Unique Thank-You Cards for Your Wedding

Want to give your wedding guests a thank-you card they will cherish for years to come? Try some of these unique thank-you card ideas for your wedding.

Unique thank-you cards can give you just the inspiration you need to present your guests with a thank-you gesture that they will love and cherish for years to come. But if you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, you may be tempted to just purchase stock thank-you cards. Or you may be stressing because you really do want to offer something unique. Not to worry! These unique thank-you card ideas can help you find just what you’re looking for.

Photo Album Thank-You Cards

Photo album thank-you cards are probably the most time-consuming yet unique thank-you cards to put together. To use this idea, ask your guests for photos that they took during your wedding and reception. If you had a destination wedding, you may even be able to collect photos from your actual honeymoon. Once you have the photos, upload them on-line or take them to a photo shop and create a thank-you card template. If you had a small wedding, try to include pictures of all of your guests so that everyone can feel special when they receive their thank-you card. If you had a large wedding, however, you may find it impossible to include all of your guests.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Instead of trying to involve all of your guests in your unique thank-you cards, try taking a picture of you, as a couple, in a special place on your honeymoon holding a thank-you sign. You can have the sign specially made if you like. You may even want to make the photo a little more romantic by kissing in the photograph. Guests are certain to love these unique thank-you cards!

Taking a Different Direction

Another option is to create a thank-you card that is directly on your wedding website. Using e-cards to thank your guests can cut down on the cost of your thank-you cards if you are on a budget, while still giving everyone a way to view your wedding photos, making these the most frugal, unique thank-you cards.

Bridal Party Dos and Don’ts

Are you a bridal party member? Are you a bride looking for some basic bridal party etiquette tips? Here are some basic bridal party dos and don’ts for both the bride and bridal party.

Just as there are dos and don’ts with wedding reception and wedding shower etiquette, there are etiquette rules for members of the bridal party, as well as for the bride and her involvement with the bridal party.

Here are important bridal party dos and don’ts for everyone involved:

 

The Bride

Don’t choose a maid of honor based on history.

No matter how much you feel conflicted over which of your best friends to choose for your maid of honor, don’t choose one over the other based on guilt. Even if you knew one friend longer or were closer to her at one point in time, don’t assume you have to choose someone based on the history you share. Choose a friend or family member who you are currently close to and who will be able to be there for you during the wedding planning process.

Don’t forget to gift each member of the bridal party. 

This is bridal party etiquette 101. It is customary for the bride (and the groom) to gift their bridesmaids and groomsmen with gifts before the wedding.

 

The Bridal Party

Do make arrangements for the bride’s bachelorette party and/or bridal shower.

Traditionally, the maid of honor or the bride’s closest friend or family member will take the initiative to throw the bridal shower and bachelorette party, but if you’re a member of a bridal party and you’re unsure of these plans, ask the best man or maid of honor to find out if you can help plan the occasion.

Don’t miss fittings or rehearsals. 

This might sound obvious, but there’s nothing worse than showing up late or missing your fittings or the wedding rehearsals all together. It’s rude and an inconvenience for the bride, groom, and other parties involved. Be sure to confirm and keep track of your tux or dress fittings, and attend all the necessary dinner rehearsals as promised to keep on the bride and groom’s good graces.

Follow these bridal party dos and don’ts and you’ll get an “A” in wedding etiquette!

How to Make Your Wedding Dress Eco-Friendly

Conscious about the environment? Planning an eco-friendly wedding? Not sure how to extend your green wedding ways to your wedding dress? These tips can help.

If you are planning an eco-friendly wedding, you might be interested in learning how you can make your wedding dress eco-friendly, too. But how do you go about it without sacrificing style? Check out these tips and you will find that there are plenty of stylish ways to make your wedding dress “green.”

Buy it “Once-Worn”

Buying your wedding dress used is a great way to make your wedding dress eco-friendly. For most brides, a wedding dress is a one-time outfit. Plenty of brides donate or resell their wedding dress because they just don’t see a point in storing the dress away when someone else can use it.

To ensure that this method of making your wedding dress “green” goes off without a hitch, visit bridal shops and try on dresses. Find the dress you like, get your size, and then search out your wedding dress on-line or through other used outlets. Some bridal shops will even have used wedding dresses to help you make your wedding dress eco-friendly.

It’s All in the Threads

Not into the idea of buying a used dress? Buy a wedding dress made with sustainable fabrics. Organic cotton and hemp-silk are just some of the beautiful fabrics designers are now using to make eco-friendly wedding dresses. These fabrics still provide the same look and style that every bride is looking for, but the fabrics are less damaging on the planet.

Donate Your Wedding Dress

Now that you’ve learned how to make your wedding dress eco-friendly, give another bride the opportunity to make her dress eco-friendly too by donating your wedding dress to a charity. Not only will another bride be able to purchase her dress once-worn, the money from the proceeds will also go towards the organization running the charity. More and more charities are banding together to help brides carry out their eco-friendly missions. What better way is there to make your wedding dress eco-friendly than contributing to a cause you believe in?

