organza, taffeta and tulle are better choices. Each of these fabrics will feel different on your body, so touch each one and decide which feels best to you.

Lace is another way to make your dress unique. The most popular types of lace are alencon, chantilly and venice. Lace can dress up your gown and give it a romantic feel.

Choosing The Wedding Dress Neckline

When designing your wedding dress, you may have thought you've covered all your bases: design, fabric, accents. But what about the neckline? Talk to a dress designer about which neckline will suit you best. There are many styles to choose from including: bateau, halter, jewel, off-the-shoulder, portrait, sabrina, scoop, strapless, sweetheart and V-neck. Necklines can be a great way to accentuate a feature or minimize one. If you have a small chest, choose the bateau, the jewel or the sabrina. For women with bigger shoulders, the halter is a good choice. If you have a fuller chest, try the sweetheart or off-the-shoulder. The off-the-shoulder neckline is also good for women with pear-shaped bodies. A V-neck works best for a woman with a moderate-sized chest, while the portrait neckline works well for women with prominent collarbones and fuller arms. Of course, there is always the scoop neck -- the low curved sweep that extends to the shoulders -- which looks good on all body types.

Choosing Your Wedding Dress

Wedding trends come and go, but it's important not to choose your wedding dress based on fads. With so many wedding dress styles, how do you choose the perfect one?

First, consider the time of day your wedding is taking place. Evening weddings are usually dressier and a wedding dress that is backless, sleeveless or includes jewels might be fitting. If you are looking for a veil, remember that the long ones are typically used only for very formal weddings. Otherwise, choose a shorter and less royal veil.

When choosing your wedding dress, know how much you want to spend on the dress and veil from the beginning.

The Importance of Thank You Letters

When someone is kind enough to give you a wedding gift, you must send a thank you letter in return. The rule is to send the thank you letter as soon as you receive the gift. Be personable in your letter and don’t make it sound like you are writing the same thing to everyone who has sent you a gift. Another good idea is to mention how you and your husband will be using the gift that the person has given you. If you send the thank you note before the actual wedding day then be sure and write your maiden name instead of your married one. When sending the note you should end with something like “Fondly” or “Best Regards.” Remember, be sincere and really find something to say that is uniquely special about the gift and the gift giver. Handwrite the note and never use a computer to write out your thank you's. If you don’t know who sent the gift, you will have to try to narrow it down. It is always important that you figure out who gave you the unidentified gift because there is no excuse for not sending a thank you note.

High Fashion Wedding Gowns

If you want to achieve a high fashion look with your wedding gown, go with particular fabrics or accents. Chiffon, silk, brocade linen and satin are popular fabric choices for bridal gown designs. Accents such as bows, lace and silk flowers can add a touch of class. Endless rows of tiny buttons finish off a romantic theme on gowns with long trains or low-cut backs. Ball gowns with off-the-shoulder necklines create a princess effect. Sheer chiffon sleeves add a feminine touch, especially for those who want a more covered look. Looking for a low cut design? Dresses with V-necklines in front or in back are popular. A sheer pale green, pink or lavender floor-length tulle veils creates a dramatic flowing look.

Other options for high fashion dresses include the sexy, form-fitting satin gowns with beaded spaghetti straps. Strapless gowns are a favorite among brides, but be sure the bustline is fitted properly for comfort and style.

The Many Shades Of The White Wedding Gown

While most brides are busy deciding on the design of their dress, you also need to determine the color. These days, a "white" wedding dress means many things. There are many shades of white and choosing one should depend on your taste and skin tone. "Stark white” is the brightest white and best for brides with darker skin. Silk, diamond or natural white is a good choice for just about any skin tone. This shade is close to stark white, but is a bit more appealing to the eye.  The ivory, eggshell or candlelight white has creamy yellow undertones. It's a good choice for most brides since it highlights many skin tones. Rum or champagne white has pink undertones and may not work with all skin tones. It's best to try this color on in different lighting.  Another trick is to have your wedding photographer take photos in a variety of dress shades to better determine the right white for you.

