Fun Guest Book Alternatives

I have been asked recently by several of my 2011 brides...do you have an guest book ideas other than the book and pen format? Below are two of my favorite, interactive ideas.


Consider creating a scrapbook of your guests photo and special note. It's a simple idea, but you would need to ask a few family members or friends to assist in accomplishing the task. Basically, you would need a scrapbook, a couple Polaroid cameras, double-sided tape and colored markers/pens. Someone would take a picture of the guest(s), adhere the photo to the book and the guest would write a message next to their photo. This alternative is a GREAT keepsake for the couple and one I'm sure they'll enjoy as they read the messages together.


The second alternative is creating a tree and allowing your guest to hang well-wishes from the branches. The make the tree you would need some branches, a vase or decorative container, glass gems or marbles, moss and a few flowers for accent. For the guests to leave a message, on the display table, leave some decorative cards with ribbon attached and a few colored pens. Once the reception has concluded and you have returned from your honeymoon, you can read the messages and keep them in a scrapbook or photo album to read over and over again.

Until next time...WEDologize!


(photo credits: www.blog.thebrideandgroom.com; www.theknot.com)

Postage for Wedding Invitations

One of my favorite invitation designers, Christy of CT Designs, wrote a blog about envelopes and a thought popped in my head to discuss postage! Many brides are ordering and now receiving invitation suites for their summer 2011 weddings. It's now time to pay that visit to USPS to get the invitation and it's enclosures weighed for mailing.

Below you will find the current postage rates:

Postcard
$0.28

1st class up to 1 oz
$0.44

1st class up to 2 oz
$0.61

1st class up to 3 oz
$0.78

1st class up to 3.5 oz
$0.95

Non machineable surcharge (Square)
$0.20

But please note, some of the postage rates listed above will are scheduled to change on April 17, 2011.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - http://www.weddingsbycolor.com/)

Bridal Shower 101

I seem to not have addressed the bridal shower in any of my blogs, so today sounds like a good day to do just that. Actually, I think I'll dedicate my next 2-3 to this fun pre-wedding celebration hosted specifically for the bride.

One of my bride's called this week asking me some bridal shower etiquette questions and I've listed the answers below.

• It is inappropriate for the bride to host her own bridal shower. Your Maid/Matron of Honor should host the shower for the bride with participation from the bridesmaids. Mother's of the Bride and Groom have also been know to host showers for the lovely bride, but it's a complete no-no to do it yourself.
  
• It is tacky and rude to invite someone to your bridal shower and they not receive an invitation to the wedding.
  
• Bridal showers do not have to be centered around a theme. The shower should be about the bride and her likes. Having a "cooking-themed" bridal shower for a bride that does not cook would be extremely awkward for the guest of honor.
  
• Registry information can be included in the bridal shower invitation, but NOT the wedding invitation. Should you want wedding guests to know of your registries, it should be verbally communicated through the mothers and/or bridal party members or could be listed on your wedding website.
  
• Hosting a bridal shower less than a month before the wedding, in my opinion, is not a good idea. I'd suggest hosting the shower 6-8 weeks before the wedding to allow those invited guest to recuperate financially from giving a shower gift before having to give a wedding gift.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.hostesswiththemostess.com)

Wedding Gown Varieties

Some of my favorite department stores have stepped into the bridal attire game. I simply love that idea because in some cases the gowns are more affordable, but still offer the style and elegance of boutique-purchased wedding gown.

Ann Taylor, one of my favorite stores for business and cocktail attire, offers a variety of simple, yet elegant gowns that would be great for a church ceremony of destination wedding.

http://www.anntaylor.com/

J Crew, one of the stores of love for my casual and sports attire, offers a wide range of wedding gowns for the traditional, sophisticated or fun & flirty bride.

http://www.jcrew.com/wedding/Wedding_Bride/gowns.jsp

Today...Valentine's Day...Anthropologie will be launching a line of GORGEOUS wedding gowns they have called BHLDN.

http://www.bhldn.com/

And now the Queen of Wedding Gowns is offering an afford line at David's Bridal!!! White by Vera Wang has created some of the loveliest gowns for the budget-chic bride and the dress below just happens to be my fav!

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Browse_Bridal-Gowns-Shop-By-Designer-White-by-Vera-Wang

Until next time...WEDologize

Welcome the WEDology Notebook!!!

Well today is the day everyone!!!

My "baby" was conceived over two years ago (I know that's a long time to be carrying a baby), but to bring her full term took a lot of sleepless nights and thought-filled days. I wanted to create a planner for the bride that was easy to carry and showcased the bride-on-a-budget a.k.a the budget-chic bride. In my meetings and adventures, I'd grown tired of seeing brides carrying their purse and then a tote bag to house their hefty wedding binder. In witnessing my bride's weighted down, the idea of the notebook was created.

Please support me in the launch of the WEDology Notebook: For the Budget-Chic Bride this month. The 10-tabbed chapters will allow any bride to plan her wedding to the fullest and within her budget, plus I've included a Honeymoon Bonus in the 1st edition. I'm sure the Notebook won't disappointment...my almost 11 years of experience won't allow that!!! Thanks in advance for your support :)

Until next time...WEDologize!

Popsicles With A Twist

I attended Arctic Summer 2011 at Union Station last week and there was one design created by Food for Thought that just sent me over the edge...a mound of ice with Popsicles planted inside! As I'm trying to think about warmer weather and not all the snow that has fallen in Chicago, I'm drawn to my childhood favorite and my memories of sitting on my porch with a Popsicle. For the summer brides wanting to do something different outside of the candy and dessert bars, consider wowing your guests with the treat that both the young and old love. Put a wooden stick into the top of it and POOF...you have a Popsicle.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - http://www.cocktailsdetails.com/; http://www.countryliving.com/; http://www.camillestyles.com/)

Snow Day Blues

Since Chicago has practically shut down due to the Blizzard of 2011, I've been blogging all day and wanted to share some "wedding blues" inspirational photos for the discerning bride who loves her some "blue"!!! Enjoy...

And if you'll be traveling about on your winter wedding day, don't forget the boots!!!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: http://www.theknot.com/; http://www.milanoo.com/; http://www.weddinginspirasi.com/; http://www.blissbookimages.com/; )http://emmalinebride.com/)

Jazzing Up Napkins

Here's a thought for those bride's wanting a completed design for their wedding reception tablescape, consider giving the napkin ring a roll. In thinking about the guests tables, the napkin plays a big role and can be presented in several different ways. I dedicated a blog to the napkin fold and today we'll focus on some ideas on presenting the napkin.

Using fabric in your wedding colors as a napkin ring will add a pop of color. This example used bandannas and buttons to create the look.

Using beads or a beaded hair accessory can really create an elegant napkin ring.

Gathering the napkin or placing a fresh flower on a simple fold is so delicate and romantic.

And should you want to bring whimsy to your tablescape, the use of pom-poms, feathers, and even candy can create a spectacular napkin ring.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credits - www.etsy.com/shop/PartyPoms; www.countryliving.com; www.budget-wedding-planning.blogspot.com; www.do-it-yourself-wedding.com; www.designspongeonline.com)