2008 October | Wedding Blogger

Why Are Rehearsal Dinner Invitations Important?

invitation ideas

The rehearsal dinner is a chance for the people involved in the wedding to relax “before the big day” and get to know each other under an informal setting. For the bride and groom, though, it’s a chance for them to thank everyone who has helped them throughout all the preparations. Rehearsal dinners are a chance for the couple to get to know the new in-laws and a chance to hang-out with family and friends before things get crazy at the wedding. The groom’s mother can host it at her home if there are few people coming. Many people choose to send out rehearsal dinner invitations if it’s going to be a bigger party at a bigger venue. If it will be for only a few guests, then a word-of-mouth invitation will suffice.

Rehearsal dinner invitations are more informal than a wedding invitation and include only the little details, such as who is hosting the rehearsal dinner, the date, time and place, and appropriate dress code. Include a contact number so guests can RSVP. A rehearsal dinner invitation is normally sent a few days after the wedding invitations are sent. The bride and groom can choose to make the invitations themselves or they can visit a couple of websites on the internet to help them design their invitations and have them printed out.

Searching for printers and suppliers of invitations for the rehearsal dinner is now easy. They can choose to go through the traditional route and send out invitations through snail mail or in person, or they can utilize websites that will help to customize invitations that can be sent by email. All they need to do is go to the website, pick out a design from the hundreds of invitation ideas, fill out the appropriate details and send. Or they can enlist the help of invitation kits to get invitation ideas and then have them printed. The couple can send out the invites or have the printer send them out. All the couple needs to do is supply the names and addresses of the guests.

Should the couple decide to have one, rehearsal dinners are meant to give the couple a chance to relax before the big day. It gives them a chance to just sit back and appreciate everything they’ve done and everything their family and friends has done for them. A rehearsal dinner will also give the couple the chance to talk to the people who matter the most. Just don’t forget to send out the rehearsal dinner invitations.

Why A Hydrangea Wedding Bouquet Is Striking In Its Simplicity And Versatility

Choosing the flowers is a very important part of wedding planning, and many brides will spend much time deciding on what types and colors of flowers would look best at her wedding.Hydrangea is a popular choice on its own and as an accent flower, as it comes in a wide array of colors.  A hydrangea wedding bouquet is a simple and elegant look.  The flower is incredibly versatile and can be the dominant feature in a floral arrangement, or subtly accent other flowers.  Each bride will have their own ideas of how simple or luxurious their wedding should be, and the bouquet should be a reflection of those tastes.  Hydrangea is special because it can be as ornate as the design calls for, or remain simple.

Why Choose Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are native to parts of southern and eastern Asia, as well as both North and South America.They're special because they blossom through virtually the whole spring, summer, and autumn, making them obtainable and affordable for weddings most of the year.  Hydrangea wedding bouquets can be created in almost any color, because the pH of the soil influences the hue of the petals and a wide range of plants are grown.  Deep blue hydrangea can be grown if the soil is very acidic, while pink and white varieties are produced when the soil is alkaline or neutral.  Shades of red, purple, and green are also available to compliment other wedding colors.

Hydrangea Table Arrangements

If you are carrying a hydrangea wedding bouquet, consider coordinating the table arrangements with your flower design.  Their blooms are striking, but have a relatively neutral smell so that it will not interfere with the flavor of any foods served.  They also make an excellent compliment to orchids, lilies, or roses if you use one of them as the basis for the table arrangements.  Remember to consider the height of your centerpieces carefully.  If they are too tall, your guests may not be able to see the people across the table from them.  Either purchase short arrangements or use narrow vases that the guests can easily see around.  It is important that the flowers not impede the flow of conversation at the reception.Any color of hydrangea would look fantastic with a simple white table linen, so decide a color complimentary to your wedding colors or theme.