Money-Saving Tips for Brides on a Small Budget

Budget-conscious brides need to pay extra attention to wedding details if they want to save money planning a wedding. Here are some money-saving tips for brides on a small budget.

Brides who find themselves on a small budget can benefit from wedding planning money-saving tips for a number of reasons. Not only do money-saving tips help you stay within your budget limits while planning your wedding, but they can also help simplify the entire wedding planning process. For example, combining services or opting for sale items can often give you what you need quicker and more conveniently.

If you’re on a small wedding planning budget and need to watch your spending, then it’s important to focus on the details, because that is where all of your expenses will add up very quickly. Here are some money-saving tips for brides on a small budget:

Buy wedding favors in bulk—This is one tip that really pays attention to the details. Wedding favors are typically seen as extras or tiny details in the grand scheme of things, but their expense can really make a difference in your overall spending. To save some cash and get the favors you need, consider buying your favors in bulk. You get plenty of favors and you end up paying less per favor this way.

Condense with a wedding package—One of the best ways to save money and stick to your modest wedding budget is to condense your larger ceremony and reception venue expenses by condensing with a package deal. Many resorts and venue locations offer affordable package deals that save you money if you use the venue space for both your ceremony and reception, instead of having each part of the event at a separate location. Talk to your wedding planner and on-site coordinators at the venues you’re interested in to discover your options.

Seek alternative dress options—Dress shopping is another area you can save big. Consider bridal dress rentals, which some bridal shops offer, or buying a gown secondhand. You can also buy a gown style that is discontinued and save significantly on your bridal gown expense. This is one of many great money-saving tips for brides on a small budget.

How to Choose the Music for Your Wedding Reception

Music at your wedding can make a lasting impression on your guests. It can also be one of the most fun aspects of your wedding to plan. But be careful, because planning the music for your wedding can quickly turn into a nightmare. To keep this from happening, try some of these useful tips.

Trying to choose the music for your wedding reception but feeling a little flustered? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. A lot of couples overthink the music for their wedding. They get nervous about choosing just the right songs. They can’t seem to decide on the type of music they want. All of these issues and more can suck all of the fun out of choosing music for your reception. But never fear—there are a few tips you can use to help you choose the music for your wedding reception.

Deciding on a Live Band or a DJ

If you’re like most people, you know that nothing can really replace the sound of a live band. On the other hand, a really good DJ can keep the party hoppin’ and have your guests on the dance floor doing the “Chicken Dance” in a matter of mere seconds. Often, the decision between a live band and DJ rests in the hands of the wedding budget. If you are on a limited budget, you probably don’t have enough to hire a good, quality live band, so go for the best DJ you can find when trying to choose the music for your wedding reception.

Pick a Few Good Songs

Some couples get overly stressed because they try to line up a full night’s worth of songs. If you hire a good band or DJ, you shouldn’t have to do this. You can give your musician a short list of songs that are important to you, fill them in on the theme of your wedding, tell them what kind of music you like and have faith that they can plan accordingly. Most professional musicians, both bands and DJs, are experienced in setting the tone and the atmosphere wherever they go. Save yourself some stress; let the professionals do their job and know that you don’t have to choose the music for your wedding reception from beginning to end.

Top Dos and Don’ts for Planning Your Wedding

Need a simple, straightforward approach to planning your wedding? Then take a look at these top dos and don’ts for planning your wedding.

Our top dos and don’ts for planning your wedding will help simplify your wedding planning process. They will even help you sort out the fluff from the really important stuff. Keep reading and find out what you should and shouldn’t do on your big day with our top dos and don’ts for planning your wedding.

Do: Choose a Theme

This might seem pretty self-explanatory, which might make you wonder why it made our list of top dos and don’ts for planning your wedding. The answer is simple, though. A theme will ensure a cohesive look and feel throughout your wedding decor from beginning to end. Your theme should be incorporated into every aspect of your wedding, from the ceremony to the reception. You may even want to use your theme for your honeymoon location, especially if you choose an exotic theme.

Don’t: Micromanage

This is probably the hardest rule to follow on our list of top dos and don’ts for planning your wedding. It can be hard to surrender some control on your big day and the weeks leading up to it, but giving away some control is essential to the survival of your sanity. Stress overload can create a very edgy bride and a day that is less than perfect. Remember, the most important detail of your wedding day is the beginning of your new life together.

Do: Hold Your Reception after Dark

Make your reception a night to remember by holding it after dark. The late night hours are intended only for adult guests, so you’re creating something more like a date night out for busy parents, making this rule on our list of dos and don’ts for planning your wedding a way to create a night everyone will remember. Serve drinks, food, and have lots of dancing to keep the night hoppin’. You may even consider serving a late-night “breakfast.”

Don’t: Forget the Sparkle

Forgetting the sparkle takes the magic out of your reception. This is important for all weddings, but especially when the couple is planning a nighttime reception. Holding your reception in a ballroom offers automatic sparkle, but you can also create your own with crystals and candle accents. And don’t forget—this rule on our list of dos and don’ts for planning your wedding also applies to the bride and her attire!

