Day #2 - Gifting Your Guests

Giving your wedding a guests is not a must anymore.  I mean when you think about it everything you do for the wedding, from invitations to food to the open bar, is a gift.  But should you decide that giving your wedding guests a take home favor...make it edible.  I promise if the favor is edible your wedding planner will not be returning any unused or forgotten favors.

Below are some suggestions of favors that I have not seen go to waste:

• Garrett's Popcorn
• Customized cookies
• Candy and dessert bars with the couple's favorite treats
• Personalized cigars
• Mini wine or champagne bottles
• Chocolate dipped pretzels...heck chocolate dipped anything :)

Until next time...WEDologize

Photo credit - www.RushPhotoVideo.com

Interactive Guest Favors

Wedding favors are always a topic of discussion when it comes to the final details of the wedding.  My thought has always been...if you are giving away guest favors, make it something that fits you as a couple or make it edible.  Another one of my favorite ideas is an interactive guest favor "station" like cigar rolling, create your own sundae or cupcake, or caricature artistry.  There are so many options to involve your wedding guests beyond the dance floor that will give them an awesome reminder of your fabulous wedding day!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.rushphotovideo.com)

CSW: Cues to Kiss

Kisses from the newly married couple during the wedding reception truly gets the guests excited!  So when Chicago Style Weddings asked me to give a few ideas on ways to incorporate this "tradition" into the wedding reception festivities, that was easy. Check out the suggestions I made within the article:

"You will still hear clanking of the glasses at a lot of receptions because that is the known tradition for getting the bride and groom to kiss," says Desiree' Moore Dent of Dejanae Events. But she offers some "alternatives to avoid breaking your water glass," such as ringing mini bells or hiring a "fun DJ that gets the guests involved and randomly stops the music and shouts out 'kiss'!"

You can view the entire article and others in Chicago Style Weddings eMagazine at http://www.chicagostyleweddings.com/emagazine.aspx.
 

Until next time...WEDologize!

Table Setting Ideas for Weddng Day

The table setting is just as important as the fabulous centerpiece you place on the reception guest tables.  These photographs share some fabulous looks using menu cards napkins, chargers, flatware, stemware, china.  Which design will you tweek for your wedding day?

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credits - hot pink design; black design; purple design; teal and purple design; Beach design; pink and gold design; brown and cream design; white design)

Components of Wedding Stationery

I thought today would be a good time to share the components of wedding stationery.  You might not necessarily include all of the elements within your wedding planning due to the budget constructions, but where you can include paper...do so.  It truly finishes off a wedding design.

Save The Date Card:  Sent AT LEAST 6 months before the wedding to alert guests of your wedding date. It's also useful to put your wedding website link on this card.
Invitation:  The official formal announcement of your wedding including the date, time and location of the ceremony.
RSVP Card:  The card that accompanies the wedding invitation that guest will return to you stating if they can or cannot attend the ceremony and reception.  It is proper to add postage to the RSVP/return envelope.
Reception Card:  Alerts guest where the reception is located and the start time. If the reception is located in the same location as the ceremony, it is proper to add "Reception immediately following ceremony" at the bottom of the wedding invitation.
Direction Card:  A wonderful gesture to give your wedding guests directions to the ceremony location and to the reception location.
Accommodations Card:  The card used to let guests know of your room block(s). This information can easily be added to your wedding website and the card omitted.
Schedule of Activities:  Wonderful paper item if you are having pre-wedding activities during the wedding weekend or if you are having a destination wedding.
Ceremony Program:  Gives the sequence of events during the actual wedding ceremony.
Escort Card/Place Card:  The escort card is given to the wedding guest when they arrive to the reception venue and will let guests know what table they are seated.  A place card is a card that is on the table and lets the guest know which chair they are seated.
Table Number:  Have the design from your wedding invitation transferred to the table numbers to tie the stationery design all together.
Menu Card:  Adds another design element to the tablescape and let's the wedding guest know the food courses.
Favor Tags:  These can be an added detail to anything you may be giving to your wedding guests during or at the end of the night.
Thank You Cards:  Suggest you order them when you order your invitation suite so that you can send out a thank you card as you receive wedding gifts.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - http://www.dejanaeevents.cceasy.com and Invitations by Colette)

...I Found It, You Pin It...Friday!

The GLAM presentation for these guest thank you meringue favors is uber fabulous!!!  How swank to have this lovely boxes presented on the guest's plate or seat.  Or better yet, have them laid out on a gorgeous table of lush linens for your family and friends to take as they leave one your dream-filled wedding reception. LOVE IT!!!

Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize!

(photo credit - WedLuxe)

Wedding Photo Booth Mania

One of the most popular activities, that can turn into a great guest wedding favor, is the photo booth!  The newlyweds, bridal party, family and friends enjoy this reception activity so much that they go in and out the booth multiple times.  But what truly makes this activity fun are the props.  Some photo both companies provide props, but should you want to go on a DIY quest of your own, consider some of the ideas below:

Make a box (or trunk) of fun props like hats, boas, glasses for your guests.
You can easily grab these items from party stores.

Have fun with this DIY project of creating funny paper props attached to sticks.
Open up a pack of construction paper, glitter, markers and glue...then enjoy!

Add these really cool word bubbles for guests to write you a crazy message in chalk.

And don't forget the scrapbook for the photo print out and for guests to leave you a message.
This makes a GREAT alternative over your traditional guest book.

And should you be creating your own backdrop, jazz it up with sparkle and whimsical garland.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: Photobooth - Photo Booth Rocks; trunk of props - Majestic Photo Booth; Paper Props - OneWed; Word Bubbles - Hello Lucky; scrapbook - Hudson Valley Ceremonies; Backdrop - www.hillaryschuster.tumblr.com)

It's National Donut Day!