Bridesmaid Hydrangea Wedding Bouquet

Hydrangea also makes an excellent flower for bouquets for your bridesmaids or flower girl.  They can be made into a smaller or simpler bouquet than the hydrangea wedding bouquet the bride will be carrying.  Choose a color that compliments the dresses that they will be wearing.  A simple white hydrangea will look beautiful with almost any dress.  Simple green leaves and a coordinated ribbon will finish the look.

While the rose and lily still may be the traditional wedding flowers of choice, hydrangea makes a beautiful and elegant choice.  Its popularity is increasing because of its flexibility as well as the simplicity of the look.

How to Create a Striking Hand Tied Wedding Bouquet

Every decision made about the look of a wedding is an important one, including the wedding bouquet that the bride will carry.  Many brides can picture the type of wedding that they want to have and the details that come with it.  For brides that are interested in a romantic and soft look for their bouquet, they may want to consider hand tied wedding bouquets.  They are so simple to make that you can even use flowers from your own garden, and they give a beautiful and unique look.  You can practice making your own hand tied bouquet before the day of the event, and if you feel confident with the results you can make your own for the wedding.  Or, you can take your example to the florist and have them create a professional recreation with the flowers that are going to be used in the reception or for the bridesmaids.But it may be good to keep one task for yourself.

There are three basic shapes that you can consider for a hand tied wedding bouquet.  The first is a striking, single flower.  The next option is a mass of flowers that look as though they have just been picked.  The third shape is a simple collection of blossoms that are just opening and buds.

Most hand tied wedding bouquets look best if they are held together with a indulgent ribbon, and the tails float down and away from the bouquet.  Choose a ribbon color that compliments the colors that you have selected for the wedding, as well as the specific flowers.  Red and orange are frequently popular colors because they are warm and are also associated with passion or romance.  For bridesmaid bouquets, you might want to consider choosing a ribbon that is a different shade of the color of their dress, to bring contrast as they walk down the aisle.

The most common flower that is used for a single-flower bouquet is the rose, since it is most associated with love.  It can be surrounded by leaves or even lace, which creates a “collar” effect around the flower.A single ribbon grips everything together and adds an elegant touch.If your flowers are brightly colored, you might prefer to consider a ribbon that it a single color so it will not conflict with the vivid colors of the flowers.  Consider the overall feeling of your wedding as you choose colors.  Are you having a formal ceremony, or something more casual?  Are your decorations bright and colorful, or simple and traditional?  If you are preparing the bouquets yourself, make sure to purchase more flowers than you expect to need.  You can then choose the prettiest ones and you will have backups in case of problems.

Creating hand tied wedding bouquets just takes practice.  Experiment with different flowers and colors to create a look that suits your personality and the atmosphere that you are creating with the wedding.  It should be a joyous day and the perfect hand tied wedding bouquets can add to the excitement.

Engagement Rings: A Promise of Commitment

Buying an engagement ring signals a couple’s intention to marry. This is true for many cultures around the globe.  Engagement rings come in many shapes and sizes, but the symbolism is usually the same.  An engagement ring might be a large emerald worth millions of dollars, or it could be a small silver band worth a few dollars. Whatever the monetary value or the substance, the meaning of the ring remains all important.  In summary, engagement rings are a meaningful symbol not only for the newly-engaged pair, but alsofor the other individuals in their lives who see them.

A man usually presents the gift of an engagement ring to the woman he intends to marry as a sign of his dedication to her.  If the woman is also willing to commit to the union, she then receives the engagement ring from the man.  The presentation of the engagement ring usually occurs after the pair has gotten to know each other through dating over a significant time period.  The common period before presenting a ring is around twelve months although some people would present a ring after other amounts of time.  There are also no set conventions about how and when the man should present the engagement ring to his future wife. Many men opt to do this during a quiet moment, while others wish to share the moment with a crowd. 

Engagement Rings Signify The Love Between The Couple

Most newly-engaged couples choose diamonds to grace the engagement ring, as these precious gems last a lifetime.  Diamonds are one of the toughest substances around, and this is why they hold up over time.  These stones are symbolic of a love that is supposed to endure forever like the diamond.  The diamonds in these rings usually last longer than the bride, and many of these diamond rings are handed on to children and grandchildren.  Consequently, it’s not difficult to understand why diamonds have become the gemstone of choice for engagement rings for many people.

