Say What!

     Signs are a great and fun way to entertain your guest! They are great conversational pieces, and also great for photos too. Here are a couple ideas I like.

You're engaged, now what! Part 1

     
     Get the news out! If the couple has any children they should be told first. Then the parents of the couple should know about the engagement next. Parents of the bride should be told first, and following the groom’s parents should be told of the great news. Once the parents are told, everyone else can know. The couple can start spreading the news between close family members and friends.  Some people prefer throwing a engagement party to spread the news and some people just call or email the news, I prefer to have a small dinner with close family and friends, it’s a great way for everyone to mingle and meet.
     The couple can also celebrate their engagement with a party, even if they have already informed everybody about the future wedding personally or through phone calls. The engagement can also be announced by placing an add in a local newspaper. Either way it's a grand celebration!



 Check back for the next part of You're Engaged, now what!  I will be explaining how to get started planning you're dream wedding.
V. Smith

How to choose a venue for your event!

     The Venue for your wedding is going to be one of the most important decision you will have to make during your wedding planning process.  I have included a criteria for you to consider to make the best decision for you.

The Cost

 Make sure the cost is within you budget.

The Location

Make sure it is easily accessible for  you and your guest. If you are not having the ceremony in the same place, is it close to the ceremony location?

The Theme

Make sure the over all look of the Venue fits your theme. Or can it be transformed without breaking the bank.

 Once you have a Venue in mind use these questions  to select your dream Venue.


What is the capacity?
What is provided  at no additional cost?
Is there a minimum?
Can you bring an outside caterer?
Can you bring your own alcohol and if so, do you need a permit?
Do they allow day before set-up?
What is you clean up time frame?
What's the gratuity?

Do they have a day-of-coordinator?
Are there dressing rooms? ?
If they provide cake service 
When is the final payment due?
When are final counts due?
Are there additional fees?

Be Inspired!

Planning a wedding can be fun but sometimes overwhelming. A great idea to decide on a theme is to construct a inspiration board. I have put together a couple ideas for you.

A really fun idea is a rainbow wedding!

Damask is classic!

Purple and blue with Peacock accents.

Culture Inspired.

All white, and everything nice!

A perfect pair!

Polka Dots!

Pink, Pink and more Pink!

Gerber Daisy

Let them eat cake!

    The wedding cake has become one of the most important attraction in wedding today! It is the star at the reception.  The wedding cake should reflect the couples style. I have put together a couple of ideas to get you thinking about your wedding cake.

                                                 Monogram Cakes

Cakes with flowers

Cakes with patterns

                                                     Bows & Bling

Draping

            Artistic Cakes

                     Topsy Turvy Cakes

Cupcakes

          Could not leave out the Grooms cake!

What's a wedding cake without a topper!

911 Wedding Emergency!

     Must have for all weddings is a Wedding Emergency Kit. If you have a planner they will come equipped. If not make sure you right hand man (Maid of Honor) has one for your wedding. I have included a list of everything I take to each wedding. If anyone wants to add to this list please comment.

• Snacks and drinks
• Hand Lotion
• Wet Wipes
• Tissues
• Cotton balls or swabs
• Makeup
• bobby pins, hair pins
• Make up remover (or make up remover pads)
• Nail polish, clear polish (in case of runs in pantyhose), remover and a nail file
• Tweezers
• A small scissors
• Lint brush
• Curling Iron
• Hair dryer
• Brush, comb, hairspray or gel
• Bobby pins or elastics
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
• Mouthwash
• Mints ( you will be doing a lot of talking)
• Portable Iron
• Deodorant
• Perfume
• Extra pantyhose
• Extra earring backs
• Extra buttons
• Safety pins and a sewing kit in the bride and bridesmaids' dress colors
• Masking tape or sewing tape
• Club soda or stain removal towelettes
• Flat shoes in case your feet hurt
• Double-stick tape
• Antacid
• Antihistamine
• Cold Remedies
• Prescription Medications
• Aspirin or Pain Relievers
• Band-aids
• Upset stomach medicine
• Feminine Hygiene Products

• Copies of directions to ceremony, photo location and reception
• Phone numbers of all wedding participants
• Contact information for all vendors
• Marriage license
• A smile ( you are getting married)

Present!

  I am so excited! Guests books are so interactive now.  No need for that book to sit on a shelf and collect dust. I have found great new fun ways for your guests to show you they were Present on your big day.

Here  are a couple ideas from http://www.esty.com/.

Your guest will sign your favorite bottles of wine instead of a traditional guest book, and on your milestone anniversaries you can drink the wine and read your guests' well wishes. What a great way to be able to reminisce about your wedding day, and have an eternal keepsake as well.

 Game playing card, have guest fill these out during cocktail hour. Beware after a couple of drinks things can get really wild!

This tree is a very fun and interactive way to get guest interested. Have guest fill this out and you will have this keepsake for a lifetime.

This is one of my forvorites.

This is such a great idea!

   .

This beautiful message in a bottle is the perfect twist. Have your guests sign or write congratulatory messages on the designer paper sheets. After your wedding, role them up and tuck them away in the personalized bottle and seal with a cork. The bottle and stand make for a unique presentation at your reception and at your home. Take the messages out to read on your anniversary and then tuck them back in the bottle for years of safe keeping.

Bring the outside in!

      Have an inside wedding but would like to bring the outside in,weather can be very unpredictable. I too have a love for everything outside. I love summer months when the weather is warm and the grass is green.  Here are a couple  ideas to bring the outside in.

             Its a great idea to incorporate vegetable and fruits into a centerpiece.

Use elements from the outside such as  wooden logs, and grass to create your outside ambiance.

Make your favors count!