Tips for Resolving Your Guest List Dilemmas

Arguing over the guest list? Afraid of offending someone? Can’t afford all the guests you want to invite to your wedding? Too many guests for your venue? These tips will help you handle a myriad of guest list dilemmas. 

Resolving your guest list dilemmas can be pretty overwhelming. Plenty of arguments have sprouted from this early wedding planning element. Couples have a hard time agreeing on who should go and who shouldn’t. Both the bride and groom struggle with the process of narrowing down their guest lists to fit the wedding budget and venue accommodations. Worries of offending people by not inviting them start to surface. Yes, the guest list dilemma is one of the most difficult aspects of wedding planning, but there are some tips that can make resolving your guest list dilemmas just a little easier.

Start with Your Dream List

The first step to resolving your guest list dilemmas is to start with your dream list. Bride and groom should make their own lists for this phase. Don’t worry about your venue accommodations. Don’t worry about your budget. Just make a list of every single person you would like to see at your wedding.

Trimming the Fat

The next step in resolving your wedding guest list dilemmas will be a little more difficult because it’s time to come back down to earth. Start by singling out the very most important people on your list – the people that your wedding wouldn’t be complete without. This is your A-list. Set this list of people aside. Now, start to look at the other guests on your list. Consider why they are important. Have you talked to them in the last six months? Do you talk to them regularly? If not, consider removing them from your list. Now look at who is remaining and write this list out. These are your B-list guests.

Bringing it Together

Bride and groom now need to take their A-list guests and combine them. How many guests do the two of you have between each other? Will your budget and venue accommodate all of them? If so, then you have completed your first round of guests. Send out wedding invitations to these guests early and obtain an RSVP from all attending guests. If you have room for more later, then great! Then it’s time to invite those on the B-list. If not, know that the people most important to you will be in attendance and you have successfully completed the task of resolving your guest list dilemmas.

 

Looking for bridal shower favors. Check out this post!

Bridal Vendor Shopping 101

Are you ready to start hiring your vendors for your wedding day? Here are some basic bridal vendor shopping steps you should take before signing any contracts.

Securing your bridal vendors is one of the very first steps to take when you begin planning your wedding, but it helps to acquaint yourself with some bridal vendor shopping 101 first before you sign on the dotted line. Booking vendors such as your caterer, florist, and wedding coordinator are rather large expenses, and they often require lengthy contracts that make it difficult to change or cancel once you sign the agreement. This is standard and is necessary for the vendor to run his or her business smoothly, but it also means that you need to know what you want and what you can afford before you make any contractual or financial commitments.

Keep the following bridal vendor shopping 101 in mind when you begin planning your wedding:

Ask around—One of the best ways to begin your vendor shopping process is to ask around for recommendations. Talk to other brides, bridal boutique owners, consult the BBB, and attend local bridal shows to meet potential vendors in person. Once you do your research, begin writing down each contender and make appointments with the ones you’d most like to meet with.

Get it in writing—When you meet with potential vendors, get everything in writing. Even if you’re not securing a contract, ask for a business card with an estimate number written on it, or for some sort of written correspondence that recaps the numbers and services you agreed on. This will help you keep track of your options as you begin the process of elimination and will also ensure that you are given the deal you agreed on during your initial meeting.

Know that quality costs more—Whatever you do, don’t be cheap. This doesn’t mean to choose vendors you cannot afford, but it does mean to be realistic about what your budget allows and to realize that quality typically costs more. Remember that it is not always beneficial to opt for the least expensive vendor option. Keep this bridal vendor shopping tip in mind as you begin meeting with potential vendors.

What are the First Steps in the Wedding Planning Process?

All of the steps in the wedding planning process cannot be summed up in a few short sentences, and not every step is cut and dry. However, the process begins with a few standard tasks. Here are the very first steps in the wedding planning process and how to go about them.

The first steps in the wedding planning process are pretty straightforward, but they are also the most crucial. Regardless of how large or small your occasion is going to be, you’ll need to have these first steps taken care of before you move on to the other essential planning tasks. You’ll find that once you have these initial steps taken care of that all of the other details will fall into place and will be easier to plan as you go.

These are the first and most important steps in the wedding planning process:

Set Your Budget—This is crucial right from the start. Discuss finances with your soon-to-be spouse and determine how much you can and are willing to spend. Also discuss whether or not any family members will be helping with the expenses.

Hire a Planner—Although this is an optional step, it’s highly recommended no matter how small your occasion will be. If you want to save money, passing on a wedding planner is not the way to do it. A wedding planner can be invaluable when it comes to putting together your occasion.

Choose a Style and Theme—Decide how formal or informal you’d like your wedding to be and then decide on a style. Pick the color schemes and the theme you’d like to use. This will set you up to choose your cake, decor, floral arrangements, and more.

Choose a Date and a Season—Sit down with your calendar and decide on a date according to the season you’d like to marry in. Remember to take the weather and holidays into account when deciding on a season.

Book Your Locations and Vendors—Your wedding planner will really help you with this step, but you can shop around for ceremony and reception locations and vendors on your own before you even hire a planner if you wish. Choose a location that can accommodate the number of guests you’d like to have and one that complements the style and formality of your elegant wedding.