Category Archives: Wedding Planning Guide

23May2013

10 Wedding Planning Myths

banner: 10 Wedding Planning Myths

Every couple learns as they go when it comes to wedding planning but we wanted to put your mind at ease about a few things by highlighting a few common wedding myths and misconceptions.

 

Myth #1 DIY wedding invitations will save you money.

Don’t get me wrong, they can be cheaper but you have to really research all the materials needed and how much those materials will end up costing. In the end, you might find a simple, professionally printed wedding invitation is similar in cost and A LOT less work.

 

Myth #2 Response cards are still the norm; there are no acceptable alternatives.

This is no longer true. There was a time when response cards were the most acceptable method for responding to a wedding invitation, but today some couples are choosing online response services or providing email addresses and phone numbers on their invitations. Some couples do both response cards and an alternate response method on the invitation. Do whatever you think you, and your wedding guests, will be most comfortable with. Be sure to be considerate of older guests. We recommend providing them a non-electronic way to respond.

 mason jar invitation with response wording 

Myth #3 Every guest will respond to your wedding invitation.

People forget and they procrastinate. It’s okay. Just assume you’ll be making some phone calls prior to the wedding. Ask the person in charge of responses to do this for you. If that person is you, ask your mom or a friend to help make the calls.

 

Myth #4 You shouldn’t have an adult only wedding.

Sometimes the wedding venue is simply not conducive to children, and that’s okay. However, we don’t recommend including “Adult only reception” on the invitation or reception card. Let your guests know children aren’t invited by clearly addressing the invitations to those who are invited. Check out these helpful tips for addressing your wedding invitations.

 

Myth #5 It’s not okay to invite your exes.

Granted, we do believe you should carefully consider if it is appropriate to invite your exes to your wedding, but we also understand that sometimes your exes become good friends or are a part of your close social network. Most importantly, make sure you and your soon-to-be spouse are perfectly comfortable with the idea. If not, don’t invite the ex.

 

Myth #6 You have to invite all of your coworkers or none.

There is no reason to feel obligated to invite all of your coworkers. A wedding is for your closest friends and family. The same rule applies to coworkers.

 

Myth #7 You should invite people who invited you to their wedding.

Just because you attended someone’s wedding doesn’t mean you have to invite them to yours. If you’re already questioning whether to invite them, they can probably be cut from your guest list.

 

Myth #8 You should include registry info with your invitation.

Wedding guests are not required to give you a gift, and including registry information with the invitation can make people feel obligated. Place registry information on your wedding website and let your closest friends and family spread the word. The same goes for cash gifts. Tell a few friends and family and let them spread the word. It is never appropriate to ask for cash gifts directly.

 

9. Plan to give one favor to each guest attending the wedding.

Wedding favors can get spendy and sometimes time-consuming if making them yourself, but one way to cut down on the cost and effort is to give one favor to single guests and one favor per couple. The tricky part is handing them out. We recommend having assigned seating and having place cards at each setting. This way you can provide one favor for single guests and you can place one favor between the place settings for couples. That being said, wedding favors are often sold in bulk. So if you want to make sure everyone gets a favor (and maybe an extra or two), you can probably up the quantity for a reasonable price.

 yellow favor boxes with black ribbon and square, white seal

10. Guests should not have to pay for drinks.

Sometimes it’s simply not in the budget. Guests aren’t going to refuse to celebrate with you because they have to pay for a drink or two. They are there for you, not the bar…hopefully. Many couples avoid the cash bar by limiting drinks to beer and wine, which can dramatically cut down on costs. You could also consider a cash bar but still provide one or two signature drinks and soda for free.

 

We hope this helps ease your mind as you’re wedding planning and you run across some of these common wedding myths. Check back often for more helpful advice, or feel free to comment and leave us a question. We’re happy to answer it!

 

 

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16May2013

Checking it off the list! Picking up the bridal party attire.

