Wedding Blog

Wedding Party Gifts

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 22:32:00 GMT

Wedding Party Gifts

So many times Brides will think over and over and over again to ourselves, what would be the best Bridesmaids gift I could give. We see all the common gifts for the guys and girls such as Jewelry to match the dresses, which might or might not ever be worn again. For the guys a flask or cufflinks that they will inevitably put in the same drawer as the last pair of cufflinks they received. Below I have listed some of my favorite gifts for Bridesmaids and Groomsmen.

Bridesmaids:

Personalized gift aimed at each girls interest (cooking, books, movies, bath)

Bottle of Wine with Decanter and Glasses

Framed Picture of the Bride and Bridesmaid

Picnic Basket

Recipe of the Bride’s favorite recipes or a collection from all the Bridesmaids

A painting and wine night for two Gift Certificate

A pallet of eye shadows and brushes

Groomsmen:

Set of Engraved Pint Glasses

Beer Sampler Set

Travel Bag

Beer of the month club

Tailgate cooler

Guest and Guest List Questions & Answers

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:38:00 GMT

When creating your guests list, you tend to ask yourself several questions when it comes to trimming the fat, inviting co-workers, people not RSVPing, ect. The Knot has great answers to several of our question

Q.

If invited guests do not respond to a formal wedding invitation, even though a response card was supplied, should we call them to find out if they will come? Or can we assume that they're not coming?

As far as final head count goes, you should never assume. Call to see if they're coming. You never know -- maybe they think they sent the response card but it may be hiding under a pile of mail. If calling is a problem, assume that they are coming, and make sure there’s food and seats for them. It's better to have extra grub and room than to have neglected guests wondering where to sit!

Q.

Who should be invited to the postwedding brunch? My future in-laws would like to host one, but they would like to invite business associates who are not wedding guests. I disagree! Would it be more appropriate to have a second reception once we return from our honeymoon?

Usually the postwedding brunch is for the couple's families and any wedding guests that are still around or in town. It's a winding-down party, when the newly married bride and groom get to say a final thank-you to their guests and spend a little more time with loved ones. And you're right: It's not appropriate to have business associates that didn't attend the wedding at this gathering. It should be a low-key affair for the two of you. A second reception once you're back from your honeymoon is a better idea.

Q.

I have a wedding budget that allows for about 150 guests, but my fiance and I have so many friends that our current list already exceeds 250! I keep looking at it and just can't cut any names without feeling terrible. How can we trim our wedding guest list without the guilt?

Rest assured that a bulging-at-the-seams guest list is a common wedding planning occurrence, and can be remedied somewhat painlessly. You are probably feeling so excited about sharing this joyous occasion with everyone you know that you just can't bear to leave anyone off the list. But, truth be told, most of us can't afford to invite everyone we know to our weddings, so start trimming! First, go over your list with your fiance and put each guest into category A or B. The As are the absolute must-invites, and likely include your family and closest friends. The B list is for all of those remaining. Now weed out your B list by asking yourself some questions: How close are you with this person? When was the last time you saw or spoke to this person? Would having him or her there on your wedding day really make or break your enjoyment? Based on your answers, you should be able to significantly reduce your overall list.

Other ways to consider cutting back: Leave off old high school or college friends whom you're pretty sure you'll never see again; second and third cousins whose names you can barely remember; and your parents' extras (unless, of course, your parents are footing the bill). Make your wedding adults-only (skip anyone under 18); invite single people sans guests (and seat them together so they'll mix and mingle); and don't feel obligated to invite coworkers or business associates. Lastly, don't feel pressured to invite people just because you were invited to their weddings. You may still feel bad about cutting people, but the reality is, it's one of the surest ways to save lots of money and have the wedding of your dreams.

Q.

How do we inform guests that only adults 18 and over are invited to our reception? Is it okay to write "adult reception" on the invitations?

It's completely legitimate to want an adults-only reception, especially for an evening affair. And most parents of young children will jump at the chance for a night out without the kids. Even so, this is a sensitive topic, and putting "adult reception" on invites is not the answer. It seems like the easiest way to deal, but it's a little too in-your-face, so you should take a more subtle tack. First, tell your parents, wedding party, and other close relatives and friends, so they can spread the word if any guests ask them.

Second, the people whose names are on your invitations are the only people invited to the wedding (i.e., "Mr. and Mrs. John Doe" means just the couple; "The Doe Family" means little Suzie can come too). Most guests will take note of this and RSVP for just themselves. Others are not so observant and will RSVP that three guests will attend, even though only two were invited. This is how you'll know if they think children (or random other people, for that matter) can come.

The next step is to call them and explain that because of "budget constraints" (always the best excuse, even if it's not true) you decided to invite only adults. If you meet with anger or exasperation -- and you might -- don't back down. It's your decision as to who's invited to the wedding. Whatever you do, don't make exceptions. Don't let Suzie tag along just to get off the phone with Jane Doe -- otherwise little Johnny's parents will notice.

