From the category archives:

Resources & Checklists

Ways to Pop the Question to Your Bridesmaids

by Katie on February 2, 2010 · 0 comments

in Bridesmaids, Resources & Checklists

You’ve found the person you’re going to spend the rest of your life with. Now let’s find those ‘maids!

Whether you have one or twenty, bridesmaids are your go-to gals for all things wedding – while your planning and on the big day. Once you’ve singled out the most important ladies in your life, you have to pop the question(s) yourself. But how shall you do it? We’ve come up with a few ideas that should fit many styles and budgets.

Have more fabulous ideas? Share them in the comments!

Simply ask them in person. Whether it’s as a group or individually, you don’t need to do anything over the top! Just ask! Take them out to dinner or invite them over for a girl’s night in, and pop the question whenever the moment it right. One word of advice – ask your Maid of Honor(s) in advance and separately. She is the “honored” one and this will make it a bit more special.

Send them on a scavenger hunt. If you want to go all out or have a lot of time on your hands, send them (together or separate) on a scavenger hunt. If you’re going to create a custom hunt for each girl, start by sending each to a special place where you share some funny memories or good times. Repeat this idea for the next location or start dropping some hints by sending them to a bridal gown shop or florist, or have them stop by a cake shop or even the place you plan to tie the knot. Wherever the final destination, be ready to greet each one at the end of the hunt with the big question!

We realize you might not live in the same town or city as your future bridesmaids, so read on for some ideas that lend themselves to OOT BMs, too!

Use humor. You get to experience both the good and the bad when it comes to being a bridesmaid – we’ve all heard the stories. Ugly dresses, nail polish color restrictions, uncomfortable shoes and having to deal with Bridezilla (well, it’s a possibility at least). And while many bridesmaids have come to the end of a wedding day swearing to never be a bridesmaid again, others have looked back and just laughed…and created things like UglyDress.com. If you and your girls like a good laugh, try taking a humorous approach to popping the question. Here are two ideas we like that embrace the uglies –

DIY cards that ask “Will you be my bridesmaid?” on the front and feature hideous dresses on the inside along with the saying “I promise. I’ll never make you wear an ugly dress.”

If you’ve got the budget (or a great stock of old prom dresses), pack up some of the most hideous dresses you can get your hands on, mail them to your maids, along with notes that read “If you’ll be my bridesmaid, I’ll never make you wear a dress like this!”

A less frightening but still humorous approach? List all the reasons your maids shouldn’t fear accepting the challenge of being one of your bridesmaids. Or, offer up all the things you’ll vow to do (or not do) as a bride. Some examples –

If you’ll be my bridesmaid, I promise to…
…never make you wear taffeta and tulle… AND lace on the same dress.
…not care if you change your hair color right before my wedding (unless, maybe, you go with a bright blue or purple…)
…not ask you to loose 10 pounds before you walk down the aisle in front of me.
…not ask you to gain 10 pounds before you walk down the aisle in front of me.
…be understanding of the fact that puce green, though it may match my tablescape perfectly, doesn’t necessarily coordinate with your skin tone.

Be sentimental. Do you guys watch sappy movies together and cry your eyeballs out? Or maybe you’re just a sentimental bunch. Put together a small scrapbook of some of the good times you’ve shared as friends and on the last page, include a short note about what her friendship means to you along with the question of the hour – Will you be my bridesmaid?

Indulge the sweet tooth. If you stop by WeddingFanatic often, you know I love anything with a nice dusting of sugar and sweetness. If you have any bridesmaids like me, ask them very sweetly – with candies, cakes, or cookies! There are a lot of good options out there, check out a few of my favorites – cookies from the too-cute Flour Pot Cookies and cakes from the always fabulous Pink Cake Box.

BM Dresses

BM Cakes

Spoil them. Who doesn’t like to be spoiled!? Being pampered isn’t bad either. Why not do both by gifting your gals with a monogrammed tote full of spa goodies and wedding day essentials – a robe, comfy slippers, a few candles, delicious smelling lotions, and a small zippered bag with things like stain removing pens, safety pins, mints, mini sewing kits, and whatever else you think your girls will need on W-Day!