It's National Donut Day...well tomorrow, June 1st actually is the day to celebrate, but I decided to make the announcement today since Friday's blogs are held for Pin It Pics.  So in celebration of one of my favorite treats...check out some ways to incorporate the donut into your wedding or event. Enjoy :)

It doesn't get any better than a cupcake + a donut!!!

Add a dessert bar of...DONUTS!

Instead of just hot chocolate, add a mini donut as a treat!

Add the end of the night, bless your guests with donuts or bagels
and a serving of coffee!

 

For the donut loving couple, instead of wedding cake...donut cake!

Add a stick to it and create a donut pop!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit: cupcakes - www.kirbiecravings.com; bar - http://www.dynamodonut.com;  hot chocolate - www.marthastewartweddings.com; favor - http://blog.myjeanm.com; cake - www.theknot.com; donut holes - http://indulgy.com)

In Lieu of Favors

I run across plenty of couples perplexed about what they should give their wedding guests as parting gifts or favors.  The days of cute keys chains and wine stoppers are over and have been replaced with more desirable favors in the form of edible tasty treats. But is it truly required for you to give your guests a "favor"?  In my opinion...NO.  Especially after you have just fed them a fabulous meal and offered an open bar for the last 4 hours, plus provided linens, chairs, invitations, etc.  Get my point? :)

But, should you want to make a gesture of kindness on behalf of your wedding and your guests, consider making a donation to your favorite charity or organization in lieu of gifts.  Check out some of the ways you can let your guests know.

A card at each guests place setting to let them know your intentions

A tented card on each table letting guests know the charity

Change the label on the wine bottle to alert guests of your lovely gesture in there honor

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit: card - www.sweetpeaprint.com; www.theknot.com)

Pop+Corn=Fun! (Day#21)

Now I love a GREAT candy bar or dessert table, but have you ever given thought to a Popcorn Buffet???  One of my July 2011 brides loved the idea and purchased all varieties of Garrett's Popcorn for this fun interactive favor display for her wedding guests...accompanied by personalized popcorn boxes she ordered from an Etsy store.  Guests went wild once the Popcorn Bar was revealed and hovered around it most of the night!  Now that's a favor worth it's weight in gold...or should I say popcorn :)

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits:  from the personal iPhone library of Dejanae Events and www.vsphoto.com.)

S'More Love (Day#9)

Today's blog will appeal to you visually and it might make you revert back to your childhood...well at least for a moment.  S'Mores during the winter months are soooooo very popular and are now popping up everywhere when considering a favor for your wedding guests.  Or should you just  decide to have a fun friends over for some evening fun, consider these ideas.

Until next time...WEDologize!


(photo credits - www.pamperedchef.com; www.nicolemacaluso.wordpress.com; www.annies-eats.com; www.blogs.babble.com; www.weddingwindow.com; www.creatingcoutureparties.com)

Marshmallows...a Fluffy Delight!

I've been seeing tons of posts and pictures about mini cupcakes and cake pops, but don't forget the newest dessert craze positioned beautifully on dessert buffets and even as favors...the marshmallow!  Now, I'm not speaking about the "Camp Fire" brand, but those delicately created by confection divas hosting a wide range of flavors.  I was so inspired to create this post when one of my favorite confection-ista's just announced that after five years of making wonderfully delicious truffles, she's now bringing out a tasty line of marshmallow treats just in time for the holidays :)  Congratulations Katherine-Anne Confections and check out her blog post for more details!!!


Now onto a little photo inspiration:

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.katherine-anne.com; www.brendasweddingblog.com; www.sweetestoccassion.com; www.veiledhaven.com)

Wedding Tag D'Jour

I'm a paper girl and I love using unique paper ideas throughout the wedding day.  Using a tag can glam up many of the items making a debut on your wedding day.  Tags are an easy way to personalize and can easily become a Do It Yourself (DIY) project with the help of your bridesmaids.  Check out just a few items we love to tag:

As a beautiful escort card attached by crystals that could also double as a favor.

A personalized tag attached to a favor bag.

What a cute idea! Tags attached to sparklers for a festive send-off.

Guests could write "Well Wishes" on a tag and hang from a decorative tree.
Then later collect the tags and put into a scrapbook.

Instead of having a "blank" wine bottles on guest tables, add a tag that ties into your decor.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credits:  www.weddingbycolor.com; www.sparklersonline.com; www.celebrate2da.com; www.theknot.com; www.signaturek.wordpress.com)

Hey...It's Good To See You!

Is the "receiving line" a dinosaur??? My personal opinion is YES!  It's rare to see the newly married couple, their bridal party and parents in front of the church quickly greeting guests as they make their way through the line.  Not saying you shouldn't have one, but understand the receiveing line does take a long time and can cut into your photography time and reception time if not planned properly.  So what are some alternatives to replace the receiving line:

• Actually schedule ample time for photographs between the ceremony and reception, approximately 2-3 hours. This will then allow you to be apart of your cocktail hour and greet guests at the reception venue.
• Instead of placing favors on the tables, the bride and groom can walk around and personally give a favor to the guest.  This would allow for them to stop and speak with all those that attended.
• Have the DJ make an announcement that the couple will walk around to each table and greet guests individually.
• Plan with the photographer to walk around to each individual table and take photos with you and your guests.

But should you lend towards a receiving line, include only yourselves and your parents.  Most guests aren't attending the wedding to meet the bridal party ;)

Until next time...WEDologize!