Tag Archives: Wedding Planning

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.

 

 

 

 

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!

Bridal Shows are Valuable Resources for a Bride-to-Be

bridal-expos

Getting engaged is one of the most exciting times of your life, but thinking about wedding planning can be one of the most stressful. How do you choose flowers? A venue? A dress? Decorations? And which of these decisions do you make first? One of the most convenient and smart ways that a bride-to-be can take stock of all her options is to attend a bridal show.

Some brides are eager to attend bridal shows, and others are afraid to set foot in one. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, you have to understand two things. The first is that bridal shows can expose you to more companies than it’s possible to see in months, all in the same place – so it’s almost always worth it to go! The second is that you have to be savvy and know how to get the most out of your time.

Start of by thinking like an expert party planner and drawing up your to-do and to-find lists before you go. If you’re starting from scratch, this can be overwhelming, but first think about venues for the ceremony and reception. If you’ve already made some choices, think of everything you have left to decide and rank these items according to importance. If you have a dress, bring a swatch or a good photo along so you can look at jewelry, veils, and bouquets. Prioritize. Getting music for the reception should come before you look at cake toppers, no matter how adorable they are.

Also, make sure you don’t take on a bridal show alone. A good friend can help you sort through your variety of options, and they can help you avoid impulsive decisions. Once you’re at the show, make sure you get contact information for every florist, caterer, and photographer you meet. Remember to ask if they oversee the wedding themselves or if you’ll end up working with a colleague or assistant. Asking for references is always acceptable. Best of all, many of them offer discounts to brides who book through a bridal show.

In the end, you’ll come home with business cards and brochures, and you’ll have a much better idea of all your exciting wedding choices. Instead of grasping in the dark, every future bride should attend a bridal show. You’re guaranteed to walk away with more than free samples of cake.

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!

 

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.

Creative “Something Blue” Ideas for Your Wedding

Creative something blue ideas for your wedding day

Everyone knows the age old saying “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Not only does your wedding dress and reception décor style speak volumes about your personality, but what you choose for “something blue” can be a fun way to show your creativity as well.

We’ve rounded up our favorite creative “something blue” ideas for your wedding to help light your spark for creativity:

A ribbon around your bouquet.

Blue ribbon around the bridal bouquet is a creative "something blue" idea for your wedding day.

Sew your wedding date on the inside of your wedding dress.

 creative-something-blue-wedding-day-ideas-wedding-dress-details

Sew a heart on the inside of your wedding dress.

creative-something-blue-wedding-day-ideas-wedding-dress-details

Sew your initials on the inside of your wedding dress or on the groom’s cuff.

Sewing your wedding date or a heart or initials inside your wedding dress is a creative "something blue" idea for your wedding day.

Blue “I do” on your wedding shoes.

creative-something-blue-wedding-day-ideas-ido-letters

Or on both of  your wedding shoes.

creative-something-blue-wedding-day-ideas-wedding-details

Better yet, why don’t you  just make your wedding shoes blue.

creative-something-blue-wedding-day-ideas

Blue nail polish.

creative-something-blue-wedding-day-ideas-tiffany-blue-nailpolish

Or just blue nail designs.

creative-something-blue-wedding-day-ideas-nailpolish

Blue Garter.

creative-something-blue-wedding-day-ideas-blue-garter

Blue intimates.

ideas-something-blue-wedding-accessories-thong

Blue Necklace.

creative-something-blue-wedding-day-ideas-necklace

Blue charm bracelet. 

creative-something-blue-wedding-day-ideas-bracelet

Pins.

creative-something-blue-wedding-day-ideas-pins

Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

Wedding-photography

Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

Your wedding day is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life – not the day that drove you into the ground financially at full speed. Whether your budget is little or limitless, there are few ways you can save money on your wedding without compromising what you really want.

Wedding Calendar

Get married on a Friday or Sunday.
Saturday is the most expensive day of the week to get married – especially in the Spring and Summer. If you get married on a Friday or Sunday you could save yourself some big bucks – especially if you schedule your wedding in the late Fall or in the Winter.

Champagne Toast

Skip the champagne toast.
People can toast with anything they’re drinking. If you’re not keen on ditching the classic toast, you can also opt for prosecco which is still bubbly but less expensive than champagne.

Wedding Flowers

Stick to seasonal items.
Choose fruits that are in-season to save yourself some money on the catering. Thinking seasonally is also important when choosing your flowers. You’ll be surprised at how much choosing in-season items will save you!

signature-cocktails-1

Serve signature cocktails.
Alcohol is one of the biggest expenses of a wedding. Most wedding venues have a “you open it, you bought it” policy which will leave you paying for a bottle even if you only had one sip out of it. Consider offering a limited bar with signature cocktails that all use one type of liquor. You can also choose to serve just beer or wine.

Wedding Dresses

Shop designer or sample sales.
You can save up to 70 percent on wedding gowns, veils and accessories by shopping at sample sales. Your favorite designer’s websites might have a touring list of their sample sales or you can contact a local bridal gown salon to inquire about events.

Double up your escort cards as your favors to save money on your wedding

Combine place cards with the favors.
Add guests’ names to the favors to save on the cost of printed escort cards.

DIY Wedding Favors are a way to save money on your wedding

Make your own favors.
Making your own chocolate covered almonds and bagging them as favors is an inexpensive and delicious way to save money on favors.

Rent a house to save money on your wedding

Rent a house for the wedding and lodging.
Renting a house can act as a wedding venue, housing for out-of-town guests, and a secluded honeymoon venue for when the guests leave.

The Ultimate Chanel Themed Bridal Shower

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel is the epitome of elegance, luxury, class and style. If you’re planning a bridal shower for the fashionista bride, there’s probably no better theme than a Chanel inspired party. We’ve collected the best ideas to help you create the ultimate Chanel themed bridal shower that is filled with chicness and sophistication.

The Chanel Themed Invitations

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower and Party Invitations

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower and Party Invitations.

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower and Party Invitations.

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower and Party Invitations.

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower and Party Invitations.

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower and Party Invitations.

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower and Party Invitations.

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower and Party Invitations.

The Chanel Themed Centerpieces & Tablescapes

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas.

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

Chanel Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces Tablescapes and Decor Ideas. The perfect inspiration for any Chanel inspired theme party or wedding event!

The Chanel Themed Candy and Dessert Bar

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel-themed-bridal-shower-candy-and-dessert-bar-24

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

The Chanel Themed Cake

Chanel themed party or chanel themed bridal shower cake

Chanel themed party or chanel themed bridal shower cake

Chanel themed party or chanel themed bridal shower cake

Chanel themed party or chanel themed bridal shower cake

Chanel themed party or chanel themed bridal shower cake

Chanel themed party or chanel themed bridal shower cake

The Chanel Themed Favors

Chanel themed bridal shower and chanel themed party favors

Chanel themed bridal shower and chanel themed party favors

Chanel themed bridal shower and chanel themed party favors

Chanel themed bridal shower and chanel themed party favors

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