Planning Advice

Look Closer…

February 8, 2016
Design Tips, Planning Advice

Photo courtesy of Katie Cassidy Photography

A few months back, we covered some of the larger rental items you might need for your wedding. Today, we’ll take a closer look at the smaller stuff – because it turns out that you can rent pretty much anything you need! This is great for those of us who a) aren’t crafty, and/or b) do not want to be the proud owner of 200 chargers.

Tabletop Items: Chargers and linens, of course, are very common rental items. But you can also rent vintage, modern, or traditional plates; flatware in silver, gold, or copper; and plain, patterned, or colored glassware for your place settings. You can add a special napkin ring. You can pop a unique table number or place card holder on that rental order. You can even create your own centerpieces by renting candlesticks, candelabra, and vases!

Floor: Not a fan of your venue’s flooring? Add a carpet runner into the room to bring in your theme, or even accent rugs to bring in patterns and colors. Many venues have easels on hand, but you might want to rent some that fit with your look better than what’s provided.

Tables and chairs: Need some rectangle tables, and your venue can’t provide? Definitely look into renting! There’s a whole slew of specialty tables out there that don’t need a cloth and can add a little flair to your look. Chairs can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your room, whether you’re adding a cover to a banquet chair or bringing in an entirely different chair. You can do tables and chairs piecemeal if your budget won’t stretch to the full room – focus on special areas like the head or sweetheart table, the cake table, the bars, and the sign in table.

Small lighting: While you’ll definitely want a professional lighting crew to handle the big stuff, you can rent smaller lighting pieces like lamps and lanterns to add to your tabletops or lounge areas.

Theme pieces: Trying to bring in a vintage feel, or a rustic feel, or a boho feel? Many rental companies have small character pieces that can enhance the mood of your reception venue to fit what you’re trying to convey. For example, if you and your partner love bicycles, and you’ve used bicycles throughout your wedding design, why not rent a vintage bicycle with a basket to act as your card basket at the gift table?

Redux – Setting the Scene: Tabletops

January 28, 2016
Design Tips, Planning Advice

Let’s just admit it – we’ve all had that moment on Pinterest where you look at a perfectly gorgeous table and think, “Yes, yes, yes. This is what I want for my wedding.” But what goes into creating that styled look? There are a whole variety of things to consider – table size and shape, chairs, china, stationery, and, of course, floral. But, there are two other elements that can really change the look and feel of the whole table: linens and chargers. Let’s look at how to use these to best effect.

Linens

Linens (by which we mean tablecloths and napkins and runners, oh my!) can really shake up the feel of your whole room. Don’t be afraid to use some color or pattern in your linens. Also, you don’t necessarily need to tie yourself to a single linen for the whole room. Judicious mixing can have a wonderful effect, whether it’s patterns and solids, shades of one color, or a variety of colors and fabrics. While some venues provide basic linens, even adding one or two specialty linens to provide that pop of pretty – maybe under your cake or at your head table? – can change the feel and look of the room.

A patterned linen to add a little drama

Photo courtesy of Simple Moments Photography

Bring in a little color with runners and napkins

Photo courtesy of Katie Cassidy Photography

A textured specialty linen can help your cake table dazzle

Photo courtesy of Joy Neville Photography

Chargers

Chargers range from the very plain metallic painted plastic to the extremely fabulous handcrafted glass. A charger definitely lends a different air to a table setting – and not always a formal one. You can be creative with materials and find something that really lends itself to your aesthetic. Chargers can be procured from some venues, rented from a number of sources, or you can buy or make them yourself. Just be sure that if you decide to invest in them that you take them with you at the end of the evening!

Use a paper charger, printed with your menu, for a fun and unique touch

Photo courtesy of Joseph Mark Photography

A clear charger adds some definition without distracting from the placesetting

Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Road Photography

Be creative – this table features corrugated sheet metal cut to size as a charger!

Photo courtesy of Katie Cassidy Photography

Choose a more elaborate charger to make a statement!

