Wedding Infatuated

If you love the idea of having personal handmade touches throughout your wedding but are not too handy yourself there are still many things you can do. www.etsy.com is probably the best resource for handmade items that are appropriate for a wedding.

Erica Bapst creates beautiful jewelry that would be perfect for the bride or bridal party.

A Punkin Card Company and Dear Emma both create beautiful invitations, thank you cards and save the date cards that guests will love.

Elm Studios Online and Mary Wibis provide lovely glass and ceramic items that would make great handmade touches.

Picture Courtesy of Dear Emma at dearemma.etsy.com

There are hundreds more. No matter what handmade item you may be looking for it can likely be found on etsy.com. The best part about working with these artisans is that you are directly connected with the artists so you can request special orders to suit your needs. Just because you are not too crafty your self does not mean you should miss out.

Are you the best chef you know? Does this make it hard to justify hiring a caterer? If you have the skills and confidence to take on the task of catering your own wedding you may not be completely crazy to try.

A few things to remember if you are taking on this task is that quality is king and it’s easier to achieve that high quality with a smaller guest list. Catering for 60 people is going to be a hell of a lot easier than trying to take on 200. If you keep these two things in mind your job will not be quite so tricky.

You also have to think about all the supplies you need. While catering an event yourself will greatly save on food costs you will also have to examine rental costs for all the serving gear you will need. You will also have to assess your preparation area. Most home kitchens are not well suited for cooking a three course meal for 60. You may, however, seek a venue that will allow you access to not only their kitchen but also their supplies.

Here are a few ideas for what to serve:

• Veggie and Fruit Platters
• Chips and Dip
• Various Meats, Breads and Cheeses
• Pasta Buffet
• Barbecue
• Baked Ham
• Turkey
• Dinner Rolls
• Potato Salad
• Rice Pilaf
• Green Salad

All of these options are fairly inexpensive, versatile, and easy to prepare. If you have the skills, if you have the space, give it a try, cater your own wedding.

As you all know it is proper etiquette to mail out thank you notes to those people who presented you with gifts. Here are a few things you may not know.

Timing

While it is fine for people to send gifts up to a year after the wedding it is proper to send out the thank you note no later than one month after receiving the gift.

 Content

It is important to add a personal touch. No one expects a long drawn out, “Thank you this is the best thing I ever had ever. It’s even better than the five others I have. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” What is nice is a short 2 to 5 sentence note that includes a brief, sincere, thanks and a little sentiment about how you plan on utilizing the gift.

Dear Aunt Sally,

Thank you so much for the salad spinner it has proven quite useful with all the entertaining we’ve been doing in the new house. We hope to have you over soon.

Love,

The Smiths

Style

When speaking about etiquette the only style of thank you note to avoid is a pre-printed one. Thank you notes should be handwritten. Otherwise let your imagination run wild. For a good deal you might consider ordering the thank you notes with your invitations. The least expensive option, however, is to hop down to your party supply store and buy something generic. If you prefer a personal touch you can dish out the money to send notes with your favorite image from the wedding on them. While writing out 200 thank you notes seems labourious it can really breeze by once you get into the swing of things.

Whether you are looking for cake designs, makeup tips or centerpiece ideas you are sure to find it all on YouTube. Within seconds of entering YouTube.com you can have hundreds of useful images in your lap all set to snappy music. Here are a few ideas of things to search for to help with many aspects of your wedding:

• Wedding Songs
• Wedding Flower Designs
• Wedding Dance
• Wedding Photography
• Wedding Cakes
• Groom’s Cakes
• Bridal Makeup
• Bridal Hair Tips
• Wedding Dress Advice
• Centerpieces
• Wedding Decorations
• Unique Processionals
• Wedding Vows
• Dance Instruction
• Theme Weddings

… anything else that applies to your event.

 I have found that the instructional videos tend to be the most helpful. While periodicals and internet articles can be somewhat helpful when informing a bride-to-be about the art of making a boutteneire seeing someone go through each step is how most of us will learn the techniques the best.

