REGISTERING FOR WEDDING GIFTS

Are you registering for gifts for your wedding? Is so, below are some helpful tips that might make the task a little easier:

• Many stores are beginning to offer a registry service, as the days of one traditional store are becoming less popular
• Make an extensive list of what it is you really need and want
• Don’t be afraid to register at more than one store, this practice is perfectly acceptable and it helps ensure that your gifts are well suited to you
• Do something different that fits your personality and lifestyle; many galleries, artisans and specialty boutiques offer registries for unique handmade gifts
• Choose items in a variety of prices to make gifts accessible for all budgets
• You should choose more gifts than guests to allow for more choice
• Inquire how long your registry will be available as many guests like to choose holiday and anniversary gifts from a couples registry all through their first year of marriage
• Think outside of the box: you can register with your favorite cause or charity in lieu of gifts

What is your idea? Leave us a comment on facebook.

Sweet and Sexy Garters

Choosing a gorgeous garter to wear on your wedding day is a sweet, sexy and sentimental tradition that brides have been delighting in for hundreds of years, and these embellished couture garters from UK designer Florrie Mitton make the experience even more fun! We love all the shapes, fabrics and delicate decorative touches that make each piece unique and can imagine that any of them would make a woman feel even more beautiful and honored on her wedding day. Check them out! And don't forget to personalize your garter to something that is shared between you and your fiance. You can always get a second garter to place just under your's and your groom can use that as the "toss garter" and you keep the customed made one for you two! 

San Francisco Tablescapes

Father and Bride First Dance Songs

With Father's Day right around the corner, we thought we would share some great Father/Daughter first dance songs:


•And Then They Do (Trace Adkins)

•I'll Remember (Madonna)

•Daddy, Let's Dance (Jamie Tate)

•Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)

•Butterfly Kisses (Bob Carlisle)

•Daddy's Girl (Red Sovine)

•In My Life (The Beatles)

•Isn’t She Lovely (Stevie Wonder)

•Dance With My Father (Luther Vandross)

•There You'll Be (Faith Hill)

•Father and Daughter (Paul Simon (Wild Thornberry's Soundtrack))

•Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel)

•Unforgettable (Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole)

•Child of Mine (Carole King)

•Through the Years (Kenny Rogers)

•Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Elton John)

•Daddy's Hands (Holly Dunn)

•You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban)

WEDDING GIFT CALCULATOR

The biggest chore for a wedding guest is to decide how much money to put in the envelope. Not all weddings are equal. Therefore every couple getting married does not deserve the same gift. When giving a gift for a wedding there are many factors you should consider so that you don't look cheap and more importantly so that you don't give too much.


When you give cash is to remember to give it at the end of the reception. This gives you a chance to have fun and look at how much work the bride and groom put into the event. It also gives you a chance to consider how much work YOU put into the event. Remember, its not the gift, it’s the thought that counts. If you put a lot of thought into a wedding . . . you should give money.

I start off with a base figure of $75.00.

You brought a date to the wedding.
Add $75.00

You were invited to bring a date but couldn't find one.
Add $25.00

You were not invited to bring a date.
Subtract $25.00

You were not invited to bring a date but brought one anyway.
Ad $5.00

The bride is pregnant.
Subtract $25.00

The bride is pregnant and showing.
(Because there is nothing funnier than a pregnant woman wearing white at a
wedding).
Add $50.00

The bride looks pregnant but you aren't sure if she's pregnant or heavy.
Add $25.00

The bride is not pregnant but you've been telling others guests that she is.
Add $50.00

The bride is pregnant but the groom is not the baby's father.
Add $50.00

The bride is pregnant and you may be the baby's father.
Add $100.00

The bride was pregnant and the baby is now a toddler and was a member of the bridal party.
(Because they had the decency to make sure the relationship was going to last before getting married)
Add $75.00

This is the bride or groom's second or third marriage
Subtract $50.00

This is the bride or groom's fourth marriage.
(Persistence is its own reward)
Sbtract $25.00

Open Bar for alcohol
Add $25.00

Cash Bar for alcohol
(*Ask for a receipt every time you order a drink. Deduct the total amount of money you spent on alcohol. Then put the receipts in the envelope with your gift)
Subtract ALL DRINKS

Dinner is served Buffet Style
Subtract $10.00

The reception is a Denny's Breakfast buffet.
Subtract $20.00

Cash Bar for soda **
(**If they charge you for soda at the wedding DO NOT GIVE A GIFT. Immediately,
go to the bride, kick her in the shin and then go home.)

