Archive for March, 2009

Setting the menu for your wedding reception is not a difficult thing to do in comparison to some of the other wedding tasks. However, for someone who knows little to nothing about catered events it can seem like a task that is insurmountable. Here are some suggestions to make it simpler for you to accomplish.

One of the most important decisions you need to make is to decide on the time of year and time of day for your wedding. For example, a summer wedding that takes place in the afternoon would have a menu that looks very different from a winter wedding that takes place in the evening. First, you must verify that the location you desire for your reception is indeed available. Then work from there.

How much does your wedding budget allow for? As a general rule of thumb, the more options you make available to your guests the more money you will be paying out. The good news is that today there are more options than ever before in this regard. If your budget is not as high as you would like it to be, then consider having an afternoon tea, a cocktail reception or one of the latest alternatives- a dessert reception.

Communicate effectively with the caterer you have hired. Keeping your budget in mind, ask him for recommendations on dishes that would delight. If his company has specialty dishes, then decide if that would work for you. You might want to add a favorite family recipe to the menu. If on the other hand, you decide not to hire a caterer and make all of the food yourself, then figure out what is popular and friendly to your budget.

Variety really is the spice of life (or in this case your wedding reception!). Offer different types of hors d’oeuvres, and make sure that some are cold while others are hot. Set up stations for hors d’oeuvres so guests can make their own selections but have other items served by waiters. In this way you will appeal to the tastes of all of your guests. Make sure you do not forget yourself in the mix. It is the bride and groom’s day after all, so include foods you will love!

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Years after the wedding, it is often the music played during the ceremony and reception that is remembered the most. That is why it’s so important to select the right music, both for the ceremony and reception. You want to select song choices that are pleasing to everyone (which can be a feat in itself), songs that are fun, romantic, and enjoyable. Here are some tips on how to do just that.

The Ceremony- The music starts with the ceremony. It’s ideal to have a prelude (before), a processional (during which the bridal party and bride comes out), and a recessional (which is the ceremony conclusion). More often than not, the music played during the ceremony is classic or instrumental pieces played by an orchestral band. Other options include a pianist, a violinist, or a guitarist who plays acoustic.  No matter what you choose, you’ll want to find a person (or people) to play songs with significant meaning.

The Reception- You’ve got many more options from which to choose. You can get a rocking band, a disc jockey, or you can even play your iPod play list. Sure, you want your list to be filled with romantic songs that have a significant meaning to both you and your fiancé, but you should remember a few key things when selecting the music for your reception party.

• You’ll want a wide range of music styles that everyone will enjoy. Don’t be afraid to mix seventies disco, eighties punk, and nineties folk together.
• It also would  be wise to choose songs that everybody knows and love- songs like The Turtles “Happy Together” and “Funky Town” by Lipps, Inc.
• And try to keep the selections on the family friendly side (especially if there are young children at the wedding).

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Part of wedding planning is figuring out the financial side of things. Traditionally it was the bride’s family that paid for all costs connected to the wedding. However, with the prices of everything related to weddings soaring and also due to the fact that more and more couples are choosing to get married later in life, less people are adhering to the traditional roles in favor of spreading out the cost to more than one party. Many also feel that it is unfair to expect the bride’s parents to pick up the complete wedding tab.

Traditional Roles

Bride’s Family

• All costs related to the wedding and reception

• Flowers for the wedding and reception

• Wedding dress and accessories

• Invitations

• Photos

• Transportation costs

• Wedding favors

• Their own clothing and all of their own travel costs

Groom’s Family

• Cost of rehearsal dinner (invitations, food, decorations, etc.)

• Wedding present for the couple

• Everything of their own (including clothing and travel costs)

Bride

• Wedding ring for the groom

• Wedding gift for the groom

• Attendants’ gifts

• Beauty treatments (including hair, makeup, facial, nails)

• Occasionally she pays for accommodations for bridesmaids who come from out of town

Groom

• Engagement ring for bride

• Wedding ring for bride

• Marriage license

• Honeymoon expenses

• Wedding gift for bride

• Bridal bouquet

• Attendants’ gifts

• Corsages for mothers and grandmothers

• Boutonnières for the men in the wedding party

• Officiant’s fee

• Occasionally he pays for the accommodations for groomsmen who come from out of town

Modern Roles

When a couple chooses to marry later in life they generally cover the cost of the entire wedding between the two of them. The same can be said if one or both sets of parents do not have the financial resources to pay for the wedding.

Once an engagement has been announced, the couple must sit down and figure out the kind of wedding they wish to have and draw up a budget as to what they can afford. It is important to consider such things as where you wish to have the ceremony and the reception, at what time of day the wedding will be held, the theme and style of the wedding and the number of guests you wish to invite.