Photo courtesy of Flashbox Photography

Showering the Couple

November 9, 2015
Advice for the Parents, Wedding Party & Wedding Guests, Planning Advice

Photo courtesy of Katie Cassidy Photography

Bridal showers are traditionally a close, intimate gathering of family and friends to extend good wishes to the bride and groom and to present the bride or couple with gifts that would help them start a new household. Since showers are more rooted in tradition, many couples have questions about the etiquette of a shower. Who hosts and who gets invited? How involved in planning is the bride or couple? Does there need to be a theme? Let’s take a look!

Hosting a Shower

Traditionally, friends of the bride or couple or their parents host the shower. Bridesmaids and the maid of honor are involved in planning and *may* host if they would like to, but from an etiquette standpoint, this is optional rather than obligatory. Some couples have multiple showers, because their families live in different states or work friends want to host a separate event. That’s fine, but try to ensure that your guest lists don’t overlap! Showers are usually held 2 weeks to 2 months prior to the wedding.

Guest List

The golden rule here is that the hostess or hosts shall decide the number of guests, since he or she is footing the bill. Keep in mind that showers are traditionally “intimate” – it’s not an opportunity to score as many extra gifts as possible! Select your closest friends and family. Also, it is generally polite to only invite guests to the shower that are also invited to the wedding. If your mother or parents are hosting, you may have to look at some other additions, but keep it compact. If you do invite guests to more than one shower, please do not expect them to offer gifts at every event.

Themes

A themed shower usually relates to the types of gifts being given, i.e., a kitchen shower, a spa shower, a honeymoon shower, and so on. Any theme should be noted on the invitation. The hostess or hosts should include registry information with the invitation as well.

Activities

Activities at a shower are going to be up to the hostess or hosts to determine. Games are often popular, but you are under no obligation to entertain your guests by dressing them in toilet paper! You can absolutely do pen and paper games if you prefer, or forego games altogether. Generally, there is a gift opening portion of the event. If you do open gifts en masse, be sure that someone (usually a bridesmaid) is taking notes on which gift came from which person, so that you can send thank you notes after the event.

A Toast to the Couple!

November 6, 2015
Advice for the Parents, Wedding Party & Wedding Guests, Planning Advice

Photo courtesy of Flashbox Photography

Toasts – the most anticipated and/or feared part of any wedding celebration. Just kidding! Toasts are usually a great way to allow your nearest and dearest a chance to honor you and your new spouse. Unfortunately, those nearest and dearest might be very nervous about standing up and speaking in front of your crowd. Here’s some tips on creating a great environment for toasts.

First, choose carefully. Unless your family has a tradition of passing the mic around to anyone who wants to speak, try and limit your toasters to 3-4 total. Usually, this would be the maid/matron of honor, best man, and the bride’s father. That will add up to 10-15 minutes worth of toasts, which is about as much as your average crowd can handle. If you have others who want to toast, we suggest using the rehearsal dinner as a venue for other family or wedding party members to get up and speak. Some couples actually do all of the toasts at the rehearsal dinner now, which is also a great way to do them!

Second, timing. If you’re having a served dinner, toasts are absolutely wonderful to have after the main course has been served. Everyone is seated already, and you have a captive audience while everyone finishes their meal. If you’re doing a buffet or stations, consider doing your toasts with the cake cutting. Either way, consider alcohol intake levels amongst your crowd before deciding to put toasts near the end of the night. Additionally, the longer your toasters have to wait, the more nervous they will be!

Third, topics. We love these two links that will help your toasters figure out the basics of a good toast and some do’s and don’ts for wedding toasts. The real keys to remember though:

1) keep it short

2) keep it family friendly (save the blackmail for another time)

Cheers!

The Wedding Party – How to Ask

November 4, 2015
Planning Advice

Photo courtesy of Katie Cassidy Photography

Ready to pick out your bridesmaids, groomsmen, bridesmen, and/or groomsmaids? Here are a few tips on making the process go smoothly!