Wedding Gown Style

There are so many wedding gown styles to choose from, but there are a handful that are most popular among brides.

Ball Gown: a full skirt with a natural waistline and fitted bodice. Best for a tall, full-figured woman.

Empire: a thin, flowing skirt with a waistline that is about one-inch above your natural waistline. This style works on a thin woman who is not curvy.

Mermaid: a form-fitting sheath that flares below the knee and fits a woman who is slim and curvy.

Princess: a flared skirt that creates an A-shape, with the top of the gown merging softly into the skirt. This is the best style for a woman who is pear-shaped with a short torso and hourglass figure. However, this style works well for any body shape.

Wedding Gown Trains

Most brides dream about the long train of their dress that creates a dramatic entrance and wows the audience, but there are other options. There are three very popular train lengths: sweep, chapel and cathedral. The sweep train barely touches the floor, while the chapel train can trail as far as four feet behind you. If you are in the market for a long train and want to feel like a princess, the cathedral train is your best choice. The cathedral train is sometimes called the monarch train and can trail as much as six to eight feet behind the bride. There is also the royal cathedral train, which can be as long as 10 feet.

Of course, there are shorter trains available, too. The Watteau train begins at your shoulders and fall so the hem of your dress. There are also trains that fall only as far as your fingers.

Your Wedding Gown Style

When you begin shopping for your wedding dress, there are a few things to consider.

Ask your wedding photographer what will look best in pictures. Remember, heavier fabric is best for cooler weather. That means no velvet in May and no chiffon in the dead of winter.

It's ok to wear a sleeveless gown in the winter, but bring a wrap to keep you warm.If you want long sleeves in the summer, use a fabric that is light and breezy.

Dress Length: For an ultra-formal wedding, a long dress is a must.Otherwise, choose something that flatters. For a semi-formal wedding, tea-length or floor-length dresses are perfect.

More and more brides are bending the rules when it comes to wedding dresses, so don't feel as though you have to follow particular rules. Choose a dress you love and that you are comfortable in.

Alternatives To Standard Wedding Favors

If you’re not interested in giving out standard wedding favors as wedding guest gifts, there are some alternatives to giving out personalized items or sweets. Couples traditionally give out wedding favors as a way to thank their guests for being a part of their wedding celebration. However, wedding favors don’t need to be pricey nor flashy to be appropriate. Here are some alternative ideas to the standard wedding favors.

1. Donate to charity. In lieu of spending several hundred dollars on wedding favors your guests may consume in a day, leave behind, or throw away, donate an amount to charity in the name of your guests. You can commemorate the gift by placing a card at the seat of each guest, letting him or her know a donation will be made.

2. Give eco-friendly favors. If you’re going to give guests a favor, you might as well give something that’s environment friendly. Gifts like seed plantings, a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree in the guest’s name, and the adoption of wildlife with the World Wildlife Fund make great socially conscious gifts.

3. Donate your time. This is a perfect favor for small, intimate weddings. Give the gift of your time by pledging a coffee date in the future, an evening dinner, or an outing at the theaters.

Candle Wedding Favors For Every Kind Of Occasion

One elegant way to thank guests for attending your wedding is by giving away candle wedding favors. Candle wedding favors are a simple and affordable decorative piece guests will enjoy placing in their homes. And the best part? You can find candle wedding favors for every type of wedding theme.

Tropical Wedding – For the tropical wedding, a beach theme wedding candle makes the perfect choice. A beach pail candle with a palm tree motif makes a sweet memento to light up guests’ homes.

The Garden Wedding – Planning your wedding in the outdoors among lush greenery? Take that theme one step further by giving your guest a floral candle. Candles decorated with orchids or calla lilies both make excellent choices.

The Winter Wedding – For a winter white wedding, you need candles that celebrate the season. Your guests can go home with their own snowflake candles from the event. dinner, or an outing at the theaters.

Favors For Themed Weddings

If you’re planning a themed wedding, you’re likely looking for theme wedding favors that are a perfect match for your wedding concept. Themed weddings can be seasonal, such as a winter white wedding. Themed weddings can also be tied to locale, such as a Hawaiian wedding. For a list of ideas to get your started, read on.

