LoveToKnow Weddings

Decorations with “Bling”

2009-11-24T18:10:35-08:00

How do you feel about decorations with a little “bling” to them? I know some brides (and maybe grooms, too) want to see their reception hall decorated with sparkly centerpieces, crystals and rhinestones. This could look very stunning or not—it really depends on how you do it. Personally, I don’t mind a theme with lots of crystals, especially if it is done tastefully. I really like crystal wedding trees as centerpieces, but it is a tad trendy.

What are your thoughts? How can you include some “bling” in your reception decor without going overboard?

Adult Reception Only

2009-11-24T15:05:47-08:00

Ok, here is where I think the stress level hits the roof for the soon-to-be brides—RSVP period.

My fiance and I have clearly indicated in our invitation that we will have an Adult Reception after the wedding ceremony. It was better than saying “no children,” but we hoped that our guests would understand what adult reception meant.
Also, on the RSVP card, we included the notation, ” We have reserved ___ adult seats for you.”

Now here’s the problem,
One of our guests have sent his RSVP. I sent an e-mail to ask the name of his guest. He responded promptly and included, “My 3 year old child will need a high chair. She doesn’t need food. Thanks.”

Now our question is, how will we address this? How can we politely tell our guests who wish to bring their child/children that we won’t be able to accommodate children? Cocktails start at 4:30pm and dinner starts at 5:30pm until 9:30pm. We have reached the maximum number of adult guests and adding children on the guest list will be an issue.

Please help!

Recycling Ceremony Flowers

2009-11-20T09:52:23-08:00

Did you reuse any of your wedding ceremony flowers for your reception? I know a lot of couples do, and it’s a great way to save money without scrimping on the floral arrangements. Some great ideas…

*Pew bow arrangements used to decorate the backs of chairs or a stairway at the reception hall
*Large altar arrangements that can be moved to frame the head table, and smaller ones that can be used on the table
*Bridesmaid bouquets that can be put in vases for reception table centerpieces
*A moveable archway (for a garden or beach wedding) that can be reused for the reception entrance

Of course, doing this does require having people (the bridal party, or willing guests) who can help move the flowers from one site to the other in between the ceremony and reception. Many florists will work to ensure changing the decorations isn’t difficult, and it can be a great savings in the end.

What do you think? Did you recycle any flowers, or what other ideas do you have?

Be Prepared for Tears!

2009-11-23T10:08:20-08:00

The actual exchange of vows is one of the most powerfully emotional moments of a couple’s relationship, and it’s not unusual for a few tears of joy to fall. Did you cry during your vows (or do you suspect you might), and how can you prepare for it? I did cry during my vows (freaked my husband of the past 10 seconds or so out, as guys just don’t understand), but had a tissue handy. Some other tips…

*Wear waterproof makeup! Have your makeup in a bridal purse or emergency kit, too, so you can repair it easily after the ceremony.
*Carry a bridal handkerchief, which might be embroidered with the date, initials, or romantic sentiments for a keepsake.
*Breathe slowly and deeply to help control your emotions.
*Keep smiling! That’s one way to assure your husband that you’re not crying out of fear or regret.

What other tips do you have to cope with wedding day tears?

Female Ring Bearer

2009-11-23T11:12:38-08:00

A ring bearer doesn’t have to be a boy, but if you had a female ring bearer, would you have her dress in a small tuxedo or a dress? Personally, I think she’d look best in a dress, just as if she were a flower girl - the only difference is what she carries. Granted, there’s no reason why a flower girl can’t carry the rings as well. A small kissing ball could have the rings attached to it, or the flower girl’s basket could have a small box with the rings in it. What do you think?

Choosing Your Officiant

2009-11-20T10:56:03-08:00

Who will (or did) preside over your wedding ceremony? Was it just the individual in charge of the location (church, temple, etc.), or did you choose them for a personal connection to your personal faith or family? Many couples, after all, carefully choose their bridal party because of friendships and relationships, so why wouldn’t you choose the person to officially marry you the same way?

Cuff Links

2009-11-20T09:47:05-08:00

While many tuxedo rentals come with suitable cuff links, a personalized pair of cuff links are also a great gift for the bride to give her groom. Heart shapes, monograms, or double hearts are all popular designs - what do you think? Did you (or your groom) wear just the cuff links that go with the tuxedo, or would a personalized pair be a romantic and appropriate wedding gift?

Grey Bridesmaid Dresses?

2009-11-18T09:20:05-08:00

What do you really think of the grey bridesmaid dress trend? Is it still alive or gone to the wayside? Is this a good color for bridesmaids, or is it just too “blah”?

I think that while it might look classy, and it ‘‘is’’ a winter-appropriate color, the coloring might not be very complementary to many women and might make them look washed out. I personally would favor deeper shades of grey, if at all.

RSVP Cards or Postcards?

2009-11-10T11:33:50-08:00

How did you (or will you) arrange for your wedding invitation RSVPs? I know a more formal invitation generally has a small notecard with it, but many couples are opting for a more budget-friendly postcard instead (less postage to include and cheaper to print). Some couples even have their guests RSVP online or via email or phone to eliminate the cards altogether, but I imagine that must be a lot to organize. What do you think? What did you choose, and why, or what would you change about how you did your RSVPs?

Size of Guest List

2009-11-18T08:28:41-08:00

When you were ready to send out your invitations, what was the size of your total guest list? Ours was planned to be very intimate, not inviting most distant relatives based on our associations with them, and we’d have invited only about 40 guests or so, but I know that’s not the norm for most weddings. So, how big was your guest list and how many of those guests actually attended your wedding? If you could have changed the guest list, would it have been larger or smaller?