How to Avoid Common Pitfalls When Ordering Wedding Invitations

A bride often approaches the task of ordering wedding invitations with no small bit of anxiety. After all, chances are that aside from ordering invitations for her college graduation she’s never had to deal with an invitation printer before. Read more about how to avoid common pitfalls when ordering wedding invitations

Wedding Gift Etiquette for the New Millennium

If you’ve just become engaged, you may be feeling not only overjoyed, but overwhelmed as well. While weddings are a cause for celebration, they can also be a reason for consternation. After all, there are a myriad of details to attend to: your dress, the bridesmaids’ dresses, the minister, the flowers, the reception hall, the wedding menu—the list can be virtually endless.

With all those wedding planning concerns swirling in your head, there may be the temptation to forget about the proper way to deal with wedding gifts. After all, don’t you have enough to contend with, without worrying about the proper method of receiving and acknowledging gifts?

What you may not realize is that there is a proper etiquette routine for handling the gifts you will receive for your wedding. And, even if you consider yourself a non-traditional bride, it’s important that you employ good etiquette when dealing with all the trappings of matrimony—including the wedding gifts. After all, etiquette is just common courtesy. By following the appropriate etiquette rules, you are extending kindness to your guests. You are making them feel as if they are special, and that their contribution to your wedding matters a great deal to you.

At the outset, you should be aware of the fact that you are likely to receive gifts before your wedding…on your wedding day…and even after your wedding. As a result, you may be wondering when would be the appropriate time to send out thank you notes. It would appear that you have two options before you: to send the note of acknowledgment when you receive the gift or to wait until you believe the last of the gifts have arrived and send the thank you notes out in bulk. But which option is preferable? Or does it really make a difference?
According to wedding manners experts, the appropriate time to send out wedding thank you notes is as soon as your gifts arrive. Unlike Christmas, when you have to wait until December 25 to open your presents, you are permitted—even encouraged—to open your wedding gifts right away—even if your future spouse isn’t present for the occasion. And, once you open a gift, the only polite thing to do is send a letter or card thanking the gift-giver.

There are numerous reasons why it is in your best interest to send out thank you notes for your presents right away. First and foremost, a thank you note tells the giver that your present has arrived safely. Wedding gifts are frequently sent straight from the store, so it’s important to let the giver know that you have actually received the present. In addition, when you make a commitment to send out thank you notes right away, there’s less of a chance that you’ll end up overlooking a particular gift. In addition, it’s a good idea to write the note when the memory of the gift is fresh in your mind. Chances are you’ll be more articulate after opening up a single gift than if you’ve opened up 50 at once.

Remember, sending a thank you note is the least you can do for someone who has just sent you a wedding gift. It lets them know that you are thinking about them and you appreciate their thoughtfulness.

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Keeping the Memories Alive

One of the hottest trends in crafts lately is the art of scrapbooking. If you’ve always wanted to give it a try, your wedding may be the perfect occasion to inspire your creativity. Read more about keeping the memories alive

Wedding Invitations Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Everyone wants their wedding day to be perfect, down to the last detail. Unfortunately, sometimes the wedding planners are so involved in their own wedding world that they fail to consider the feelings of their guests. Read more about wedding invitations mistakes and how to avoid them

Hiring Wedding Cars

Hiring a wedding car is a fantastic way to make a splash on your big day. Whether you fancy a vintage Rolls Royce or a striking modern Jaguar, a chauffeured limousine or a self-drive Mustang, you’ll arrive in style and give your guests a memory they’ll never forget.

Hiring several cars for a wedding is customary. For the arrival at the church, one car carries the bride and her father. The wedding party and groom arrive in another car (or cars), as do immediate family members. After the ceremony, it is the bride and groom who depart together for the reception, followed by the wedding party and the family.

Chauffeured limousines are one of the most popular options in wedding cars. Many companies offer special rates for multiple cars. Complete packages often include champagne and snacks, white satin ribbons to decorate the cars, and even a red carpet to roll out.

Vintage cars also make a wonderful and romantic impression at a wedding. Just picture the heads turning when you roar up to the church in a fully restored, cherry-red 1960s Mustang! Or perhaps a 1930s ivory Beauford convertible is the wedding car of your dreams, with its gleaming silver trim, leather interior, and glowing, polished woodwork.

For a more contemporary look, many couples choose a modern luxury car. A sleek Mercedes-Benz or an elegant Chrysler 300C is an impressive and glamorous car to hire for a wedding. For an offbeat, dynamic wedding car, some couples even decide on a Hummer!

