Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Emergency Bridal Kit!

      Hello again!  Superman or Superwoman are the superheros that you sometimes wish were always at your side during your wedding planning so that they could solve all of the little snags or problems that might arise during the planning, the ceremony, or even the reception.  Since you can't have these superheros with you wherever you go, instead a bride can be prepared by carrying an emergency kit with all the essentials to fix anything from bad breath to a torn hem.

Here's what this kit should include:
          -Needles and pins (including safety pins)
          -Thread in various colors (white, offwhite, black, etc)
          -Buttons and snaps
          -Mini scissors
          -Stain-removal
          -Instant Bond double sided fabric tape (to fix fallen hems at a moments' notice)
          -Krazy glue
          -Tylonel (or Aspirin)
          -Breath mints
          -Tissues
          -Band-aids
          -Heel liners (to stop shoes from hurting)

      If you're really feeling creative, here's a fun way to make these emergency clutches out of potholders!
http://tidymom.net/2011/survival-kit/#more-9963  This could make a great gift for your bridesmaids as well!  Enjoy your crafting and having a superhero, er... emergency kit by your side!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

New Table Number Ideas!

         Today is just another day closer to your wedding day!  As you move closer to the big day, you may be thinking about the more specific details of your wedding, and that's where this post comes into play!  Although many people choose not to do an exact seating chart, many still do opt to have table numbers and have their guests assigned to specific tables, even if they get to choose their actual seats at the table.

          Instead of simply having a table number, though, there are much more creative ways to help guests find their tables.  Here are just a few examples of things you can name your tables instead of naming them by number!

1.  Favorite Restaurants of the two of you
All' Acqua Al 2 in Washington DC


2.  Your Hometown Streets

Princess Street in Alexandria, VA

3.  Photos of the Two of You (from when you were dating or even of your engagement photos)

Estes Park, CO

4.  Sports Teams (College or Professional)

Colorado State University Football


5.  Constellations
Greeley, CO


6.  Ski or Snowboard Trails

Eldora, CO

7.  Charities that mean something to the two of you

World Vision- Sponsoring a Child


8.  Famous Novels
Harry Potter series


9.  Classic TV Characters

Charlie Brown


10.  Famous Movie Stars (or Singers or Musicians or Dancers, etc.)
Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz

        There are many more ways you can spice up your table numbers, but those are just a few that might spark more ideas for you, depending on your interests and personalities!  Enjoy creating the wedding of your dreams!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Ten First Dance Songs!

          Hello again!  I know that there are a lot of wonderful first dance songs out there, but sometimes it may be hard to choose which one you want to use.  Sometimes, it's an easy decision because you and your fiance may have a song of significance to you two as a couple, but other times, you may be blindly looking for a song to be "your song."  In this case, I've compiled a short list of some potential first dance songs.  Some are older, others are newer, but nevertheless, they are a good place to start!

In no particular order...

1.  Marry Me by Train

2.  At Last by Etta James


3.  A Thousand Years by Christian Perri


4.  Then by Brad Paisley


5.  Magic by Colbie Caillat


6.  Cheek to Cheek by Ella Fitzgerald


7.  Kiss Me Slowly by Parachute


8.  Everything by Michael Buble


9.  Only You Can Love Me This Way by Keith Urban


10. I'll Be by Edwin McCain


          What song are you going to use for your first dance as a married couple?  Post it in the comments below!  Happy planning (and dancing)!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Color Combinations for the Seasons!

Hello everyone!  As you begin deciding on your venue and other details for your wedding, one of the major decisions you must make is what are your wedding colors going to be?  This can be a big decision since it can really set the tone for your wedding and will be included in every part, from the flowers to the dresses to the table decor.  Here, I've listed some popular color combinations by season, although there are many more combinations and the colors don't necessarily have to stay within the season they are listed.  This is just a way to get you started!

WINTER--In Winter, you can really play off of deeper colors.  Because of the snow (or colder weather if you are in an area that does not get snow), your ceremony and reception may feel more intimate and warm when you use deeper colors.  Here are some ideas:
Crimson Red and Silver


Sky Blue and Lavender Purple


Baby Pink and Black

SPRING--In Spring, there are always new flowers blooming and the start of buds on the trees again.  With this, you can play off of those colors and use lighter colors that complement those new buds and greenery.  Here are some ideas:

Sunshine Yellow and Rose Pink


Apple Green and Violet Purple


Rose Pink and Navy Blue

SUMMER--In Summer, this is obviously the most popular time to get married because of the warm weather.  You can play off of those fun, warmer colors.  Usually, summertime has more vibrant colors than some of the other seasons.  Here are some ideas:
Sunshine Yellow and Sky Blue

Lavender Purple and Silver


Apple Green and Sunshine Yellow

FALL--In Fall, the leaves are changing to beautiful, rich colors.  Play off of those fall leaves with rich colors that complement rather than compete with the natural beauty of fall.  Here are some ideas:

Violet Purple and Crimson Red


Pumpkin Orange and Violet Purple

 Crimson Red and Golden Yellow

Hopefully, those colors can help to get you started in your search to find your perfect wedding colors!  Have other wonderful ideas you want to share?  Leave a comment below with your ideal wedding colors! 

Monday, December 5, 2011

Questions to Ask Venues!

          Congratulations!  You are engaged!  This is one of the most exciting times in your life, but if this is the first wedding you have ever been involved in planning, it can be a bit overwhelming!  You may not know exactly where to start.  One of the best places to start can be looking at wedding venues and deciding where and when you want to have your wedding!

          But what do you ask the venues that you visit?  How can you know you are getting the best deal?  Here are some tips on questions to ask venues and what you should look out for!

1.  Are there taxes on top of everything or is it simple the set price?
          -Some venues don't include taxes in the initial price that they quote you which can end up being a big, added cost on top of everything else you are already paying.  Make sure to take taxes into account in your budget plan.

2.  Is there a cake cutting fee?
          -Oftentimes, venues have a certain fee per slice per person that they charge you, simply to cut your wedding cake.  Again, this fee can quickly add up and cost you a lot of extra money, especially if you are trying to save money!

3.  What is your per person overage fee?
          -Many venues will base their costs around a certain number of guests (usually around 100, but it can vary depending on the venue's size).  They will then give you an estimate based on that number of guests and then will charge an extra cost per person above that.  Make sure that you get the full amount estimated before you make a decision on the venue!

4.  If you are in the military, ask if they have military discounts!
          -This may sound like a simple question, but some venues will offer at least a 5% discount for couples who are or have been in the military which can help save you money!

5.  Do you have a liquor license?
          -If they do, they will make you purchase your liquor through them.  You can also have a cash bar if this is the case.
          -If they do not have one, you can purchase your liquor elsewhere and bring it in, which might save money.  You cannot have a cash bar in this case, though.

          Well, there you have it!  I know that those are only a couple questions, but they are ones that people normally don't think to ask, but they are important in the long run.  Hopefully they help you out in your search for the perfect venue for your wedding!  Most importantly, enjoy this process as you plan your perfect wedding!  Happiness and luck to you all!