I am trying to insert the pics into my post, but I am having issues, if anyone can help let me know!  They are in my gallery, and I click insert into post, but then I get a blank black box!  Help! 

Share This

• Understand the correlation between the cost of catering and the number of mouths that you feed. Although the ‘quality’ of food that you serve your guests will increase or decrease the cost of catering for your event, you must first understand that the number one factor for enormous food bills is number of mouths that you are feeding.  If you are planning on inviting 100 guests to your reception then you need to plan to feed those 100 people.

If after doing the numbers with your caterer you do not have the funds to feed everyone on your invitees list, then it is time to re-evaluate your guest list. When it comes down to it, if you don’t have the money you don’t have the money. There is nothing to be ashamed about. However, you will need to modify your list to include only the most important persons.

"But we HAVE to invite everyone on our list to the reception!" Not true. Consider throwing a party where hors d’oeuvres and drinks can be served. When it comes down to it, a big reason that hurt feelings happen may be because people want to have an opportunity to share in your moment and in your joy. Creating a moment for those that you cannot afford to have at the reception is perfectly acceptable.

• Go heavy on the hors d’oeuvres . Although you may be serving a meal at the reception, consider adding a one-hour long cocktail party to allow guests to quench their post-ceremony hunger. Guests that eat before dinner will eat smaller portions and are less likely to go back for second portions. Go "fancy" and have butlered hors d’oeuvres passed to the guests, alongside "do it yourself" hors d’oeuvres stations.
• Filler, filler, Filler. Filler foods are foods that fill stomachs fast and for little money.  Have you ever eaten at a restaurant that first serves bread? Bread is an excellent filler. As for class, try using an exotic pasta, bruschetta + toppings, and other such foods that will take-up room in a guest’s stomach. Another helpful tip is to have the filler foods waiting at guest tables for the guests, so that they can get started with their eating before the food line opens or wait staff begins their service.
• Control your guests’ portions. Even (and especially) if you are offering a buffet, ask your caterer (or volunteers) to stand behind the foods to dole-out portions. Portion control is an easy way for you to save big dollars on large amounts of food that would otherwise not be consumed because most guests would not eat so much unless it were free.
• Post-dinner pickins. Especially when serving guests alcohol you may wish to consider erecting a few small hors d’oeuvres stations posted throughout the ceremony space. Guests that are dancing and drinking are likely to search the venue for a few crackers and cheeses, fruits, or sweets to munch on. As a bonus, giving guests reason to munch will allow for [slightly] less alcohol consumption. Keep in mind that for convenience sake you may not want to serve foods that require refrigeration or constant heating. (Food poisoning guests = icky.)
• Plan for the staff gratuity. In many situations the gratuity for the wait staff, bartenders, and food captains will be directly added to the food bill that you endorse from the caterer or venue. However, some companies will allow you to add-in your own gratuity based upon your experience. In either case make a decision that you are going to plan for the staff gratuity instead of being shocked or put-off by it. After all, the staff gratuity helps the people behind the wait staff uniforms to feed their own families.

Happy eating!

Best,
Alisha Forrester Scott, Owner
La Ruche. event design studio.

You can e-mail AFS at: studio@enterlaruche.com

Share This

In the spirit of alternatives and trends, below you will find a list of the most interesting guest book alternatives that I have "found", heard of, and recommended.

Just a hint: If you have invited two groups to your wedding…one group for the ceremony + reception, and one group for ceremony-only, you may wish to consider using a traditional guest book to register attendance for your ceremony, then use the alternatives below for the reception (where guests will have more creative time to spend).

1.  [This idea is from today's client meeting... ] The Guest Tree
(Note: After researching this idea is also sometimes called a "Wishing Tree")

This idea combines the idea of a guest book and a "best wishes" guest area. (A best wishes guest area may be defined as an area set aside for guests to write personal thoughts for the couple. Today, many brides still use photo mats for guests thoughts and signatures.)

• A Guest Tree is a potted, "indoor" tree that will feature paper "ornaments" which contain guest’s best wishes to the couple. As it was explained to me, there is a table with strips of paper (not to be folded) and pens and ornament hooks. Once the guest has completed their thought to the couple it is hung by an ornament hook onto the tree. (Keep in mind that you will want to punch holes into the ends of the strips of paper so that your guests will not have to fumble and rip their paper.)  The tree that my client is using is a manzanita tree, pre-decorated with blue Christmas lights.  However, there are many other tree varieties that would be appropriate.

  Hint: You may wish to place a card containing directions for the less-creative-minded guests. (Being told how to complete the project is often times helpful.)

