Category: Wedding Tips

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Wedding Etiquette Wedding Tips

Should I Have the Best Man and Maid of Honor Provide Advance Speeches?

best man speechIt’s a situation you’ve run over and over in your head – your best man or maid of honor standing up to address your loved ones with an amazing speech.

You prepare yourself for the inevitable waterworks as your best man or maid of honor smiles lovingly at you, opens his or her mouth…

And then proceeds to tell that wildly embarrassing story from college when you got stuck in a dorm window…for three whole hours.

It’s not exactly a standout moment for your wedding, especially if you’re going for an elegant affair.  And with more best men and maids of honor pressured to provide funny speeches, it’s no surprise they’re crossing the line between funny and just plain cringe-worthy.

Which leaves you to mull over the inevitable question:  Should I have the best man and maid of honor provide their speeches in advance?

Let’s explore the pros and cons of this urgent issue:

  • The benefits of having these crucial members of your wedding party provide their speeches to you in advance are tenfold.  The most obvious reason, of course, is your ability to veto any stories that might embarrass or upset you on what’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life.  If you see that your maid of honor is gearing up to reveal your not-so-flattering childhood nickname or your best man wants to tell a story that’s not fit for Grandma’s ears, gently remind them that while you think the speech is great, it’ll need to be edited due to elderly members of the audience.  It’s a great way to get the edits to stick without hurting his or her feelings.
  • While you may be mulling over the benefit listed above, the drawback to knowing what your best man or maid of honor is going to say at your reception is…well, knowing exactly what they’re going to say!  Best man and maid of honor speeches are meant to be touching tributes – and if you start editing the content, you may be undermining the sentiments expressed in the speeches.

So how do you decide between these very valid arguments?  Simple: consider your audience.  If you have a large number of conservative family members attending your wedding, let your best man or maid of honor know that the speeches need to be PG rated.

Other than that, it’s all fair game…so good luck

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Wedding Favors Wedding Tips

How to Choose the Best Wedding Favors

wedding favor ideasThe best wedding favors are more than just little tokens of your love and appreciation for your wedding guests; they represent your acknowledgement of all the efforts that your family and friends have done to assist you throughout the course of wedding planning.  From the aunt who helped you repair the sole of your heels to the best friend who gave you pep talks when wedding stress seemed overwhelming, you want to honor your loved ones for everything they’ve done for you.

These are the exact reasons why you should choose the best wedding favors possible!

Forget choosing amusing knickknacks. Forget giving your guests potted plants that will only go unnoticed.  You want to wow and thank your guests with your wedding favors – and you’ll do exactly that with our advice:

  • One of the biggest mistakes brides and grooms make when choosing the best wedding favors is that they select cutesy knick-knacks that don’t really do anything for the guests.  Sure, that little boat replica might look adorable with your nautical-themed wedding, but honestly, who really wants something like that hanging around their house?

To avoid giving your wedding guests “clutter” wedding favors, think function instead of fashion.  This means that you’ll want to choose wedding favors that can aid your wedding guests in performing everyday activities.  A great idea can be a magnetic notepad that your guests can keep on their refrigerators.  To make this a truly functional gift, avoid monogramming it with your newlywed initials.  Instead, incorporate your wedding colors to ensure that more of your guests use your wedding favor.

  • Here’s a great idea if you’re hosting a vintage-style wedding: instead of a notepad, opt to give your guests the gift of a stationary set.  This is a unique and touching gift that may even encourage your guests to write a few letters to loved ones around the world.  And hey, everyone loves to receive letters – so why not give your guests the excuse?
  • Ultimately, the best wedding favors represent the middle ground between a functional gift and one that honors the look and feel of your wedding ceremony and reception.  Once you’ve met this middle ground, you’ve officially found the best wedding favors for your guests.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your wedding favors.  The more functional yet creative your wedding favors, the more impressed your guests will be!

