Among the countless items vying for attention on every brides to-do list, is the question of how to decorate the reception area to create the right mood. From lighting to chair covers to table linens and table centerpieces, the bride has many choices to make, and many options to consider.
Whether you choose an edible wedding centerpiece such as multiple mini-wedding cakes, centerpieces that guests take home as wedding favors, a classic floral arrangement that incorporates the same flowers carried by the wedding party, or a centerpiece that lends soft romantic light such as candles, your centerpiece is something you'll want to put some time and thought into.
That said, centerpieces don't have to break the bank to enchant your guests and highlight a stunning wedding reception table. Here are some simple yet chic ideas for the harried bride-to-be to consider in choosing her wedding reception centerpieces;
* A tall clear glass cylinder filled with colored water, glass bubble beads in a contrasting color and a small candle (perhaps a flower) floating atop sets a fun and colorful tone for the table.
* A medium sized round glass bowl with floating flower heads and floating candles lends beauty and elegance to any reception table.
* One of the latest trends in weddings is the "Green Wedding" or "Eco Wedding" as more and more couples look for something that lives beyond the party. Grasses, potted plants, even bonsai trees are gaining in popularity and echo the sense of the life ahead of the happy couple.
* Do double duty with mini-wedding cakes boxed up for guests to take home as their favor. A pretty box in wedding colors, perhaps with the happy couples monogram is an elegant way for guests to carry this flavorful favor home.
* Cupcakes !!! A tiered display of colorful cupcakes takes the place of traditional wedding cake and gives your guests easy access to a tasty dessert.
Whatever you choose, make sure your centerpiece has your imprint and reflects your own personal taste. Working with your wedding planner and/or floral coordinator is the best place to start. Whether you're a traditional bride or are leaning towards "eco-chic", there's a centerpiece to suit your needs and taste out there just waiting to be discovered by you!
Showing posts with label reception. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reception. Show all posts
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
I'm a Maid of Honor ... NOW WHAT?
The bridesmaid plays an important role at the wedding -- the perfect bridesmaid is supportive without being intrusive, offering her help to the bride-to-be at all stages of the wedding planning, and always available for a pre-wedding shopping spree or spa day!
The Maid or Matron of Honor in particular has a vital role in all preparations leading up to the day and plays a supporting role to the bride throughout the wedding day itself.
Here’s a guide to what you can expect to have to do during the wedding countdown;
Twelve to nine months to go
You may be asked to be involved in discussions and decisions in the planning stages and to be used as a sounding board for the bride’s ideas right from the start. Your main duty is to be the bride’s personal assistant: someone who can be relied on to chase vendors if required, or just to calm her down when stress gets the better of her. An important task for any Maid of Honor is to be an honest yet gentle critic when it comes to choosing the bride’s gown. Make sure she gives you some idea of what she is looking for. Then be constructive about the styles and colors that suit her best.
Outfits
Along with helping the bride select her dress, as Maid of Honor you likely be involved in choosing outfits for yourself and the other attendants. Ask the bride to tell you the colors and styles she’s thinking of, and offer to do some preliminary shopping with her. You can be especially helpful by getting the other bridesmaids to fittings on time.
Six to four months to go
If the bride’s trying out a new beauty or fitness regime before the wedding, your support will be very welcome! If she’s going to “bridal boot camp” or has taken up jogging, try to go along to keep up her morale, or at the very least, offer what encouragement you can.
Having a makeover is always a fun way to spend a morning or afternoon. Try out some new brands or even make-up artists for the big day and see what suits you, or just plain enjoy yourselves doing something girlie, a pedicure perhaps?
You might be asked to act as an intermediary if difference of opinion occurs, perhaps between the bride and her parents or parents-in-laws. Hopefully this won’t be necessary, but disagreements do happen from time to time, and your support will mean the world to the bride-to-be.
Now’s also the time to offer your help in planning a luncheon for the brides attendants. This can be held at the brides home, her parents home, or even a restaurant. Brides often use the attendants luncheon to give a small gift or token of appreciation to attendants.
Bridal Showers
Most brides will appreciate a bridal shower, which you as the Maid or Matron of Honor may host. A Sunday brunch, an afternoon tea, perhaps cocktails, almost any theme from lingerie to linens will be appreciated, especially by the first time bride. Before beginning plans for any shower, it’s always a good idea to ask the bride herself if she’s aware of anyone throwing her a shower. If you do host a shower, feel free to ask the bride what kind of shower she’d like, and whether or not she’d like it to be coed so that her groom can join in the fun. Be sure to review the guest list with the bride to ensure no one's overlooked.
The day before the wedding
If circumstances allow, you may want to spend the day or evening before the wedding with the bride, especially if she’s nervous or spending the night apart from the groom. Encourage her to talk about what she thinks tomorrow will mean to her -- the day itself will go so fast it’s a good idea to get some of the contemplation in beforehand. Be sure to ask if there’s any last minute details she needs you to take care of. Above all, your job as Maid of Honor is to calm and support the bride in any way possible.
