| |
 | Posted by Tat, on May 4th, 2012
|
It’s your wedding day, the perfect time to celebrate your love and nuptials with your close family and friends! Making the guest list can be tricky if you aren’t sure how many people you want to invite, so it’s best to start with the people who you absolutely want at your wedding.
Before moving forward, you need to decide on a set number of guests you should invite. Really consider your budget, how big or small you want your wedding to be, venue size, and out-of-town and plus one guests. These things may vary based on how much money you allotted in your budget so keep them in mind when deciding how many people to invite. Also remember to include fixed and variable costs in your calculations. Entertainment and a DJ don’t matter when it comes to guest numbers, but catering and invites do.
If you make your list and realize you should cut down, the best solution is to ask yourself ‘Have I had dinner with this person(s) in at least three years?’ if you answered “no” you should reevaluate how important it is for them to be at your wedding. Then, create a must-invite, would-like-to-invite, and would-be-nice-to-invite list in order to help you visualize the people who absolutely must be at your wedding and those that might not fit.
But there is a person you do NOT invite and that is an Ex. Weddings signify a new, fresh relationship and having an ex at your wedding may cause problems with your spouse. People love to gossip as well, and it could also create talk among your guests that should not occur at a wedding. Not to mention, your spouse will be 100% relieved that you are fully moving on to begin your new, permanent relationship together.
Sometimes guests will want to invite a guest of their own to accompany them to your wedding and it’s up to you to decide if that’s okay. Plus-ones aren’t required unless that guest has been in a long term relationship or if they live with their guest. But if someone asks you, don’t be afraid to say no! Just be polite and let them know that you don’t have the budget or reception space for extra guests.
What about out-of-town guests? First and foremost, make sure they feel welcome. Plan in advance where they will stay, whether it is at a hotel or family member’s house. If there will be many guests needing hospitality arrangements, set up a few rooms in two different hotels. Don’t forget to book in advance and see if they have reduced group rates. Also, don’t forget to coordinate their transportation to the wedding.
To save money, trim your guest list – every person counts. Also, provide a final guest list as close to the event as possible in case there are cancellations and do not go over your original guest number. You set it for a reason – stick with it! Some weddings are adult-only for cost purposes.
Here’ a quick list of Do’s and Don’ts for Guests list planning”
Do’s
- Do set policies of who will be invited and stick with them
- Do set limits according to your budget
- Do always under commit by 2 or 3 as people cancel last minute
- Do know that around 10-15% of invited guests will not attend
- Do divide the guest list in half, so each of you invite an equal amount of guests
- Do divide the guest list in half, so each of you invite an equal amount of guests
Don’ts
- Don’t let your parents or family be pushy about the guest list
- Don’t feel like you owe everyone a plus one
- Don’t invite guests that you don’t really want at your wedding just because you feel obligated
Happy planning!
 | Posted by Tracy H, on May 4th, 2012
|
Every bride has a vision of her wedding, whether she’s simply traditional or a lover of all things that sparkle. Knowing how to bring a dream look to life when it comes to design, however, is never as simple as imagining it.
We absolutely love Adam Leffel Productions, a full service event décor company in New Jersey. They make it so easy to entertain an extravagant idea, and know how to execute every fine detail to create a beautiful celebration of love, representing the desires of every unique bride and groom.
 Photo Credit: Ryan Brenizer Photography
 Photo Credit: Ryan Brenizer Photography
They even created gorgeous display for our most recent Wedding Salon show in New York! Just look at the hanging vases and use of branches! Adam Leffel Productions knows what’s hot in weddings right now, so if you’re more of an open-minded bride, they’re sure to steer you in the right direction!
| Posted by Tat, on May 3rd, 2012
|
The budget is one of the key elements to weddings. Guests may only see beautiful flowers, a memorable ceremony, and a put-together reception space, but the budget makes sure that all of those elements are present in the first place. One of the first steps in setting a budget requires talking to your spouse about how much the two of you are willing to spend. It’s also important to discuss the budget with the other people sharing the costs so they know what their contributions will be.
It also doesn’t hurt to think about a budget-less wedding so you get a feel for your tastes and to have the wedding you want. Getting close to your dreams with a few substitutions makes for a more fulfilling wedding then one that excludes ideas all together, because they’re too expensive. When you reach an amount that works, prioritize vendors that consume more of your budget to set the stage for other things you may or may not be able to afford. And so you can choose the elements that you really like.
Typically, the average person spends $194.00 per wedding guest and on average $26,984.00 overall. Ok, so you may know what a budget is, but deciding on one that is right for you can be tricky. I understand that brides want to have dreams come to life, but be economical as well, and it is possible. Make a list of everything you want to include in a spreadsheet to figure out how much each will cost. Just remember, this a rough estimate. Know that your biggest expense will be venue and catering. And keep in mind that whatever you think your total amount will be, it will be more. Just be prepared.