The Wedding Gown

A bride will need to schedule on average 2-4 fittings for her wedding gown. If the dress is store bought, two fittings are likely. The wedding gown should be complete at least three weeks before the wedding. Most bridal shops and alteration shops recommend you pick-up your gown a few days before the wedding. You might be tempted to pick it up earlier, but if the dress is at the bridal shop it’s less likely to get damaged in any way.

picking up bridesmaids dresses

The Bridesmaid Dresses

Since the bridesmaids are responsible for picking up their dresses and having them altered, the bride can rest easy for this task. Bridesmaids should try on their dress when they pick it up and request any alterations needed. Most bridal shops will do the alterations in store, but your bridesmaids may choose to take their dresses elsewhere for alterations. That is just fine, as long as all dresses are finished by at least 2 weeks before the wedding.

picking up tuxes

The Groom and Groomsmen Attire

Tailor-made tuxedos and rented formal wear should be ordered at least three months prior to the wedding. The groom or groomsmen will have to schedule a fitting if purchasing a tailor-made tuxedo or suit. If renting, groomsmen who don’t live locally should get professionally measured and send their measurements to the rental facility at least 1 month before the wedding. Typically when renting, the groom and groomsmen will try the full tuxedo or suit rental on sometime during the week before the wedding. Even though most rental shops are great about ensuring you receive a quality product, the men should still keep a lookout for the following things when trying on their attire.

 

• Is it the correct style and color?

• Are the jacket sleeves the right length?

• Are all buttons accounted for and button properly?

• Is the tuxedo or suit too big or too small?

• Are buttons in place for attaching suspenders?

• Is the shirt sleeve length correct?

• Is the neck a comfortable fit?

• Do cuff links fit properly into button holes?

• Is the tie, cumberbund or vest provided?

• Do the shoes fit? match?

• Does everyone have the proper socks?

• Do the pants zip and fasten properly?

• Are there stains, holes, cigarette burns or frayed edges.

Note: You will want to designate someone to return all rented formal wear the day after the wedding. One person can return multiple tuxedos or suits. Usually this is the duty of the best man, but choose whomever you would like.

 

The Ushers and Ring Bearer Attire

The ushers normally rent the same attire as the groomsmen, but some couples choose to let the ushers wear their own suits. In this case you will want to tell them the color of suit, shirt and tie you would like them to wear as well as what color/style of pants to wear. The ring bearer’s outfit traditionally coordinates with the groom’s attire, but does not have to match exactly. Parents may choose to purchase or rent an outfit for the ring bearer. This usually depends on how formal the outfit needs to be. Suits may be used again, but tuxedos are less likely to be reused.

 

There you have it, a few pointers for picking up your bridal party attire before the wedding. We’re certain the ladies will look gorgeous and the gents will be dashing! Enjoy the day and the company.

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06May2013

Checking it off the list! Packing for your wedding night and honeymoon.

packing for your honeymoon

Packing for your wedding night may seem like one of the easier tasks on your list of wedding to-dos, but we recommend starting a packing list 2-3 weeks before your wedding. This will give you time to think of all the things you will need plus time to purchase things you don’t currently have.

If you’re planning for just one night, your packing list will be fairly minimal and you can focus on remembering the things that will make your wedding night special. These things could include lingerie, champagne, chocolates and any other items you might want for such a special occasion. We won’t bore you with a checklist of regular travel items since you probably already have that figured out.

If you’re packing for your wedding night and honeymoon, you have quite a bit more to think about. Wondering where to begin? Here’s a great checklist from The Knot, and you’ll also want to read 10 Helpful Tips for Packing Light to get you started.

Start writing your packing list and gathering necessities. Packing early means less stress in those final days before the wedding and more time to enjoy the wedding

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01May2013

Checking it off the list! Keeping the Bridal Party Informed and Wedding Day Preparation

week before the wedding

Keep Your Bridal Party Informed

A week or two before the wedding, inform the bridal party about their wedding day responsibilities to ensure everyone knows their role and your big day will go smoothly.

Here’s a checklist for keeping your bridal party informed.

• Finalize the rehearsal and wedding-day schedule and provide an itinerary to your bridal party 1- 2 weeks before the wedding. We can help you, just read “Putting Together Your Wedding Day Itinerary.”

• Create a list of every member’s contact information, along with the names of people you’ve asked to perform specific tasks and deal with vendors should problems arise.

•  Give a copy of the contact list to your personal attendant, wedding coordinator or whoever you have appointed to take care of wedding day logistics so they know who is responsible for what tasks.

• Explain any special ceremony seating arrangements to the head usher.

• Choose someone to take care of the gratuity envelopes for the officiant and reception vendors. These envelopes should be delivered after the ceremony and reception.