The Vegas Wedding – If you’re getting hitched in the city that never sleeps, opt for favors that go right with the theme of your wedding. Coasters with a poker theme make an attractive, yet appropriate gift.

The Asian Wedding – A wedding reception with ten course meals needs an elegant gift to make it complete. Give your guests a gourmet fortune cookie contained in a dressed up version of the traditional take-out box. You can even have the cookies personalized with your own message.

The Beach Wedding – Send your guests off with an adorable miniature Adirondack chair that doubles as a photo frame. Dress up the center of your reception tables with a “sand box” and place the chair favors in the middle. Place starfish and colorful marbles in the sand box to complete the look.

The Destination Wedding – Make a play on the travel miles your guests have logged by giving them something they can use on the trip back home. A destination wedding is the perfect event for chrome luggage tags in the shape of an airplane.

Favors That’ll Be A Hit At Wedding Receptions

There’s no getting around it. Decorum requires that wedding receptions have favors for all of your guests. However, rather than just supplying the requisite gift for all of your guests, why not give them something they’ll be more than happy to receive. Here are some wedding favor ideas that are sure to be a hit at wedding receptions.

Disposable Camera – The guests will have a great time snapping away shots during the wedding reception. You can encourage guests to leave the camera behind and send out photos after the wedding or let the guest take home the camera to keep the pictures for themselves.

Chopsticks – You can get decorative versions of these for an affordable cost. They’re a great memento that guests can use for the next sushi meal. Personalize each pair so guests can remember the day.

Wedding Day Cookies – Don’t just give your guests any cookies. Get them hand-baked cookies in fun decorative shapes like a wedding cake, groom, or bride. Then package the favors up in an elegant sachet or favor box.

Finding The Perfect Wedding Gown

When it's time to shop for your wedding gown, be sure to have a realistic dollar amount in mind. You can typically bring a photo of a designer gown to a bridal shop and they will find it for you. Remember that designer gowns start around $2,000 and can often cost as much as $10,000. This price does not include the veil, shoes and any other accessories. A veil will usually cost anywhere from $100 to $500, while shoes range from $100 to $400. The miscellaneous items to consider are a purse, gloves and even lingerie underneath the wedding gown. If you have your eye on a designer gown, but your budget doesn't allow for it, there are plenty of designer "knock offs" to choose from.

If you are getting married in a church, find out if there is a particular dress code. For example, bare shoulders in a Catholic church are usually not acceptable.

Be Comfortable With Your Florist

It's important to feel comfortable with your wedding florist since this person will play an important role in your big day. Don't sign an agreement until you feel absolutely comfortable with the florist. Ask questions about their design strengths and what styles they prefer to create (traditional, eccentric, contemporary). Be completely honest about your budget so the florist can tell you if they can realistically work with you. Ask to see pictures and get references so you can get an idea of the types of weddings the florist has worked on before. You can also ask for the florist to do a site inspection before giving you a proposal for your floral costs.

Finally, decide on a deadline to receive the proposal from the florist so you don't waste any time.

Cutting Costs With Flowers

If your wedding ceremony or reception space will be large, you might look for ways to cut costs. One of the first places you can do this is with your wedding flowers. Using white flowers is a good strategy because the color stands out, which means you can use less and still make a statement. You can use a combination of colored flowers, as well, but use white flowers as your base.

Flowers aren't your only option, either. Bows and ribbons can be added to your floral arrangements to create a more festive atmosphere for less money.Check with your wedding florist, too. You're not the first bride on a budget and your florist might have some unique and economical ideas. And remember, you don't have to decorate the entire church, a few flower arrangements placed throughout the ceremony location can create an elegant effect, too.

Finding Top Wedding Florists

When choosing a wedding florist, you want a professional who will make your wedding beautiful. The American Institute of Floral Designers is a good place to begin your search.