Here is a breakdown of usual wedding facilities and average costs:
- Ceremony site: $1,393
- Reception venue and rentals: $12,124
- Reception band/DJ/ceremony musicians: $4,384
- Photographer/videographer: $3,783
- Florist/décor: $1,988
- Wedding gown: $1,099
- Invitations/favors: $573
- Wedding cake: $540
- Catering (cost per head): $61
- Wedding day transportation: $667
Now that you have the totals, who pays? Traditionally, the Groom and his family pay for:
- Bride’s bouquet, mothers’ corsages and boutonnieres
- Gifts for the groomsmen
- Honeymoon
- Liquor
- Marriage license
- Fee for officiate
- Rehearsal dinner
- Transportation for himself and groomsmen
The Bride and her family pay for:
- Gifts for the bridesmaids
- Your gown and accessories
- Bridesmaids bouquets and groom’s boutonniere
- Stationery
- Music and entertainment
- Photography
- Reception
- Rentals
- Transportation for you and your bridesmaids
- Videography
- Wedding planner
Weddings may be expensive, but you ultimately make the final call on the prices you can afford. Gather information about a company before you speak with them so you are ready to talk about the prices and not get caught off guard. Don’t be afraid to ask vendors for discounts, tell vendors that other places are offering you a discount, or to walk away from a bad negotiation. It’s your wedding day, so don’t settle for any negotiations you aren’t completely satisfied with. If you make smart decisions that are best for the type of wedding you want, you can’t go wrong!
| Posted by Tat, on May 2nd, 2012
|
 Planning a wedding means getting your family involved. At such an intimate time in your life, what better way to do that than to throw a bridal shower? Bridal showers are one of my favorite pre-wedding gatherings, because your family and friends can provide support for your upcoming marriage and items you may need in your married life.
Bridal showers traditionally excite the ladies, but lately, co-ed showers have become more mainstream. As the guests you invite, you decide the time to get-together, which can range from six months to a week up to your big day. Out of town guests usually influence this decision.
Okay, so you’ve got the guests and the date, but what about the planning? Typically, the Maid of Honor hosts the day’s activities, but other hosts include a family member, close friend, or co-worker. The host is responsible for covering the cost of the wedding and, of course, must be excited about your future marriage!
If you are unsure who to invite, mothers, sisters, aunts and grandmothers are a great place to start. Next, you may want to invite bridesmaids and close friends. If you want a co-ed or larger bridal shower, cousins, co-workers, fathers, grandfathers, brothers and uncles make great additions to the guest list for a festive yet intimate celebration.
Once you choose guests to attend, pick a location tailored to the ambiance you want. Bridal showers are the kind of events that the bride can make unique or convenient for everyone’s needs. A shower can be held at a maid of honor, bridesmaid, or close family member’s house or a bride can chose a special restaurant. Some brides even opt for beaches, laid back parks, or even spas for a ladies day out!
A bridal shower consists of mingling, food, and fun! Each location, however, may yield different activities but showers can have bridal games for guests no matter what space you’re in. Some include:
- Toilet Paper Wedding Dress - Forget Satin. Guests will use toilet paper to create a funny and paper-light wedding dress
- Ribbon Bow Bouquet - As the bride opens her gifts, tie the bows and ribbons together to make a bright and adorable bouquet
- The Clothespin Game -If you say the code word (such as “veil”), you have to give up your pin to a different guest. The person with the most clothespins wins.
- Recipes - Attendees write their favorite recipes on index cards and give them to the bride
Planning your shower should be a fun and memorable experience, but there are some bridal shower tips and reminders to ensure you have a worry-free occasion:
- Do not invite anyone to the bridal shower that will not be receiving an invitation to your wedding
- Make sure you send thank-you notes to all those who gave you a bridal shower gift (even if they couldn’t make it to the actual party)
- Don’t forget to also send a thank-you to the host of the bridal shower
- If you’re considering having multiple bridal showers, make sure there are no repeat guests
- For example: one bridal shower would include co-workers and another would include close family and friends
Follow these tips and your bridal shower will go off without a hitch. Happy bridal shower!
| Posted by Tracy H, on May 1st, 2012
|
No bride wants to lose track of any pictures from the most important day of her life, and finding an online host should be on the top of your list to keep everything in one place.
Being a member of Shutterfly allows me to have unlimited picture storage time and space. It’s an easy way to hold onto photos of every event leading up to your wedding, the big day, and forever after. Upload pictures into albums chronologically and it’s simple to share them with your friends and family…whether or not they’re a member!
Bind together those precious moments with albums that you can create right on the site- Shutterfly lets you get play with editing tools and design books that make great favors, or cards if you’re looking for a personalized way to say thank you! You can even make a custom calendar with your favorite photos from the year. Once you’ve designed something you love, all you have to do is place the order and it’s shipped to you.
To find out more about why I love Shutterfly, go to www.Shutterfly.com
| Posted by Tat, on April 30th, 2012
|
Taylor Creative Inc. offers amazing rentals for wedding furniture and decor, whether your style is traditional or modern, they’re showcasing great inspiration pieces for Spring and Summer wedding looks!
Want elegance with a bit of an edge? Metallics are on trend right now but their Studio Collection Silver tailored pieces with modern tufting detail keeps it elegant and wedding appropriate, not disco-glam.
Here’s a look that features Taylor Creative’s ever-popular white Avalon collection but it’s updated with navy cushions and white piping. The Navy Avalon Collection is great for beach or summer weddings, offering a classic and chic color scheme that’s easy for a bride to work with – and it’s groom-friendly.
Even if your budget doesn’t allow for over-the-top rentals for all the reception tables, don’t feel bad about splurging on an intimate table for the bride and groom. This is a really awesome light-up hourglass table paired with Madison Banquettes – this “Sweetheart” Table table setup gives the newlyweds a focal point worthy of attention.
Brides spend hours making their tabletop décor & florals perfect – why detract from the gorgeous setting by adding a bulky chair that clutters the overall look? These Victoria Ghost chairs offer a clean, modern feel adding sparkle to the event and bringing the focus back to your tabletop. Designed by modern icon Philippe Starck and priced at just $15/chair, brides can add a modern touch to their weddings without breaking the bank.
Get these looks and more at Taylor Creative, Inc.!
|
|
|