This seems hard, but it's only awkward because many guests do not gracefully accept the fact that their kids aren't invited. Try to understand that some may be genuinely surprised or hurt, and be understanding, but don't give in. If it becomes a real problem with a lot of guests, look into hiring a babysitter or two to care for kids during the reception. They can have a pizza party -- way cheaper than having them at the reception, and everyone will be happy.

It's Christmas!

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:39:00 GMT

Can you believe that Christmas is only FIVE days away! It is crazy how fast this year flew by, not just for us at the Courtyard but for everyone it seems like as well. Here at the Courtyard our job revolves around planning for the following year, 2013 and now it will be planning for 2014. Regardless of how far in advance we plan for in our lives, this season we all need to stop and take a moment and be thankful for what we have. Be gracious for the friends and family you have and put your material items aside, but be mindful that with everything you have there will always be someone a little less fortunate. Spend time with the ones you love this Holiday season, but don’t forget that they will still be there the next week and the week after that. Give not only with gifts this season, but give more with Love! The Courtyard cannot be more thankful for all of you and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

A Few of my Favorite Favors

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:11:00 GMT

As Brides, we sometimes feel it necessary to purchase Wedding favors for all of our guests. But as a soon to be Bride and a Wedding Coordinator, I see so many favors get left behind. I have come across of a few of my favorite wedding favors that are sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Candy Bar

Wine Stoppers

Homemade Jelly in Mason Jars

Homemade Salsa in Mason Jars

Food Seasonings in Glass containers

Oil & Vinegar

Honey in Personalized Containers

Set of 4 Coasters

Hot Coco in Mason Jars

Did you know that many of these items can be handmade and can be very inexpensive? Mason Jars, small glass containers, 6oz-14oz glass bottles can all be purchased at Hobby Lobby or even at wholesale places online for sometimes $1.00 or less (always look for a sale). Ingredients to fill these containers can always be purchased at Farmers markets, special spice markets and again online, and sometimes you will just have to search somewhere that is probably not as well known. With favors it is always fun to get creative and give it your personal touch!

Weddings Playlist

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:43:00 GMT

I couldn’t agree more with The Knot (well almost), 15 Wedding Songs that are a must skip!

1. Celebration by Kool & The Gang
2. We are Family by Sister Sledge. This should be reserved for family reunions only.
3. Hot in Herre by Nelly. One word, inappropriate.
4. YMCA by Village People. Absolutely not on my list.
5. Chicken Dance, possibly if I was allowing kids to my Wedding
6. Every Breath you Take by The Police. Does this really even happen, I am sorry I have never heard this song at a Wedding maybe at Prom.
7. Macarena by Los Del Rio. Again the last time I heard this song played was at a High School Dance and that was 10 years ago.
8. Staying Alive by the Bee Gees. I am sure this would work at a few wedding, but I would suggest trying to avoid it.
9. Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler. I am at a lost for words.
10. My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion. As much as you and I love Celine she was meant for Weddings in the 90’s where Brides had puffy sleeved Gowns.
11. Gonna Make You Sweat by C&C Music Factory

I absolutely encourage the following songs:

Cha Cha Slide – DJ Casper
I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas
Love Shack by the B-52’s
Mony Mony by Billy Idol. Everyone needs a little Idol in there life.

I also made up a list of my own songs I would absolutely need played at my own Wedding.

Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers
Wonderful World by Sam Cooke
For What it’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield
Cupid by Sam Cooke
Once in my life by Stevie Wonder
Wobble by V.I.C
Thriller by Michael Jackson
Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-a-lot
Come on Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners

All in all I would really have to say it is all about the type of guests you have invited to your wedding and what you think they would like. Make sure you do your research and you have requested certain songs you want to be played as well as songs you don’t want to plan.

Honeymooning on a Budget!

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 20:01:00 GMT

When the word Honeymoon crosses a newly engaged couples mind, all these exciting thoughts come to mind! White sandy beaches, delicious dinners for two, relaxation, touring ancient ruins, cocktails in a courtyard on the streets on Paris, clear blue water, which are all so exciting. But, where to go, how many days, have a adventurous or relaxing honeymoon, all inclusive, backpack and how much is this all going to cost and who is going to plan this?

Since my fiancé and I have been very indecisive on our Honeymoon and if it’s going to fit into the budget we have considered several different ideas. There are a number of sites that offer great deals and don’t require much planning at all. Sites like cheapcarribean.com offer great all inclusive deals to places like Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Cabo, Belize and Riviera Maya. With this sight you compare each resort and the number of restaurants they offer the type of beaches, pools and bar. You choose the type of room, the departure and arrival times and any excursions you want to do all on the website.