Give them some tips. Think your ladies will be clueless about their responsibilities? Or maybe they just happen to be bookworms? How about a nice How-To guide book just for bridesmaids! There are tons of options, check out a couple below.

TheBridesmaidGuide

The Bridesmaid Guide: Etiquette, Parties and Being Fabulous by Kate Chynoweth

the bridemaid handbook

The Bridesmaid Handbook by Sharon Naylor

Razzle Dazzle ‘em. If your ladies are drawn to sparkly things, consider presenting a piece of jewelry along with your question. It could be a piece that you’d like for them to wear down the aisle on your big day. Just beware – if for whatever reason one of your girls turns you down, you’re stuck with giving her the item anyway or awkwardly taking it back.

Get personal. You don’t have to do the same thing for each girl. Try picking out a little something that you know each will like and present the gifts to your ladies before, during, or after you pop the question!

What did you do (or do you plan to do) when asking your girls to be Bridesmaids? We want to hear your fabulous ideas!

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ColorSnap!

by Katie on November 4, 2009 · 1 comment

in Resources & Checklists

colorsnap

Hello hello! I was flipping through a Modern Bride today and stumbled across a tidbit about Wedding Apps for iPhones. I love me some color so I had to check out ColorSnap from Sherwin-Williams. I must say – if you’re a color fanatic or just love messing around with colors, you MUST discover it for yourself! Download it here. :)

It’s super simple to use. Take a picture or select one from your library, then select the area of the image you want to focus on. After that, you can use your finger to move over every pixel of the photo to see exactly what colors are included! Once you find the exact shade you’re looking for, the app will bring up a few additional colors to complete a fabulous color scheme. So much fun (!). Use it for wedding inspiration, new room decorating, or just inspiration.

Here is what Sherwin-Williams has to say about it:
* Choose a color that inspires you and match it with one of our 1,500 Sherwin-Williams paint colors.
* Receive a coordinating palette that complements your color.
* Find your local Sherwin-Williams store where the experts will help you bring your vision to life.
* Save colors to your “My Saved Colors” library for future inspiration.
* Learn more detailed information, including paint names and RGB numbers.

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My Wedding Workbook

by Katie on October 12, 2009 · 1 comment

in Resources & Checklists, Wedding Planning

Hey ladies (and gents), I’m so excited to tell you about a fab new program for those planning a wedding – My Wedding Workbook. It’s an online planning tool that helps you track your guest, budget and spending, vendors, and the events surrounding the big day. As you can see on the site, it might just be the next-generation online wedding planner! Even better, it’s free.

MyWeddingWorkbookLogo

While I believe you can’t really replace a living, breathing wedding planner or coordinator (I mean really, a computer program or internet application won’t be there on your wedding day to direct vendors if need be, or tackle minor issues that pop up), this would be a stellar program to use throughout your planning process.

And, for all of you wedding planning pros out there, there is My Wedding Workbook Pro. With just as many helpful tools, this program is easy to use and incredibly helpful with tracking clients and client leads, vendors for every event, and much more.

My Wedding Workbook was created by husband and wife team, Steve and Tammy. While planning a wedding of their own, they realized there could be an even better online planning tool so, they created one!

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Marrying in 2010? Top 5 Vendors to Hire

by AFS on August 5, 2009 · 0 comments

in Resources & Checklists, Wedding Planning

There are plenty of reasons not to stop spending money; the biggest being our economy not being able to improve if consumers stop buying.

If you are set to marry in 2010 THANK YOU for doing your part.  Being smart about how you will spend your wedding money comes down to logic and timing. Capitalism leans heavily on supply and demand, and so in the spirit of saving you money, I offer you the Top 5 vendors that you should hire NOW for 2010 in order to avoid planning snafus and fiscal headaches (seen below in order of importance):

[ALWAYS BOOK YOUR WEDDING CONSULTANT FIRST. THEY WILL SAVE YOU MONEY AND HASSELL.]

