Wedding Favors

When it comes to wedding favors,  it’s easy as a bride to overthink the perfect favor. She may even become overwhelmed with if their guest list is growing because in reality, it’s easy to consider skimping on costs in this arena. Favors, though, are a great way to add a personal touch so that your guests can walk away with a little something special from the evening. Of course these costs can add up as you think that you may want to do something unique, but keeping it simple here is the way to go! Your guests won’t neccessarily expect anything, but a simple token of appreciation can really make a sweet and lasting impression.

We’re flooding our Pinterest Board with lots of great ideas but here are a few of my favorites. Are you following Marrily!?

Mason Jar Jam or Honey. Perfect to beat the expense by picking the strawberries yourself and learning how to jam! (consider planning ahead for a late summer/fall wedding as you can start this process in the spring or early summer!) If you’ve never done any jamming, now’s the time to learn! While the process is a little bit tedious, it could make for a great Saturday with your beau and it will be rewarding knowing that you two actually DIY’d this tasty treat for your guests. Find some pretty fabrics and ribbon and tie the jars up with a pretty finishing touch! Picking out a cute name for the label is even a great way to incorporate your wedding logo if you have one!

Going Green: Miniture succulants or even tiny plants and/or herbs are adorable ways to have your guests walk away with something that will last. A cost effective route would be to create seed packets!

Last but not least, these are some neat ideas to consider as well!

No matter what you decide, plan ahead! These fun crafts may take a little time but keep things in perspective. Be realistic and attempt an easy DIY so you can take a little pride in knowing your adorable project will impress your guests!

Happy Planning!

xo,

Meg

Sassy Saturday

These Valentino shoes have me swooning today! Hint of pink and sparkles, how can one go wrong?

Aren’t they gorg!?

Grab some coffee and head to Inspired By This to see the rest of this fine affair.

Happy Planning!

xo,

Megan

Gift Registry…and Thinking Outside the Giftbox ;)

So one of the most exciting things about getting married (or perks, I should say…as if spending the rest of your life with your best friend wasn’t enough) would be the wedding gift registry. While it can be slightly overwhelming, here are some tips to hopefully simplify the process.

Before venturing out into the major stores (Macy’s, Target, Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, etc) browse online and talk to your friends first. See what their experience was like. Make sure the store has a great registry completion option (where you can get a major discount for buying stuff that you didn’t get!) and be sure to account for all your needs.

Be mindful of what could be included:

The basics: Kitchen supplies, china, everyday dishes, household linens. Most likely these items could be found at a department store and/or Bed, Bath, and Beyond or Target.

Step it up: That steamer you may be considering? YES. Shopvac? Why not. Tools? Even Better. Camping gear? OK! Decor? Yes, mam! Sometimes you may end up getting gift cards or cash to purchase such things that you realize you may need once you’re getting settled in, but it’s fun to include a few items on your list. Lowe’s, REI, and online retailers would be good options here!

Give ‘em something to talk about: Honeymoon fund…Donate to a cause worth giving to….Wine Club Membership….Season tickets to the local theater….Artwork….Now’s the time, guys. Go online with it and sign up for Newlywish.com or Amazon.com! Certainly you’ll find some creative items that you may just need to have!

When you’re registering for gifts, be sure to realize that now IS the time. Rarely in your life again will you have family and friends so excited for you that they are happy to help you get your life started on the best foot.

Select quality items that will stand the test of time. With that said, make classic choices with your linens and china, but spruce it up with some accents or your everyday plates. Have an idea of your decorating style so that you can register for matching or coordinating items. Go for style and not so much trend, as you never know where life will carry you and how many times your mind may change about your paint colors!

Feeling slightly guilty about crystal or that Kitchenaid Mixer? Don’t! Most likely, you’ll discover that perhaps your great uncle or your grandma may be more than happy to splurge on something nice for you. If anything, you’ll hopefully get a special discount later on through a completion event so that you can use some of the cash to buy it yourself!

