Cut the Wedding Budget Fat Trim Your Guest List
Posted on June 30, 2008 - Filed Under wedding
After you’ve gotten a basic idea for how you want your wedding to go, you then have to make the guest list. You’ll be including family members, friends, relatives, work acquaintances, and many others. The problem is that you can’t keep everyone on that list, even if you have an unlimited budget.
Why you should keep the number low
Of course, a lot of couples may protest and say that they more people come, the more gifts we’ll receive. And while that’s true, let’s talk about what a wedding really is first. A wedding is a celebration of a couple’s marriage. And those that come to the wedding should be very happy to celebrate it, rather than just coming for the food or drink.
You want people there that have made a difference in your life. Of course, if you haven’t been close with your family, well, you’re stuck inviting them.
You want to invite people whose names you know and can repeat. This is not the time to invite everyone that you’ve ever met. Invite the important people.
If you’re nervous about omitting someone, then stop to think about how much you’d like to talk to them. If it’s not that much, then you probably can leave them off.
How to trim names
When you’ve finally gotten your list together, you should exchange it with your soon-to-be spouse. Let them look at it and start to omit names. Again, family members are not allowed to be scratched off unless there’s a special situation. And even if there is a family feud of some sort, they won’t come anyways.
In terms of friends, you will want to be selective here. Figure out who you really care about, and who you just ‘feel’ like you should invite. How long has it been since you’ve talked to them? If it’s been a long time, you can probably cross them off.
For the work people, you can invite whomever you have a close relationship with. This means that you don’t have to invite your boss, but it’s always nice to out of courtesy. Don’t feel that you should.
Making your invitation list shouldn’t feel like a burden. At the end of the day, you want to look at your list and see all the people that you care about and want to share this happy day with. And it’s your day and your time, so don’t let anyone else talk you into inviting people that you’re not too keen on.
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Tags: bride, groom, marriage, married, weddingsA Successful Wedding Toast
Posted on June 29, 2008 - Filed Under wedding
Wedding toasting glasses can be wonderful keepsakes of a from your very special occasion. Providing champagne and wine is a customary tradition for any toast. Oddly, we never see alternative non-alcoholic beverages, such as: sparkling ciders, punch, and sparkling water.
There are several important moments during your wedding celebration to announce and participate in a wedding toast. Generally, this is the usual order in which toasts are made:
The Best Man
The Groom To His Wife
Father of the Bride
Father of the Groom
Traditions vary throughout different cultures. Some wedding toasts are prepared as lengthy monologues, some are followed by the breaking of glassware. If you’re expect to toast at a wedding which is sultural in nature, discuss details with the bride or groom in advance.
The bride and groom will be expected to do a lot of drinking upon each wedding toast announcement. It’s important to make sure that their glasses are always filled. If you’re the best man of the wedding party, you may wish to pick up a book on wedding toast etiquette. It’s always nice to state how long you have known and loved the couple. Your toast does not have to be very long , but it should express warmth from your heart
Your toast is meant to convey a message of hope. It’s a kind of send-off. You’re encouraging the bride and group to start their lives together as one. You can use your toast to tell a story, or bring the guests on a trip down memory lane. Most importantly, though, this is your opportunity to welcome the bride. A new beginning which will offer plenty of sweet memories and stories down the road.
When will you make your toast? Traditionally, the toasts occurs after the main dinner course is served and eaten. Drinks are usually served and toasting will be announced. Before you begin t speak, make sure you have a glass to toast with.
It’s important that you practice your speech several times at home before you make your toast. There’s nothing worse than getting up in front of all those people with nothing to say! Write it out and say it aloud. At the end of your toast you should always life your glass and close with a congratulations, for instance:
“To my valued friend ________and his beautiful wife_______ , we all wish you the most wonderful lives together!”
NEVER mention any of these things in a Wedding toast:
Do not use foul language, as it may offend some of the guests (especially those with children)
Do not get intoxicated and slur through your speech
Do not bring up ex-spouses/former lovers
Do not discuss any unethical things you may have done in the past
Do not say “I can’t believe you guys made it.”
Do not intentionally embarrass the bride or groom. It’s their special day.
Jen Carter is owner of My Wedding Blog, a free wedding planning guide about weddings. This article can be found in our Wedding Tips category. You may publish our articles on your website only if you do not edit the article in any way, and include all html as direct links to our site.
Tags: toasts for weddings, wedding toastWedding Napkins Tips and Ideas
Posted on June 28, 2008 - Filed Under wedding
Your wedding is just a few months away and you are in the final stages of planning your wedding and wedding reception. Some of the items still on your list may be wedding favors.
Wedding favors include everything from small treats and gifts for your guests to wedding napkins.
Personalized wedding napkins are an excellent keepsake to remember your wedding. Available in several sizes including dinner napkins, luncheon napkins and cocktail napkins, custom printed napkins add a personal touch and character to your special day.
Cocktail napkins, also called beverage napkins, average 5″ x 5″ and are ideal for the cocktail or juice bar and wedding cake table. Printed with a design or monogram, the bride and groom’s names and wedding date, custom printed paper beverage napkins will delight your guests.
Plan on ordering 2 to 3 cocktail napkins per guest at the cocktail bar as guests will return several times to have their beverage refilled.
One cocktail napkin per guest is sufficient at the cake table as most guests will have only one slice of cake after the main course.
Luncheon Napkins are usually 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ and are used at the buffet table or on the guest table.
Plan on ordering 1 to 2 luncheon napkins per guest is supplied at the buffet table or 1 napkin per guest if presented on the guest tables.
Dinner Napkins are usually 8 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ and are typically folded and placed on the guest tables.
Plan on ordering 1 dinner napkin per guest.
Guest Towels have a unique shape. Measuring 8 1/2″ x 4 1/2″, rectangular shaped guest towels are typically used in the restrooms and wash areas. Their unique shape also makes guest towels a perfect fit for the guest tables.
Plan on ordering 2 to 3 guest towels per guest for the restrooms or 1 guest towel per guest for the dinner tables.
Another advantage to printed paper napkins is the many color options that are available to match your wedding colors or theme along with a large selection of imprint colors, designs, monograms and letter styles to choose from.
If you have contracted a catering service to provide all of your wedding reception food and beverage services, they may have already included napkins as part of their services and fee.
It is important to ask your caterer or wedding coordinator whether or not napkins are included and what type of napkins will be used.
An important question that is often overlooked is “Where will the wedding napkins be used during the reception?” Too often, napkins are placed at the guest table with little thought given to the wedding cake table. As guests line up to receive a slice of the wedding cake, they often receive their cake on a small plate with a fork but no napkin.
Another question to ask your caterer is “Will cocktail napkins be provided at the cocktail or juice bar?”
Whether you have yet to consider the type of wedding napkins you will use at your wedding reception or your caterer is already supplying your napkins, take a moment out of your busy schedule to determine what type of napkins you will need and where they will be used.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Best wishes on your wedding day and to your new journey together!
Raymond Miller is the founder and author of My Wedding Reception Ideas offering wedding couples premium wedding favors including personalized wedding napkins.
Tags: cocktail napkins, custom printed napkins, napkin favors, personalized napkins, wedding napkins keep looking »