Emergency kit
I’m a big believer in having a wedding emergency kit. One never knows when a button will pop, a headache will crop up, a stubborn strap will refuse to stay hidden. Here’s my suggestion for what to pack into your emergency kit;
* An extra pair or stockings or panty hose
* Tissues
* Baby wipes
* Breath mints
* Safety pins
* Comb/brush
* Lipstick
* Nail file
* Clear nail polish
* Hair spay
* Spare earring backs
* Double sided tape
* Aspirin/Ibuprofen
* Pen
* Small sewing kit with two needles
So there you have it. Your job as Maid or Matron of Honor is done, the bride and groom have said their vows and everyone’s off to the reception. Have you a prepared a toast to the happy couple? Nothing will be more appreciated than your sincere wishes of happiness. You’ve done a grand job … that smile on the brides face is (at least partially) thanks to you! Sip some champagne, slip off your high heels and take a much deserved rest.
Well done!
The Maid or Matron of Honor in particular has a vital role in all preparations leading up to the day and plays a supporting role to the bride throughout the wedding day itself.
Here’s a guide to what you can expect to have to do during the wedding countdown;
Twelve to nine months to go
You may be asked to be involved in discussions and decisions in the planning stages and to be used as a sounding board for the bride’s ideas right from the start. Your main duty is to be the bride’s personal assistant: someone who can be relied on to chase vendors if required, or just to calm her down when stress gets the better of her. An important task for any Maid of Honor is to be an honest yet gentle critic when it comes to choosing the bride’s gown. Make sure she gives you some idea of what she is looking for. Then be constructive about the styles and colors that suit her best.
Outfits
Along with helping the bride select her dress, as Maid of Honor you likely be involved in choosing outfits for yourself and the other attendants. Ask the bride to tell you the colors and styles she’s thinking of, and offer to do some preliminary shopping with her. You can be especially helpful by getting the other bridesmaids to fittings on time.
Six to four months to go
If the bride’s trying out a new beauty or fitness regime before the wedding, your support will be very welcome! If she’s going to “bridal boot camp” or has taken up jogging, try to go along to keep up her morale, or at the very least, offer what encouragement you can.
Having a makeover is always a fun way to spend a morning or afternoon. Try out some new brands or even make-up artists for the big day and see what suits you, or just plain enjoy yourselves doing something girlie, a pedicure perhaps?
You might be asked to act as an intermediary if difference of opinion occurs, perhaps between the bride and her parents or parents-in-laws. Hopefully this won’t be necessary, but disagreements do happen from time to time, and your support will mean the world to the bride-to-be.
Now’s also the time to offer your help in planning a luncheon for the brides attendants. This can be held at the brides home, her parents home, or even a restaurant. Brides often use the attendants luncheon to give a small gift or token of appreciation to attendants.
Bridal Showers
Most brides will appreciate a bridal shower, which you as the Maid or Matron of Honor may host. A Sunday brunch, an afternoon tea, perhaps cocktails, almost any theme from lingerie to linens will be appreciated, especially by the first time bride. Before beginning plans for any shower, it’s always a good idea to ask the bride herself if she’s aware of anyone throwing her a shower. If you do host a shower, feel free to ask the bride what kind of shower she’d like, and whether or not she’d like it to be coed so that her groom can join in the fun. Be sure to review the guest list with the bride to ensure no one's overlooked.
The day before the wedding
If circumstances allow, you may want to spend the day or evening before the wedding with the bride, especially if she’s nervous or spending the night apart from the groom. Encourage her to talk about what she thinks tomorrow will mean to her -- the day itself will go so fast it’s a good idea to get some of the contemplation in beforehand. Be sure to ask if there’s any last minute details she needs you to take care of. Above all, your job as Maid of Honor is to calm and support the bride in any way possible.
Emergency kit
I’m a big believer in having a wedding emergency kit. One never knows when a button will pop, a headache will crop up, a stubborn strap will refuse to stay hidden. Here’s my suggestion for what to pack into your emergency kit;
* An extra pair or stockings or panty hose
* Tissues
* Baby wipes
* Breath mints
* Safety pins
* Comb/brush
* Lipstick
* Nail file
* Clear nail polish
* Hair spay
* Spare earring backs
* Double sided tape
* Aspirin/Ibuprofen
* Pen
* Small sewing kit with two needles
So there you have it. Your job as Maid or Matron of Honor is done, the bride and groom have said their vows and everyone’s off to the reception. Have you a prepared a toast to the happy couple? Nothing will be more appreciated than your sincere wishes of happiness. You’ve done a grand job … that smile on the brides face is (at least partially) thanks to you! Sip some champagne, slip off your high heels and take a much deserved rest.
Well done!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Tell me again why I need a Wedding Planner
A wedding planner helps engaged couples coordinate the logistics of a wedding day. It sounds simple doesn't it? And it can be, if you have a wedding planner who believes that weddings aren't cookie-cutter events. While no bride really wants to be a "Bridezilla", there's no reason every bride can't have Her Day - Her Way.