A photo shoot is often part of the fun when you hire a wedding car. The bride and groom may be photographed against famous scenic backgrounds or in lush outdoor settings. What could be a better memory than a snapshot of you and your new partner, poised to make your getaway in a stylish wedding car. Classic colours for wedding cars include silver, ivory, charcoal, and black. For a bolder look, you might choose a stunning sapphire, rich turquoise, or another colour that complements the wedding party’s wardrobe or matches the theme of the reception.

For those hopeless romantics out there, your fairytale wedding car may not be a wedding car at all, but an antique horse-drawn carriage. Bedecked with fine livery, drawn by a pair of matching horses, and guided by your own private driver, a horse-drawn carriage can add that dream-come-true feeling to your special day.

With so many options available, you’re sure to find the perfect wedding car to hire. From the moment you pull up to the church to your joyous departure from the reception, the right car makes your wedding complete!

Keywords: Wedding Cars, Wedding Planning, Weddingblog, Wedding
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Wedding Gift Registry: Do’s and Don’ts

When planning your wedding, creating a wedding gift registry is usually at the top of the list of things to do. For young newlyweds, a wedding gift registry can help guests choose the gifts that you most need as you start your new life together. For couples who are already established in life, though, stereotypical wedding gifts may not be needed; toasters, knife sets, and wine glasses are items that you probably already own. Luckily, couples can now register at a growing number of locations, from home improvement warehouses to sports stores to online merchants, so there is something out there for every couple.

Here are a few guidelines to follow when planning your wedding gift registry. When in doubt, ask around for others’ opinions and use your common sense.

DO open your registry six months in advance or more so that guests have ample time to select and purchase a gift. Remember that registries are a convenience for your guests, and that guests are not limited to the registry when choosing a gift. While many guests will buy a gift from your registry, some may prefer to select your gift personally. If you plan to use the same gift registry for several occasions (such as engagement parties, showers, and the wedding itself), include an ample selection of gifts so that guests have plenty to choose from.

DO register online. This makes it easier for guests to shop, and even purchase, from wherever they may be. Be sure that the store(s) will ship gifts to whatever location you specify, and check their return and exchange policies carefully.

DON’T include your registry information in the wedding invitation. A small card matching the invitation should contain the wedding gift registry details and be given to your guests along with their invitation.

DO consider opening registries in more than one store. This allows guests more choice in not only what to buy, but how much to spend. If having multiple gift registries seems confusing to you, websites such as MyRegistry.com allow you to create a single gift registry for items from multiple stores, whether online or bricks-and-mortar. You can even include nontraditional gift requests, such as travel vouchers, cash donations, and dining certificates. Although requesting cash or donations to honeymoon funds and so forth has been traditionally frowned upon, the practice has become more commonplace over the course of time. Nonetheless, some people do find appeals for cash to be in poor taste, so bear in mind how your guests would likely react to such a request. A good way to ask for cash is to use a wishing well card, this card can have a sweet poem explaining to your guests that you have everything you need for your house, but how cash would really be appreciated.

DON’T forget to keep track of who bought each gift for you. Send a personalized thank-you note to each guest to show how much you appreciated not only the gift, but his or her participation in your special day.

Keywords: Wedding Planning, Weddingblog, Wedding
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Beach Wedding Invitations: Information to Include

To make the most of your beach wedding, get things started off right by sending an invitation that helps your guests get into the spirit of the occasion. Beach weddings are quite different from traditional weddings, so beach wedding invitations should reflect that. Most people have never attended a beach wedding, so they might not know what to expect. It’s up to you to set the stage. Put your guests at ease by anticipating their questions and including the following information in your beach wedding invitation.

What to Wear
This is the question your guests are most likely to ask. Be sure to include information in your beach wedding invitation that specifies the kind of clothing and footwear that will be appropriate and comfortable. If the sand is soft and powdery, your guests may be able to go barefoot. However, broken seashells, pebbles, and hot sand may necessitate your guests wearing sandals or other footwear. If the beach you’ve chosen is especially windy or sunny, you may wish to recommend that guests wear hats. You might recommend that guests wear light-colored, lightweight clothing for hot temperatures, or bring a light jacket for a cooler sunrise or sunset ceremony. In general, dress is more casual for a beach wedding than a traditional wedding, with tea-length dresses being the norm for ladies. If you’re fine with guests wearing Hawaiian shirts and baseball caps, just say the word! No doubt they’ll be happy to oblige.