After a woman receives her engagement ring, she is supposed to display it on her left hand as a signal that she has made a commitment.  In addition, all of the members of a society that recognizes these rings as a mark of committedness will instantly realize that this woman is committed to be wed.  Although a small percentage of couples change their mind about going through with the wedding, most do make it to their wedding vows after their engagement period.  The women who eventually get married following their engagement continue to wear their rings with the wedding ring that they receive during their wedding.  The wedding ring is also displayed on the left hand as a sign that the commitment is final and should last forever.

Wedding Favors Are A Must!

Although wedding favors may not be the highlight of the wedding, they are a detail which requires some thought and planning. Ideas for treats are generally plentiful so there are bound to be enough to suit your budget and taste. This is a part of the arrangements, like the guest list and seating arrangement that will often cause unnecessary stress when there doesn’t have to be any.

Flowers are always a favorite easy wedding favor and also so simple to arrange and then set up on the day. Fortunately, as far as the bride and groom are concerned, apart from choosing which flowers to have, there is little for them to do.

Many people who choose flowers decide on a single red rose for each guest as a symbol of their love. You can simply purchase one for each guest and have a member of the catering staff, a friend or family member place one rose across each place setting after the tables have been set for the wedding reception.

More and more people decide an easy wedding favor to give their guests is candy in a presentation tin or box. I like the idea that a number of receptions have started to use where the costly centerpiece is done away with completely. This just needs a large quantity of various candies placed in a large bowl on the middle of the table.

You can then provide each wedding guest with a small bag and a note encouraging them to enjoy the candy in the centerpiece. Your guests will fill up the presentation containers with the candy in the centerpieces making this an extremely convenient gift which does not involve any wrapping.

If you prefer not to give your guests more to eat then another option is a small picture frame and if you like, it can be used on the day as placeholders. This is a good idea but wrapping this type of wedding favor can put many people off especially when there are a large number of guests. Almost all receptions have place names at the tables for the guests so this is an ideal way to present the frame without the need to spend time and more money on wrapping paper which will only be discarded.

An easy wedding favor that might appeal is to have the photographer take a digital picture of each guest and then present it to them at the wedding reception as they arrive. If he brings along a printer you can distribute the photos before your guests begin to leave the reception. If you are really stuck for a wedding favor idea, why not ask the photographer to take a picture of people as they arrive, to be presented later at the reception. It would also be nice if the photographer could bring along a digital projector so all the photos he had taken of the guests could then be shown on a screen during the reception meal.

For a lot more about weddings and everything to do with weddings checkout http://www.allabout-weddings.info/. You will find everything you need.

A Guide to Bridesmaid Shoes

  How similar to the bride’s wedding shoes should they be? You may think think that this is a very difficult thing to decide. Here’s an idea: let the dress theme be your guide.  Bridal shoes are very important and shouldn’t be overlooked.

All bridal gown are special and unique. They are designed to be different from the bridesmaid’s dresses. The bride is always the focus of everyone at the wedding therefore the dress will be designed to reflect this fact. But bridesmaids dresses need not exactly match one another these days, either.

Your overall ‘look’ should be consistent.  One good choice is to have a design that is overall similar, but different in small touches.  When it comes to these individual touches it could simply that different colored ribbons are used for each dress.

So what all this talk of gowns when we’re supposed to be discussing shoes?Well, it’s quite simply really.

Fabrics for shoes, for example, no longer need to match the bridal or bridesmaids dresses exactly. But they should not stick out either. Just a slight difference is fine.

When it comes to the material then satin works very well for shoes. Of course, when shopping for bridal shoes you may well only be able to find satin ones anyway.  Many brides opt for satin shoes for themselves whilst allowing the bridesmaids to have crepe shoes.

Thinking About The Color of The Shoes.

