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Give Tree Gifts Blog
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Preparing for a wedding can be overwhelming for some couples. It requires time, careful planning, attention to detail, organization, and execution. If you already have a busy lifestyle, you may find it particularly challenging and even stressful at times. For some, a wedding planner is the best solution. Wedding planners are equipped with the special expertise necessary to ensure you stay within budget and on target. Essentially, they help with all the important details of the wedding planning process.
While some couples find this process to be an exciting prelude to their wedding day, not everyone is cut out to handle this complex task on their own. Consider your personality, your strengths, and also the things you find challenging. Here are a few questions to ask yourselves:
- Are you detail oriented?
- Are you a multitasker?
- Are you organized?
- Are you decisive?
- Do you have solid negotiation skills?
- Do you have experience with contractual agreements?
- Do you have instant rapport with others?
- Can you perform math calculations in your head?
- Do you have a flexible schedule?
- Do you have the resources to find the best vendors and venues for your wedding? In other words, do you have the necessary connections?
- Are you familiar with the timeline requirements and deadlines for each step of the wedding planning process?
- Are you budget minded?
- Are you able to deal with a last minute crisis with a cool head?
An experienced wedding planner can answer "yes" to all of these questions. So you now have one more question to ask yourself. If you choose to plan your own wedding, would all of these details spoil your enjoyment of your own wedding? Before you answer that, please keep in mind that the planning process may be over a timeframe of 12 to 16 months, which is the typical timeframe between the engagement and the wedding day.
The purpose here is not to discourage you from planning your own wedding. I've worked with several couples who embraced the challenge and thoroughly enjoyed the journey together. Only you can determine which choice is in your best interest.
Case in point: A friend of mine had set a wedding date for 2 years after the engagement, because they wanted a very specific date. Since they had so much lead time, she actually chose to take a correspondence course in event planning, which cost her around $400. (Please note that, although she took a recognized course, most event planners have substantially more training and, subsequently, much higher tuition fees.) She then took every opportunity to plan, or assist in planning, as many events as possible during that first year. She was involved in planning birthday parties, a wedding, an anniversary, and a few fundraisers. At the end of the first year, she had made valuable connections, gained experience, she was confident in her ability to plan her own wedding and, speaking as one of the guests in attendance, it was outstanding. Although she has no plans to pursue a career as a wedding planner, she continues to utilize and build on her knowledge and experience to assist in planning fundraisers and community events.
Obviously, we aren't all going to run out and take a course in event planning, so let's further explore what a professional wedding planner has to offer. Simply put, a professional wedding planner is an expert in their field. They are calm, level headed, discerning, personable, and knowledgeable. They can help with design, budget, etiquette, venues, vendors, photographers, caterers, legal, and much, much more. Essentially, they will be the glue that holds it all together.
How much does a wedding planner cost? Since wedding planners provide a very specialized, one on one service, acquiring their services can cost in the thousands of dollars. While you will definitely get good returns on this investment, you can lower this cost by taking on some of the planning process yourselves and hiring a wedding planner to handle the balance. For example, you may choose to make your own arrangements for fittings, invitations, favors, etc., while leaving some of the more complex projects for the wedding planner.
No matter which option you choose, communication is the key. This is true whether you are planning your own wedding or whether you are enlisting the services of a wedding planner. Everyone's tastes, traditions, and budgets are different. If you can express your wishes clearly, you can achieve wonderful results.
Before you even think of discussing anything with a wedding planner or a vendor, sit down as a couple and make a list. My preference would be to start with the budget. One of the biggest challenges, for most couples today, revolves around finances. If one of you is more budget minded than the other, don't stress over it. Many people make the false assumption that you have to have a huge budget, in order to have a beautiful wedding. Discuss the budget and, should there be a difference of opinion, reach a compromise. For example, perhaps the ultimate goal is not to spend all of your savings on an extravagant wedding; but to keep some money stashed away for a fabulous honeymoon or a down payment on a home.