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Seating Charts Wedding Tips

How to Handle Seating Charts and Table Place Cards

table seating chartWhen it comes to planning out your big day, you want to focus on the fun details: what your wedding dress will look like, the look of pride and love in your sweetheart’s eyes as you walk down the aisle, how the champagne will taste as you toast to your future together.

With this in mind, it’s no surprise that many brides-to-be would rather do anything but focus on menial tasks like creating seating charts and table place cards!

While it’s certainly not as fun as picking out a wedding dress or planning a getaway with your bridal party, there’s no denying that mapping out seating charts is a vital part of ensuring a successful wedding.  You want to make sure that your guests are as comfortable as possible, which means taking away the stress of trying to find seating for everyone.

Here are some tips and techniques to help you handle planning out seating charts for your wedding:

  • Be considerate of your wedding guests.  You may have secret intentions of fixing up your single friends with your groom’s single friends, but it’s best not to push that during an hour-long dinner.  Instead, seat people who know each other together. Lump together extended relatives with other relatives, college friends with other university buddies, and so on.  As exhausting as it is, try to distance friends and relatives who may not like each other.  You’ll be grateful for your extra attention to this detail when Auntie Lydia doesn’t steal your thunder by loudly arguing with Auntie Sarah.
  • Always make the most of table place cards.  These handy devices provide your guests with visual cues about where they need to sit.  To help your guests find their tables, place their names and table numbers on the front of the table card.  This can prevent any traffic from forming in the reception room with wedding guests attempting to find their seats.
  • Incorporate your table place cards into the overall look and feel of your wedding.   For example, if you’re going for a vintage feel, you might want to have your guests’ name written in a regal font.  If you’re going for classic yet modern, choose a font that follows suit.  You can even customize the colors and textures of your table cards for a truly unique touch.

Remember, seating charts and table place cards are vital for ensuring that your guests can enjoy your wedding without the hassle of picking out their tables.  And be sure to check out all the beautiful table place card designs at SaveTheDateForLess.com.

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Photos Wedding Tips

Photos Before the Wedding: Where Should They Take Place?

pre-wedding photosWhen it comes to commemorating the big day, you know that your photographer will be capturing all of those special moments at the ceremony and reception – but what about the photos before the wedding?

From the engagement photos to the photos that will be taken right before the ceremony, these represent an opportunity to reflect your unique style and personality.  It also gives you the chance to take the kind of pictures that you’ll want to treasure forever.  From intimate moments with your sweetheart in the park to delicate moments getting ready in the bridal suite, photos before the wedding give you and your love the chance to reflect your tastes and style.

So where should your photos before the wedding take place?  Here are a few ideas and more tips on how to make the most of these precious photographic moments:

  • You may want to consider taking photos before the wedding in a local park or anywhere else that makes the most of your local scenery.  Engagement photo sessions represent a perfect opportunity to do this, as many couples want to make the most of any natural foliage or scenery.  Additionally, this gives you and your honey the chance to celebrate your love in an outdoor space that’s precious to the two of you.  For example, you may want to consider taking photos in the outdoor park where he proposed or on the street where you met for your first date.
  • You may also want to request that your photographer take pictures of you and your honey as you prepare for the wedding.  For example, have your photographer take pictures of you and your honey enjoying a pre-wedding breakfast, or of you and your bridal party enjoying brunch together.  This is a great way to capture the moments before the madness, where you’re exhilarated by all that’s to come on your special day.
  • In the moments between the ceremony and the reception, considering requesting that your photographer take pictures of you outside the venue or in a nearby park, if weather permits.  If you’re having a winter wedding, consider requesting that your photographer take pictures of you and your sweetheart near a window with a picturesque view. Natural scenery represents a wonderful way to frame the beauty of such a special day – not to mention a special couple.

When it comes to photos before the wedding, make the most of natural scenery and spaces that represent pivotal moments in your relationship.

