Wedding Trends That Take The Cake

Planning your wedding reception seating may seem like a daunting task…especially if your wedding is large…but creating a satisfactory seating plan is relatively easy if you follow these tips:

Number of guests

You’ve sent out your invitations, and you’ve received your RSVP’s for the reception, but before you can start worrying about who is going to sit where, talk with your venue coordinator about the actual space that’s available for guest tables. Keep in mind where the head table will be positioned, as well as the music, cake table, buffet tables, etc. Also, ask the coordinator for his/her advice on which table shapes work best for the number of guests you wish to invite. Keep in mind, too, that it’s better to have fewer tables that are full, than many tables with just a few guests. Last, remember it’s beneficial to have some extra seats available for unexpected guests.

Head Table

The head table, or top table, is generally located in a prime location at the reception venue…typically in the front. This table is reserved for you, your groom, your wedding party and possibly your parents. If your parents do not sit at the head table with you, make sure that they are directly in front of you.

Guest Tables

Apart from the head table, guests traditionally sit at round tables. Have your family tables closest to the head table, and follow these tips for the rest of your guests:

• Keep couples, families, co-workers, etc., together. Those who share common interests will converse freely and be at ease. Small children should be seated with their parents, too, so that they will be supervised.
• Keep in mind that age is a factor. Seat elderly people together and other guests of similar ages together. They’ll have more in common.
• Solo guests should be dispersed throughout your seating chart, not thrown together at one table. Make sure they have something in common with those that they are seated with, though. One to two single people per table should be sufficient.
• Keep divorced men and women separated to avoid conflict. Even if they get along, you’ll probably still want to separate them, so that painful memories aren’t triggered, which may cause conflict.
• Guests with special needs will need extra consideration when you’re planning your seating arrangement. Obviously, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, etc. need special attention, but, also, keep in mind that your elderly guests will need to be seated in close proximity to the restrooms. Moms with babies, too, should be placed in an area where they can make a quick exit, if necessary.
• Balance your tables with even numbers of males and females.
• And, as a final note, check with your parents for any possible seating errors. There may be some tensions between people that you are not aware of, and seating them together might cause a problem.

For discount wedding invitations, visit Best Little Wedding Shop!

Lisa Bakewell

If you’re a true romantic, a Valentine’s Day wedding theme might be right up your alley. Even if you’re not getting married on Valentine’s Day, you might consider incorporating some of these fanciful touches to create the wedding of your dreams

Attire: Classic style dress is just what the doctor ordered for a truly romantic wedding. Consider wearing a timeless white dress and have your man wear a tuxedo with tails…and possibly a top hat and gloves. Check out old movies for great ideas. You might also consider a wedding dress with red accents, and have your bridesmaids wear a complementary color, such as red or pink. The groomsmen might wear red ties (maybe bowties) and cumberbunds.

Location: Make sure you book your location early, especially if Valentine’s Day falls on a weekend, as it’s a very popular day to get married. Pick a location that’s not too small or too large, but one that allows you to create a cozy, romantic feel. Decorate as you would for a romantic dinner with soft lighting, lots of candlelight, flowers and flowing fabric.

Décor:A classic red and white color scheme would work well for your wedding reception, and you can play up the Valentine’s Day theme in a number of ways. Anything heart-shaped or red and white (and, possibly, pink) will add to the overall romantic ambience on your special day. You might also consider draping the light fixtures with jewel- toned beads. A great source for beads is area thrift stores, such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army stores.

Music:You’ll want your music to set the mood for your romantic day. Consider hiring a string quartet to help set the Valentine’s Day mood. Or, if you want a DJ, consider having him/her create a song list full of romantic love songs. Granted, your guests will want some music to get them moving, too, but a great slow dance every now and then will set the mood for romance.

Flowers: Flowers are by definition romantic, so use them in abundance for your Valentine’s Day theme wedding day. While roses are the classic, they may be expensive in February. You may want to look to other red, pink and white flower type, such as carnations, which look great and are typically inexpensive.

Menu: Since Valentine’s Day is the most popular lover’s holiday, why not fan the sparks between your guests by including some aphrodisiacs in the menu? You might include foods, such as oysters, asparagus, almonds, poultry with mole sauce (a Mexican chocolate sauce), chili peppers and chocolates.

Cake:Valentine’s Day is all about love, so a great option for your wedding cake might be a tiered cake in the shape of a heart. Other things you could incorporate might include cupid, Valentine’s Day cards, doves, candied hearts, sugar ribbons and, possibly, a Swarovski cake topper.

Invitations and Save the Dates: Again, Valentine’s Day is all about love…and so is your wedding day…so you may want to consider continuing the V-Day theme with hearts, flowers and “Love.” You’ll find a wide variety of appropriate wedding invitations and save the dates to convey your message at Best Little Wedding Shop.