We don’t recommend going overboard on communication. The goal is to make sure everyone is informed of his/her role without making anyone feel overwhelmed. So put together a casual itinerary for the bridal party. They’ll appreciate feeling informed and prepared.

  organize wedding items

Organize Ceremony and Reception Items

Use a convenient portable container to keep day-of ceremony and reception necessities all in one spot. Talk with your ceremony and reception venues to see when these items can be dropped off: one week before? 2 days before? day of? Then designate someone to take care of bringing the items to the venue at the appropriate time.

Here are a few things you may need for the ceremony:

  • marriage license
  • unity candles
  • ring pillow
  • flower basket
  • guest book – be sure to personalize the first page by filling in the blanks!
  • card box
  • gratuity envelope
  • bird seed, rose petals, bubbles, etc., for your send-off to the reception
  • your emergency list of all wedding vendors with phone numbers
  • Read Last-Minute Items You May Have Forgotten for more items you may need.

Here are a few things you may need for the reception:

  • guest book from ceremony location
  • card box from the ceremony location
  • photo props
  • toasting flutes
  • cake server and knife
  • toss garter
  • toss bouquet (if delivered to the ceremony site with other flowers)
  • bouquet holders

bridal emergency kit

image: ultimate emergency kit, from www.weddingbee.com

Assemble an Emergency Kit

Also be sure to prepare an Emergency Kit of various items that may come in handy. Your personal attendant or Maid of Honor may already have this ready, so check with her to find out for sure. We’ve seen brides purchase cute clutches and create an “emergency kit” for each bridesmaid as a unique and useful gift.

 

Putting some effort into planning a week or two before the wedding will surely pay off! You’ll feel so much more relaxed the day of and you’ll be able to enjoy what really matters, each other.

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20Apr2013

Checking it off the list! Confirming wedding day services and reservations.

You’re one to two weeks out from your wedding day and there are just a few final details to address so everything goes smoothly. We’ve put together some tasks you’ll want to check off the to-do list at this point in your wedding planning.

Confirm Appointments with Wedding Vendors

 First, we recommend making final payments for all services that require payment. That way you won’t have an overabundance of bills to deal right after the wedding. If you want to give your vendor a tip the day of the wedding, have it ready in an envelope and choose a responsible family member or friend to hand them out.

One to two weeks out means you will want to confirm all dates, times, locations, services, reservations and arrival times for the following:

Call Guests – contact guests who have not responded to your invitation. This is the only way you will truly get an accurate count for your ceremony and reception.

Rehearsal Dinner - Meet with your contact at the rehearsal dinner site and/or your caterers for final details.

Hair and Makeup – confirm your appointment. Be sure to take any hair adornments to the appointment.

Ceremony – review details with the wedding contact at your ceremony venue. Review plans for the rehearsal with the officiant and wedding party.

Reception Site / Caterer – Recap with an overview of the reception. Give them a final guest tally. Typically you will need this information anywhere from two weeks to 72 hours in advance so items can be ordered and organized ahead of time. Tell them the names of the cake baker, florist, band or DJ and ask whom those vendors should check-in with when they arrive.

• Plan for your wedding toasts and be sure a microphone is available.

• Prepare and plan seating for the reception. Prepare place cards.

Specific questions for your reception site are:

• How, when, and where will the wedding vendors deliver their goods? Who do they report to?

• If there is a caterer, what electrical or kitchen needs they will require? What kind of delivery needs do they require and can they be accommodated?

• Where can equipment be stored when not in use (i.e., photographers, musicians, etc.)?

• What kind of delivery needs do the musicians have and can they be accommodated?

• Is there adequate parking for guests?

Cake Baker – confirm their delivery needs, set up day, time and location. If needed, give him/her a map to the reception site.

Florist – review all items ordered and give him/her a map to the ceremony and reception sites. Finalize arrangements for delivery day, time and location.

Photographer / Videographer – provide maps for your ceremony and reception locations. Provide a list for both vendors about any specific pictures or video you want and when.

Musicians / Band / DJ – review starting times and any special song requests. Learn if there are any special set-up requests at the reception site. If needed, give him/her a map to the reception site.

Transportation - How will you get to the wedding site? To the reception? Arrange for friends or family to drive you and confirm pick-up times, schedules, and locations with the driver. If you’re having a limousine driver, confirm times and locations.

Last, but not least - compile an emergency list of all wedding vendors with phone numbers to give to your go-to person (wedding coordinator, parent or personal attendant).