First, before asking your friends to join the wedding party, be sure that you have a date, a place, and a time locked in (and by that, we mean contract signed and deposit paid!). This will save you some heartache later if your wedding happens to fall on a day when one of your friends is simply not able to make it. You may have friends asking you about your bridesmaid or groomsmen selection before you’re ready – just let them know that you’re still discussing the wedding party, but that finding a venue and a date is your first priority.

Second, it’s always helpful if you can give your attendants an idea of cost, up front. Generally, attendants are responsible for purchasing their own attire at your direction, as well as any travel costs. A typical bridesmaid’s dress might run anywhere from $150 up to $450. Men have it a little easier, with a suit or tux rental costing somewhere between $100 and $250. However, if you know you want your ladies wearing couture or your guys wearing custom made suits, it’s polite to give them a heads up so that they can consider their own financial situation before committing. If you are requiring your ladies to see a professional for hair and makeup, it’s a wonderful gesture if you are able to pay for at least part of these services.

Third, know that the asking process is an exercise in relationship management. You should feel free to ask the people who are important to you. They can be any age, gender, or relation, as long was they’re special to you. That may make your sides uneven, and that is absolutely acceptable! Also, it is not necessary for you to invite your friend to be a bridesmaid in your wedding just because you were in hers. That being said, prepare to have a discussion with that person about *not* being in the wedding party in order to keep your friendship alive.

When it comes to the actual asking, you have lots of options! Pinterest and Etsy have grown an entire market in personalized ways to ask your bridesmaids to be a part of your special day. Check out some cute ideas from Martha Stewart Weddings here. At the end of the day, though, a phone call or a card in the mail will do the job nicely!

Traditional Duties for Wedding Party and Family

August 7, 2015
Advice for the Parents, Wedding Party & Wedding Guests, Planning Advice

We hear from couples, wedding party and even family asking, what are we supposed to do? So, here are some traditional roles/duties for some key players in the wedding to help out the couple in preparation for their big day:

Maid/Matron of Honor

helps the bride select the bridesmaid’s attire and the bride’s dress
helps communicate details to the bridesmaids and works with them to coordinate any bridal showers or bachelorette party, as well as coordinate bridesmaids’ gift to the bride (if given)
helps address save the dates, invitations and write escort or place cards as needed
keeps record of gifts given at showers and parties

Best Man

organizes the bachelor party
helps communicate details to the groomsmen, including helping them with their attire, and coordinates groommens’ gift to the groom (if given)

Bridesmaids

offer to help with pre-wedding tasks as needed
help scout out bridesmaid attire and pay for entire ensemble (unless bride’s family offers)
help plan and pay for bridal shower and bachelorette party

Groomsmen

attend all pre-wedding festivities
pay for wedding day attire (making sure to order in a timely fashion)
help the Best Man plan the bachelor party

Mother of the Bride

be a sounding board
help the bride select ceremony and reception sites
help the bride choose her wedding dress
be a pre-wedding ambassador sharing information on showers and where the couple is registered
share local knowledge and be welcoming to the groom’s parents
compile names and addresses of your family and friends to be included in the master guest list
talk to the grooms family about who they want to add to the guest list
help research family or ethnic traditions to incorporate into the ceremony
determine what the bride wants you to wear on the big day, and coordinate with the mother of the groom
attend the bridal shower

Mother of the Groom

when the engagement is announced, call the bride’s parents as soon as possible and express your excitement
host a dinner to introduce the bride to the groom’s family if necessary
be aware of expenses typically covered by the groom’s side and offer financial assistance to the groom if appropriate
choose your dress, try to coordinate with the brides mother
get to know your son’s fiancée
prepare your guest list
offer to help scout out ceremony and reception locations, or offer recommendations for florist, caterers, and other vendors
attend bridal shower and buy a gift
spread the word to your side of the family on where the couple is registered
keep track of your lists RSVP’s and offer to make last minute calls for responses on your side of the family
plan and host the rehearsal dinner

We hope this helps clarify some of the roles! Next up, we’ll review duties for the wedding day.

photo provided by Autumn Light Photography

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