Have a variety of price points included. This pleases everyone. There’s a chance that maybe a few of your friends could go in together on something big (like that mixer!) or they may be perfectly satisfied in getting you a place setting or even some wine glasses or candlesticks. Mix it up so folks may even get creative in purchasing a bundle of items or even so it’s easy on them if they’re invited to showers or pre-wedding festivities in addition to the wedding.

When it comes to sharing your registry information, I’d suggest creating links on your personal wedding website. Guests should gain access to that through your save the dates, prior to the pre-wedding festivities. This allows ample time for them to shop around and it shows them beforehand so they’re not showing up empty-handed!

Lastly, make sure you keep track of gifts so that you may send the proper Thank You notes in a timely manner. It is most important to show a handwritten note of gratitude towards your guests. They will be certainly grateful and appreciative! The track list also helps with you and your new husband for when it comes time to fill the registry or make returns. There will most likely be repeat gifts or items that you may even change your mind about so make sure wherever you go, they have a great return policy! You’ll also be able to see what you need and what you can start shopping for with the gift cards and cash!

It took my husband and I almost a year to go through that process, but slowly we got everything we needed and we returned what we didn’t! We had a fun time with all of it from the very beginning as soon as we got the scan gun for the very first time! Oh the power!

Cheers, y’all!
Megan

Staying Positive

For most brides, planning a wedding can definitely be a bit stressful! We’ve already established some engagement woes and there are many things can bog a bride down as she attempts to get all the ducks in a row for the biggest day in her life! In the midst of all the appointments, checklists, decisions, and financial worries that revolve around the wedding, I encourage you to take a step back. Unwind. Clear your mind. Have your sweet fiance plan a date night out. Do a little shopping for your honeymoon. Indulge in a manicure or a facial. Take out some of your stress on a DIY project (IF that’s your thing!) or take it out on a punching bag at the gym. Being engaged should be (or is supposed to be) one of the most exciting times in your life! But every day of it isn’t neccesarily going to be a breeze. But overall,  it is such a special time because you’re about to walk down the aisle to and say your I DO’s and embark on an amazing journey with your best friend.

Engagements prep you for marriage! It’s totally true. I struggled with many things as a bride-to-be because I battled with anxiety, a hectic job,  the wedding opinions from everyone around me, the budget, and a ridiculous living situation! The process was overwhelming for me, and I know I don’t speak for everyone, but I thought I was going to crack! I saw my future husband stick up for me though and be there for me.  I tried my hardest to remain positive. At the end of the day, I was getting married to him! At the end of the day, those who love us would be there to celebrate us! At the end of the day, we would be creating our own home! At the end of the day, I would be well on my way to Mexico to soak up the sunshine with my HUSBAND! Those kind of thoughts helped me to cope with the negative.

The big picture helped me brush off some of the stress. An impromtu weekend gettaway with three of my girlfriends was just the ticket to pop the wedding bubble I was living within. Outdoor activities with my fiance distracted us from our project to-do list. Yes, it’s important to check things off your list and to be mindful of your timeline, but it will get done! Breathe, relax, take time to reconnect with your future husband because you’ll need to know how to do so when you’re a wife! Focus on navigating these hurdles with him and embrace how it ties the two of you together. Stay positive, y’all! Your day will be here before you know it! And you will be beautiful!

Meg

Wedding Bouquet Alternatives

A bridal bouquet is a feature of the bride’s wedding attire, but today’s brides are finding alternatives to the traditional wedding bouquet. Their options for gorgeous accents make for suitability and uniqueness as they are walking down that aisle. The bouquet alternatives are as lovely as the classic blooms of a cascading bouquet. You will be saving money especially when flowers you want are not in season. The thing that is great with alternatives besides being less expensive is showing off your personality. Some brides choose an alternative for different reasons:

• Cost: Bridal bouquets cost as much as $100 alone.
• Usefulness: The bouquet has limited lifespan making the bride reluctant to spending a large amount.
• Their personal choice: A lot of brides just don’t want delicate flowers and frilly attire.
• Uniqueness: Using an alternative makes a more unique celebration.

