Tag Archives: Wedding Checklist

How much is the appropriate gift amount for a wedding?

wedding-invitation

The wedding invitation stares at you from the table with all its pastel colors, curly letters and embossments, supposedly unaware of the hours of sleep you will lose over it. Aside from Am I going to attend?’, the real quandary that the innocuous piece of stationery represents is a question of wedding etiquette: How much should I spend on the gift?’

Even with the increasingly popular option of a gift registry being a convenient option for both the couple and their guests in terms of what to get, it presents problems of its own.

Firstly, how will it come across if you select the cheapest few options?

This is rather easily solved – simply augment your choice from the registry with a complimentary addition. For example, if you have chosen the cookware set, a selection of herbs and spices and/or apron and mittens will be a nice touch, and take you over the threshold into what you think would be reasonable.

Of course, reasonable’ itself is the quandary.

One school of thought advocates giving cash or gifts to the near equivalent of what it would have cost the married couple to host you. The trend today is for couples to recoup the expenditure through a preference for cash gifts.

Others would say that the value or cost your choice of gift is best decided by how close you are to one or both of the newlyweds or their parents. In this case, restricting yourself to a price-per-plate calculation would not really be appropriate if the bride is your best friend.

The guide, very generally, is that you should not spend less than $50. An amount of between $50 and $75 would be suitable for a casual work colleague or distant relative. For other relatives and better friends, an amount closer to $100 is more appropriate, and for your inner circle of family and closest friends, between $100 and $150.

Location also plays a part – if the couple lives in a major urban center, it would be prudent to increase the value in the guide above by a factor of 1.5 or 2. As destination weddings become more popular, however, matters are just a tad more complicated. One common perspective is that you could give less if it cost you a significant amount to attend in the first place.

The average amount spent on a wedding gift in 2015 was about $120. That is just right to maintain wedding etiquette and enough to give a unique gift that the couple will use, and remember you when they do.

What kind of unique gift? Well, that’s a whole different article altogether.

 

Important items for your Wedding day

important-items-for-your-wedding-day

As a bride, many thoughts cross your mind while planning your event. For example, will I be happy with my flowers? Can I sit that person there? Will my wedding planner get my wedding style right, as well as a host of other things. On your wedding day, many things may go wrong, so it is important to plan for the little things that may not seem like a big  deal now, but on the d-day, they will matter a lot. Here is a list of items that may help.

Flip Flops are essential.

Be sure to have a pair of flip flops stashed within reach. The idea may not seem like it is a great one but when you look at the big picture, flip flops will come in very handy on your wedding day. How else will you give your legs a break like during long photo shoots. Also, Let your flip flops be stylish and match the theme and décor on the wedding day. There are so many fun, cute styles to choose from I say buy at least two pairs!

Pack your bags.

It is important to pack all the clothes and overnight items that you need for your honeymoon up front and leave it with a trusted person or in the car. This is because, after the wedding, you will not have time to go back and do the packing. Other aspects to consider are the toiletries and other items that the bridesmaids and groomsmen may need during the wedding. The bag should be marked properly and left in the care of a responsible & trusted person.

Your wing man…or woman.

You have to bear in mind that on your wedding day, you will be the center of attention. Therefore, everything, as pertains to planning and taking care of the vendors, will be out of the question on the wedding day. It is important to have a wedding planner but at the same time, the wedding planner might overlook some aspects that might ruin your envisioned wedding style. You will need somebody you fully trust to ensure that the venue has nothing left, the vendors have all received their checks and that the bridesmaids travel arrangements are taken care of after the wedding. Choose wisely.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

The saddest comment to me is a recent bride saying that they were so overwhelmed by the commotion of the day that they forgot to enjoy the moment. Take the time to breathe in the day, sneak away for a stolen kiss with your new husband, watch as your family dances with abandon, laugh with all your bridesmaids throughout the day. It can be a magical day if you remember to enjoy it and live in the moment. Blink and the day will be over, it will be a shame to waste such precious moments on things that will be forgotten and overlooked.

