How do I invite the right people to my wedding?

We all have a couple of friends on Facebook we haven’t actually met, right? So, how can you go about finding the right mix of family, friends, extended family, and acquaintances to invite to your wedding?

The first and biggest decision made regarding your wedding guest list is the number of people you can invite. This can be restrained by the budget, the venue, the equality of guests by comparison with your partner, or even the intimacy desired and expressed in your ceremony, reception, and vows. It is your special day, so think long and hard with your spouse-to-be about how many people you want to share it with. Don’t take too much time, though: as we said before, this is an important step in the wedding planning process, because it also dictates many other decisions down the road.

After you set the number, start getting that list of names together. Starting with family is a given, but "close" versus "extended" family can become a gray area for some. Inviting guests out of guilt is never a good enough reason to send an invitation. This is why wedding announcements, placed into the mail the day of your wedding, with small engagement photos are a great alternative. Sending something to family and friends that don’t keep in touch frequently or live far away keeps them in the loop without making them feel guilty.

The type of audience you want may depend on how you see yourselves and your wedding as a couple. While most friends you may know could easily bring a date, boyfriend or girlfriend, don’t forget about the married couples with children. Older and younger demographics often require extra thought, consideration, and accommodations for food, venue, music selection, and overall ceremony and reception tone.

Remember to check with all the players involved: both sets of parents included. While whomever is footing the bill gets a greater say in who is invited, everyone needs to have their opportunity for input. Listening (and maybe a little compromising) now will pave the way for smoother wedding planning down the road.

Deciding on your guest list is a fun, great way to spend some time together with your spouse-to-be before making other decisions. Get to know and talk about each other’s friends and family, before meeting some of them for the first time. Just make sure it all gets worked out to whatever feels right for both of you at your wedding early on in the planning process, remembering that figuring this out now makes it all a little bit easier later!

Always,
Amy

Martha said it best: “playful yet subtle, highly personalized, yet totally affordable.” Monograms are appearing on everything in weddings these days. From monogrammed invitations, stemware, and cake tiers, this craze continues to fill our hearts and make us smile, right down to the last initial.

Although monogramming has been around for years, it seems to be in places we never thought possible. One idea that has been on the rise is monogrammed cufflinks for him. Not only is it pretty easy for you to create your own cufflinks, but also have the option to have them professionally engraved in a variety of sizes and fonts.

Something for the bride perhaps? The stitching of initials on or inside of the bridal gown is a sweet and simple idea that adds a personal touch to the bridal gown.

Another lovely item that has been around for decades is a monogrammed handkerchief. These are a charming way to catch tears of joy and offer as keepsakes for family members.

Consider adding your monogram to customized labels and add them to specific pieces like neck ties, shawls, or evening gloves.

Not into these ideas? You can still make an impression on your guests by adding  personalizing details to wedding treats like cookies and cupcakes. Whatever your style or theme is for the big day, adding the personal touch of monogramming is a perfect way to capture the eyes of each and every one of your guests.

Best,
Hilary

Tired of answering millions of wedding-related questions every day? Well worry no more, wedding websites are hotter than ever these days. With the help of one of numerous personalized wedding website creators, like Engagepage.com, you and your intended could have a killer site up and running in no time. In the age of going green, these websites offer a convenient and paper free way to disseminate news, tips, and specifics to your guests.

As well as sharing wedding details and information, many couples use this as a portal to share their love story and journey to the alter by writing in diaries and blogging.

These websites can be as simple or complex as you so choose. Having a small wedding? Customize a few tabs like “our story” and a wedding registry to get the job done. Perhaps a larger wedding suits you two more? Well, add all the bells and whistles such as online RSVP forms or a guest book where guests can post a message. Not so tech-savy? Many of these websites offer templates and step-by-step guides to personalize your wedding website.

Although this is a great idea, it can cost you a few pretty pennies to create a truly fabulous wedding website. Many paid services offer free trials - take advantage of this to see if the site will provide everything you need. Below are some sites that we enjoy:

WeddingChannel.com :: Free                                          
Couples who want a quick and easy site

WedPageDesigns.com :: $29.95 for 18mos.              
Those on a budget who want a few more perks

WeddingWindow.com :: $79 for 12mos.
Modern couples who appreciate the extras          

After choosing the perfect site, personal touches such as including a brief story about you and your fiancé and casual snapshots are a must. And don’t forget, this is a fun activity to include your sweetheart on!

Best,
Hilary

Here’s a neat new idea for weddings to involve your guests: a spotlight dance with keychain flashlights.

For your first dance, ask your venue to dim the lights and have all of your guests shine the flashlights on the two of you. It’s a spotlight dance that keeps the guests involved with your wedding and a unique idea for a favor!

Buying keychain flashlights that fit your wedding colors make a great souvenir gift to give your guests as favors! You will probably need the power of an LED flashlight so that you have enough strong, clean light beam spotlights to fully illuminate your dance.

There are plenty of options with color, shape, style, and design to find one that fits your wedding and budget. Check out the possibility of getting these imprinted with your names and wedding date as part of the package if you’re willing to order and purchase from a vendor in a bulk quantity. If you can’t fit it in your budget, guests will still be able to appreciate the practicality of the gift, and you will appreciate the memories you’ve created together with your partner, your guests, and your creativity!

The utility of a flashlight will always be something people of all ages can find uses for: in a theater to find your 3D glasses when they end up on the floor, at your front door or car door in the dark to avoid scratching up surfaces with the wrong key, or even to help someone else out when they can’t find something! There are just too many situations when a reliable source of light is a must.