2.  The Wedding Canvas - A work of wedding art

• Recently, at my sister’s wedding, we used a large blank canvas for guests to "make their mark". Permanent markers, paints, scissors, and interesting pictures were placed on a table next to the canvas which was held on an easel (my sister’s request).  An 8" x 10" rectangle section in the center of the canvas was marked and designated as a spot for a future photo to be placed, and the guests were helpful about not writing or marking in that area.  A variation of this idea would may be to use watercolors (paints and paintbrushes), or just colorful permanent pens. (It all depends on what you want the guests to "do".)

3.  The Wedding Vase

If you are the type to place flowers in your home, consider purchasing a vase for your guests to sign. (Again, you may wish to leave a card printed with helpful directions to the guests.) If you are going to choose a dark vase, use a light paint pen , and vice versa.

4.  The Wedding Quilt (Important: This requires sewing)

Have you ever seen patchwork quilts? Well, the premise of a patchwork quilt is to take squares of fabric and sew the edges together to make a quilt.  Imagine then squares of fabric cut for guests to write well wishes or thoughts for the couple on with a permanent fabric pen !  You would want to have a table set-up with fabric squares, directions to the guests, permanent guest pens, and a "finished" box or bin where guests could put their finished squares. You could go shopping for your favorite fashionable quilting squares, or you could just purchase a generic set online.

A bit of Caution

Giving gifts to the couple that are used in daily life, such as aprons or plates, makes for a sad day when the markings wear-off when being laundered or washed.  Although aprons and plates are cute ideas you may be happier with an item that isn’t used as often or as regularly.

Happy guest project-ing!

Best,
Alisha Forrester Scott, Owner
La Ruche. event design studio.

You can reach AFS by e-mailing: studio@enterlaruche.com.

Share This

I got to sample a gray and plum invitation set which included the invitation itself, reception enclosure and RSVP card (and envelope), and the envelope that held everything together. Not only are the pieces assembled wonderfully, but they simply feel luxe. Once you get your hands on one, you won’t want anything else!

You can get some really fab stuff from Revelry - silk invitation boxes, DIY invitation supplies, birth announcements, occasion cards, and even a sample before you buy. And if you can’s find something that fits your style exactly, you can always build your own silk invitations!

Share This

Share This

This article, Crystal Ball from Brides was photographed by Jeff McNamara. Isn’t it fabulous?!

Share This

During your planning phase, consider the following questions and suggestions and how they will relate to your post-wedding overnight accommodations experience:

What will you eat? You may have just spent eight to ten hours looking and acting perfect, and perhaps you did not feel like or did not get a chance to eat at your own reception.  You’ll likely feel like consuming something light, something healthy, something without sugar or caffeine. Consider packing a meal to have waiting in the room, or better yet pre-order room service with your ideal meal. Remember, indulge yourselves…you don’t have to eat the same thing if you don’t want to!  If all else fails (or you forget to plan this part) you can always just order in pizza or Chinese and be less formal. Just make sure that you are able to find napkins and plates.

What will you drink? First, something hydrating, then perhaps something soothing. Whether a cup of tea or a night cap, have your favorite beverages and the proper equipment (ice, cups/glasses, tea, etc.) waiting for you in your room. Keep in mind that if you order alcohol from the hotel bar you can expect a price mark-up of literally at least 100% - A $35 magnum of Grey Goose will be marked-up as high as $100 - so plan accordingly.)

What will you listen to or watch? (Hint: not TV)…but maybe a movie you both like playing in the background? (Will you need a DVD player?) What if you want to listen to a favorite CD, or what if you have packed along your mp3 player and some little speakers (will you need your charger or batteries?)?

What will you want to smell? Soothing scents can enhance nearly everyone’s experience, no matter the situation. Consider bringing along some scented candles, incense, or room fragrance. Soothing scents such as lavender or vanilla will help your post-wedding transition.

What will help you to relax? Perhaps your idea of relaxation is popping open a beer, or perhaps you are anticipating sore feet and muscles.  To relieve a day’s worth of stress consider scheduling an in-room double massage for you and your sweetie. Believe me, there are companies that offer this in-room service - be sure to ask your concierge for a referral. (Don’t feel bad if you both find yourselves totally unwound and napping during the massage!) If a professional massage is out of the question, give each other a little rub-down (at least your feet!).

What type of lighting is present? Candlelight is most flattering, white (holiday) lights are magical. Whatever your lighting preference consider using dramatic lighting.  There is a chance that the room you are staying in has adjustable lighting (which means no extra work for you), so be sure to ask. Important: if you are going to bring candles make sure that you bring candle plates or holders to catch the melted dripping wax…you don’t want to have to pay for room damage.  Also, make sure that they have a fire extinguisher in the room (or at least nearby) for unforeseeable emergencies.