Categories
Wedding Tips

How to Plan for Wedding Emergencies

wedding emergencyWhile you may feel like nothing can impact your happiness on the day of your wedding, it’s important to realize that Mother Nature may have other plans for your special day.  Weather, power outages, and other events can impact your plans in a big way.  Guests can be delayed in their travel plans by unexpected weather, or you may discover that your venue has encountered some power outages the evening before your reception.

No matter what happens, it’s important for you and your sweetheart to keep a cool and collected frame of mind – and to put these wedding emergency steps into action:

  1. In the months leading up to your wedding, be sure to check with the venue to see if they have special plans for any unexpected events.  For example, what will your venue do to accommodate your wedding in the event of a power outage?  How will the venue handle moving the guests and the reception to a new location?  How soon will the venue tell you, and what can you do to ensure that your guests have all the information they need?

Once your venue has answered all of these questions for you, you should make an emergency plan with your sweetheart.  Compile your guest information into a handy document that you can access by phone.  You may even want to consider writing an emergency email and saving it with all the details that your guests will need to know in case of an emergency.  That way, you can immediately shoot at the email as soon as your venue alerts you that there’s a problem.

  1. If inclement weather is preventing your guests from getting to you, you’ll want to have an emergency plan in place as well.  First, make sure that your guests know how to contact you in case they encounter poor weather during their travels.  You may even want to designate your wedding planner or maid of honor as the person to deal with this.  Ask the wedding venue what they can do to accommodate the late arrivals and shifted guest numbers.  You may discover that last-minute arrangements can be made with enough notice.

It’s important to note that the best wedding emergency plans will be made in conjunction with your wedding venue.  Therefore, consider scheduling a meeting with the owner of the venue to discover emergency plans and what will happen in the event of inclement weather, power outages and more.  Don’t forget to ask about how money will be handled, as your venue may refund part of your payment should they be at fault for any wedding emergencies.

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Videos Wedding Tips

Should You Use a Videographer During Your Wedding?

The biggest day of your life is drawing near – and you can’t wait to share your special day with your family, friends, and loved ones.  You have the wedding gown, you’ve tasted dozens of cakes, and you even have the menu selected for your reception.  All that’s left is to hire the photographer – and you can’t wait to meet the person who will be documenting your most precious memories.

But before you contact potential photographers, there’s something weighing heavily on your mind.  You know you definitely want to have someone taking pictures at your wedding – but should you also hire a videographer too?

A videographer is someone who records video footage of your entire wedding, from the first moments when you step down the aisle until long after your uncle gives that embarrassing toast at the reception.  It can be a great way to preserve even more memories of your wedding, but it can also come at a considerable expense.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at whether you should use a videographer during your wedding.

The Advantages of Using a Videographer

One of the biggest advantages of using a videographer is that you’ll get the opportunity to capture your entire wedding live and in action.  While photographs may represent an excellent way to capture the feel of a wedding, only a videographer can capture the words of love and devotion that are shared throughout the entire day.  Additionally, videographers often turn their footage into DVDs, so you can send a copy of your wedding DVD to friends and relatives who were unable to make your wedding.

Finally, many videographers offer a discount if you hire them along with a certain photographer.  If you’re intent on using one, it can be a great way to save considerable money on your wedding budget.

The Biggest Disadvantage of Using a Videographer

One of the biggest disadvantages of using a videographer is the expense.  Videographers don’t come cheaply, especially if they don’t offer discounts in conjunction with your photographers.  Therefore, if you’re not sure if you want to hire a videographer, this disadvantage alone may be enough to sway your opinion.  There are other additional expenses to using a videographer, as you’ll may also be required to provide him or her with food and beverages throughout your wedding.

No matter what you decide, be sure that you select a videographer who can truly capture the unique look and feel of your special day.