You can also visit 5-star hotels and check out the floral designs in their lobby.Oftentimes, these flower arrangements are masterpieces and all you need to do is ask the concierge for their floral designer's contact information.

Ask brides who have been married recently for names of florist they enjoyed working with. When you do meet with a florist, ask for references and don’t be afraid to check them.

Flowers For The Wedding Party

The bride isn't the only one who needs flowers on the big day. The bridesmaids and groomsmen will need their own flowers, too. With the help of a wedding florist, you can decide on the perfect flower arrangement for your wedding attendants.

The mother of the bride should be given a posy-type bouquet that is slightly smaller than the bride’s attendants.If a traditional corsage is chosen instead, ask the florist to make it with a magnet (instead of pins).Another option is the wrist flower arrangement. If you want to skip the traditional bouquets with your bridesmaids, consider wreaths, candles in a bed of flowers, single long-stemmed flowers with ribbons or a decorated fur muff for a winter wedding.

Men will be given boutonnieres, which should be pinned to the left lapel. Groomsmen, best man and fathers should each wear a different style boutonniere.

How To Hold Your Wedding Bouquet Properly

Before you walk down the aisle, make sure you know how to carry your wedding bouquet properly. You can ask your wedding florist for tips or follow the directions below:

The bouquet should fit in with your gown and not steal the show. The biggest wedding bouquet no-no is holding it to your chest.

Look relaxed, loosen your shoulders by dropping your arms to the side. Place your elbows so they are even with your hip bones. Hold the stems of the bouquet in front of you at belly button height. As you do this, remember to keep your elbows close to your body and don’t raise your shoulders as you walk.

If you are nervous about carrying the bouquet, practice your walk with a handmade bouquet in front of a mirror.

Managing Your Floral Budget

One of the best ways to keep your wedding budget in check is by using flowers from your own garden. If you don’t have flowers on your own property, ask family and friends who have lush gardens.

For corsages and boutonnieres, you can use silk flowers.If a wedding florist is too expensive, order flowers from your supermarket's floral department and have your friends or family arrange them at the ceremony and reception locations. Moving your flowers from the ceremony to the reception will also save you big money. Ask the wedding ushers to move the greenery to the reception hall and arrange them. For instance, pew markers can be used as reception table centerpieces.

Non-Traditional Weddings Can Mean Less Flowers

If your wedding isn't being held in a traditional location (i.e. church), you can be more flexible with the amount of flowers you use. If you are getting married outside, you might need very few flowers because the natural backdrop is enough. However, even if you get married in a garden, there will be a few well-placed locations you can add flowers and ribbons. For example, if there is an arch you will want to decorate it with flowers. The altar is another great place for flowers. Floral arrangements attached to every third or fourth row is a good another good strategy. Votive candles and candelabras are perfect for evening weddings and can take the place of some flowers.

An aisle banner or runner is important, but how you decorate is up to you. Entry statues, fireplaces or mantels are other places that can be decorated or left bare.

Reception Area Flowers

When it comes to decorating a wedding reception area, think about the main areas that need a little extra something:

• -Guest book table
• -Cocktail Tables
• -Food Stations
• -Buffets
• -Bars
• -Dining Tables (centerpieces here are imperative)
• -Wedding cake table
• -Dessert stations
• -Dance areas

You might also want to consider the stage and place a few potted plants with ribbons on either side of the platform.While all the aforementioned areas are important to decorate, the table centerpieces will be your crowning joy. This is where you can be creative and mix and match a variety of flowers!

The Best Bouquet For Your Body Type and Dress Style

Once you've decided on your wedding dress, you can begin thinking about the type of bouquet you want. Your body type and dress style will play an important role in the bouquet you choose.

If you are tall, a cascading bouquet would be perfect. However, a shorter woman might get lost in the same flower arrangement.

If you have a dress with a lot of detail, you might choose a less flashy bouquet. If you have opted for a simple dress without a lot of accents, a more elaborate bouquet will add some flair to your look. The flowers in your bouquet will likely match the flowers being placed at the ceremony . However, you don't want to go overboard with just one color, so create a balance with shades that complement each other.