Here's how I can help you ensure that your wedding vision becomes your reality;
Typically, a wedding planner's services include the following:
* several meetings with the couple to establish the couples vision and theme for the wedding as
well as to learn their expectations, needs, and to review their budget
* phone and email contact
* reviewing wedding vendor contracts to establish vendor obligations
* calling vendors to confirm details such as time of arrival and extent of services
* creating a timeline to schedule the events of the wedding day
* coordinate the wedding rehearsal
* provide in-person coordination of the events of the wedding day at the wedding venue
Many weddings are so elaborate that the bride can go crazy trying to organize it all by herself. This is where a wedding planner can be helpful. The planner is usually hired by a bride, and therefore treated as a vendor who has promised to deliver a service. The planner will stay in constant contact with the bride throughout the entire wedding planning phase, sense when there is a problem, and find a way to take care of it so as not to further stress the bride.
Wedding planners may actually be able to save the bride some money, even with their own fees factored in. Many planners have relationships with specific venues and/or vendors, and by providing them with multiple clients, may be able to receive discounted services .
Wedding planners usually have a thorough knowledge of a specific city/area, which may benefit brides monetarily as well. Planners know which venues are worth the money, and which are too good to be true, ensuring that the bride gets a fair value for the money she's spending.
Are you a bride who prefers to do the planning yourself? Do you just want someone to take the reins on the wedding day itself? I can help!
As a Day of Coordinator (or DOC's), a wedding planner is hired to work only on the wedding day, instead of the whole planning period. This way, the couple has total control over every aspect of the wedding, but has the ease of mind letting someone else make sure it comes together on the big day.
Like full blown wedding planners, DOC's are responsible for catching and troubleshooting any issues that may arise on the wedding day, so that the couple is free to focus on what they need to do personally to get ready.
This year, 21 percent of those marrying will use a wedding planner, according to Shane McMurray, author of the Wedding Report, a market research website.
There are so many components of a wedding - from the ceremony, to all the activities that take place during the reception. A wedding planner makes sure that you keep on schedule, maintain a great flow, handle any crises that may arise and make sure the day is worry and stress free for you.
Love U Mean It believes that every bride deserves to have her day - her way, and I'm here to help you do just that.
Contact me at L.U.M.I@cox.net to schedule an appointment to meet to discuss how my talents can best serve your needs. Since no two brides are exactly alike, all of my wedding planning packages are customized to your personal needs, with fees based accordingly.
Let Love U Mean It give you Your Day - Your Way!
Lori
Here's how I can help you ensure that your wedding vision becomes your reality;
Typically, a wedding planner's services include the following:
* several meetings with the couple to establish the couples vision and theme for the wedding as
well as to learn their expectations, needs, and to review their budget
* phone and email contact
* reviewing wedding vendor contracts to establish vendor obligations
* calling vendors to confirm details such as time of arrival and extent of services
* creating a timeline to schedule the events of the wedding day
* coordinate the wedding rehearsal
* provide in-person coordination of the events of the wedding day at the wedding venue
Many weddings are so elaborate that the bride can go crazy trying to organize it all by herself. This is where a wedding planner can be helpful. The planner is usually hired by a bride, and therefore treated as a vendor who has promised to deliver a service. The planner will stay in constant contact with the bride throughout the entire wedding planning phase, sense when there is a problem, and find a way to take care of it so as not to further stress the bride.
Wedding planners may actually be able to save the bride some money, even with their own fees factored in. Many planners have relationships with specific venues and/or vendors, and by providing them with multiple clients, may be able to receive discounted services .
Wedding planners usually have a thorough knowledge of a specific city/area, which may benefit brides monetarily as well. Planners know which venues are worth the money, and which are too good to be true, ensuring that the bride gets a fair value for the money she's spending.
Are you a bride who prefers to do the planning yourself? Do you just want someone to take the reins on the wedding day itself? I can help!
As a Day of Coordinator (or DOC's), a wedding planner is hired to work only on the wedding day, instead of the whole planning period. This way, the couple has total control over every aspect of the wedding, but has the ease of mind letting someone else make sure it comes together on the big day.
Like full blown wedding planners, DOC's are responsible for catching and troubleshooting any issues that may arise on the wedding day, so that the couple is free to focus on what they need to do personally to get ready.
This year, 21 percent of those marrying will use a wedding planner, according to Shane McMurray, author of the Wedding Report, a market research website.
There are so many components of a wedding - from the ceremony, to all the activities that take place during the reception. A wedding planner makes sure that you keep on schedule, maintain a great flow, handle any crises that may arise and make sure the day is worry and stress free for you.
Love U Mean It believes that every bride deserves to have her day - her way, and I'm here to help you do just that.
Contact me at L.U.M.I@cox.net to schedule an appointment to meet to discuss how my talents can best serve your needs. Since no two brides are exactly alike, all of my wedding planning packages are customized to your personal needs, with fees based accordingly.
Let Love U Mean It give you Your Day - Your Way!
Lori
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