Comfort is Key
Some of your guests may have concerns about their comfort during a ceremony on the beach. If your guest list includes elderly relatives or friends with impaired mobility, include information about accessibility in your beach wedding invitation. These guests may have difficulty maneuvering on sand, so let them know if there will be pathways, ramps, or other accomodations at your location. If guests will be expected to stand during the ceremony, as happens at some beach weddings, add that information to your invitation, too. Other guests may be concerned about sun exposure, so if you are planning to have tents for shade, be sure to mention it in the invitation, as well.

Public or Private?
If the beach you’ve chosen is a private one, let your guests know the timeframe that it will be available for them to use and enjoy. Some guests may wish to come early to enjoy a swim or a quick tanning session! If your ceremony will take place on a public beach, it is useful to include information about beach regulations, such as whether pets are permitted. In your beach wedding invitation, provide website links about the location to help your guests plan their day. Above all, you should definitely let your guests know if there are facilities available for changing clothes, showering, and buying refreshments or sundries.

What About the Weather?
Last but not least, but sure to include information about an alternate venue, should the day of your event bring rain or other inclement weather.

Including this information in your beach wedding invitation will help your guests make the most of their day. Best of all, it will allow you to relax and enjoy your wedding to the fullest, knowing that you’ve taken care of the special friends and relatives who will share this very special occasion with you.

Keywords:Beach Wedding Invitations, Wedding Blog, Invitation, Beach
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Designing the Perfect Bomboniere

A bomboniere is a wonderful gesture to thank your guests for sharing the joy of your wedding day with you. Bombonieres are traditionally filled with candies, such as sugar-coated almonds or jelly beans, but you needn’t stand on tradition. There are as many unique ways to create bombonieres as there are unique couples in the world! Celebrate your day by creating a personalized bomboniere that tells about who you are as a couple or that reflects your wedding theme. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Classic Romance
Everyone loves a love story, so give them what they came for! Select a heart-shaped bomboniere box in pearl ivory, then fill it with rose petals and chocolate hearts. You might even include miniature scroll of your favorite love poem, tied with a fanciful pink ribbon.

Fairy Tale Dreams
If your wedding theme is fairy tales, a golden organza bag bomboniere will be truly magical. Include in each bag a miniature bottle of bubbles, a tiny crystal slipper, and some “fairy dust,” star-shaped confetti in glittering silver, pink, and gold. Your guests will surely believe that wishes do come true!

Shiver Me Timbers, it’s a Pirate Wedding!
Yarrr! Who doesn’t love a good pirate saga? Turn your reception into a high-seas adventure with a treasure chest bomboniere box fit for a captain. Fill the chest with gold chocolate coins, loose “jewels,” and perhaps even an eye-patch! Include your own treasure map on antiqued paper, charting the course of your relationship. Naturally, the trail ends at the buried treasure—your love for each other.

Seasonal Sensation
Bombonieres are easy to customize for any season or holiday of the year. For a Christmas wedding, choose bomboniere cube boxes in red and green. Stuff them full of tiny Christmas gifts (readily available at craft stores), an engraved ornament for the tree, and a figurine of Santa stealing a kiss from Mrs. Claus. Don’t forget to wrap a crisscrossed ribbon around each cube for the look of a real Christmas present!

A Black-and-White Affair
For a classy black-and-white wedding, decorate a black bomboniere carry-box with a white satin ribbon. Delight your guests with a selection of white and dark chocolate truffles, black and white pearl earrings and cufflinks, or sophisticated silver picture frames.

Whatever the theme of your wedding, creating your own bomboniere will be a memorable souvenir of the occasion. The possibilities are endless, so start dreaming!

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Wedding Reception Seating

When choosing the seating arrangements for your wedding reception, there are many factors to take into consideration. To get you started, here are three basic guidelines to follow.

1. Create with a map or chart of the tables and seats, with space to write names (and possibly take notes) at each place setting. On your map, include the location of the buffet tables, the cake, the musicians, and so on. Make multiple copies of the map if you like to work things out on paper and compare versions side-by-side. Another option is to create your seating map using drawing, charting, or wedding-planning software. This may allow you more flexibility in moving guests easily, typing in notes for each guest, and sending copies to family or friends for their suggestions.
2. Fill in the easy seats: those people who, by tradition, are seated in predetermined places. This includes the bride and groom, the wedding party, and close relatives.
3. Think carefully about the factors listed below, then fill in the remaining tables on your map. Imagine which people will most naturally fit together and enjoy each other’s company. When in doubt, ask your friends or family for their opinions.