Next would be to make up a list of your likes, dislikes, and some pertinent personal details. Include hobbies, activities, colors, flowers, allergies, culture, music, and anything else that's important to you. Even if you're planning your own wedding, it helps to put things down on paper. Go one step further and paint a visual picture by including photos of the items on the list and perhaps pick up some paint chips of your favorite colors. Things have a tendency to come into focus, when you take the time to do this, which will save you time and money, in the long run.
Still not sure if you need or want a wedding planner? The best way to find out is to schedule meetings with three wedding planners. If you can get a referral or recommendation from another couple, that's even better. I would also recommend that you turn to The Association of Bridal Consultants for your research. Take your list and photos with you so that the wedding planner has an overview, and you will then learn more about the services they offer and the planning process or stages. Both during and after each meeting, make notes. Are you comfortable with them? Can they work within your budget? Request both references and quotes from each wedding planner you meet with, review your notes, and arrive at your decision.
The best wedding planners are professionals, who are experienced at working with all types of wedding vendors. Based on the budget and list of personal tastes you provide them with, they will make recommendations for caterers, venues, photographers, or any professional wedding service you may need. Their knowledge and expertise will help you to make informed decisions. Here is a partial list of some of the important tasks a wedding planner would assist you with:
- Thoroughly review and evaluate vendor contracts and make recommendations for clarification, where needed, before signing them.
- Make recommendations for venues, dress fittings, officiates, florists, caterers, entertainment, favors, centerpieces, etc.
- Organize the wedding rehearsal and the wedding rehearsal dinner and be in attendance for both
- Support you and provide solutions, should something unexpected occur.
- Finalize the wedding program, invitations, rsvp, seating plan, etc.
Whether you decide to plan your own wedding, consult a wedding planner for the most critical details, or hire a wedding planner to plan your entire wedding, please keep this in mind...
Your wedding day is a celebration to be enjoyed by both you and your guests. You want to look back on it with fond memories. That's priceless.
Related Links:
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A supportive wedding party is a major contributor to the success of your wedding celebration. Unfortunately, many people no longer fully understand their responsibilities as bridesmaids and groomsmen. Their contribution to the wedding extends far beyond posing for pictures and holding the bouquet or the rings during the ceremony and certainly beyond hosting bridal showers and bachelor parties. These are the people to whom you turn to handle those little details that may take away from the enjoyment of your special day.
While there are plenty of resources for traditional roles of the wedding party, I'd like to share some ideas for additional duties for your bridesmaids and groomsmen. This will then free you up to work on more important details.
One person in the wedding party should know where the other members of the wedding party are at all times. That way, when it is time for a toast, a dance, a photo shoot, garter toss, bouquet toss, games, etc., the group can be gathered quickly. It would be helpful for everyone in the wedding party to be aware of the scheduled time for these events, so that their absence could be avoided; but as extra insurance, ensure that you have a designated person to keep tabs on the wedding party. There is nothing more frustrating than to announce that something is about to happen, only to have things put on hold while everyone waits for that one person.
The most outgoing member(s) of the wedding party should logically be chosen to keep things lively. In other words, they would be encouraging others to participate in a game, leading others onto the dance floor, etc. This works well as a team effort, so you might want to assign both a bridesmaid and a groomsman to lead the festivities.
With so many things going on, it can be easy for someone from the wedding party to forget to grab their coat, keys, purse, wallet, camera, etc. Assign someone from the wedding party to "sweep the area" after the ceremony, reception, and dance, to ensure nothing has been left behind.
You can never be prepared for everything; but, if you're armed with a wedding day survival kit, you've got a much better chance at beating the odds. Logically, the task of carrying the bride's survival kit falls on the shoulders of the maid of honor. The survival kit will contain things like bobby pins, sewing kit, and floss...anything to get you through the day.