  1. Book your ceremony and reception venue(s). Prices for many regularly expensive venues have hit rock bottom and so now is the time to book! If you think that waiting to put down your deposit will afford you deeper discounts you may end up scrambling to find a venue that has not already been taken for all of the best 2010 dates (especially weekends). Booking one year in advance is standard and recommended.
  2. Book your photographer and videographer. Just like venues, many photographers and videographers have either dropped their prices or are offering substantial economy-related discounts. If you ever wanted an upgrade in talent now is the time to find and book the vendors that will tell your story in images.
  3. Book your musician(s) and entertainment. With many musicians finding "day jobs," the pool of available musicians has decreased. First, book your ceremony musician(s) (since the ceremony is the most important part of your event). Then, your reception, and lastly your cocktail hour. If you are opting for an "iPod" vs. a DJ, then be sure to book a qualified sound engineer to hook up and test all of the sound equipment and sound levels.
  4. Book your Officiant. Last year I said to book your Officiant 2nd. However, since it has become common knowledge that anyone can perform your ceremony with a simple online ordination, there are more than enough qualified Officiants to go around. However, do not delay in your search, as the most personable and professional Officiants get booked fast and well in advance.
  5. Book your caterer. If you are working with a venue that requires you use a vendor that they have provided, then go ahead and skip to the ‘bonus’ item below since this entry will not apply to you. **Many caterers can handle up to 2-3 events simultaneously, but as we all know catering is an art form requiring a competent staff. Many of the catering companies that I have met disappoint in one way or another. From commuication and fair pricing to tasting and presentation, secure your catering company now.

BONUS

Book your florist. Many shops are struggling to stay open, and so now is the time to book for maximum ‘fee forgiveness.’  Shops will consider dropping their delivery fees and minimum order requirements, so be sure to ask.

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Wedding Planning Essentials

by Katie on July 13, 2009 · 1 comment

in Resources & Checklists

The actual planning part of weddings doesn’t take much apart from time. There are a few things, however, I’d suggest picking up before you start planning your perfect day! Find my suggestions and faves below.

THE PLANNER – This is quite possibly the most essential wedding planning item (oh who am I kidding – one of the most essential LIFE items!). This is the place where you will keep track of your appointments and dates, parties and planning sessions. If you’re one of those magical people that can keep track of you life by simply using your head – what’s your deal? Share some love and tell us how you do it. But, if you’re not one of these people and someone more like me, make sure you have one of these babies with you at all times!

I’ve always been a fan of Franklin Covey and more recently fallen in love with UnCalendar (they don’t really give off a girly vibe, but they are definitely for the serious organizer). Check out this cute Franklin below. Technically it’s an “academic planner”, but who really cares if it’s good lookin’?

franklinplanner



PENS – Or pencils. Whatever works for you. Perhaps some of both. You’ll probably write a lot of things down, so it’s always good to have a few around. I love sets like these (pictured below), that make color coding fun and simple.

pens



PAPER – This can be scratch paper, a notebook, notepad, whatever you like best! Just have some paper handy to make quick notes and to jot down your ideas – you never know when a fabulous one will come to you! I’m a big fan of this one – I’ve always got paper with me! I love these cute and preppy options from The Preppy Polka Dot!

notebook



BINDER WITH DIVIDERS AND POCKETS – These were always my favorite part of back to school shopping. Any binder will do (if you’re planning on gathering loads of information, get a big one), along with dividers – 12 or more should do the trick – and pockets.


PAGE PROTECTORS – There are great for stashing business cards, fabric and paper samples, random bits of oddly shaped information, magazine clippings and more. They have top or side openings – I’d recommend an option that opens from the top.


TOTE – Okay, so not everyone needs a bag to keep things together, but I know many find them helpful. I simply adore totes, so that’s the type of bag I’m using for my example. Having all (or most) of your wedding things in a single bag is nice when you’re heading off to meetings with vendors or a planning session with the family. Because so many aspects of a wedding work together, you often need to know something about the cake in order to get all the details for the flowers worked out … you get the picture. The one below is from the always wonderful Vineyard Vines.

tote



INSPIRATION BOARD – Before you book a single vendor, it’s a good idea to have a few opinions of the overall look you’re going for on your wedding day. Not just your gown and accessories – we’re talking color theme, centerpieces ideas, favorite flowers – the whole shebang. Below is a great example from the very inspiring Snippet & Ink!