They hired a band
Add $5.00 for each piece

This is the first time the band has ever played a gig outside of their garage.
Subtract $4.00 for each piece

The band is a "Neil Diamond Tribute" band.
Subtract $10.00

The D.J. or band leader relentlessly tries to get Grandma on the dance floor.
Subtract $2.00 for each attempt

Grandma gives in, goes to the dance floor and breaks her hip.
Add $50.00

The D.J. or band leader can't remember the bride or groom's name.
Subtract $10.00

The D.J. or band leader hits on your date.
Subtract $15.00

Your date goes home with the drummer.
Subtract $20.00

The D.J. or band played "The Chicken Dance," "The Macarena," or "The YMCA".
Subtract $5.00 for each

You were in the bridal party or given a special role in the wedding.
Add $50.00

You had to rent a tux or buy a dress for the wedding.
Subtract $10.00

Said Tux or Dress is hideous
Subtract $10.00

Aforementioned rented clothing gives you a rash
Subtract $10.00

The dress you purchased can never be worn again.
Subtract $10.00

It is so ugly, your local Salvation Army refuses to accept it when you try to
donate it.
Subtract $10.00

The dress makes you look fat.
Subtract $1.00 for every ten pounds the dress adds.

You have to give a toast at the wedding.
Subtract $5.00

Toast lasts longer than three minutes
Add $10.00 for each minute over 3

You never RSVP'd but came anyway
Add $15

Someone at the wedding volunteers to serenade the Bride and Groom with a song he/she wrote specifically for their wedding.
Subtract $10.00

You serenade the Bride and Groom with a song you wrote specifically for their wedding.
Add $75.00


YOUR GIFT AMOUNT:__________

See how easy it is to decide on a gift! Thanks to our friends at ihateweddings.com

WHAT SIZE TABLE LINENS?

Need help on deciding what size tablecloth or overlays to get for your next event? Check here for size charts. http://tinyurl.com/25z548q  or http://tinyurl.com/25jlc45

Photo by Jennifer Skog

Alternative to Flowers

Photo Credits

CORD OF THREE STRANDS Ceremony

What is the Cord of Three Strands Ceremony?

The cord of three strands symbolizes the joining of one man, one woman, and God into a marriage relationship. Marriage takes three; you, your soon to be spouse, and God. It was God who taught us to love. By keeping Him at the center of your marriage, His love will continue to bind you together as one throughout your marriage.

The cord of three strands ceremony is a great addition to a traditional wedding ceremony. It adds a truly unique element to your ceremony that friends and family will remember. It can also serve as a substitute for the unity candle. This is useful for situations where candles may not be used, or may be difficult. The Cord of Three Strands works well as a substitute in outside weddings.

At some point in the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom braid the Cord of Three Strands together. The groom holds a small metal ring with three attached strands. The bride then braids the strands together, symbolizing the union of God, husband and wife. The colors of the cords is significant.

Cord of Three Strands

•Gold Strand - Represents God at the center of the Marriage

The Lord Jesus has been invited to the position of authority in this marriage relationship.

•Purple Strand - Represents the Groom

The majesty of God is head over the husband. As a husband submits himself to the Lord, the Lord in turn will hold the marriage together through the husband.

•White Strand - Represents the Bride

This strand represents the purity of the bride of Christ. As each has received Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, they are cleansed through Christ. Find out more here.

Wedding Planner VS Coordinator?

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WEDDING PLANNER AND A DAY OF COORDINATOR?


Simply put: a wedding planner plans and a 'day of' coordinator coordinates! In theory a wedding planner will also coordinate your wedding and rehearsal as part of their package or precentage price. In between those services is what is typically called a "month of" coordinator. They do quite a bit more than a "day of" coordinator but they don't plan your wedding from beginning to end. So you can think of the services like this:

Day of Coordination - Basic Service
[smaller package, usually comes in the last 2-3 weeks prior to the big day after initial consult]

Month of Coordination - Premium
[medium package, at least a month out but more contact and assistance after initial consult]

Wedding Planner - Platinum
[large package, usually planning from beginning until the end]

Many of these 'services' cross over. For example, you may have a "month of coordinator" but need their assistance several months before the wedding to attend a few meetings, review some contracts or give you a referral. Often brides and grooms get 'caught up' in the title of the planning package instead of the service they provide. You are basically paying for experience, knowledge and time and you need to decide how much of each skill you need.