So next time you’re stuck and searching for ideas and advice hit up YouTube and see what you can find!

When you have guests that travel a great distance to go to your wedding, it is a nice idea to get them a gift. The first gift you may give your guests is a discounted hotel rate. If you contact a local hotel and inform them that you have a large number of rooms that need to be reserved they may offer you a discount. If they don’t offer you can ask. Chances are you can cut some sort of deal.

Gifts can be simple or elegant. You may consider purchasing massages or mani-pedis for everyone. Perhaps a round of golf is more appropriate. Whatever it is that your guests enjoy doing, take some time to determine what they might enjoy receiving. Other nice gifts include well thought out gift baskets, hotel robes, a box of fine chocolates or tickets to a show. Have fun shopping around. Then, since you have already arranged for all your out-of-town guests to stay in one hotel, you can simply drop your gifts off with the hotel staff and request that they either present the gift as your guests are checking in or you may request that the gifts are placed in the room before their arrival. Either way, it’s nice to leave a tip for whoever will handle this. Don’t forget to attach a tag to your gift thanking them for coming.

Since you will be so preoccupied so close to your wedding date it is nice to let your out-of-town guests know that their presence is noticed and appreciated. The gift doesn’t need to be expensive or extravagent but letting them know you care should mean a lot.  

Is your pretty pooch like your child? Is your kitty your little doll? If you really love your pets and consider them part of the family, why not involve them in your wedding? Pets are now acting as best men and maids of owner, flower girls and ring bearers, with a little creativity you can get your pets involved too.

If you would like your pet to be by your side as you say your nuptials you can have one of the bridesmaids or groomsmen walk or carry your pet. Dress them in their best with a flashy new color and leash or even a little outfit if you enjoy dressing your pet. If you prefer to give your pet a more active role in the ceremony you can send them down the aisle with a ring pillow attached to their collar (and the ring securely fastened to the ring pillow of course). Other options include having your large dog tow a wagon full of young flower girls, teaching your dog to give you away at the alter by walking you down the aisle and barking at the appropriate time, and if you own horses, you can ride the horses all the way up to the ceremony location. There are hundreds of ways to get your pet, no matter what type of pet it may be, involved in your wedding.

The photographer is one of the most important people you will have at your wedding. Without them you will never be able to show your children and grandchildren the way you looked in your dress, the beautiful flower arrangements you used, the beautiful cake you ordered. The photography is a very important aspect of your wedding.

When you are shopping around for a photographer it is most important to stay on budget. However, take your time searching for the right photographer. Look at dozens of portfolios ask hundreds of questions.

Some important things you will need to know is how many albums they will create for you. How many images you will receive. Their personal style of wedding photography (do they prefer posed shots, candids, or a combination). How many photographers will be shooting. Will the photographer who you’ve spoken to, who’s portfolio you’ve seen, be the actual photographer (they sometimes send assistants instead). Then of course anything else you can think of.

Another concern is the contract. Be sure to read it carefully. If they are demanding full payment up front and no chance of a refund if the pictures do not turn out well be cautious. Most photographers will take payments over time and only require full payment when you pick up your final albums.

Lastly, don’t forget to negotiate. Few photographers will likely lower their rates but you may be able to get a free engagement portrait, an additional parent’s album, discounted framing  or some other deal if you do a little prying. It couldn’t hurt to ask.

As long as you give yourself plenty of time you should be able to find the ideal photographer and your wedding memories will be captured on film for all to see.

If you have a flare for the dramatic and enjoy the dark and dreary, a gothic themed wedding may be for you. Here are a few tips to pull it off.

The Venue

The first concern with a gothic wedding is the location.  Holding a gothic wedding in a dark and dramatic old church really helps set the mood. The more interior walls covered by stone or brick the better. You can then light the area with as many pillar candles as you can find. The way the flames dance on the stones creates a very romantic feel.