pinkinspirationboard

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Colin Cowie’s Wedding Chic

by Katie on May 18, 2009 · 2 comments

in Resources & Checklists, Wedding Planners & Coordinators

I LOVE me a good wedding book – some good tips, great ideas, and fabulous pictures! Well this post, for Mr. Colin Cowie’s Wedding Chic: 1001 Ideas for Every Moment of Your Celebration is LONG overdue. I received a copy, I dare say weeks ago, so it’s about time I share it with you!

colincowiebookcover

I must say, the absolute BEST, most FABULOUS part of this book is the pictures. It’s almost-mini size makes it cute and easy to handle (unlike so many of those massive coffee table type books we often see) but it’s nothing short on content. It walks you through bouquets and ceremony flowers, ceremony decor, centerpieces, reception decor, cakes, invitations and other paper, appearance, ritual and ceremony, food and drink, and lastly music and the after-party. Even with all of that, there is a focus to the book:

“…inspiration and advice to help you go that extra mile and create those once-in-a lifetime moments – the things that dreams are made of.”

And I love how he ends the introduction:

“This book is about choosing those details: the cut of your gown, the heft and texture of your table linens, the pin-spot lighting illuminating the flowers at the reception, the song that will be playing when it’s time to dance, spirits are high, and everyone’s ready to get the party started. I hope this book will be a tool that allows you to use my energy, imagination, and years of experience to help you create your own path down the aisle.”

So, while you may not get all wrapped up in the cut of your gown, the heft or texture of your linens, or want to give much thought into lighting, anyone planning a wedding needs SOME inspiration, and this book is definitely a great place to start (or a fabulous tool to help you continue on your way).

colincowieweddingchic

Photos by Colin Miller and Robin Layton

One more little plug – Colin Cowie has launched a new floral and event decor service so that even if you can’t afford the man himself, you can still get the Colin Cowie look. Colin and his staff can provide bouquets and boutonnieres, ceremony flowers, reception centerpieces, bar and buffet arangements, cake table décor, and linen, prop, and specialty rentals. Check out Colin Cowie Flowers for more info!

ccf

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Save a Little on Your Paper Ensemble

by Katie on April 15, 2009 · 1 comment

in Invitations & Paper Ensamble, Resources & Checklists

You know the drill – the economy isn’t the greatest, people are pinching their pennies even more. This is true when it comes to weddings, too (as you probably very well know). But, just because this is the case, it doesn’t have to mean skimping on your big day. Here are a few tips to help you save without the “skimp”.

Find sites that specialize in cheap wedding invitations. Just because they claim to be “cheap” doesn’t mean they aren’t nice! There are tons of sites out there that offer great deals on the entire paper ensemble. Just google them!

Forgo the unnecessary frills. Not all invitations or thank you notes need to be covered in rhinestones, ribbons, and bows. Sometimes less truly is more (this is especially true for you brides and grooms that have modern or minimalist tastes). Usually, invites that are a bit less “pimped out” have a much prettier price tag.

DIY! So many brides we know and have had the opportunity to meet are totally crafty and have been able to create some pretty fabulous things. If you’re one of these creative and talented individuals, explore your options and test a few of your ideas out. Be creative – look at the tools and supplies you already have and think of a way to save even more by using them. A perk to this idea? Whatever you make will be completely unique!

Smaller can be better. Just like packages, the smaller your mailers, the smaller the postal tab. And, before you run out and buy sheets of stamps, pay a visit to your closest post office and weigh an invitation (envelopes and all). They may require less (or more) postage than you expect!

What are you doing to cut back on your paper expenses? Getting creative and crafty?

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Gift Giving Ideas

by Katie on March 31, 2009 · 0 comments

in Bridesmaids, Groom & Groomsmen, Little Tips, Resources & Checklists

Weddings seem to be the perfect time for gifts – both to give and to receive. Often, the to-be-wed couple is showered with gifts. And, many times, the couple gives presents to the people they love as a way to say thanks for the significant roles those people have played in their lives.

