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Bridal Party Cake DJ Engagement Food General Hair Style Photos Save the Date Wedding Favors Wedding Invitations Wedding Programs Wedding Tips Wedding Venue

Why Should You Go to a Bridal Show When You’ve Already Got Pinterest?

blog-Great-Bridal-Expo-PromoWhat is your wedding theme and color? Have you chosen a venue yet? How big is your wedding? What stationery are you using? Have you picked your cake or flowers? Are you taking dance lessons? Handing out party favors? Where are your in-laws staying? Have you thought about the food? What is the style and color of your bridesmaids’ dresses? Who is doing your makeup? Brooch bouquet or natural flowers? Does all this stuff match your Save the Date cards!? Venues, and veils and Guests, OH MY! No one said planning one of the biggest days of your life would be easy, but we can help and you don’t have to go it alone.

blog-great-bridal-expo-pinterestIt’s time to make wedding planning easy! Dive deep into the world of wedding planning and have a great day with your bridesmaids looking at potential flowers, center pieces, gowns, and stationery for your wedding. There are a lot online and magazine resources to help you plan, but it can become difficult to keep it all organized. Have you spent hours on Pinterest, pinning up all your hopes and dreams for your wedding? But now what? Most links on Pinterest don’t even work and the stuff in the magazines is always over budget–am I right?

The Great Bridal Expo is easily one of the most popular bridal shows and it tours around the country. This year, the show kicked off in Washington, DC. What? It’s already happened? Keep calm. There are still more shows ahead!

Go Big this weekend in the Big Apple and in Philly! Or, swing by in October in the great city of Baltimore!

Yes, you can get help with all things wedding–from professionals! Your bridesmaids are invaluable, but when was the last time they designed the perfect stationery with exactly that one font with all the curlicues and in that particular color that matches your fiancée’s eyes? And, do you really trust them to pick songs for the DJ? Remember the chicken dance?

Bridal shows are also the place where you can win amazing things like wedding invitations valued at more than $100, center pieces and jewelry – heck, you can even get your nails done. Have a day with your bridesmaids and check out in person what really fits your style for your perfect big day.  Don’t get bogged down trying to stay afloat in this crazy wedding planning world. Pick a theme, pick a color, and pick a date!

Join experienced professionals this weekend or the next week! Win prizes and support from all kinds of specialty bridal stores. The professionals are here to make your day perfect. They are here to help make all your dreams come true.

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Cake Food General Save the Date Wedding Etiquette Wedding Reception Wedding Tips

What’s the Standard? Do You Get the Leftover Food From the Cocktail and Wedding Reception?

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Saying “I do” is actually the easiest part when tying the knot. What’s complicated are all the technicalities of wedding etiquette and the tedious (and sometimes stressful) planning process from start to finish. One area brides-to-be should really focus on is the food. Not only do you want to feed your guests, you want to ensure they don’t leave your reception hungry and disgruntled. Read on to learn about what’s standard when it comes to leftover food from your cocktail hour and your wedding reception; helping you make sure that every guest has enough and you get full use of your funds!

Cocktail hours vary. Some couples who are on a budget opt to serve strictly cheese and crackers, or they will host a room full of buffet style snacks. Others, sparing no expense will have 25 butlers serving dainty hors d’oeuvres with white gloves. The bottom line is all food should be passed out for guests to enjoy. Don’t try to hoard the extras! The cocktail hour truly makes the first impression of your event, so don’t hold back. If you are worried you and your partner won’t get to enjoy the food, be sure to ask your wedding coordinator to have the help serve you first, or set aside a large plate that you can enjoy when you are ready.

leftover-memeWhen it comes to leftover food from your reception, you have one of two choices that are socially (and financially) acceptable. You can opt to send servers back out after everyone is served and stop by each table, offering seconds. You can even direct the staff to cut entrées into smaller portions when offering seconds to help you be sure you have enough for everyone who may want more. Or, you can simply package the left overs and take them home to freeze or eat with friends and family for a post-wedding dinner. Either way, you have paid a lot of money for your food and should never allow it to go to waste. Wedding venues always prepare extra food as a courtesy and there are always a few guests who RSVP and do not show up, so be sure to take their food home or pass out their share! Both options are classy and everyone will appreciate your good taste.

It’s good to know wedding food etiquette prior to your big day, so guests can be fed and full and you can maximize your expense! What do you think? Do tell!

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Bridal Party Save the Date Wedding Favors Wedding Reception Wedding Tips

Guests of Honor

You can make each and every guest feel like they are the guest of honor at your wedding celebration. Your friends and family will appreciate the little extras you throw their way (especially since some of them have traveled a long way to attend your event) and will be impressed with your creativity and thoughtfulness. Here are three little things that you can do that will make one big impression.

Tip #1 Napkin Notes

It’s going to be very difficult to get around and have a lengthy conversation with each guest. Why not say hello and thank friends and family for attending your event by leaving them a personalized note on their dinner napkin? Using the inside of your place cards makes this easy. It will be the first thing they read as they sit down to enjoy dinner and will show them that you took an extra step to show that you care and appreciate their attendance and support!

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Tip #2 Goodie Guest Bags

Roll out the red carpet for your guests that are staying the night in a hotel room that you have taken the liberty of reserving for them. Place a goodie bag filled with personalized items to really wow your friends and family from out of town. Fill the bags with each person’s favorite snack, beer, wine, candy, and be sure to write a personal welcome and thank you note to each guest staying the night. It shows that you have taken into consideration their efforts in attending your special day.

Tip #3 Menu Cards

Consider placing a menu card on each guest’s plate that outlines each course and presents guests with their dining menu-cardoptions. It is a courtesy that your guests will appreciate so they can put thought into their meal selections, not be put on the spot; and will impress them with your attention to detail.

Every guest should feel like they are the guest of honor at your wedding. Consider trying these three tips to help each friend and family member feel as though you’ve gone above and beyond to thank them and make them comfortable before, during, and after your event.