There are a variety of different materials for a bride that wants a bouquet but not the real blooms. Floral arrangements can be made by sewing, molding, and folding these materials. Many are fashioned with silk flowers, origami bouquets, carved wood, clay, glass or crystal, suede or leather, cookie and candy bouquets, ribbons, peacock feathers, and even Barbie dolls.

• Whimsical or Religious Bouquet Alternatives:
• Jack-o-lanterns for autumn weddings.
• Jeweled rosaries for the Catholic wedding.
• Bible or prayer book for religious ceremonies.
• Lighted candles for an evening event.
• Painted or lace fan for a spring wedding.
• Beaded bridal purse for uniqueness.
• Bouquet of shells or large conch shell for weddings at the beach.
• Horseshoes carried to bring couples luck.
• Lit lanterns for rustic or barn weddings.
• Delicate parasols carried for the vintage event.
• Porcelain flowers to add class to the celebration.

A lot of brides like classic bouquets with no flowers, using greenery and some unique plants to create beautiful and most stunning bouquets. Some popular plants used are ivy, fern, grains, autumn leaves, pussy willows, and herbs. A woman once carried bunches of herbs, grains, and garlic to ward off bad spirits on their special day. After time, they got replaced by flowers that symbolized eternal love and fertility.

Some brides chose an alternative because a family member, her groom, attendants, or she may be allergic to pollen. Some good choices could be bouquets of peacock feathers, beaded bouquets, fake fur muffs for winter, herb bouquets for summer, Christmas ornaments for a December wedding, umbrellas or parasols for outdoor weddings, vintage buttons with leaves of leather, or a personalized clutch to carry.

Whatever the choice, anything is easily coordinated, adding accents to the decorative theme or the chosen wedding colors. Some brides might not wish to carry a thing, opting for elegant gloves, intricate hairpieces, stunning jewelry, or a brooch worn on the neckline.

How to Delegate Tasks to Reduce Your Work Load

Planning your wedding can be a stressful time even though the process should build intimacy and closeness. Recognizing and managing stress makes the difference between people that are overwhelmed and those that are not. Some stress reactions are stomach aches, racing thoughts, irritability, moodiness, poor concentration, sleeping problems, and headaches. It is very important that you recognize these overload signs for stress and manage them accordingly.

Recognize the source of stress. There are many new roles, expenses, expectations, decisions, and wanting perfection in arrangements that contribute to pre-wedding stress. This stress can affect relationships and happiness. Other stress factors include illness, travel, work, moving, over committing, financial problems, and the loss of a friend or family member. Illnesses and personal losses are out of your control, but you can control wedding perfection and whether to commit to social invitations.

Manage the source of stress

If you have stress overload symptoms, figure out how to reduce your work load. Make sure wedding arrangements reflect true desires of both you and your significant other. If the budget allows plans for a large wedding, then you might consider employing a wedding planner or coordinator to handle the details.

Also you can reduce stress workload by some time taken off work. Saying no to social invitations is sometimes necessary and easily understood. Don’t hesitate on delegating some tasks or chores to your friends, family, or your partner. Try to be selective when supervising tasks personally and don’t take on tasks that are not easily handled. Doing everything yourself causes extra stress, stress causes grouchiness, and you may end up taking frustrations out on people you love. In all events that involve many people, there are bound to be imperfections, in later years they are cherished moments of your big day. Saying no to social invitations is sometimes necessary and easily understood. Stress support for your self.

Marrily has the sharing features built-in, so you can add your significant other, family member (mom or dad), or friends.  You can only let them see certain part of your planning too keep the details to yourself.   This way you can delegate the tasks you wanted them to help you on without revealing too much.

Additional things to do to recover and handle stress are:

• Exercise.
• Get enough sleep.
• Moderate, regular meals.
• Discuss stress with others.
• Avoid excessive sugar, nicotine, caffeine, drugs, and alcohol.
• Include some pleasurable and fun activities.
• Spend time and connect with your partner.
• Don’t make a lot of changes that put extra pressure on you.
• Don’t take on an abundance of tasks.
• Be realistic, things will and can go wrong, keep calm.