Favors:Give your guests tiny heart-shaped boxes of candy, chocolate kisses in a mesh bag tied with a red bow or heart-shaped ornaments that can be used on your guests’ Christmas tree as a remembrance of your big day.

Special Touches: Instead of table numbers, consider naming your tables after famous romantic couples…from today and yesterday. For some great ideas, check out Famous Couples website.

Lisa Bakewell

Contrary to traditional thought, you and your groom do not have a year to send out your thank you cards. All of your thank you notes should be written within three months of receiving a gift–sooner, if possible.

To make sure that you stay on top of the important task of showing your appreciation, you should try to send a thank you card to the sender the day that you receive your gift. If you can’t get them out on the day that your gift arrives, though, at least vow to get the thank you out within a week. You definitely don’t want to let them stack up. It’s a lot easier to write a few notes a day (or week) than to have to write a hundred in a month!

Personal thank you notes are an absolute must! A personal note inside your thank you cards is the only way to appropriately show your appreciation for a wedding gift.

So…

Don’t use preprinted or fill-in-the blanks cards–and never send an email. These options will convey to your gift-giver that their gift didn’t mean much to you.

Do write a warm, handwritten note. The message can be brief, but make it personal, mentioning both the gift and the giver.

Don’t forget to consider other gifts, such as bridal parties and wedding showers, when you’re writing out your thank you notes. It’s appropriate to add this particular thank you to the same note you send thanking them for your wedding gift.

Do mention each gift received in your thank you note when you are the recipient of more than one gift from a particular person or family–if the gifts are received close together.

Don’t thank your gift giver for a shower gift and wedding gift in the same card. Each gifting event deserves its own recognition. Shower gifts should be acknowledged within two weeks of your party, and wedding presents should ideally be acknowledged within two weeks of returning from your honeymoon.

Do write an individual thank you note to everyone involved in giving a group gift.

Don’t forget to mention what you’ll be purchasing with a monetary gift. If you’re saving it for a new home, etc., you may want to mention that, as well.

Do promptly acknowledge the receipt of a shipped gift. Even before you prepare the thank you note, you may want to call the giver to let them know that you received their gift. Follow up with a written thank you card, though.

Don’t mention to the gift giver that you’ll be returning a gift or that you’re dissatisfied with it. Some things are best left unsaid.

Do send photos ONLY if including them won’t delay sending the thank you note.

Don’t use tardiness as an excuse not to write your thank you notes. Receiving a late thank you is better than no thank you at all.

For an excellent selection of Thank You Cards, visit Best Little Wedding Shop.

Lisa Bakewell

The purpose of your wedding gift registry is to help you and your spouse-to-be get off on the right foot. This is a task that you should do together, but one that you should both enjoy. After all, it’s not too often that you get to make a list of items that you want…and need!

Here are things to consider when registering for your wedding gifts:

Where should you register?

Registering at multiple stores is a good idea. That will give your guests a nice array of price points and gift ideas. Consider registering at stores like Target, Macy’s, Bed Bath & Beyond and any local stores that you frequent…and your guests may, as well.

How many gifts should you register for?

You can go crazy here. Pick as many gifts as you’d like to have, and choose several price points. This will allow guests of all income levels to get gifts for you that fit into their budget. Also, some of your guests will want to buy a lot of smaller items, and other guests may want to chip in on a larger gift for you and your soon-to-be spouse, so a well thought out list will give them lots of options.

When should you register?

Register at your chosen stores about six months prior to your wedding date. This will give your guests time to purchase items for your shower(s), as well as your wedding. Don’t register too far in advance, though, or you run the risk of your favorite store discontinuing an item that you register for.

What types of gifts should you ask for?

This is another area where you shouldn’t restrict yourself. Sit down with your significant other and make a list of all of the items that you think you’ll need to purchase within the next year. Consider kitchenware, linens, home appliances, luggage and furniture. Also, consider lifestyle gifts. If there are movies, CDs, sporting equipment, etc. that you’d like to have, include them.

How do you tell your guests where you’ve registered?

You can include an announcement of your gift registry choices in your wedding invitation, or you can pass along the information through family members and close friends.

Gifts to consider adding to your registry:

China
Flatware
Drinkware
Cookware
Bakeware
Small Appliances
Bedding
Linens
Tools
Home Improvement Gift Cards
Lifestyle Gifts (camera equipment, computer equipment, sports equipment and entertainment equipment)

Note: If a lot of your guests live out of town, consider large retailers that have shipping available, so that guests don’t have to transport your gift. This will also save time for guests who are busy, because they can order your gifts online at any time of the day or night.

Lisa Bakewell