Sometimes, gift giving from either said can be tricky (and we mean gifts other than those that can be found on the registry). The bride may have everything, the groom may want nothing. And, every wedding party member in between has a style and taste all his or her own. So, in light of all this craziness, here are some ideas to get your gift giving ideas flowing.

For the Couple:

Luggage – While some couples register for a nice set of luggage, not everyone does. If you’re looking for a gift for a couple that loves to travel or is about to take a fancy honeymoon, this might just be the perfect idea.

Art – I’m a personal fan, but that’s not the case for everyone. If you have a couple that loves art, or is moving into a new place (or redecorating an old one), a nice piece of expressive art could give them a new focal point for the living room or if nothing else, give them a little reminder as to how much you love them every time they look at it. If you go this route, you may want to check out the couple’s new place before making a purchase, or at least get a good feel for their style.

Hobby Items - Is your couple into hiking? Maybe camping, cooking, or water sports? Giving a present that the couple can enjoy together while spending time together is always a plus.

For the Groom:

Work Items - Is the groom you’re shopping for a workaholic? Or maybe he just loves his job! Work-related items like briefcases or super nice pens are great to give and to receive.

Outdoor or Sports Items – Is your groom a nature nut? Sports nut? If you’re a groomsmen or other guy friend of the groom’s, giving a gift that says “hey, you may be married but we can still chill” is always nice – things like camping equipment, fishing gear, or anything else you and your group of guys enjoy together.

For the Bride:

Work Items – If your bride is into her gig, work-related items might be a great option. A laptop case or briefcase, a nice frame or two for her desk, a nice pen or set of stationary…the list goes on. Office supplies are just too much fun, aren’t they?

Hobby Items – If the bride you’re shopping for is into crafts, get her something related to her favorite (knitting, scrapbooking, sewing, etc). Is she the outdoorsy type? Maybe she would enjoy some new gear. You know her better than we do, so go with what you think she would love the most!

For the Groomsmen:

*See “For the Groom”. The ideas are too-easily applied here.

For the Bridesmaids:

I have to say, these are my favorites. Bridesmaids are so fun to shop for because you can go in just about any direction! (Here, we’ll assume you don’t have a sky’s-the-limit budget.)

Unique Jewelry - Unique or not, jewelry is always the perfect gift. :D The great thing about it when it comes to bridesmaids is that you can get something different for each woman but stick to a specific price range (there are just SO many options available). I recently heard about The Leakey Collection that has some great pieces for a bridesmaid with eclectic taste!

Pampering Gifts – Your ‘maids do a lot for you. Help them take a load off by giving them a little somethin’ somethin’ to help them relax and destress. A massage, mani/pedi, or even a little basket of goodies (filled with things like bath bombs and sea salts, lotions, candles, etc.). Who doesn’t need and want a little pampering now and then?

Donations - If one of your girls is a die-hard WWF supporter or a Greenpeace member, make a donation in her name. Or perhaps she’s crazy about babies or animals. If the organization’s purpose is something she is passionate about, it may mean more to her than a little something she can wear or use.

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Insurance: To Consider Before You Get Married

by Katie on March 27, 2009 · 1 comment

in Resources & Checklists, Websites & Resources

Here is some great-to-know information from an insurance expert. Read up!

Cake- Check, Reception Hall- Check, Invitations Sent- Check…. you planned the big day perfectly and thought everything through hundreds of times, but did you overlook something that you and your spouse will need the rest of your life ?

Thinking about insurance is never something terribly exciting, at this point you would rather plan for your life with your new partner, your honeymoon, your new home, not something as dull as insurance but it should be one of the first things you should plan for to ensure that you and your spouse are covered from the moment you say ” I Do.” At some point in your life you have likely had to use your insurance it may have been just to get some medicine or for something more serious but you know how helpful having that coverage has been. If there is any incentive outside of that you can take joy in knowing that you will be saving money by having insurance plans together compared to being single.