If someone were to ask me to choose my favorite task of all, this would be the one. Actually, let's not even call it a task. Let's call it a privilege. I personally love seeing children have fun at a wedding. In fact, when my eldest sister wed, I was only about three years old. While I don't recall quite that far back, I'm told that I danced every dance and had a marvelous time! It can be difficult to curb youthful enthusiasm and, while the parents should be close at hand, you may want to assign someone to lead the children off the dance floor, when the focus needs to be on the bride and groom for the first dance. If you have a flower girl and ring bearer, you could even enlist their help.
Finally, while I'm not convinced that this should fall under the duties of a wedding party member, I do recognize the need for a designated driver. Before assigning this to someone from the wedding party, do please consider that these people will likely want to let their hair down and enjoy themselves at some point. I would first recommend making other arrangements for taxis or drivers. On the other hand, if someone from the wedding party doesn't normally partake in spirits, you may want to ask them to be the designated driver. Either way, a sober driver is a necessity.
These roles can hardly be considered traditional, they are most certainly helpful. They help things go more smoothly and ultimately free you up to enjoy your wedding celebration. It is your day. Celebrate!
Related Links:
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We've all attended traditional wedding receptions where the guests welcome and celebrate the union of loved ones, join them in dance, and share cake with them. Today’s wedding couples are looking for creative ideas, such as games, which include guest participation.
Encouraging guest participation is a terrific way to get people up and out of their chairs, and mingling with others. It makes them part of the wedding celebration, rather than casual observers.
One game that all your guests can participate in and enjoy is “Come on Down!” For this game, you designate an MC. If you already have a DJ, they can probably take on this role. Before the reception, prepare a creative list of things that the participants might have. For example, red shoes, bow tie, painted toenails, sewing kit, etc. Don’t forget to list some things that will enable the children to participate.
The MC will then announce an item from the list and tell those people to “Come on Down!” For example, “Anyone wearing a bow tie, come on down!” The first person in that category to reach the MC will win a point for their table.
Points are tallied throughout the course of the game and prizes are awarded at the end. Be sure to include some obvious items in the list, such as painted toenails, or a man with a striped tie, or a child with a white dress. To add interest to the game, don’t forget to add some surprise, such as a woman with a grey suit jacket. In most cases, this will mean that the women will have to find a man at their table who’s wearing a grey suit, grab it, and run up to the front.
Another fun game that would include most of your guests is a new twist on an old game of musical chairs, where the men are the chairs. The men form a line and kneel on one knee. The women circle the “chairs”, but when the music stops, they have to find a knee to sit on. Unlike the traditional game, no "chairs" are removed. People are eliminated when either the man or woman loses their balance. When this happens, both the man and woman are eliminated from the game. This game is loads of fun and gets people mixing, mingling, and laughing. Three things you definitely want for your wedding reception.
For guests that have traveled any distance to attend the wedding, or haven’t met many of the guests, it’s a good idea to include a game that will give them an opportunity to get to know each other, and perhaps get even better acquainted with the bride and groom.
Again, you’ll need an MC, which should have an outgoing nature. The guests are separated into two groups, which can be done with a simple count off of 1, 2, 1, 2…until the entire group is assigned a number. The two groups then form for the duration of the game.
The MC asks a series of questions about the bride and groom. Working as teams, the guests answer the questions as quickly as possible. The bride and groom then verify if the answer is correct or incorrect. During the brainstorming process, the guests will get to know each other and share some laughs. It's also a terrific way to get to know the bride and groom!
If you’re not certain that games will fit in with your wedding reception, consider that weddings are celebrations. They’re meant to be fun, social events. Not everyone enjoys dancing, so games are another option to encourage more guest participation, and make them a part of the celebration.
Related Links:
Event Planning How To: 8 Affordable Entertainment Tips for your Event
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If you're planning an outdoor wedding, your choice of decor will play an important part in creating a beautiful setting for your celebration. In a previous post, entitled Your Backyard Wedding, I introduced you to a free wedding resource for your backyard makeover. Today, I'm going to introduce you to Fountains And Gardens, which is a wonderful source for your outdoor decor.
