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10 Things Brides Forget To Do

7 Nov

With all the small details that go into a wedding sometimes it feels like you are running a small country.  Its inevitable that there are a few things that might slip your mind. Although non of these items will rain on your wedding day parade they will however make your day run smoother and cause you a little less stress.  So here are the top 10 things brides forget to do,by TheKnot.theknot.com

1. Post wedding plans

Although sometimes it feels like there is nothing beyond the ceremony and reception don’t forget to plan ahead for what happens after that.  If you are a night owl plan for guests to meet you at a late night hang out in or near the hotel. If you want to have a short night and enjoy a romantic night with your now husband consider booking a room that is not at the same place as your guests for extra privacy. Whatever your preference is just make sure you have a plan.

2. Your Overnight Bag

You have your bag packed, the room reserved and everything is in place. The only problem is how to get your bags to your hotel on the day of the wedding.  Most brides are jam packed the day of their wedding so assign a guest or bridesmaid to check into your hotel for you and drop off your overnight bags. That way when the night nears an end you know that you can go straight from the reception to your hotel room with all your essentials already there.

3. Getting Your Things Home

All those little things you planned for your special day,your guest book, your cake topper, unity candle and other momentous that you will treasure forever.  Make sure you plan ahead to have someone you trust bring all these things home for you so you don’t have to fret or worse worry about packing them into your own car on your wedding day.

4. Deciding Where Everything Goes

Sure everybody frets over the seating chart. Uncle Ed and his son can’t sit next to Aunt Mary and so forth. But don’t let the seating chart distract you from other areas of the reception that need your attention. Key places/things to keep in mind when planning ahead include  place card, programs , menus etc. Once you have these ironed out don’t forget to select someone to make sure they get put in the right spot and get brought home at the end of the ceremony/reception.

5. Decorating Special Area

Decorate the bathroom area, the entrance, any area you feel needs a little special attention. Same as the previous spaces make sure you select someone to arrange them and to take them home or make sure they are cleaned up right away.

6. Gifts For Your Wedding Party

Your wedding party is full of those closest to you and also those that have invested a lot of time and effort in your wedding and the planning of it. Don’t forget to show your appreciation for these special people. Also extend a gift or tokens of your appreciation for those that helped set-up, readers, singers or anyone who played a role in your ceremony.

7. Getting the Gift Home

Sure it didn’t look like a lot when people brought them in one by one but don’t forget that what goes in must go out. Set up a trusted person or people to take your gifts from the reception site to a safe location. If you plan to have a next day brunch for gift opening make sure this person is invited.  Have them also carry your cards out, remember that these should be kept in a very safe spot and given to the bride and groom soon after the reception or the next day if needed.

8. Day After Plans

Whether you have a next day brunch, gift opening or are leaving for your honeymoon make sure you are ready. The last thing you want to do on your wedding day is make last minute plans. Plan ahead and try not to leave last minute details until the end.

9. Legal Documents

Your celebrant should hopefully keep you on top of all the legal requirements, such as lodging your Notice of Intended Marriage at least one month and a day before your wedding day, and bringing along three marriage certificates for you to sign on the day. Check with them a few days before the wedding so you can have peace of mind.
10. The Itineraries

Check with all vendors and members of the wedding party on the wedding itinerary to ensure that everyone is on the same page. It’s best to create an itinerary with all information and times stated and passed out to all vendors and the wedding party. If someone in the bridal party is notorious for being late, start their schedule half an hour early just in case.

 

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Ultimate Floral Guide

31 Aug

Have a color scheme picked out but no clue on what flowers are available in your colors? Take a look at the floral guide to pick flowers that coordinate with your color scheme.

Your florist will be able to help pin point what flowers are in season and within your price range but coming with suggestions can help her make your dream bouquet a reality.

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5 Tips to Cut Your Guest List

23 Jul

Ah the dreaded guest list. Creating the guest list is by far one of the most stressful things you will do when planning your wedding. There are lots of feelings involved in deciding who will be there to witness one of life’s major milestones.  Once you get to this point follow these 5 tips.

1. Budget & Venue

When looking at your guest list first determine what is important to you and the groom. If your budget is non negotiable decide if you would prefer to have a more casual wedding in order to accommodate more guests. Think about  how many people your venue will hold.  If the church holds less than the reception site think about inviting a smaller amount to the wedding and a larger amount to the reception.  Once you factor in these variables you can decide how many people you can reasonably have on your list.

2. Bride/Groom Ratio

Decide if the guest list will be split 50/50 or 60/40 depending on large families or mutual friends. This will help you decide how many each family can invite and give you a solid number for your future mother-in-law or your own parents in order to keep the list reasonable. Don’t forget to factor in your numbers as well to save room for your important guests, it is after all your wedding!

3. Cut by Category

Put each guest in a categorize such as A, B or C . Those in category A are absolutely invited. Those in category B will more than likely be invited, category C are a maybe and so forth. You can be more granular if you want it’s all about helping you pin point who should and shouldn’t be on the list. Once you have your list created start by count out the A’s to make sure your wedding budget and venue can handle the amount of people who without a doubt need to be invited,  continue on down until you have to start make touch decisions. Some people who may not make the cut? Maybe you decide to cut out co-workers or young kids.  The choice is completely up to you and your family, your wedding venue and what your wedding can afford.

4.  Focus on the Present

Don’t feel obligated to invite people from the past that you no longer stay in touch with. Just because you were invited to their wedding 5 years ago does not mean your relationship is the same as it was 5 years ago. Focus on those who are part of your present life and know you as a couple. If your wedding budget and list permits start adding those people who played an important role in your past that you would like their not just feel obligated to invite.

5. Stick to Your List

Once you have some boundaries created make sure to stick to them. If non-couples guests can’t bring a date, or young children are not allowed, try not to make exceptions in order to keep from offending loved ones.  It makes it easier also when someone asks you can let them know the guidelines you and your fiance have created. It makes it easier when everyone sticks to the guidelines that everyone has agreed to.

This should be a first step to cutting down your guest list. Of course there will always be some tough decisions but just try to focus on what the day is really about. It’s about celebrating your love for one another with those you care the most about and support you the most.

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