Using Wedding Ceremony Flowers At The Reception

Choosing wedding flowers should be fun, but be sure to take a few things into consideration to ensure a beautiful wedding day.

Your choice of wedding flowers will depend on the time of year you get married, the colors of your wedding and where you are holding the ceremony. The flowers should be approximately 10 percent of your budget, but look around for great deals before making a final decision. If you want flowers for your reception, such as bouquets on the tables, this will be an additional charge on top of the flowers you have for the wedding ceremony.

One alternative is to use the flowers from your wedding ceremony at the reception location. This is one way to have your flowers do double duty, while allowing you to save a little money.

Wedding Bouquet Style Options

When determining the style of your wedding bouquet, there are some old standbys, but you can also get ideas from your wedding florist.

The Biedermeier has concentric rings of varied colors and blooms and each ring is a particular blossom.

The Cascade bouquet is large and one of the more formal options. Flowers descend into a surge of blooms.

The Composite bouquet is hand-tailored and reassembles real petals and wiring them into one large flower.

The Nosegay bouquet is quite well-known and is a small, round bouquet that is 16 to 18 inches in diameter.

A Pomander bouquet consists of single flowers or various clusters that are linked together to form a ball shape that is hanging from a ribbon.

The Tussy Mussy bouquet is a small posy anchored in a cone-shaped holder. The Tussy Mussy is not usually thought of as a traditional bouquet, but it dates back to the Victorian era.

If you are looking for something very simple and elegant, go with a hand-tied arm bouquet of loose flowers or a fan with a few simple flowers decorating it.

Working With The Wedding Florist

Once you've narrowed down your list of possible wedding florists, call each of them to make an appointment. You probably only need to meet with your top three choices. Make sure your choices have experience with weddings and not just running a flower shop. Don't be alarmed if a florist doesn't have a shop, but instead works in a studio creating arrangements uninterrupted.

Ensure the florist will be available on your wedding day and provide them with the ceremony location. If the florist is familiar with the place, he might be able to provide ideas from the beginning. You will also need to provide the florist with the number of guests, who will be receiving personal flower arrangements and how much you plan to spend. When you meet with the florist, bring pictures you have cut from magazines or found on the Internet. If possible, bring fabric samples of your gown and the bridesmaids' dresses.

Basic Wedding Registry Gifts

When you and your fiance enter a department store to complete your list of wedding registry gifts, it might seem overwhelming. While listing all of the things that you have ever wanted is a good idea, there are certain items you should definitely request. Start with the basics that every young couple will need. Flatware is important and comes in sterling silver, silver plate and stainless steel. While you will want the regular seven-piece flatware set (request at least eight sets), you should also consider adding serving spoons, a butter server, ice tea spoons, soup spoons, gravy ladle, pickle forks and a cake server. As for plates, find everyday dishes and china and request at least eight sets of each. You will need the normal dinner plates, dessert plates, cereal bowls, butter plates, a serving platter, several serving bowls and a sugar bowl and cream pitcher. When shopping for glass or crystal, remember goblets, wine glasses, cocktail glasses and tumblers.

After you have chosen kitchen items, move on to linens. Bed, bath, table and kitchen linens are must-haves. Request four sets of sheets, blankets and bath towels to eight place mats and napkins for the dinner table.

Bridal Registry Gift Giving

When you announce your engagement, you will likely being receiving gifts from friends and family. Many couples decide to register at particular department stores in order to make gift buying easier. You will also find bridal registries at jewelry stores and gift shops. Couples can choose everything they could need or want with this registry ranging from china patterns to crystal to linen to luggage. department store will enter your wedding gift ideas into their computer system and shoppers can look your name up and see not only what is on your wish list, but what has already been purchased by others. The best part is you can choose just about anything you want to list on the registry, even those expensive items you would never buy for yourself. Often, families or friends will go in together and buy one gift, so you could end up getting lucky and receive that big ticket item you always wanted. This is the time for you and your fiancée to enjoy being engaged and remember wishes can come true on your wedding day!