What I most appreciate about a backyard wedding is that it provides you with an opportunity to update your outdoor living space, and enjoy it throughout the event and long after. With a few carefully chosen plantings and outdoor decorative pieces, you can transform your space.
But what about that garden shed? You have a perfect opportunity to carry your theme through and create more visual interest, by utilizing any vertical surfaces, such as a fence, shed, or garage. To soften hard edges, you can install a trellis for vines. To add visual appeal and incorporate the sounds of nature, you can add a beautiful wall fountain.
Don't forget the lighting! Whether your event is indoors or outdoors, your choice of lighting is definitely an important decision, as it sets the mood. At Fountains And Gardens, you'll find some of the most unique lighting solutions available. They're Dragonfly Lights create a magical ambience that would be perfect for a garden themed event.
When you visit www.FountainsAndGardens.com, be sure to sign up for a free membership. to receive a free tree seedling and be automatically entered for an online store credit! This special offer is only available until July 25, 2010, so don't wait. After you've entered, your free subscription will also include monthly newsletters, blog updates, and special subscriber only deals.
Related Links:
Beautiful Wedding Centerpieces
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This is the second article of our Event Planning How To series. Here we will explore ways to ensure that your event is entertaining, educational, and memorable. This is of particular importance, if you are organizing a fundraiser.
Keep them entertained
First consider what type of entertainment would be best suited to your event. Typically, live entertainment is the ideal choice for a charity event, as the entertainers can interact with the guests.
There are several terrific options for live entertainment, including a singer, band, or musician; however, in keeping with your second objective of making your event educational, you could also consider a live play or another form of performance art. Such live performances lend themselves well to educational messages.
As a charitable organization, money is always tight; but that doesn't necessarily mean that you can't afford quality entertainment. Many performers will entertain for free, or at a reduced rate, in support of a worthy cause. Local celebrities are a terrific draw. Their endorsement or support can attract more guests and potential donors and it is an excellent public relations opportunity for them. If you're considering a play, contact your local community theater group or the drama club at a local school. Consider a dinner theater, where the actors serve the meal, while staying in character. When creative minds come together, you're certain to have a spectacular event. Get ready to have some good, clean fun.
Educate and enlighten
For any nonprofit organization, it is important to get your message out to as many people as possible. If you haven't already created a mission, vision, and values statements, you need to do so as soon as possible. It is critical that you have clearly defined objectives, in order to educate the public.
There are several ways to present educational materials, including Powerpoint presentations, floor stands or easels, utilizing wall space for random facts, and/or a documentary video.
Different people absorb information in different ways. While some can retain information by simply reading or listening, others may be better served by a more interactive or hands on approach. The more variety you can incorporate into your event, the stronger the impact of your message.
Make it memorable
The more memorable the event, the greater the word of mouth promotion you will receive from your guests. We all know that is the most valuable and influential marketing available.
Sometimes "memorable" and "unique" can be found in the finer details. Simple things like seating, serving, parking – anything related to your guests' comfort, can have a big impact on the overall experience. Cater to their needs.
An event can be made more memorable by choosing a unique and interesting venue. It can also be refreshing to include the unexpected. Fun and interactive activities can make a world of difference. What would be more unexpected than an ice cream bar or a trampoline at a formal event? Again, these are things that can easily be provided as a sponsorship by local businesses. Now is the time to think outside the box. When you exceed everyone's expectations, you inspire larger donations.
Related Links:
Event Planning How To: 8 Steps to a Successful Event
Event Planning How To: 8 Affordable Entertainment Tips for your Event
Awareness Ribbons Colors and Causes
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Whether you're planning a wedding, fundraising event, corporate event, or even a birthday party, it is sometimes difficult to know where to begin. To help make your next event a success, we've prepared a series of articles to walk you through the process. 8 Steps to a Successful Event is the first of our Event Planning How To series.