Plan now for returns and pick-ups – know the time line and return requirements for any rental items such as candelabras, tables, chairs, tuxedoes, etc. Make arrangements for these items to be returned if you’re away on your honeymoon.

Make your way through this list a week or two before the wedding and the rest will be smooth sailing!

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04Apr2013

Choosing Your Wedding Helpers

 

Choosing Your Wedding Helpers

The great debate about asking close friends and relatives to help at your wedding! Some think it is an honor to be asked or would feel slighted if you didn’t. Yet, others feel it is an imposition and they’ll miss out on the party because they’ll be busy doing the task you assigned them.

 

That said, only you know your closest family and friends and how they will feel about helping you out. If you decide to ask someone to help out at the ceremony or reception, be sure to consider their personality and whether they are suited to the task you’ve chosen for them.

 

Once you’ve decided to ask friends and family to assist you, do so about a month before the wedding. There are several important jobs they can help with:

 

  • Personal AttendantDay-of Coordinators
  • Setup Crew and Decorators
  • Flower Pinners
  • Guest Book Attendant
  • Readers
  • Candle Lighters
  • Music – vocal or instrumental
  • Gift Attendants
  • Emcee at the reception
  • Gift and Flower Movers (from ceremony to reception)
  • Host and Hostess
  • Hand out programs or wedding favors
  • Cleanup Crew
  • Servers for punch, coffee and cake
  • Car Decorators

 

Do your best to break the job into smaller pieces if possible so no one feels overwhelmed or put-upon. If you feel inclined, write up a short, detailed description of what you want the person to do. That way you’ll avoid numerous questions on your wedding day.

 

One important item to note: If you are having cake cutters, be sure they are familiar with the proper way to cut a wedding cake. If you are in doubt about how this is done, check with your cake baker.

 

Be sure to present your helpers with corsages or boutonnieres in your wedding colors. This is a nice gesture to show them how important their participation is to you. You may choose to give them a gift to further show your appreciation. If you have room in your program, it’s a great idea to recognize the helpers by name and thank them for their special roles.

 

Whether your closest family and friends are guests at your wedding or assisting you with a task, find time to make them feel special and included in your once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

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28Mar2013

Planning Your Destination Wedding, 6-Part Series

With destination weddings becoming more popular and traveling options becoming more affordable, we wanted to address the topic for all of our traveling bargainistas out there! We’ve put together a 6-part series to help you decide whether it’s right for you and what you can expect when planning.

Image Your Wedding on the Beach

Here are the six topics we’ll post every Friday for the next 6 weeks.

March 29 – Is it right for you?

April 05 – Who pays for what?

April 12 – The necessary legalities.

April 19 – Keeping guests informed.

April 26 – Affordable destination wedding locations.

May 03 – How to keep costs down.

 

Come back tomorrow for our first topic and keep coming back for the topics that interest you most. Of course, we recommend reading them all. Being prepared is top priority when planning a trip for your closest friends and family.

Too excited to wait? Check out our discount destination wedding invitations to kick off your planning.

 

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11Mar2013

Checking it off the list! Tracking Gifts and Thank Yous

Checking it off the list! Tracking Gifts and Thank Yous In the joy of receiving gifts, it’s easy to forget to keep track of who gave what. Some gifts will come to your home prior to the wedding, some will be brought to your ceremony/ reception and others will arrive after your wedding. How do you keep track of the gift, the giver and your thank you?

 

There are several great ways to keep track of these details. For some, a pen and paper in a well-kept spot will suffice. For others, an Excel spreadsheet works best. You may have already started one for your wedding invitation list that you can add a few columns to. Some websites have free tracking forms for you to download and print, like www.WeddingLDS.com.


Keep gift receipts with the gifts until you know if you’re keeping it or exchanging it. Re-gifting is an option, but it’s risky. When storing the gifts for future re-gifting, make a note of who gave you the gift. Think about whether the giver will notice you don’t have the gift or notice it in the home of whomever you plan to give it to. If you receive checks, be sure to endorse them right away and write “For deposit only” next to your signature.

 

You can start sending thank you cards as soon as you start receiving gifts. If you receive a gift prior to the wedding, send a thank you card right away — one less to worry about later. You should have all thank you cards written and sent within three months of your wedding. You don’t have to do the thank yous all in one sitting. Break up the task into smaller, manageable amounts.