So, be the bride that will continue to get phone calls and thank-you’s for giving your guests the best favor they’ll understand and value!

Always,
Amy

Years ago, it was customary for brides sit for a solo portrait session. Well, not anymore.

Today couples are embarking on a quest in search for the perfect shot, together. With studio pictures becoming more drab, couples are looking for more high-concept ideas to capture their love. Many unexpected locales are being sought out to showcase the couple's love.

How about shooting in a field of flowers, inside a bowling ally, or at a baseball stadium? These are just some of the endless possibilities couples are starting to explore for their engagement photos. Not only are couples choosing adventurous places to shoot their photos, they are also coming up with personal touches to enhance their experience.

Perhaps choosing a specific theme, or a particular time period that reflects your connection, or maybe shooting action shots that reflect your playful side. As well as capturing beautiful shots of you and your significant other during your engaged bliss, many photographers offer engagement photos as a part of their wedding photography packages. Not only does this let you test drive your photographer and initially get comfortable, but lets you know what to expect on your big day. 

Today, adding personal touches to your wedding is key, so why not start from the very beginning with your engagement photos?

Best,
Hilary

Photo courtesy of Allison Mayer Photography

A successful event has a simple formula. It must be attractive and inviting, comfortable and informative. Colors function as part of the equation. After catching your guests' attention, color provides a structured message and visual harmony to enhance the experience.

If you didn’t take an art class in high school, we’ll start by listing the three basic types of color combinations: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Red, Yellow, and Blue are the primary; Orange, Green, and Purple are the secondary. The secondary colors fit between the primary, making a six-point star. The tertiary colors result from mixing one primary color with one secondary color, and have no specific set names. An example would be yellow + green = chartreuse or lime.

Complimentary colors, colors that go best together, are opposite each other on the color wheel. So, Red pairs with Green, Yellow couples with Purple, Blue duos with Orange.

All shades of Gray work well as background colors, but what about Black and White, you ask? Black is the color of authority and power and popular because of its slimming effect. Black works well with bright jewel tones, conveying elegance, sophistication, or even mystery. White is soft and spring-like, the color for brides in Western countries. In Eastern cultures it is actually the color for mourning. Use White to signify purity, cleanliness, or make Reds, Blues and Greens look brighter.

Metallics, such as Gold and Silver, always add a special touch. Gold catches the eye lending richness and natural warmth, while Silver is glamorous and sleek. Both symbolize riches and elegance, but are best used in small amounts as accents.

If you’re on a tight budget, you can consider applying different tints of one color.  This can give the impression of using several colors when using only one. Deep hues are used to convey security, while earth tones feel natural and inviting. Truthfully, people are comfortable when colors remind them of similar things. Successful design requires an awareness of colors and their meaning, but don’t be afraid to play and see how you feel!

Always,
Amy

Who didn’t grow up with the Disney princesses?

Alfred Angelo Bridal recently opened a new boutique in the Castleton Square Mall, and L'Evento Event Resource Boutique was lucky enough to be there for the grand opening! While there, we saw many of the beautiful gowns offered by the Alfred Angelo line.
 
The newest collection is titled Disney Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo. With sizes 0 to 30W, each of seven dresses represents a timeless Disney princess story. 

Ariel, the understandable mermaid silhouette in fabrics that “move as gracefully as the ocean.” Jasmine, an effortless sheath silhouette defines true beauty as exotic and daring. Sleeping Beauty, with roses and floral motifs the ball gown fit for a springtime princess. Tiana, the most modern princess is everything if not unique. Cinderella, nothing but classic in this A-line with a sweetheart neckline, and jewel-encrusted bust. Belle, a detachable shrug and draped net pick-up skirt compliment notes of gold in the bodice, mimicking the well-known golden ball gown. Snow White, Walt Disney’s first princess, with an apple blossom bodice and flowers blooming on the skirt - perhaps pictures by a wishing well?

Your Fairy Tale Awaits…

Which princess would you like to be for a day?

Always,
Amy

It's Wednesday, so that means it must be time for another fun proposal. Enjoy!

Who doesn’t want the perfect wedding with as little stress as possible during the planning process? But it’s easy to get frustrated when the to-do list is never ending.
For starters, take slow, deep breaths. You’ve probably heard this way too many times, but it really does help calm the mind by slowing your heart rate, which will release tension and stress from your body. Pilates and yoga are great for this as well, but putting aside a couple minutes between your appointments to simply breath will work too. 

Meals are also a great time to de-stress because it’s already in your schedule. Instead of trying to inhale a salad while driving to your next vendor, enjoy a 30-minute lunch break. You don’t need to go to a fancy restaurant and eat a five-course meal, just find a peaceful atmosphere and focus on the food in front of you. You can also have a romantic dinner with your fiancé and enjoy a special moment with him.

Unwind by turning to nature for a helping hand. If you’re going to the beach for your honeymoon, imagine the waves rolling onto the sand and reaching for your toes. Do this for a couple of minutes and you’ll feel better in no time. It would be even more effective if you go to the park or simply sit in your backyard for a moment. If you live in the city, put flowers by your bed so you can see them first thing in the morning.

Most of all, remember the reason you are planning a wedding in the first place, and focus on the love you share with your intended any time you begin to get overwhelmed.

Best Wishes,
Tina

This is a fun one - the bride-to-be seems genuinely surprised! Enjoy!

Cheers,
Heather