Colors 

The next thing to think about is the colors you want to use. Black and white seems fairly appropriate but for real drama I think adding one bold accent color really pulls the whole thing together. Don’t feel limited in your color choice. Red, purple, turquoise, yellow, they all add there own unique flavor.

The Dress

More and more designers are now adding gothic dresses to their lines. Traditional white dresses are beautiful, even in a gothic wedding, but that is certainly not your only choice. Some brides are opting for colorful red dresses, others are going all black, my favorite, however, is a mix of color. Dresses that are both black and white are absolutely awe-inspiring.

After you have these decisions in line the rest should come naturally and you should be all set for a beautiful wedding.  

No longer are satchels full of jordan almonds the “it” wedding favor (even though I do love those pastel colored almonds!). Now there are literally hundreds of thousands of options out there. You want to give a favor that says, “thanks for coming”. At the same time they need to match the decor. Favor shopping is actually my least favorite part of the entire wedding planning process. With all the options out there it becomes quite overwhelming. However, here are a few resources and ideas to help you out.

www.treesoflife.org

Since most favors are simply consumed or tossed out before the first dance even begins, consider donating a tree, book or some other resources through Trees of Life for each of your guests. Make a short announcement letting them know that that is your gift to them and everyone will likely love the sentiment. This non-profit organization improves the world through education. When you donate a tree (at the cost of a dollar each) a farmer will learn how to raise their tree. This farm is then asked to pass off two seeds and teach two others how to do the same asking the students to pass on their knowledge as well.

www.betsyann.com

Betsy Ann chocolates are a delicious way to thank your guests. Send them off with a tasty truffle and they’re sure to be thankful.

Your Florist

Instead of displaying a large bouquet of flowers for your centerpiece try creating several smaller bouquets that each guest can bring home with them.

Invitation Provider 

Many of these companies also carry favors now and you can sometimes receive a shipping discount. When it comes to the wedding budget, every penny counts.

Local Wholesale Stores

Occasionally the wholesale stores will offer a set of inexpensive vases, candleholders, etc. Shop around and you may just strike gold.

Local Printer

Your local print shop can print a wedding logo on nearly anything. Discuss your ideas with your printer and they’ll like give you a discounted bulk rate.

Wedding Favor Websites

I didn’t list any specific website here because, after a lot of searching, it turns out they’re all basically the same. The same candy bar wrappers, the same heart shaped measuring spoons, the same candy dishes. While most of the favors are beautiful, your best bet is to find what you want and shop around for the best price.

The Nursery

Nurseries will often sell you small potted plants if you ask for them in advance. Pick your planter out of their wholesale catalog and they’ll make sure you have all the blooms you need. You may also consider buying saplings. Attach a tag with your names and wedding date on one side and planting instructions on the other.

The Pet Store

Get your guests fish. Buy small attractive containers and a fish for each. If you go this route, however, be sure that you’re prepared to take on a few fish yourself.

Whichever route you go your guests are sure to love whatever you get them.  

If you are planning to hold your wedding on or near a major holiday there may be a few things you should be aware of. For many reasons holding your wedding on a major holiday can be a great thing. One of the largest benefits is the fact that most churches and other wedding venues are already decorated for the holidays. You can save a lot of money on decor. Another benefit is the fact that many venues also offer cut rates near holidays to encourage people to host their holiday parties there. If you shop around carefully you’re bound to find great discounts in many places.

Now the down side. Photographers, florists, caterers, DeeJays and bakers are all working over time this time of year. This means not only will you not get any great deals here but you can also expect to have difficulties finding available vendors. If you are having a holiday wedding be sure to shop around early. 

Another consideration are the guests. Most of your guests will make plans for the holidays a month or two out from the event, especially if they are travelling. For this reason you need to either send “Save the Date” cards as soon as you nail down your date or you need to send out invitations early. Even with this forewarning, however, it is possible that fewer people than expected will show up due to financial stress and time restraints of the guests.

As long as you are aware of the situation beforehand you should be well on your way to having a beautiful holiday wedding that people are sure to remember for years and years to come.