 

Top Picks for Wedding Color Palettes

The wedding colors you choose for your event should be one of the first things you do when planning for your wedding décor. Determining the look and feel of the wedding style you wish to achieve is something that you will refer back to often to pull the event together. Color Palettes for the event are the first to decide on. You may choose to use bold modern colors to make a statement or stay with a traditional look with a combination of soft colors. Wedding style is a very personalized decision, and the different colors you choose will depend on the preferences you choose to focus on. We have put together a is a short list of some popular color palettes to help you narrow down your decision.

wedding-palette

Silver, Teal and Classic White. Think Tiffany & Co. Who doesn’t love that little blue box with the white ribbon? These colors are a classic color scheme for your wedding style. It can be used in table set ups and the cakes. These colors can be used in all-weather seasons, beautiful summers and winter wonderland both lend themselves to this tried and true color palette.  It is a classic look.

navy-green-wedding

Navy, Classic White and Spring Green. This is a sophisticated Spring-Summer color palette. You can choose a soft white and classic navy to balance each other with small shots of Spring Green to brighten up your theme in a fun way. This color palette naturally lends itself to beautiful flower displays using the natural green elements of nature to enhance all of the color of each floral centerpiece.  

pale pink-grey-white 

Pale Pink, Soft Gray, and Ivory. This is an elegant color scheme that turns out to be the best during the winter months. Picture the elegant invitations, beautiful table designs and exquisite floral displays with this soft palette. It is also very flattering for most people to wear, you can have the groomsmen have soft blush ties and your bridal party in pastel pinks. You can even offer a toast with pink champagne for that extra surprise coordination that is sure to make people smile.

pink-mint-white-wedding

Classic White, Coral Pink, and Mint Green. This is a nature-inspired look that can be used for a fun spring-time wedding. Choose carefree and light hearted ideas like a pink and green candy bar to keep the feeling of this palette upbeat. You can also showcase these colors by using a signature cocktail. This is a fun and very trendy look for your wedding.

plum-gold-wedding

Plum, Ivory and Gold. Picture a royal wedding, sophisticated and regal. Purple is actually associated with with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, and ambition. All great attributes to have represented as you start a life together with someone. Of course the gold adds a hint of glamour to an already posh color palette. From your invitations to your table settings; this palette will be sure to impress even the most particular guests.

 

 

 

 

Yes, You Can Have an Ice Cream Cake at Your Wedding

ice-cream-wedding-cake

Everyone will have an opinion on what kind of food you should have at your wedding. Try to remember that it is your day. If you are looking for wedding menu ideas that will have people talking on your big day, you need to pick items that will stay in the hearts and minds of both you and your guests for many years to come. Many will tell you that you need to stay within the restraints of tradition, I say, you can have your cake and eat it too, especially ice cream cake. Speaking of pure indulgence, there are few things more delightful than a well planned wedding menu.

Afraid of breaking too far away from tradition? Remember that all brides have the right to what they want, especially when it comes to the food served at their event. Your caterer will have several items to choose from. It is important to plan your event properly in terms of food presentation and timing. For example, if you do decide to have an ice cream wedding cake, you will need to have a regular cake to display during the event. Be creative, there is no reason you cannot have a his and her cake. Why not? Whose day is it? Chances are your bridegroom will defer to your decision on most things for the day.  Even the most conservative of person is likely to have no qualms telling you, “Yes, you can have ice cream cake at your wedding.” Or “What a fabulous idea!”. It is the perfect complement of your favorite cake flavor delicately layered with a select ice-cream flavor and is nothing short of a divine treat for the taste buds.

With a wide range of rich and delicious foods available and an almost endless array of appetizers, you will be overwhelmed with the task of choosing the ultimate menu for your guests and yourself. Choose wisely and make sure there are plenty of your favorites on the menu.

Remember that if you want a sweet ending that absolutely takes the cake for your big day, you now know that the your best bet is the ice cream cake.

Enjoy!

The Perfect Beach Wedding Can Be Planned!

Beach-wedding

Beach weddings can be romantic for sure, but disastrous if mother nature decides to drop a cloudy, rain shower on your special day. Depending on which beach your ceremony is being held, the weather patterns can dictate what month has the most predictable sunny days and early evenings. If you monitor the weather reports from past years and then watch closely as your selected date draws dear, you can predict the weather! This is significant because you always have an alternate plan in mind, like an inside plan for the ceremony, to avoid being a victim of a bad weather wedding.

There are several wonderful locations for beach weddings. Look for a beach that has fine bleached white sand and where the weather is usually full of balmy, warm breezes. Check online with your favorite weather sites to look ahead at beach weather forecasts; they have daily, weekly and monthly predictions for the most areas. If you take care to plan using weather forecasts, and plan for a later afternoon wedding. Anyone who dreams up their beach wedding wants the perfect sunset as well as no rain, excessive heat, or the occasional sand storm! You can use weather forecasts to help plan the timing of your ceremony so that you capture the sunset after you exchange vows.