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Cake Wedding Tips

What You Should Know About Your Wedding Cake Options

Apart from the wedding dress, the wedding cake is often considerably one of the biggest showstoppers during your special day.  Whether you plan on wheeling it out in the middle of the dance floor for your guests to admire or you’d like it as the centerpiece of your wedding buffet, there’s no denying that the wedding cake plays an important role in your big day.  The wedding cake can set the tone of your reception, as well as help tie together the overall look and feel of your wedding theme.

While selecting the wedding cake can be an enjoyable and calorie-tastic experience (after all, you have to taste the cakes to see which one you like!), the wedding cake can take a bite out of your overall budget.  The type of cake you select can be particularly expensive, especially depending on the person or company you hire to provide you with the cake.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at what you should know about your wedding cake options:

  • If you’re having your wedding reception at a hotel or restaurant, you could have the establishment itself provide you with the cake.  Many places are more than happy to do this, and it can even be included in the overall price package for the reception.  However, this may limit your choice of cakes, which may not be an option for couples who want to find a unique show-stopping piece.
  • You could also consider outsourcing your wedding cake needs to a local bakery in town.  Bakeries are often a great choice for couples who are looking for a happy medium between cost and appearance.  For example, you could find a beautiful wedding cake at your local bakery for less than what you’d have to pay at a hotel or restaurant.  However, some couples may not like the additional task of dealing with another wedding vendor.
  • Finally, you could opt to have your wedding cake needs fulfilled by a close friend or family member who has a knack for baking.  This can save you a significant amount of money on the cost of your wedding, but be warned: if you don’t have a contract in place, it’s all too easy to end up with a disappointing cake (or no cake at all).  Be sure to select a dependable friend who is more than happy to provide you with a wedding cake – and don’t forget to compensate them for their efforts!

No matter which wedding cake option you pick, make sure you select a cake that’s a perfect fit with your reception.

Categories
Alcohol Wedding Tips

How Much Liquor Should You Buy in Advance of Your Wedding?

There are many moments within your wedding that your guests are looking forward to.  Seeing you walk down the aisle in a resplendent dress is one of them.  Watching you and your sweetheart kiss for the first time as spouses is another.  And one of the most anticipated events for any wedding is when your guests are able to toast to your future happiness with a variety of festive cocktails and liquor!

Whether you’re planning on having a boozy and fun reception or just want to have a classy affair with champagne and wine, liquor is an essential part of any wedding.  After all, what would a reception be without the champagne toast or the cocktail hour?  However, there’s no denying that liquor can also represent a major expense to your wedding budget, especially if you’re hosting an open bar for the entire night.

Therefore, if you’re looking for ways to save on your bar tab, you and your honey may want to consider buying liquor in advance of your wedding.  If you’re planning on supplying your guests with your own liquor, here’s what you need to know:

  • Before you go out and buy the champagne, you may want to ask your reception host if they offer a champagne toast as part of the overall wedding package.  Many places offer champagne toasts for a certain number of guests within the total cost of the wedding, so clarify this before you start ordering that Moet.
  • Ask your reception location if it’s possible to supply the bar with your own liquor.  This can be a great way to save a considerable amount of money, as you won’t be paying for the actual liquor that’s being used.  However, this also means that the reception location may be losing out on money.  Asking first will ensure that there aren’t any hiccups right before the reception.
  • Bring your own bottles of wine to the reception.  While many reception locations may not allow you to supply your own hard liquor, almost all of them will allow you to supply your own bottles of wine.  This can save you hundreds of dollars on your bar tab, as you can buy wine for cheap at your local liquor store.  You may also want to consider buying online, as you can find a great deal of discounts if you’re ordering a large batch of wine.

Be sure to use these tips if you’re considering buying liquor in advance of your wedding!

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Hair Style Wedding Tips

Selecting an Up-Do Hair Stylist For Your Wedding Day

The big day of your wedding ceremony is almost here.  You can’t wait to stand before your family members and friends as you whisper those sweet and sacred vows to the man of your dreams.  You can’t wait to dance alongside the most important people in your life as you celebrate a future lifetime of happiness and joy.  But before you can get to the good stuff, you need to consider one of the biggest wedding day decisions you’ll ever make…

Selecting the perfect up-do hair stylists for your big day!