For those that like a little more flexibility you can always look into Groupon Getaways and Living Social deals. With many of these deals you can purchase the hotel accommodations and purchase your flights separately as well as all food and beverage, this way your money might not already be spent and you are not so tied down. Be careful before you purchase though and check out flights and their cost and make sure your deal is good on the dates you would like to vacation. I recently had a very close friend purchase several Groupons that were two or three night stays in different locations, but it offered them a great travel and cultural experience while they vacationed for 10 days!

One more great option for an affordable honeymoon is to actually register for your honeymoon as one of your gifts for the wedding. You can do this through sites like honeymoonwishes.com, the Marriot or even Disney. With Honeymoonwishes you are setting up a fantastic honeymoon to a closed or undisclosed location. You register for the airfare, hotel, and dinner on the beach, massage for two, zipling and many more. Then your guests choose the item they would like to purchase for you with amounts that you preselected such as $25.00, $50.00 or $100.00. This money can then be direct deposited into your bank account and you actually plan your own honeymoon with what you received. Keep in mind that most gifts are bought within 2 to 3 weeks of your wedding so you won’t actually be receiving the majority of your money till closer to the wedding.

A few words of advice: always do your research; read the reviews to make sure the accommodations are up to your level of expectations. Ask friends and family to see who has traveled to certain destinations and see what their experiences were. Some places might be offering great deals that are almost too hard to pass up, but check their hurricane seasons.

Happy Honeymooning!

Old School Rules!

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 20:33:00 GMT

#1 Seating for the Ceremony, specific sides for the bride and groom hardly exist anymore it is really only for the parents.

#2 The groom not seeing the bride until she walks down the aisle. This is still pretty popular and traditional, but first glance photos are the best! They take the pressure off during the ceremony and you can get to the reception earlier and get the party started.

#3 The Bride’s family pays for the Reception. Again this is still really traditional, but more and more I see the Groom’s side pitching in or helping in any way they can and you know everyone can really appreciate that

#4 You have to leave for your honeymoon right after the reception. Who even made that rule up? I would need at least a day because after planning a wedding how do you expect me not to forgot to pack everything!

#5 You don’t have to do a rehearsal and you don’t have to do a rehearsal dinner anymore. The rehearsal dinner was started so the parents could meet each other before the actual wedding day and get all the formalities out of the way. I’d be surprised if any bride’s and groom’s parents have met or at least talked these days! Oh and rehearsals, it’s not rocket science and most people have attended a wedding before and get the gist.

#6 Your registry does not have to consist of only household items. Many couples already live together and might already have a house and have already stocked up on many items. If this is the case it is appropriate to ask for things that could be good for vacations or the honeymoon.

Another use for a Mason Jar!

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:23:00 GMT

I am, in all honestly, a pretty forgetful person when it comes to inside jokes, silly/fun moments, great dates and key events. When I first started dating my fiancé, I knew there was something very special about this man and that things needed to remembered and for me that meant documenting. I know pictures last forever, but sometimes you just forget to capture that odd/ funny moment and honestly sometimes a picture just can’t describe what was going through your mind.

A few moments into dating I decided to grab a mason jar and some colored paper and I started to record all the memorable things that I knew would make us laugh six months, a year, five years or even 10 years down the road.

Of course these jars will fill up quickly so my suggestion is to do one for each year you are together and then when you get to five years take out the top ten memories for each year and compile those into the Five Year Anniversary Jar.

Another great Mason Jar idea is for the first year of marriage. Every couple of days or at the end of each week write down on that small piece of paper something that makes you smile about your significant other, something sweet they did for you that week or even something new you learned about them. On the one year anniversary read them all together and remember the day you said your vowels and that the second year will produce even more wonderful memories.

Hair Accessories!

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:58:00 GMT

I know we all spend countless number of hours scrolling through Google images and now Pinterest to find the perfect hair style for the Big Day! There are three main categories for hairstyles: Up-do, Down, and Half Up-dos. There are also several accessories you can incorporate into your hair for the big day now too. The typical veil or bird cage of course will cross your mind, but now there are several new chic items for you to wear now too!

Feather flowers, crystal hair ties, headband, veiled pin, crystal barrette, and a gilded comb! For many of us the Veil or bird age is a must, but we all know we are taking that off after the ceremony, so what should we wear in place of it afterwards?

Feather Flowers Crystal Hair Ties

Crystal Hair Ties Glided Comb

Veiled Pin Headband

Avoid the Meltdown!

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 05:00:00 GMT

That Maid of Honor of yours will need to stay on her toes on the Big Day, the best way to avoid any meltdowns is to be PREPARED! It is really not that hard, but there are a few items that are important to have with especially when get ready.