Bear in mind that there are shoes that can be dyed to whatever colour you wish. Found just the design you like, but the color is wrong?

Let’s just say that you would like to have bridal shoes that are burgundy. This can look very striking under a cream wedding dress. Now use the same color, but go a shade or two lighter for the bridesmaids’ shoes. The same, but different. The focus remains on you, but the bridesmaids are coordinated.

Now that you have decided what you are buying for bridal and bridesmaid shoes, remember that the groomsmen has to wear a pair of shoes too:  Shoes For The Groomsmen

Should You Send Save the Date Cards to Your Guests?

You’ve probably heard about Save the Dates since they have become quite popular with brides but you might not know exactly what purpose they serve.  Proper etiquette doesn’t dictate that these advance notices have to be sent but in today’s world it helps your guests in their planning so they can be sure to be with you sharing in the celebration of one of the most important days of your life.

 

People’s lives are getting increasingly busier and more tightly scheduled so that’s where Save the Date announcements come in handy.  You want to make sure that your guests, especially family and close friends, keep the date of your wedding open when planning their schedules.  To accomplish this, your Save the Dates should be sent shortly after setting your wedding date, especially if your date lands around a holiday time or is a number of months away. 

 

Guests who will have to travel to be in attendance will find them especially helpful for giving them plenty of travel preparation time particularly if you are having a destination wedding.

 

It’s easy to be creative when sending out your Save the Dates since there are so many different varieties and designs available.

 

·         Magnets have become a favorite selection and why not since your guests can easily stick them onto their refrigerator as their reminder.  Some magnets have the option of including a photo and some actually show a calendar of your wedding date month with your date circled for easy reference.

 

·         Calendar Sticker Cards are a fun, unique way of asking your guests to mark your wedding date on their schedule.  Your date will appear on the card and also on the attached seal which can be removed and affixed to their calendar on that specific date.  

 

·         Announcement Cards can be as creative or as simple as you like.  They come in varying designs, colors and themes from whimsical to more traditional.  Some of them even come in creative shapes such as admission tickets.

 

All Save the Date designs are printed with your wedding date and names; some even give the option of including the wedding location. Blank mailing envelopes are usually included in the price no matter which design you choose.  Be sure to list at the bottom of your Save the Date the added line “invitation to follow”, so guests won’t assume that this is the actual wedding invitation.  This is also why it’s imperative that everyone who receives your Save the Date will also receive your wedding invitation. 

 

Wedding invitations play an important role in planning your wedding, and in today’s society, Save the Dates are becoming increasingly popular because of your guests’ busy schedules.  You want to do everything you can to make sure family and friends will be able to share in the joy of your wedding day.

How to plan a Wedding: The Wedding Planner Guide.

A wedding planner guide actually helps the user get used to the idea of how to use the planner as well as help by providing insights and aspects of a wedding that may  have slipped the mind of the couple. The format or arrangement of the wedding planner guide encourages the user to have ideas and insights on what can be done for the wedding. The setup for a wedding planner guide makes it easy for the couple to have ideas and organized thoughts on what they want to accomplish for the wedding. 

Having a wedding planning guide can also help wedding coordinators further their wedding planning career by providing a look at the most convenient and likely scenarios that can happen during a wedding.

Date Book

Most likely to be in a wedding planner guide is the date book. The wedding planner guide datebook can be in many different formats. One of the most common use for a wedding planner guide is so that the user can write down daily the things that need to take place and be done; either that day or the upcoming days. The date book section of the guide should be the largest; it will hold dates, details, everything specifically your wedding day.

To Do List

This is another thing that one is most likely to find or encounter in a wedding planner guide.The to do list let’s the user or the couple of the wedding planner guide organize things the bride might need to show others and remind them of tasks that need to be done before the wedding. Items that you will find or put yourself in a wedding planner will be like cloth swatches, color schemes, etc. things that will relate to the wedding. 