1. Be prepared for the "What if...?" Play out different scenarios in your head and jot them down. Once you've compiled your list, prepare a backup plan for each situation you've listed. Try to take as many things into consideration as possible. What is the worst thing that can happen? Address that first, and then work on those of lesser impact.
2. Stay organized. This is vital to a successful event and it really can't be overdone. Keep everything in one place. First, you will need to designate a specific location to keep plans and documents and ensure that everyone involved in the planning process knows the location, for example, the top shelf of the book case in your office. Invest in a quality binder, with tabs. You may also wish to invest in a white board and multi colored white board markers. Pick up a large 3 ring pencil case, which is color coordinated to the binder. Clearly label the binder spine and the front of the binder.
Now the magic begins. If you are dealing with multiple projects, you can color code the binder and pencil case with a matching color of white board marker. This method gives you the advantage of making notes on the white board in the appropriate color. You can prepare a color key on the white board so that everyone on the team knows which project the notes pertain to, which is an excellent way to map progress.
The binder will be divided into various stages of the planning process - one tab or each. You will include planning details, price quotes, contracts, ideas, contact information, and anything else you might need. The pencil case will hold any smaller receipts to ensure that they don't get misplaced. When you have something to contribute to the binder, you'll want to do so right away to avoid misplacing important documents or plans.
3. Match the venue to the event. Actually, there is some controversy over which step should come first. Should you choose the venue or the theme first? I'm flexible on these points and believe it is a matter of personal preference. Some find it easier to match a theme to a venue, while others prefer to choose a theme, and then find the most suitable venue to support that theme.When choosing the venue, these are some of the questions you should ask yourself:
Does the venue support the theme?
Is it easily accessible for the guests?
Do they have ample parking?
How many guests can they accommodate?
Does the venue compliment the theme?
Will the guests be comfortable there?
Is it within our budget?
I could go on and on.
4. Choose a theme. Think of your theme as the anchor for your event. All of the other details will hinge on this decision. The theme will determine your colors, table favors, centerpieces, menu, entertainment, etc. As mentioned earlier, it is particularly important that your theme and venue support each other. These two points should receive equal consideration, as they contribute to the atmosphere of the event. The atmosphere needs to create the desired result, which is the best possible experience for your guests.5. Preparing a menu and choosing refreshments. This can be a source of stress for some event planners. The choice of food and drink can make or break an event. If you want rave reviews from your guests, always consider their comforts. One of the most important comforts is food.
The best advice I can give you is to shop around for a caterer. If you've attended a function in the past, where the food was particularly good, contact the hosts for a reference. Talk to friends and colleagues for recommendations. Ask prospective caterers for references and be sure to personally sample the food before choosing a menu. Do you need to offer a vegetarian option? Is there food peanut-free? Once you've made a selection, form a contract with the best candidate.Refreshments are also an important consideration. Aside from selection, you'll need to decide on a cash bar or open bar. This is sometimes determined by the venue itself, as they may have restrictions that do not allow for an open bar. If this could be a deal breaker for you, it is best to inquire about this, before choosing the venue.
6. Choose the entertainment. Your selection will depend largely on the type of event and the theme. What do you want to accomplish? Are you hoping to entertain, educate, or both? In any case, you want it to be fun.
Music comes in many shapes and forms. You can have a live band or a DJ. It may even be appropriate to hire a cellist.
While not necessarily suitable for every event, one of my favorites is a photo collection or home video on a big screen. This can be ideal for weddings and graduations; but you can also consider it for other events. I had great fun at a fundraiser, which showed baby photos of the board of directors. Each guest had to match the subject of the photo to the appropriate name. To make it more challenging, they included some celebrity baby photos in the mix.
If you are hosting a fundraising event, you'll want to utilize that captive audience to promote your cause and reinforce the importance of their support, which includes donations.
7. Choose the best vendors. Price should not always be your determining factor. Yes, we all have to work within a budget; but consider what kind of value you are getting for your dollar.
Are you comfortable with the vendor? Do you feel an instant rapport? Are they helpful? Do you trust them? Follow your instincts.