1.Medication (Advil, band-aids, eye drops, cough drops, splinter removers, burn cream, tums, day time allergy, nick power which quickly stops bleeding)

I constantly bring my first aid kit to every event, vacation, bachelorette party because you can never be to prepared and lets be honest we are a bunch of girls and some one is app to complain about a headache or a blister.

2. Clear Elastics and Bobby Pins

How often do I see a bride shoving more bobby pins into their hair right before there ceremony of grand entrance, it is a must have.

3. Shout Wipes and Mini Tide-To-Go Pens

I am a mess on a normal day, so imagine what would happen on the biggest day of my life.

4. Q-tips and Cotton Balls

5. Safety Pins

That is just a no brainer, again I have seen more dresses that bust or sweetheart tops that need to hide a little more.

6. Sewing Kit

Well I can’t sew on a button, but I know my Mom can. Make sure there is also a good set of scissors as well.

7. Deodorant and Hairspray

8. Mints or Mouth Fresheners

9. Double sided Tape and Cloth Glue

Of course there will always be more personal items you can add to this emergency kit, you know the bride the best!

10 Reasons to Have an Afternoon Wedding

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 17:44:00 GMT

Whether it is to save money, lock down the venue of your dreams with a limited amount of time or becuase you love brunch there are plenty of reasons to consider an afternoon wedding.

1) $AVINGS!! Use the extra money to decorate your home, make a down payment on a new home, or go on your dream honeymoon.

2) Bloody Mary or Mimosa Bar. Need I say more?

3) The Atmosphere! It is laid back, cheery and intmate.

4) Celebration time. In the evening you are left with a few hours to squeeze in all of your dancing, eating, and mingling. By having an afternoon wedding you will have all day and evening to hang with your new Mr. or Mrs., visit with friends and family and don't forget the extra time to party!

5) The answer is YES. Yes, your guests will still dance. Yes, your guests will still drink. Yes, your guests (and you) will still have fun!

6) Who doesn't LOVE a good brunch menu?

7) Simple, Simple, Simple. Decor can be dramatically toned down for an afternoon affair. No need for ceiling height centerpieces and tons of uplighting. Some small floral arrangements in nice bright colors with simple accent pieces are all you need.

8) More availability. Most venues will book evenings very early on, so you have more opportunity to nail down the venue you have been dreaming of if you are flexible with your time.

9) Vendors. Not only will you have a better chance of beig able to book prime vendors during "off days/times" but chances are they will be less expensive just like your venue.

10) Get a jump start on your honeymoon. No need to wait until the following day to hit the road or the open sky. Say your I-Do's, mix and mingle, raise your glasses and be on the beach with your cocktail in hand for sunset!

Beat the Heat at Your Summer Wedding

Fri, 18 May 2012 20:36:00 GMT

With the sunshine, warm weather, abundance of great honeymoon locations, and summer breaks it's no surprise that the months between May and September are so popular for weddings. Sometimes however the summer heat can pack quite a punch. Take a look at some of these COOL drink ideas from Bell The Magazine. Looking for a fun way to tie in your colors, or a classy way to serve your favorite beer? These would be great to offer pre-ceremony as guests arrive, for cocktail hour following the ceremony, or at the end of the evening as a sweet frozen treat. Cheers!

Bridesmaid Quilt

Thu, 10 May 2012 21:31:00 GMT

If you are like me you could film your own version of "27 Dresses", and you often stare at the long line of dresses taking up valuable space in your closet here's a solution for you. Uncommon Goods has a customized quilt that can be made by stitching together pieces from your old gowns. Chances are the bubble gum pink taffeta, or robin egg blue satin that was all the rage that season may look even better combined to form a beautiful keepsake. Looking for a unique gift for the bride? Have all of the bridesmaids pitch in and use their dresses to give the bride a special reminder of her big day. For more information go to http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/custom-bridesmaid-dress-quilt.

The Great Debate - Band vs. DJ

Wed, 02 May 2012 17:59:00 GMT

While there are many arguments made in favor of both entertainment options, make no mistake your music selection can make or break your reception. A good quality band or DJ will be able to do the same things for your event; provide great music for ceremony and or reception based on your preferences and their professional expertise, help coordinate timing and provide a smooth flow of your event, and read your crowd to see what the mood is and what will get everyone up and dancing. For more information on making your decision take a look at this article from "The Knot" http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-music-ideas/articles/wedding-reception-music-bands-vs-djs.aspx

Aisle Runners

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:58:00 GMT

Not only can an aisle runner protect a bride's gown, but they can add style, personalization or color to your ceremony. Whether you go with a simple design or something a little more unique like the above runner from Free People there is a style that will work for you. In certain situaions a runner may actually distract from the scenery or the brides dress, but it can also be a beautiful compliment to a space or even hide flaws in a carpet or flooring! The price ranges vary significantly, but you can always opt to rent one as long as you are not set on a customized design.