Documentation

A wedding planner guide also helps the bride and groom by organizing the things that need to be done in chronological order for the documentation of the wedding as well as the necessary documents needed for the wedding permit. You may have your important paperwork, receipts, dates, contact numbers, etc. in the organizer or planner section, so when there is a need they are handy.
It is not only for government purposes that the wedding planner guide comes in handy but also as a scratch pad where one can list down all sort of things connected to the wedding or ideas which may have occurred to the owner. 

A wedding planner guide is useful to have and may be necessary in order to have a successful wedding.

 

Grooms Deserve Stylish Wedding Bands, Too!

Traditionally, a man won’t spend a lot of money on his own wedding ring. Just take a look around; you’ll see that most men’s wedding bands are stripped-down gold circles, barely noticeable unless you look for them. Now, some people will claim that this is because guys would rather spend money on beer than a romantic ring, but it’s not that at all (at least, not usually). Although elaborate men’s wedding rings do exist, most men tend to avoid them because a) they’re not traditional; b) they’re too showy; and c) they’re eager to spend lavishly on their fiancee’s ring, not their own.

In this day and age, though, you have lots of choices — so tradition can go out the window if you want it to, without tossing away more money than you need to. If you put a little thought into it, you can find a perfect, eye-catching ring that won’t cost you any more than a traditional gold band. In fact, it might cost a good bit less.

Instead of reaching automatically for those plain gold rings, take a close look at titanium wedding rings first. Titanium is a light, lustrous metal that’s surprisingly inexpensive; you can easily get a beautiful titanium ring for less than $200. Second, titanium is incredibly tough, which is ideal for any man who works or plays hard. In fact, its physical characteristics are such that it’s used extensively when strength and lightness are especially valued, such as in the aerospace industry.

If cost isn’t so much of a worry, then consider platinum wedding rings. Unlike its cousin silver, which it’s often found with in its raw state, platinum never tarnishes — and it’s much, much tougher. Even office paperwork, which is so abrasive that it can ruin gold and silver jewelry over time, won’t bother platinum much.

If you can’t bring yourself to pick something really fancy, you can always stick with a gold or silver ring, but it hardly has to be plain. A few diamonds won’t make a man’s wedding ring any less masculine. So why not go for something out of the ordinary? There’s a huge selection of men’s wedding rings to choose from out there, and they don’t have to break the bank.

How to Throw a Great Bridal Shower

There is no doubt about it, organizing a bridal shower takes a lot of time and a little bit of work. When it comes to the timing which goes into producing a shower there are a bunch of opinions on when the plans for the bridal shower should be made. The fact is that there are a bunch of variables which can change the way the bridal shower would be doneand the time it should be. When planning a bridal shower some of the factors which must be considered will include the number of people which will be part of the scene, the availability of a rental facility in which to have the bridal shower and how far away that the guests may live from the location of the bridal shower.

The type of food which you are planning to purchaseserve will also to determine a lot about the timing of the bridal shower. Some showers feature a formal lunch where others will use an informal meal format. If you decide to go with the formal meal, then you’ll need extra time to plan the menu and to hire a caterer. The important advice is to get help. If you can afford to contract help, great. If not, make a list for 1-4 of the bridesmaid to assist with catering the event.

One of the most important decisions that will have to be made is how much time do you intend to allow between having the shower and the actual wedding. There are no locked-in rules on what is considered to be the right amount of time from the party to the wedding. Generally, it is acceptable to hold the bridal shower from as much as two months away from the wedding to as little as two weeks away from the wedding.

Once the decision has been made to give the bride a bridal shower, you will need to decide how much time that you will need to make all the decisions. If it will be held at a public facility it’s important to give extra time because of the reservations time for the party.

The invitations are another timing decision as well. You want your invitations to go out with enough time for the guests to be able to RSVP. It is a good idea to send the bridal shower invitations out at about thirty to forty-five days before the actual event. This should allow more the time for all of your guests to make time on their calendar to attend the bridal shower.

One more note is that the most important thing is to have a great time.

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