Some say that your wish for a happy life together will come true if you see the tiny green flash of light when the sun sets. This moment occurs for split second as the large, orange sun disappears into the ocean’s horizon. Picture seeing that shortly after you have both said, “I do”. This special moment can be arranged by checking weather forecasts, as they can tell us when the sun will set for the evening.

So by beginning your beach wedding plans with the very important step of checking the weather, your beach wedding day should be a great success for you and your guests. It will be beautiful with the calming ocean waves and sea salt smell drifting about in the breezy, balmy air. Moments like this last a lifetime in our hearts and minds so it is worth being prepared!

Wedding Planning in Winter

Even though June may statistically be the most common month for weddings, it does not mean it is the only appropriate time of the year for a great celebration. Winter weddings are a popular option that can create a magical memory that is unlike any wedding held any other time of the year. Before anyone commits to a wedding during this time of year, there are many things they should consider first.

Just a quick visit to any party planning site will reveal that there are an endless amount of ways to decorate and plan a winter wedding. The decorations for this time of year are available everywhere, because a lot of Christmas and New Year’s Eve decor is perfect for a wedding celebration. Banquet halls with warm fireplaces and silver and blue or red and gold decorations are all perfect backgrounds for some stunning wedding photos.

During the winter, families are often in town visiting already because of the holidays. This makes it more affordable for out of town guests to attend weddings since they will not have to make a second trip in the summer for the event. However, holiday parties and busy schedules may make it difficult for friends to attend, and that should be remembered when making plans.

Money could be another issue because many are financially strapped during the winter. There are higher heat and utility bills, the holidays and an upcoming tax season. This is important for the bride and groom to consider too, because it could eventually restrict how they are able to celebrate their winter anniversary in the future.
Another concern, at least for those in northern climates, is winter weather. Just as a rain storm can ruin an outdoor summer wedding, snow and sleet could cancel a winter event. It could cause guests to be delayed or have their flights cancelled and could even lead to a honeymoon departure being delayed.
Winter weddings may not be for the excessive worrier or the faint of heart, but when they are planned correctly and make full use of the beauty of the season, few summer weddings can compare. Make certain to be aware of the pros and cons and use all of the party planning tips available to make a winter wedding a party that no one will ever forget.

Good Luck!

 

How to Plan the Perfect Event

Whether you’re preparing for a wedding reception, family party or business function, careful planning leads to a successful event. Dealing with all of the different details might seem overwhelming, but you can plan the perfect event by following these basic steps.

Set a Budget
Setting a budget isn’t the most glamorous part of event planning, but it is a necessary evil. When you set a realistic budget, you can make purchases without feeling guilty about overspending.
Setting a budget also ensures that your event will be well-balanced. You don’t want to book an incredible band and then find out that you don’t have enough money for food. Separate your budget into categories, and determine a realistic figure for each area. It’s also a good idea to add in some extra funds for unexpected expenses.

Brainstorm Ideas
Once you’ve determined your budget, the fun of event planning can really begin. When you’re first starting out, don’t be afraid to brainstorm a wide variety of ideas. Check out your favorite party planning blog for inspiration, and make a list of everything that comes to your mind. After your list is complete, you can start choosing the best ideas and decide on your event’s theme.

Determine Your Priorites
Unless you’re dealing with an unlimited budget, you’ll have to choose your priorities when it comes to planning your event. If you’re determined to have each guest enjoy a gourmet sit-down dinner, the majority of your dollars will likely go towards food. Other planners might prefer to spend their money on incredible decorations or unforgettable entertainment.
Once you decide what is most important about your event, you can focus your time and effort on the areas that matter the most. Book the things that are most important to you first, and then move on to other areas.

Delegate
Even if you have mastered the list of party planning tips, it’s vital to remember that you don’t have to do everything yourself. If you try to take care of every little detail without assistance, you’ll end up being burnt out and unable to really enjoy your event.
There are many people around you who want to give their assistance, but you just have to ask. Ask your cousin to owns a bakery to provide the cake, request volunteers to help with set up and tear down, or hold an invitation-addressing party with a few of your friends.

All of the above will help you have the perfect day. Most importantly, relax and enjoy. You are going to remember this day for the rest of your life, so do your best to make it enjoyable for both of you.

 

Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding

Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding

If you’re thinking of having your big day at an exotic location away from home, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Here are a few tips for planning a destination wedding:

Timing is everything. Depending on what destination you choose, the best weather dates may correlate with tourist season – which means higher rates for everything. If you’re scheduling your wedding for tourist season in that area, you’ll want to reserve hotel rooms and the venue about 11-12 months in advance.

