Easy Seating Chart Idea

I came across this idea for planning a wedding seating arrangement on Pinterest. Using page markers in various colors to distinguish between family members, friends, co-workers and other groupings of people is a great idea!
Draw out the circles representing the number of tables you’ll be using at the reception and plan easily by moving the marked papers around.
You could do this before the invitations are sent and give each guest a table number card inside the invitation, or do it once all guests have replied.
Once you know exactly who will be attending, and which meal they have chosen you can fill up the tables accordingly. Then the menu selection information can be given to your caterer or chef.

Also read the comments in this article at Something Turquoise as they have some further ideas.

Wedding Rings: A Quick “How To”

Anillos de Matrimonio, Aros de Matrimonio (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

With all the wedding plans taking over your thoughts leading up to the DAY… don’t forget to buy the bands!

 

This sounds bizarre, I guess, but I wonder if couples ever do forget the important rings for the ceremony? Or forget until the last minute. It’s no wonder with all there is to do leading up to the happy event. Order those rings at least a few months out from the wedding date. If they will be engraved, that will take more time.

 

As with everything else, don’t wait until the last minute to buy wedding bands!

 

Typical Rings: Plain gold or silver bands for the Bride and Groom.
I can only speak for tradition in the U.S. and the rings will go on the third (ring) finger of the left hand. This is the finger where the engagement ring is worn until the ceremony.

 

At the wedding ceremony: The Best Man will have the Bride’s ring. The Maid of Honor will have the Groom’s ring. Unless you choose to have the Ring Bearer hold them. The Ring Bearer does not have to have the actual rings, unless you choose to do it that way.
The Groom will put the Bride’s band on her finger first, then she will do the same to the Groom.
Brides: Wear your engagement ring on your right hand until after the ceremony so your left hand, ring finger will be free for the band. Add the engagement ring over it any time after that.

 

Related articles

• Wedding stopped as congregation hunt for ring (telegraph.co.uk)
• 11 Geeky Wedding & Engagement Rings (mentalfloss.com)

How To Find A Theme For The Wedding

Shortly after you say “yes” when he pops the question, visions of the wedding day may begin to swirl through your brain.  Picture the dress, the aisle, the two of you linked arm in arm as Mr. and Mrs., but is your vision able to include the theme?

Many couples have not given any thought to where they would get married until they decide that they will get married.  The location or setting of your wedding may logically coincide with the theme of your wedding, or you may decide to be unique.

Although I write about tropical destination themes here, this time I am including all types of wedding themes.  There are many ways to incorporate your own style into the wedding day, whether it’s a tropical location or not.  Ceremonies can be personalized with special vows or rituals, but the reception is where your particular style will have it’s place to shine.

This is where the choices can become overwhelming.  Aside from the “Beach” theme, some other hot themes (pun intended), at the present time, include “Rustic”, “Vintage“, “Love Birds”, “Vinyard”, “Peacock”, “Country“, “Retro” and weddings by “Color”.  Within these themes there are numerous ways to evoke the style in decor and on paper.  And there are many more than this.  Sometimes it may be best to not look around too much.

Then there are the couples who stray far from the norm.  They want their wedding to be so totally different that no one on earth would ever copy their style.  We won’t go there.  But if it’s right for them, then so be it.

Somewhere in between, the bride and groom must find their own style.  Being too far out there means you may have trouble finding decorations, accessories, and stationery to meet your needs.  Of course there is always the do-it-yourself route, and that is great, if you have the time.  If the couple has common interests and likes (and shouldn’t they?) then finding a cute and original theme may be easier than you think.

Dig deeper than the normal likes and activities to find a that special theme unique to both of you and then find ways to share it with the guests.  The more personal you can get, the more unique your theme will be.

For example:

Do you both like to watch old movies?  Have a vintage movie wedding.

Travel a lot together? Have a Road Trip wedding. (very cute ideas)

Make your own beer?  Book a local brewery for the reception.

Do you like to camp? …Fly kites? …Bird watch? …Raise goats?  Get the idea?

Of course with all the specific themes to choose from, not having a theme of any kind may be the most unique “theme” of all!

The picture studded Style Unveiled site will give you even more ideas – as if you want that!

Related articles

• Wedding Trends that We Like, Don’t Like and New Ideas… (alicecorrine.com)
• Should I Have A Garter At My Wedding (megkavanaghdesigns.wordpress.com)
• My quest for the best guest book (justanotherstarryeyedbride.wordpress.com)

Have You Thought About The Wedding Toast?

Bride toasting, North Carolina, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the wedding requirements you may totally overlook until the last minute is the toasting. In fact many people may not even think about giving a toast until the day of the event and then must come up with something nice or funny to say at the last minute. While some people just have a knack for saying the right things and never get tongue-tied or nervous in front of a crowd, that is not the case for most of us.

If you are one of the members of the wedding party, a parent of the Bride or Groom, or the Bride or Groom yourself, you may want to brush up on the etiquette of toasting.  And toasts are given at engagement parties and rehearsal dinners too!

Toasting the couple at the wedding is obvious, but that toast – depending on who it’s coming from – can be short and sweet, or longer and more personal.  Traditionally the Best Man gets the job of toasting the couple, but at a small wedding any of the attending relatives or friends could offer up a toast.

Try to be a little personal by mentioning something you particularly love about the couple or how well they are suited for each other.   You could mention how they met, or any other unique, but wonderful (or funny – only if everyone will think so!), events or personal memories pertaining to their relationship.

If you are worried about nerves getting the best of you