 

Not sure what to write? We offer a handy little book called The Bride’s Thank You Guide. It’s filled with samples and etiquette tips you’ll find very helpful.

 

Oh, and don’t forget to check out our selection of affordable thank you cards. We offer traditional thank you cards, photo thank you cards and thank you postcards. You’ll love the stylish designs.

Photo Delight - Blue - Photo Thank You Card and Envelope

Photo Delight in Blue - Photo Thank You Card

Thank You Postcard in Amethyst

Thank You Postcard in Amethyst

Mr. and Mrs. Thank You Note Folder and Envelope

Mr. and Mrs. Thank You Note Folder and Envelope

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12Nov2012

Checking it off the list! How to Look Picture-Perfect on Your Wedding Day

You’ve got the perfect dress, veil, jewelry and shoes. But what about wedding hairstyles? Makeup? Final dress fitting? Here are a few easy steps to looking picture-perfect on your wedding day.

 

Wedding hair rehearsal

 

1. About a month before the wedding, check in with your stylist and set up a practice run for your wedding hairstyle and makeup (or do your own makeup to save money).

2. Bring your veil, jewelry and photos you’ve saved as ideas. Wear a button-up shirt for the hair rehearsal and your wedding day to protect your hair and make-up when undressing.

3. Take into consideration the neckline of your dress and your face shape. Have some photos of you in your dress for a reference when you meet with your stylist.

 

Wedding Make-up 

4. Choose something that reflects you. If you are a glamour girl, you’ll probably want an updo, curls or a fuller hairstyle. If you like things simple, you’ll want something more relaxed, graceful and natural.

5. Bring someone whose opinion you trust and if you’re not happy with the styling, say something! That’s what the practice run is for. The goal is to have your style decided before the day of the wedding.

6. If possible, try to schedule your wedding hairstyle practice run before your wedding dress fitting so you can see how it all looks together.

 

Wedding Hairstyle

 

7. Finalize your wedding dress fitting and fittings for your bridesmaids, if necessary, at least one month before the wedding. Bring special undergarments, shoes, veil and accessories to see the overall look and to ensure the alterations are accurate.

8. Pick up your gown about a week before the wedding. Try it on one last time to make sure it fits.

9. Bring your mom and/or maid of honor so they can learn how your dress should fit and how to do the bustle. Also ask how to get rid of wrinkles or what to do if you spill on the dress.

 

With these tasks checked off early, you’re sure to be an absolute knockout the day of the wedding! Visit us again on Thursday when we highlight some beautiful wedding hairstyles we love.

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11Oct2012

Checking it off the list! 10 Things to Know When Getting a Marriage License.

Marriage LicenseSo many couples get caught up in planning the wedding that the legal details will often slip their minds. The marriage license is an important legal detail you don’t want to forget. Here are 10 things you should know in preparation for getting yours.

1. A marriage license and a marriage certificate are two different documents. The license says you are legally allowed to get married. The certificate documents that you are married.

2. Start researching your area’s marriage license requirements at least one month before the wedding — earlier if you’re planning a destination wedding.

3. A marriage license is required in all states. Some officiants and ministers won’t even perform your ceremony if you don’t have the license.

4. Each state has its own requirements for obtaining a marriage license. Check with the local county authorities (usually the county clerk’s office or clerk of court) where your wedding will take place.

5. If you’re doing a destination wedding, you may need to arrive at your location three days earlier or more to get your license.

6. For destination weddings, find out if you will need cash, a check or a certified check to pay the marriage license fee.

7. Some states require a waiting period once you’ve purchased the license, and some states will need blood tests.

8. Most licenses are valid for a certain period of time (sometimes 3 days or up to a month) and may entail a waiting period before they can be used.

9. You’ll need your driver’s license, a notarized birth certificate and proof of citizenship (a passport would also work). Check with local authorities for required documents.

10. If you are divorced or widowed, a copy of the decree or death certificate will also be needed. You may need to provide your after-marriage names and address.

Once you’re married, the officiant will sign the license. Witnesses and sometimes the bride and groom will also sign the document. You will then take the license back to the county clerk’s office for filing. In about 7 to 14 days, you will receive a certified copy of your marriage certificate via mail.

Wondering about other financial and legal details that go with getting married? Read “Checking it off the list! Taking Care of the Not-So-Fun Legal Stuff.”

 

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