Scout out the destination. Visit the destination prior to planning the wedding to scout out the area, venues, and hotels. Schedule tastings with the caterer and scout out fun local activities for your guests.

Research local marriage requirements. Some countries have “residency requirements” prior to your wedding. Turks and Caicos requires you to be on the island for at least 24 hours prior to your ceremony where France requires you to arrive at least 40 days before.

Only DIY small things. It’s important to make sure these items are small and will be easy to travel with like reception chair signs, seating cards or guest books.

Ask for help from someone who is already at the destination. Many resorts have on-site wedding planners that can help coordinate and do the legwork for you.

Check airline carry-on rules. Sometimes it’s actually cheaper to ship all of your wedding DIY items to your destination than it is to carry them on yourself.

Make your destination wedding your theme. There are so many ways you can have fun with a destination wedding and incorporate it into your theme for all of your wedding events. Your invitations could be faux airline tickets or passports. Your favors can be suitcase tags. Be creative!

Make welcome bags. Your guests have traveled a long way to attend your big day so assembling welcome bags for them to receive in their hotel rooms is a nice touch. If you’re putting these together yourself, send all the items to the destination ahead of time and make sure you arrive at your destination a few days early so you can put them together without stressing about time.

Embrace the local culture of your destination. Your signature wedding cocktail can be a local-made liquor or you can choose to include music from your destination in your reception.

How to book your destination wedding. There are many sites that can help you with choosing where to go and booking your destination wedding. If you’re focused on exclusively Caribbean beach wedding locations, IslandBrides.com might be helpful and it’s free.

Wedding Vendor Booking Timeline

Wedding Timeline for Booking Vendors

Once you’ve decided on the basic details for your wedding day, it’s time to start researching and booking vendors. After all – without them in place, your wedding timeline may fall apart. We’ve put together this wedding vendor booking timeline so that you don’t miss anything in the craziness of planning your big day.

12 Months

  • Ceremony venue
  • Reception venue
  • Wedding planner

10 Months

  • Photographer
  • Caterer
  • Florist
  • Videographer
  • Band
  • DJ

 

8 Months

  • Ceremony music
  • Officiate
  • Wedding dress
  • Stationer (save the dates)
  • Guest accommodations

 

7 Months

  • Cake baker
  • Bridesmaid’s dresses
  • Honeymoon travel consultant
  • Stationer (invitations)
  • Party rentals (chairs, linens, etc)
  • Hair stylist
  • Makeup artist

5 Months

  • Men’s attire
  • Bridal accessories
  • Transportation

3 Months

  • Wedding rings
  • Favors

Unexpected Wedding Expenses to Watch Out For

Unexpected wedding costs to watch out for.

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes… THE BILL… (Input dramatic music here). A common mistake that most couples make is not leaving a little extra wiggle room for unforeseen wedding expenses.

As you prepare your wedding budget, avoid getting heart palpitations upon receiving that hefty bill by being prepared for the unexpected. Here are the top unexpected wedding expenses to watch out for:

Uncle Sam. When checking all your vendors’ estimates, clarify if the sales tax is included in that price.

Delivery Fees. Almost anything and everything you need on your big day can be delivered – for a price. Be sure to ask what the deliver fees are ahead of time so you can budget wisely and be prepared.

Gratuities. Most of the time gratuities are not included in the initial wedding budget. Make sure you read the fine print in your contracts and estimates to see if your caterer is already adding that extra 20%. Make a list of all the people you need to tip included the band, DJ, photographer, florist, caterer, hairdresser, coatroom attendant, drivers, bartenders, servers, etc. Also make sure you have cash on hand on the day of your wedding. It’s a good idea to prepare tip envelopes ahead of time in order not to forget anyone.

Postage. Special envelopes – like the kind you’re probably sending your fancy invitations in – usually have an extra surcharge. If you’re including stamps for the RSVP envelope that’s also another added expense most couples forget about. Don’t forget about the stamps and envelopes for the thank you notes!

Wedding Party Gifts. It’s customary that you show gratitude to your bridesmaids and groomsmen for all their time and hard work. On average, it’s recommended that you spend between $75-$150 per person. This can quickly add up, so include this cost in your budget.

Set-up fees. Even if you’re bringing your own liquor you’re still likely going to end up paying a bar set-up fee or a cork fee. If the venue is helping set up your event on the big day, ask if they have a set-up fee as well.

Cake Cutting Fee. You can have your already overpriced cake..but if you want to eat it too, you’re probably going to have to pay a cake cutting fee first. These costs are a provision for the plates, forks and servers.

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