If you are planning a fundraising event, your vendors can also be your sponsors. This arrangement is ideal. It helps your bottom line, while providing valuable advertising for the vendor. They will want to do their utmost to ensure that they go above and beyond, because their name and reputation are important to repeat business as well as new business referrals. It is a win-win situation.
Once you've found vendors that you are comfortable working with, treat them well. Yes, they need your business and they should treat you well. More importantly, they can hold the fate of your event in their hands. If you want successful events to be a part of your future, you'll want vendors to support that vision. The more you work together, the better your events will be. Loyalty plays an important part and it works both ways. On more than one occasion, a vendor has bailed out a client, due to some unforeseen problem. Wouldn't it be nice to have that kind of support when you need it the most?
8. Keep your cool. Yes, planning an event can be overwhelming at times. That's why it is important to try to include others in the process. Brainstorming and teamwork is an important part of successful event planning. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone to help you tackle all those to do lists? If you have a team, or even one person to support you, your event will be that much better for it.
Now that you have the tools, this step by step process will help to make your event a huge success. When all is said and done, your guests are always your most important consideration. If they are happy, you've succeeded.Related Links:
Event Planning How To: Your Guide to an Entertaining, Educational, and Memorable Fundraising Event!
Event Planning How To: 8 Affordable Entertainment Tips for your Event
Resources:
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With the growing trend towards green, natural, and organic weddings, the backyard has become one of the most popular wedding venues for couples.
Just picture yourself exchanging vows in a quiet, intimate garden setting. Beautiful. Breathtaking. Memorable.
With the proper planning and guidance, you can transform your backyard into a timeless and classic setting for your special day. Maureen "Mo" Gilmer provides such expert advice in her free ebook, entitled "Backyard Wedding Makeover".
What makes Maureen Gilmer an expert? Well, for starters, she has thirty years experience in landscape design and horticulture. She also has the natural flare necessary to help you visualize the perfect wedding setting and turn that vision into reality. Maureen's logical approach to design gives you bite sized, manageable steps that give grand results.
The images in this free wedding resource speak volumes. Each image illustrates another magical transformation. The use of color, texture, lighting - everything comes together to create the perfect atmosphere for your outdoor wedding.
To complete your garden themed wedding, consider tree seedlings or tree seed favors. Nature wedding favors are elegant and compliment this theme beautifully.
Download your free copy of "Backyard Wedding Makeover" and, before you know it, you'll be daydreaming about your own backyard wedding.
Related Links:
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With increased awareness for the health of our planet, many people are focusing on eco friendly lifestyle choices; this includes planning a honeymoon.
In this day and age, many newlyweds are looking to eco tourism, which promotes a greener planet. I've compiled a list of 5 tips and ideas to help make planning your green honeymoon a breeze.
5 Tips For Planning An Eco Friendly Honeymoon:
1. When it comes to the destination, keep an open mind. You don't necessarily have to travel far and wide to have a dream honeymoon. Think about what kind of experience you're looking for. Are you the adventurous type, or are you looking for an intimate getaway, or a combination of both?
Get in contact with an eco travel agent; provide them with an outline of your interests, budget and timelines. Let them know that you are also interested in exploring vacation destinations a bit closer to home. You might be surprised at the hidden treasures out there. Speaking personally, I never wanted a cookie cutter wedding, so a cookie cutter honeymoon wouldn't be an option either.
2. If you prefer, you can do some of your own research. Although this can take a bit more time and effort, when you think of the rewards, it's definitely worth that effort. Have you ever watched a documentary or a human interest story on the news and thought, "I would love to go there someday!"? Those are the types of places to consider.
Case in point: We just watched a wildlife program, which featured a park in Ecuador. In contrast, a few evenings ago, we saw an advertisement for an incredible spa and resort, just a few hours away. Two very different destinations, two very different experiences; but both held a lot of appeal for us. While one would be an experience of wonder, the other would be sheer decadence.