Stress happens when waiting to do things at the last minute. Take some time for yourself and just relax, getting your mindset off the wedding, get a massage at a spa, go to a movie, just have special alone times. You could also consider going with your partner to a seminar called Marriage Success Training (MST) These seminars cover increased stress for wedding couples and helps them handle it to deepen intimacy instead of stress.

How to Work with Vendors to help you Reducing Stress

How to work with vendors to help your reducing stress comes through many avenues from the wedding photographers to the mode of transportation. Hiring the right ones can ensure an elegant wedding with your sanity completely still in tact. Stress is unavoidable when there is so much planning to do for your dream to come true on your wedding day. There are many things to remember for your wedding, like decorations, catering, disc jockeys, invitations, bakers, floral arrangements, candles, lighting, transportation, wedding gowns and the photography that will capture the memories of your special day.

Limos or other transportation can be another clear area where working with vendors to help you reducing stress will be necessary. How you will get to the reception from the church upon closing of the ceremony is an aspect that many overlook. Transportation for the bridal party can be as fancy as a limousine to the quaint carriage ride, if the distance isn’t too far. A true fairy tale wedding in the winter can consist of a sleigh ride to the reception for the bride and groom, with the party following.

Begin with making out a wedding day timetable in order to work with vendors to help reducing your stress. Lists will be invaluable during the planning period and setting the time line in which to get them accomplished will lessen your stress. If you do not already have a wedding budget set, you should sit down with those that will be handling the financial support of your wedding. Parents and relatives or bride and groom will have to work together to create the budget, as well as help in sticking with it. Wedding vendors are priced affordably compared to the time, effort and legwork involved, let alone the stress that it will save you in getting ready for your day.  If you start your planning early, you can negotiate the price more since you’re not too pressed on time.

Reducing your own involvement in the legwork for the wedding and unnecessary work load will help you keep your sanity for a calm and comfortable walk down the aisle. Set up appointments early in the planning to meet with photographers and disc jockey, so that you will know what to expect and what you will be getting. When you find the right vendors to help you reducing stress go ahead and book their services. Another thing will be marked from your list and off of your crowded mind.

After you have hired the vendors and feel that plans are underway, take some time for yourself. Spending time alone with your spouse and relaxing throughout the wedding planning can alleviate stress from your life. Reducing additional stress can be achieved by getting enough exercise, eating healthy meals without unnecessary sugars or caffeine, getting an adequate amount of sleep and not waiting until the last minute for the planning and preparations.

Don’t forget about your photographer

Also, Kimberley Whitman, a wedding expert, recently shared one of her regrets about her wedding, that she did not have any photos with her grandmom during the ceremony and reception.  Her photographers took a lot of good shots, but they did not include any with her and her grandmom.  Kim’s tips is to have a list of people and shots you want to have  and give the list to the photographers.

Guest Invitation Etiquette

It is so exciting planning for a wedding, picking out the gown, flowers, music, decor, minister, and the wedding announcements. There is always some confusion and concerns when it comes time to make out the wedding invitations; making a guest list, using correct wording, then addressing and mailing them.

Following are some guest invitation etiquette tips:

Proper timing

Sending the invitations six weeks in advance of the wedding date is ideal. This will give your guests time to clear schedules and make arrangements for travel if they live out of town. Making an RSVP date for three weeks after they are sent will allow time for head counts, seating arrangements, and amount of food to order for the wedding.

Who to invite

Most invitations are made out to friends and families of both sides that they want to attend their wedding. It is nice to invite guests even though you are sure they can’t attend for one reason or another. At least they will feel good just knowing they got an invitation.

Proper wording on the invitation

If both families paid for the wedding, then both should be mentioned on the invitation, otherwise one set is mentioned. In the case of a deceased parent, omit their name because including it could cause awkwardness for some guests. It would be fine to include the deceased in the ceremony program.

Formal or informal attire

The invitation will let guests know whether it is casual or formal attire. Using traditional invitations on ecru or ivory with black script trimmed in silver or gold borders, and reading where the wedding is held, will suggest the attire.

Reception card

If the reception is being held in the same building as the wedding, then no reception card is needed. Just add “Reception to follow” on the invitation. Inform ushers how to direct guests for a convenient route to the area.