Exchanging Wedding Gifts

It's possible that in all the wedding gifts you receive, you may not like a few because it doesn't match your home decor or color scheme. In this case, it is acceptable to exchange the gift. You may run into a problem if you don't know where the wedding gift was purchased, especially without a receipt. You can give the return a try, but remember that store clerks have no obligation to take anything back, especially from a person who says they received the gift from someone else. If you find that the gift is damaged, this might be the only “right” time to let the giver know that you will need to exchange the gift. With any luck, they still have the receipt.

Gifts at the Wedding Reception

You will receive many gifts at the reception and some may get lost or broken en route from the reception hall to your home. If possible, request that guests send gifts directly to your home. If a gift arrives at your home damaged, try to return it, but don't tell the gift giver. Even if you can't replace it, always send a thank you note.

You will still need a gift table at the wedding reception, but put it in an out-of-the-way area where it won't be knocked over. Don’t open your gifts until you get home because things could get lost at the reception. Another good idea is to have a trusted friend be in charge of the wedding gift table to ensure everything is safe and sound.

Handle the Bridal Registry Details Early

It can be hard for guests to decide what to get the engaged couple for their wedding. It’s easy to follow the bridal registry choices, but guests will often give gifts not listed. It's still a good idea for couples to set up their gift registry as soon as possible. While you will receive many gifts at your wedding, you will also receive quite a few gifts from the bridal registry at wedding showers and engagement parties. When you take the time to register early, you save the gift giver a lot of time searching for something you want! It is also a fun idea to have the groom register at a different “male” store, such as hardware stores, home improvement stores or even gardening shops.

Money in Lieu of Wedding Gifts

If a couple knows that they will be buying a new house, they can typically register at a mortgage company for cash in lieu of a wedding gift to be sent toward the down payment of their new home. Some statistics show that couples have received anywhere from $1,000 to $25,000 with this "registry." If the bride and groom are on an especially tight budget, money is always a welcome gift. It can be used for something they really want or even on their honeymoon. Be prepared to receive money soon after the engagement is announced and people will often give money at the wedding.

A big gift no-no: Never write tell guests you would prefer money or write it on the invitations. Parents are good messengers and can spread the word that money is desired over gifts, but even then it should just be a suggestion. Be sure to also send a thank you note for a monetary gift, but refer to it as a "kind gift" in your note.

Out-of-Town Guest Gift Giving Ideas

Oftentimes guests will travel from around the country to be a part of your wedding celebration. In this case, the bride and groom will often give out-of-town guests gifts in appreciation. The gifts are usually given as a welcome gift upon the guest’s arrival. Often the out-of-town guest gifts can be as simple as a basket of cheese and wine in their hotel room. Variations could be fruit, candy or even candles. Make sure to give your out-of-town guests a map so they will know how to get to all the festivities, from the rehearsal dinner to the wedding to the reception hall. If the guests will be staying in town past your wedding, furnish them with tourist brochures and offer them suggestions for things to do while in town. If you are on a tight budget and can’t afford to give your out-of-town guests elaborate welcome gifts, how about a box of chocolate?

Caveat: In the case of a destination wedding, you don't need to give everyone gifts as the entire guest list is likely to be out-of-towners, just like you.

Wedding Cakes for the Big Day

It's true that the wedding cake is the centerpiece of a wedding reception. While you don't want the cake to take attention away from the couple, you do want your guests to be amazed.

From the big white cakes with plastic couples on the top to specially shaped cakes, it’s no surprise to see six, seven and even eight-layer masterpieces with perfectly created and placed rose flowers. However, there really is more to creating a wedding cake, especially with all the new flavors and designs to choose from. Cakes can come in an array of flavors from pistachio, blackberry, peanut butter and jelly and cookies and cream to the good old traditional ones. It is important that a wedding cake make a statement at your reception.

Remember to keep that top layer of the cake for your first wedding anniversary. If frozen and stored properly, it should still taste great after a year. With any luck too, your new life together will still be as decadent as the top layer of your wedding cake.

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