Your honeymoon is your wedding gift to yourselves, so make it your own. Come up with a short list of your favorite destinations, research costs, and, once you've reached a mutual decision, book through a reputable eco travel agency.
3. There's a lot more to a green honeymoon than eco travel arrangements. Take some time to also research the local labor practices of potential destination hotels. While many honeymoon hotspots provide exemplary service to their patrons, they can have a poor track record with employee treatment and compensation, as well as questionable practices, regarding the environment. One way to compensate for this is to take day trips away from the resort and support the local markets. Experience the local culture, taste the local food, and just drink it all in.
4. When you reach your destination, book day tours through the locals, rather than a travel agent. This again will ensure that the local community will receive direct benefit and you won't be toured around with other vacationers. You'll have your own private tour guide. After all, who knows the local sites better than the locals themselves? When you return from your trip, you can further help their local economy by recommending their guide services on wedding blog posts and forums.
5. There are numerous eco tourism destinations that are both luxurious and environmentally responsible. Verify the environmental practices of the hotel or resort. Green is more than just a color.
For more information about eco friendly travel, you may also be interested in this article entitled: "Top 10 Earth Friendly Ways To Travel".
Sunset image courtesy of freepixels.com
Related Links
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A Christmas wedding can be both elegant and memorable. With November quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to consider a Christmas wedding for next year, as most couples need a year to plan their wedding,
There are some distinct advantages to planning a holiday wedding, which many couples overlook.
During the holiday season, even the streets are lined with beautiful decorations. If you're on a budget, a Christmas wedding can be the ideal solution. Couples can spend thousands of dollars from their wedding budget on decorations alone. Also consider that, along with the cost of the decorations, there is the time and cost involved in putting them up, taking them down, and finding a new use for them.
Typically, churches, hotels, and banquet halls are lavishly decorated during the holiday season. All the work is already done for you and, more importantly, you have none of the expense. As well, you won't have to recycle the used decorations, so you score additional points for the environment by reducing and reusing.
As with any wedding planning, it's important to set aside some time to do a little research. This holiday season, visit the various venues you have in mind to get a sense of how they "deck the halls", so to speak. It's also important to note that you may save some additional expense, if your wedding is just after Christmas. rates and availability may improve, if you choose a date shortly after Christmas day, and many venues leave the holiday decor in place until New Year's Eve or later. If budget is a consideration, you'll want to inquire about those points as well.
Depending on the venue, table centerpieces may or may not be provided. When seated at a table, you're in a more intimate setting; so many couples opt for a more personalized approach by providing their own centerpieces. Some great ideas for wedding table centerpieces include spruce tree seedlings, a soy candle with fresh greenery and sprigs of berries, or miniature poinsettias. These ideas all help to create a beautiful and warm atmosphere. Simplicity equals elegance.
Wedding guest favors are also a very important part of your table decor. For a unified look, choose favors that are meaningful and are in keeping with the season. Evergreen tree seedlings or seed favors can be easily customized to match your color scheme perfectly. They add a natural elegance to any table and will be lasting keepsakes for your family and friends. Since they also benefit the environment, they are the gift that keeps on giving.
In the event that some of your guests are unable to plant a tree, (apartment dwellers, for example) prearrange a tree donation to a local urban greening project, such as a school, community center, or park.* They will plant and care for the trees and most likely post a dedication in your honor. Let guests know where the trees will be going and how they will be benefiting others. It's a wonderful, "feel good" gesture to commemorate your wedding celebration.
Another terrific idea would be personalized Christmas tree ornaments. Your wedding celebration will be remembered each Christmas, when your family and friends trim their tree. If you like DIY, you can start with clear glass balls and insert a piece of parchment with a memorable quote from the two of you. Tie a ribbon on the hanger, in keeping with your color scheme, and box them individually. You can finish off the look with a glass vase, filled with plain glass ornaments, for your centerpiece.