Address the envelope

Couples living together and unmarried should be listed on the outside envelope on separate lines. A widow is usually addressed as Mrs. using her married name (Mrs. James Johnson) and a divorced woman addressed as Ms. using her first name (Ms. Jean Jones). A couple not living together should each have an invitation of their own.

Small weddings

It is not improper to omit the words “and guest” if your budget allows for few guests and most will understand that is for only them.

Handwritten or fancy font

Guest invitation etiquette advocates never printing outside envelopes with computer fonts, they should always be handwritten. After all, this event is extremely personal and intimate, and should be reflected as such.   It will be obvious that you added a personal and polite touch.

Return address

In case you happen to have a wrong address for a guest, writing your return address on back flap of the envelope is a very good idea. Return address is made out for the people designated to handle responses, whether it is the wedding couple, groom’s or bride’s mother.

How to Find Good Wedding Vendors

Knowing how to find good vendors can be as easy as an online search, asking friends and family or using the online directories that are widely available. Everything from wedding gown vendors to the bands that will play at the reception can be found easily online.

Bridal shops and boutiques for your special gown and bridesmaid dresses can be found either locally or in the closest major city to where you live. There are listings of excellent bridal shops online, as well, if you would prefer to order your dresses conveniently. Wedding gown vendors should be located within a close proximity to your home, in case of any mishaps with shipping or incorrect dresses being sent. Give the ordering process enough time for these possible things to occur without hindering your special day. Six months to a year ahead would be perfect, though a four month period would be sufficient when ordering dresses for the wedding party. Not every woman is the size that they initially order, nor are all sizes the same for every woman’s shape. Also, you should go ahead and pick out an alteration service for any last minute adjustments that will need to be made to the dresses.

When you need to find out how to find good vendors for making your reception as sophisticated as possible, there are multiple options. Caterers and bakers are the next vendors to find for the wedding cake and the reception dinner, if you choose to have one. These caterers can even be friends or family members, if you are planning an inexpensive wedding. Having a professional cake made for your special day is encouraged over having a novice baker to create it, even if it is only going to be crammed in your face by your new spouse. The wedding cake is important in the photographic memories of your day, too. Disc jockeys or musicians can be found online or in the yellow pages of your phone book. Sometimes, friends and family members can be the best way to figure out how to find good vendors when it comes to the musical entertainment.

Wedding consultants can assist with many of the above things like finding proper wedding photographers, getting the best disc jockey or how to find good vendors that you can trust. You can have the beautiful wedding that you have always dreamed of having, without all of the stress that comes with doing it all yourself. Consultants are experienced in planning weddings, whether it is going to be extravagant or a small, quaint wedding at home.

There are nationwide service directories, as well as international listings provided on the internet. By picking the best vendors that are in close distance to your residence, you will decrease the stress and headaches that may come with doing all of the wedding arrangements for yourself. Additionally, when you delegate some of the planning to vendors, it will ease up some nice quality time to spend with your soon-to-be spouse.

Trendy Reception Idea: Serve Custom Cocktails

Custom cocktails have become a lot more popular at weddings. It’s easy to dream up your own fruity concoction – or borrow a recipe that already exists and rename it in honor of the bride and groom.

Even if you don’t plan on having a bartender at your reception, you can still serve custom cocktails. Choose someone to man the bar and teach him or her how to make your signature drink. Some of your guests won’t care to partake, but others will get a kick out of your creativity and trying something new.

How do you find your own custom cocktail?  Start with what you already know. Do you have a favorite drink? If so, modify it or rename it for your wedding.  If it’s a martini, it could be as simple as adding the suffix “-tini” to your last name and you’ve instantly renamed it.

• Do you have a friend who makes a living tending bar? Ask for his or her recommendation for your special day.
• Check with your caterer to see what type of drink would best complement the meal being served at your reception.
• Visit the library or buy a book about bartending and you’ll find hundreds of drink recipes to spark your imagination.
• Keep in mind the color scheme of your wedding and the color of the drink.

In the next post we’ll have some recipes to get you start!