Let’s face it: your wedding photos will last for lifetimes.  You want to look absolutely breathtaking – and if you end up with the wrong hairstyle, your wedding pictures won’t bring as much joy and happiness as they should.  That’s why it’s so important to pick an up-do hair stylist who will make you look as gorgeous as you feel.

Wondering how to select an up-do hair stylist for your wedding day?  Here’s what you need to know:

  1. Ask your favorite hair stylist if she or he specializes in wedding up-dos.  Many people tend to forget that favorite hair stylists are often experienced in creating gorgeous and stunning wedding up-dos.  You don’t have to hire a stranger or go to someone expensive to get the hair you want for your wedding – instead, ask the person who knows your hair the best!
  2. If your favorite hair salon stylist can’t give you the hair style of your dreams, not to worry.  Ask your female family members and friends who styled their hair to get a good idea of who can do your up-do.  Better still, go on Facebook and look at some of your friends’ favorite wedding photos.  Does anyone have a hairstyle that absolutely takes your breath away?  If so, ask which hair stylist she used.  After all, a picture’s worth a thousand words.
  3. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask a family member or friend to do your hair for the big day.  If you’re going down this road, make sure that they have a few practice rounds on your hair before the big day.  You never know how many talented hair stylists you have in your family, so don’t be afraid to put your feelers out there.  Make sure you compensate your family member with a special gift or some money for their time and efforts.

Use these tips to find a hair stylist who will give you a dream up-do on your wedding day! Also, don’t forget to ‘like’ us on Facebook to get FREE return address printing (quite the hair-raising offer!). Hurry, this deal ends October 31, 2012, so don’t miss out on this amazing offer!

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Photos Wedding Tips

Tips on Selecting Your Wedding Photographer

Your wedding day will be the most important day of your life – and you want to make sure you have the best wedding photographer on hand to capture all of those amazing moments.  From the first step down the aisle to the last dance with your new husband, selecting your wedding photographer will be one of the most important decisions you could make for your wedding ceremony.

Of course, selecting a wedding photographer is also one of the hardest decisions you’ll have to make.  There are tons of talented photographers out there who are willing to vie for your business.  Add to the fact that many photographers have portfolios of gorgeous and stunning wedding pictures, and it’s no wonder you’re having trouble selecting a photographer for the big day.

And that’s exactly where these tips on selecting your wedding photographer come into play!

  1. One of the best places to find a high-quality wedding photographer in your location is on Facebook – and many of them will be your friends!  Carefully scroll through your timeline to see if any of your artsy friends have photographs that speak to you.  Do they have a photography business set up?  Are they photographers by profession?  While you may save a bit of money hiring a friend who does it in his or her spare time, this may cause issues in case the pictures aren’t professional or the friend suddenly flakes.

Hiring a friend who runs their own photography business means they’ll treat your wedding with the professionalism you deserve.

  1. Selecting a wedding photographer means finding someone who is willing to do the work at a price you can afford.  However, don’t expect to a professional photographer for just pennies on the dollar.  The best photographers will charge a decent price, so be wary of photographers who are willing to deeply discount their prices.
  1. Be sure to ask for plenty of references and portfolios.  Sometimes choosing the right wedding photographer simply comes down to liking one photographer’s pictures over another.  Follow up with references to see what the photographer is like on the actual wedding day.  Was the photographer on time?  Did he or she capture the best moments?  Was he or she quick to respond to emails and phone calls?  Ask these questions to get an accurate idea of a photographer’s professionalism.

Use these tips and techniques to find the best photographer for the most important day of your life: your wedding day!

Remember to ‘like’ us on Facebook to get FREE return address printing! Hurry, this deal ends November 30, 2012, so don’t miss out on this picture-perfect offer!