During the holiday season, rich colors and luxurious textures abound. We've come such a very long way from the traditional red, green, and plaid Christmas. When planning a color scheme or matching colors, I find that a set of paint swatches is very useful. I have a complete set of paint swatches, for this purpose. I use them to create complimentary color schemes for various projects including decorating and scrapbooking. Simply choose your color palette, tuck the swatches in your purse, and you're all set. You can then use those same swatches to coordinate your memory album supplies to preserve your wedding keepsakes.
As a final consideration, since many family and friends return home for the holidays, a Christmas wedding could also benefit your guests. They save by eliminating additional travel expenses and, as an added bonus, this leaves a smaller carbon footprint. You'll want to share this special day with the ones you love so, talk to friends and family about it. Ultimately, it's your decision; but it never hurts to gain another perspective.
*Note: To find an urban greening project in your area, try typing the following in your search engine: urban greening project in (insert city name). When I did so for our area, I immediately found a pdf listing several groups that I could contact.
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Feel secure, relaxed and confident on your wedding day with
Most would agree that your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life so, there's no such thing as being too prepared. The Wedding Day Survival Kit is a simple but essential tool for any bride.
The Maid of Honor has earned that title because she knows you inside and out, has seen you at your best and your worst, and stuck by you through thick and thin. She is the person to entrust with your Wedding Day Survival Kit, so she should be involved in putting it together. Two heads are better than one.
Most of the things you'll want to have on hand will be in your makeup kit and medicine cabinet, so it's best if you get together at your home, where everything is handy. Remember, this kit is essentially your insurance, in the event of a minor mishap. There's no need to include large quantities of anything. It should all fit nicely inside the Maid of Honor's clutch purse. Also, don't be tempted to go out and buy travel sizes of everything. The travel sizes are actually much larger than you'll need and are far more expensive than buying the full size, which you already have on hand. You'll want to stick with tried and true products, as this is the one day you do not want to run the risk of having a bad reaction.
Everyone's needs are different; but here are a few ideas to get you on the right track. It looks like a long list; however, these items are very small and actually form into a very compact kit.
• Needles and thread - I actually prefer this to a sewing kit because you can choose the appropriate colors to have on hand. You don't need an entire spool of each color. You cut a small square of cardboard and cut a small diagonal slit in each of two corners opposite each other. Anchor one end of the thread in one of the slits, wrap it around the card until you have ample, slide the other end of the thread into the opposite slit to secure it in place. Assorted sewing needles typically come in a small package, so take the whole package along. You may need to have two people sewing at the same time.
• Safety pins
• Small folding scissors
• Bandaids - If you don't have "invisible" on hand, you may want to run to the store for this.
• Floss - This can also do double duty as a heavy duty thread, if need be.
• Breath mints
• Cotton swabs
• Compact and/or other makeup, such as concealer, for touchups
• Small, retractable makeup brushes
• Hand sanitizer
• Scent free hand lotion
• Handkerchiefs - I prefer this to a disposable tissue because I believe the day warrants something special. Have 2 or 3 on hand. Your Maid of Honor should have one in her hand for the ceremony so she can pass it to you discreetly. Many brides get emotional at the altar. Handkerchiefs are also excellent for blotting to reduce facial shine.
• White medical tape - This can be useful in fixing a fallen hem or repairing a bouquet.
• Medication - This is particularly important if the bride suffers from allergies, headaches, asthma, diabetes, etc.
• Antacid - This can help to settle the butterflies.
• Spare earrings
• Hair pins or clips
• Feminine products - Sometimes these things just happen
• A Watch - You'll want to stay on schedule and most often the bride and her attendants choose not to wear a watch on that day.
• Cell phone
• Pen & Small Notepad
• Pocket money
• Etc.
More often than not, brides tend to feel a bit anxious, as the big day approaches. Assembling your Wedding Survival Kit with your BFF is very therapeutic. You feel more at ease because you know you're prepared and you have someone to watch your back. Let your hair down and enjoy some quality bonding time with your BFF.
For more wedding tips, see our Wedding Planning Links.
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