Factors to consider

• If you have a special table for the wedding party, be sure to seat their partners or guests at nearby tables.
• Couples should be seated together. Singles need not be seated at ‘singles-only’ tables, which can be awkward, but can be seated amongst families and couples. When seating singles, consider who they know amongst the guests, what interests they share with guests they haven’t met, and so on.
• You may wish to assign guests to tables instead of seats. This offers guests more flexibility in choosing whom to sit by, and saves you the agonizing politics of assigning conversation partners.
• Don’t feel obliged to seat members of the bride’s family or groom’s family together exclusively. Mixing the two families is a great way to help everyone get to know each other!
• Be aware of guests who may have special seating preferences or needs, or who may not enjoy being seated with certain guests. Will your hard-of-hearing grandmother really enjoy sitting so close to the band? Will a guest who uses a wheelchair be able to reach her assigned table easily? As a rule, avoid uncomfortable situations by seating divorcees or ex-partners at different tables. Your close-minded, insensitive Uncle Charlie probably shouldn’t be seated with your fabulously “out” friend Jason, either.
• Place families with young children away from eye-catching distractions (like that beautiful cake table with the trailing lace tablecloth, just waiting for little fingers to latch onto it and pull). Consider seating families close to exits or entry rooms so that the parents can discretely leave the reception should the need arise.
• Reserve an extra table for guests who respond late or arrive unexpectedly.
• Don’t forget to set aside a table where your reception team (servers, coordinators, etc.) can eat and relax when they are not performing their duties.

A seating chart, though, isn’t very useful if guests can’t find their seats easily. At the reception, be sure to use place cards, post an attractive seating diagram, and/or have staff or volunteers direct people to their seats. Careful planning and follow-through can ensure that guests enjoy your reception to the fullest!

Keywords: Wedding Reception Seating, Weddingblog, Wedding
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Start Planning Your Beach Wedding Invitations Today

So you’ve finally chosen the perfect location for your wedding: the beach! You can already envision the beauty of the day: the romance of the crashing waves, the envigorating scent of the ocean air, even the silky feel of the sand between your toes. Now it’s time to choose the perfect invitation to announce this dream occasion to family and friends. Beach weddings, by nature, tend to be less formal than traditional ceremonies, and a well-chosen invitation can help set the tone for your event. Beach wedding invitations get your guests ready for something out of the ordinary—an event they’ll be sure to remember with pleasure for years to come!

While a traditional wedding invitation is still appropriate for a beach wedding, many couples prefer a more casual wedding invitation that showcases the beach location or theme. Photographs of beaches are particularly popular on beach wedding invitations. What could be more romantic than a kissing couple silhouetted against a dramatic backdrop of surf and sunset? Or perhaps a symbolic heart etched into the sand is the image that will convey an indelible impression of love and romance to your invitationd guests. Coordinating envelopes, reply cards, thank you cards, and stationery can all feature the image that you’ve chosen to represent your special day.

You may wish to personalise your beach wedding invitation with poetry or wording that calls to mind the beauty and significance of the location. Perhaps you could include a favourite verse about the ocean, sailing away, or even a mermaid. For a couple of faith, the poem “Footprints in the Sand” would be a lovely and appropriate sentiment. If you wish to create your own wording, a seaside metaphor can aptly express your feelings. Whether your wording is serious and heartfelt (“our love will endure like the tide”) or lighthearted and fun (“the coast is clear for a beautiful wedding”), the ocean provides a world of inspiration that can make your wedding invitation stand out from the crowd.

Many couples add a little extra fun to their wedding invitations—confetti cutouts of hearts, cupids, and wedding bells. For a beach wedding invitation, a delightful option is to include colorful confetti of palm trees, beach balls, and sunglasses in the invitation! All kinds of festive confettis are available at craft and party stores, so you can be sure to find whatever you’re looking for.

Along with the invitations, beach weddings offer a fun opportunity to coordinate many details to the theme of sun, sand, and waves. Gift bags and boxes can be chosen in colors that complement the location, such as tranquil blues, sunny yellows, and even cheerful brights such as pink, green, and orange. Party favors can be embellished with beach motifs or decorated with seashells or starfish to add a nautical touch. Place cards and even wishing well cards can coordinate with your beach wedding invitations by featuring the photograph you’ve chosen for the invitation itself.

Whatever you decide, the right beach wedding invitation will mark the beginning of an occasion your family and friends will be sure to enjoy. So full steam ahead! Start planning your beach wedding invitations today!

Keywords: Beach Wedding Invitations, Wedding Blog, Invitation, Beach
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