Are you creative? Very organzied? Can you coordinate several activities and events at the same time? Negotiate? Research? Delegate? If so, then you probably only need a Day of Coordinator to help tie all the loose ends together, create timelines, help with rehearsal, flow of events [and disasters] and decorating/clean up for your wedding day. Plus they spend 8-18 hours at your event on wedding day! You have to factor that end when you get quoted a price from them and wonder "why does it cost so much". They aren't just showing up that day and telling you when to go down the aisle, there is still a lot of coordination, disaster control, on the fly decision making and ensuring "at least in your guests' eyes" that all is flowing well.  If you have some or partial skills in each area but you only want to do the 'fun' things about wedding planning then you would need a "Month of Coordinator" and if you truly just want to do some of the "yes or no" decision making and would prefer just to 'show up' and be "wow"ed with all the guests, then you need an actual wedding planner.

(4) Wedding Ideas for the Grooms

Sure, all eyes will be on the bride, but as the groom you should still set yourself apart. Although wedding tradition dictates that the groom and his henchmen all wear similar outfits, it's important to help guests identify you as the special guy who just locked lips with the bride at the altar.


The more formal the event, the more strict the codes of conduct. If you and yours are opting for an ultra-formal affair, your team will wear virtually the same togs, so being singular becomes a tougher task. The more casual the celebration, the more leeway you'll have. But regardless of the sartorial dictates of your wedding you can use these four ways to stand out on your special day.


ALTERNATIVE TUX

Wearing a subtly different jacket from those of your groomsmen is a surefire way to make your mark. For a daytime affair, wear a cutaway coat, but have your boys wear stroller coats instead. If you select a double-breasted jacket, put your men in a single-breasted cut. Or, put yourself in a one-button jacket and have the groomsmen sport a three-button version. If your tux has a satin lapel, the boys' could be plain. Another option: wear a white dinner jacket, and put the groomsmen in traditional black tuxes (or vice versa).


A FANCIER FLOWER

A unique boutonniere, a "mini-corsage" worn on the jacket lapel, is the easiest way to help guests single you out. If your wedding will be very formal and mismatched tuxes would seem inappropriate, run with this option. For example, have boutonnieres made of the same flower (such as stephanotis) for the groom and groomsmen, but add a berry or herbal accent, such as rosemary, oregano, or mint to yours. Or, select a different but very similar blossom: wear a lily of the valley boutonniere, and have your men sport stephanotis. It's a good idea to keep the flowers in the same color family for a consistent look. Two more options: the groom can adorn himself with a 2- or 3-blossom boutonniere and the groomsmen with a single bloom of the identical flower, or the groom can wear a fully open blossom while the groomsmen don buds of the same flower.


THE TELLTALE TIE

Boost your "all about me" factor by wearing a different colored tie or bow tie than the gang. For instance, if you wear a silver tie and matching vest, the groomsmen could sport a vest and tie combo that complements or matches the bridesmaid dresses. Grooms can go one step further and wear a different type of neckwear from the guys. If you choose a bow tie, the groomsmen could wear neckties with a Windsor knot, which has a triangle-shaped knot, larger than your standard, everyday four-in-hand. Or, if you plan to wear an ascot, select a matching necktie for your men.


VARIETY IN THE VEST

Vests are another element of the tux with which grooms can experiment. Pick a vest that's a different color from that of your groomsmens'. If you choose a black tie and black vest, you could put the groomsmen in a color that matches the bridesmaid dresses. Or, set yourself apart in a cummerbund and put the fellas in vests.
The Knot

Guest List Mishaps

A collection of nightmares that real brides survived from The Knot.


"We accidentally sent out an invitation addressed to my cousin Steve and his ex-wife Beth. Needless to say, his new wife, Kim, wasn't very happy with the mix-up."


"We decided to make an A-list and a B-list of the guests we wanted to invite. Unfortunately, my fiance decided to keep track by marking A or B on the back corner of each invitation. It didn't take long before our guests caught on and the angry calls started streaming in."


"I organized all my guests on a spreadsheet. It took months and months to get it perfect. I asked my fiance to print it out one night and somehow he managed to erase the entire thing from my computer! We spent the whole night trying to remember who we wanted to invite and finding all their addresses."


"Several of my father-in-law's business executive guests had just been charged in a very high-profile fraud trial. I had no issue with them being invited … at least until the reception, when I found out that the judge who'd married us was the same one who'd sentenced several of our guests. Even a huge southern ballroom wasn't big enough for everyone to hide."


"At my bridal shower, my future mother-in-law said she needed additional invitations for the wedding, but I explained that we had no extras and had asked for her full guest list last year. The next week, my fiance and I returned from out of town to a mailbox full of xeroxed RSVP cards from people who weren't on the guest list. My mother-in-law had made copies of the invitations and mailed them to the extras she wanted to invite. We confronted her and found out she'd actually sent out 87 -- yes, 87 -- additional invites."

A Little Wow

Photo by Nancy Lemus

10 Things to Ask Your Wedding Photographer

As seen in Indy Wedding Ideas