Health Insurance

One of the biggest areas you can start to save money by pooling your plans is through affordable health insurance. It is very likely that there is a decent discount by either moving to your spouse’s policy or having them come to yours. If you are on an individual medical insurance plan, there is typically a discount to add additional family members. There is a good chance that one of you has a group plan from your workplace, if that is the case, check out what needs to occur in order to get your spouse on the policy and what kind of increase it will cause to the premium. This can be done either by looking at the policy yourself or contacting the insurance company itself or perhaps the HR department at your office. If both of you have a group plan then it becomes necessary to see which will provide the best coverage at the best rate and then drop the other policy. The process of adding another member to a policy is generally pretty straight forward and relatively painless.

If neither of you are insured at this point, it would be a good idea to look into individual health plans.

It should also be noted that if you are a younger couple getting married, and you are still on your parent’s health coverage, you will be dropped by that plan when you are married.

Home Insurance

If you are moving into your spouse’s house (meaning not buying or renting a different house than either of you lived in before), it is important to look at the policy in place for the home. As you will be bringing all of your possessions as well, the value of the goods within the home will be much higher and thus you will need the appropriate level of coverage. Whichever partner is moving needs to make sure that they cancel their current policy at their home or apartment. If they plan to rent out the place they should contact their current company and switch the status to married and see about getting a landlord’s insurance.

Auto Insurance

Insurance companies consider those who are married to be more responsible, meaning more economically stable and mature, and will typically have lower premiums for couples. For a young couple this particularly good news as young men typically have higher premiums as they are considered higher risks. The odds are you both drive and thus both have insurance , a policy together will generally allow for discount auto insurance.

Life Insurance

If at this point you and your partner are without life insurance this is the perfect time to look into it. Policies can be very affordable for a young couple. It may not seem like a good time to get life insurance but in this new phase of your life you will be relying on both of your incomes. Having a life insurance policy in place allows for financial protection if something ever happens to you or your partner and helps to ensure that they are taken care of. There are two types of insurance, term- which means for a period of time, and whole – which means for the whole life, and depending on your age one may be a better choice than another and thus you should look into both as an option and make the appropriate decision.

And Now For the Honeymoon !

Your wedding went off without a hitch and now you can go off to your honeymoon knowing that you have everything sorted out with your coverage. As you are now married, you will be paying less for coverage than if you were still single , per person, as you can get joint policies or family policies that meet your needs and allow for a good discount.

* * * *

barbara



This article was written by Barbara Waltz one of the founders of 247QuoteUs.com , an online resource blog and insurance quote comparison guide.

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Cut vendor costs in the “new” (bad) economy

by AFS on March 26, 2009 · 0 comments

in Resources & Checklists, Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Planning

This post is meant to nudge consumers (hint, hint) to research their wedding vendors a little more than normal to take advantage of some of the positive sides of the tanked economy.

An open letter to the economy:

Although I cannot escape you as you insist on showing-up everywhere I get my information – television, radio, print, magazine – I would like to THANK YOU for giving me five ways to cut wedding vendor costs.

1.  VENUES (AKA event locations)

Although some venues will always cost "more" because of location, noteriety, or simple supply and demand, I am happy that you have motivated less-busy venues to give better discounts.  I understand that many of these venues may not be advertising these great discounts, but I know that all I have to do to find these venues is make some telephone calls.

2.  FLORAL

Out-of-season and imported floral will always be more expensive, but I am pleased that my local florists are giving great deals on certain varieties, with some even discounting their labor and delivery costs.

3.  DJ’s

With wedding budgets (and most other types of budgets!) being trimmed-back, I can appreciate that you have prompted even the most popular DJ’s to negotiate their typical $200/per hour (averaged) fees.

4. CATERING

Food costs are high, but the high cost of food has compelled many catering company’s to offer discounts on items such as: chaffing dishes, delivery charges, and set-up fees. These deals are getting so good that I can almost taste the wedding dinner!

5. RENTALS

Oh thank goodness! I rejoice at the new lower prices on chair covers and chair ties…and not the cheap stuff, either.  I am on Cloud 9 knowing that I can now save on even premium covers. My local rentals shop has even sent me a coupon for one free delivery. Yippee!

Enjoy the savings!

Alisha Forrester Scott of La Ruche may be contacted at studio@enterlaruche.com.

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