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A wedding is a time for celebration, and as with any celebration people will send their warmest wishes in the form of a gift. As with all gifts you receive, some you will enjoy and some you really won’t. To make it easier for you to get the gifts that you and your fiancé really want and to make it easier for gift givers, signing up for a wedding gift registry is a perfect solution. Here are a few things to keep in mind when signing up for a registry.

• Before you choose a registry, it’s a good idea to sit with your fiancé and make a list of what you need and what you want. Make the list based on your needs and lifestyle, like if you or your fiancé enjoys cooking, then it would be a terrific idea to add lots of cookware and small kitchen appliances. Remember to add seasonal items that you might otherwise forget, like warm chenille blankets for the winter and colorful tableware for the summer.

• Most couples sign up for several wedding registries. Aside from the usual department and discount chain options, you also can create registries for your honeymoon, mortgage, sporting goods, and even charities.

• How many you create is up to you as a couple. It is a good idea to have several different registries and list gifts at different prices, as not everyone lives in the same area, has Internet access, or the same amount of money. Register for whatever your heart desires, but remember to make sure you keep plenty of options open for everyone.

• It’s probably a good idea to register at least nine or eight months before your wedding day, simply because it gives you time to receive gifts for your bridal showers and other pre-wedding events where most of your gifts will arrive.
• When you finally register with a store or company, it’s now time to tell everyone. The best route is mentioning your registries on your bridal shower invitations. But you should never mention your registries on your wedding invitations.

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Destination weddings used to be what fairy tales were made of, but these days destination weddings are becoming more commonplace. Many resorts and hotels all over the world offer wedding packages that save you time and money, making the whole process that much easier. Whether you dream of getting hitched in the Caribbean or maybe back at home, here are some tips to consider when planning a far-flung locale.

Whether you’re getting married here in the United States or in another country, you need to get a valid marriage license to make it legal. Find out where and how to get the license before you start planning the wedding because each country has its own rules and regulations.

It is also a good idea to find out if your guests are going to plan to take the time and spend the money to come to the wedding, especially if it’s far away from home.

Research resorts not only to find the best deal, but to find out if they have the amenities you want, and what is included in the package deal. If you can, try to arrange a three-day getaway to evaluate the resorts or venues before you actually sign an agreement.

While you’re there, you will have to choose the vendors(caterer, florist, disc jockey, etc.) for the wedding locale. If you can, seek assistance in a local wedding planner, or take advantage of a wedding coordinator(if your resort offers one). They will help you with the planning and details of your destination wedding, and they also should help you add a little local flavor to the reception.

Keep the location in mind when shopping for your wedding gown. It wouldn’t be wise to wear a ball gown on the beach.

Don’t forget that you should arrive to the location at least several days early to finalize and prepare everything.

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Your dream wedding dress is hanging in the closet just waiting for the special day to arrive. You have picked out the most adorable pair of shoes to go with your dress. You have your veil and have chosen your bridal undergarments. Now it is time to decide on your accessories for the wedding. What jewelry would look best on your wedding day? What will go well with your dress?

There are no hard and fast rules about wedding jewelry. No two brides will necessarily think alike on this subject. One thing that most brides can agree upon is that wedding jewelry should be fitting for the occasion and should highlight your best features.

While most people will want to see your wedding ring, other pieces of jewelry are important. Your choice of jewelry will be contingent upon other factors, such as the style of your dress and the way you wear your hair. Personal preference plays a role as well. Earrings and necklaces are very popular as wedding jewelry, and some brides also like to wear a bracelet.

As far as earrings go, many brides like to wear diamonds or pearls. Some prefer studs, while others opt for drop earrings. Whatever you do, do not choose earrings that are too large as these will overwhelm your face. Drop earrings look stunning with hair that is swept up. Think tasteful and classic.

The same goes for a necklace. Choose one that is beautiful but not one too large. When it comes to the combination of earrings and a necklace, always coordinate the gemstones as well as the tone of the jewels.

Other suggestions:

-Many brides think of the “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue” tradition when they choose their wedding jewelry. If you are sentimental, then it is perfectly fine to wear a piece of jewelry that belongs to a family member, such as your grandmother’s string of pearls or your favorite aunt’s tennis bracelet.

-Choose a necklace based on the cut of your wedding gown. For example, a strapless dress would look beautiful with a pearl or rhinestone choker. On the other hand, a sweetheart neckline would be well suited to a diamond solitaire.

-If your dress and/or headpiece contain gemstones, coordinate that with your jewelry. For example, diamonds go well with sequins while pearls and beading are a good match.

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