What will you want to wear? If you have packed something sexy to ‘play’ in, don’t forget to pack something new and comfortable to sleep in. Sleeping in your ‘everynight’ pajamas is not exciting, so consider purchasing a new pajama set…it will make your first married nights sleep a huge and special success.

Take a nap. Seriously. Whoever "invented" sex immediately following post-wedding may have been unwilling to discuss the sheer exhaustion which tries to infiltrate most newly married couples bedrooms. Before you both completely unwind for the evening, consider setting an alarm or scheduling a wake-up call with the front desk, and then settle down for a nice mid-sized nap. Once you wake-up you can shower or bathe and then begin the next phase of your night together.

The formal wake-up call . Perhaps you have brunch with your family scheduled for the next morning, or perhaps you are both going to get a massage. Be sure to call the front desk for a wake-up call, or be sure to pack and bring your own alarm to set, or have one of your friends call your hotel room. You won’t want to oversleep if you have plans for the next morning.

Do Not Disturb (DND ). If you end up getting into bed late (and waking-up late) you won’t want to be disturbed by the hotel staff trying to clean so be sure to place the DND sign on the door and enjoy. Another form of DND will be to hold your phone calls (call the front desk to request this), or simply unplug your hotel room phone. Don’t forget to turn-off your cell phones. You’ve earned a night together without any outside interruptions.

Enjoy your first night together!

Best,
Alisha Forrester Scott
La Ruche. event design studio.

You can reach AFS by e-mailing: studio@enterlaruche.com

Share This

Although most of the guests toughed-out the cold weather and stayed for the entire event, with recent memories of freezing fingers and toes, I propose the following ways to help avoid freezing guests and dwindling guest numbers:

1.  Mention the weather considerations in your invitation - You may wish to place a mention the cold weather alongside the registry, wedding website, or venue map.  For my sisters wedding we used a single (small) card (about the same size as the Response Card [RSVP Card] for this purpose, broken down as such:

Front side - Registry, event timeline, and weather consideration mention
Back side - Venue address, map, and driving directions

2. Having an indoor ceremony and/or reception? Set-up a coat check area . Guests will appreciate not having to lug around their winter coats, or worse yet having to hang them over the back of their chairs.

3.  Having the event(s) indoors away from the cold weather? Err on the side of placing the thermostat temperature "a little cool".  Consider that your guests may not be able to peel off too many layers past their winter coats should the indoor temperature climb.  (Nearly everyone gets warm when they dance.)

4.  Having the event(s) outdoors in the cold weather? Err on the side of heat which means considering the use of heaters, fireplaces, hand-warming packets , or decorative fire pits (covered or screened) where guests can warm their parts and then leave to enjoy more wedding action.

5.  Incremental weather means having brooms on-hand to sweep away water, shovels or a snowplow on stand-by to make a path in snow, and umbrellas for the ushers use to assist guests as they arrive and depart.

6.  Transportation considerations - if your ceremony and reception are in different locations and it is sure to be snowing, consider renting buses, limo buses, or cars to transport guests (to avoid parking accidents, sliding, or hydro-planing).

If you have any questions about this post, or need advice, feel free to contact studio@enterlaruche.com.

Stay warm and Happy Holidays!

Best,
Alisha Forrester Scott
La Ruche. event design studio.

Share This

Save the dates have become a must for some people, and sending magnetized ones can be a useful way to keep your wedding date in the minds of your guests. Enter, MagnetStreet Weddings! MagnetStreet has more than just magnet save the dates; they carry invitations, thank you notes, mini magnets, and labels and seals.

Check out just a few of their hundreds of designs:

I got to sample a few magnets - the quality is fantastic. Clear pictures, great graphics, and stylish all around. They come in a number of shapes and designs and can be easily customized. So, if you’re looking for some save the dates, check them out!

Now for the giveaway details! MagnetStreet Weddings is offering one of our fabulous readers 200 FREE SAVE THE DATES - any design, and style. To enter, click on over to their site and pick out your favorite design. Come back to this post and tell us your favorite design and how you would change the colors to make it your own. We’ll randomly pick a winner after the new year!

Share This

With this interest in green lifestyles and green weddings, a wealth of information and resources have popped up - and thank goodness for that! Today I am so excited to share with you a fabulous new book on green weddings, by environmentalist and recent bride, Kate L. Harrison - “The Green Bride Guide”.

The book was officially released on December 9th, so if you haven’t already picked up a copy, get to it! I’m a big fan of books (and websites) with valuable information and ideas in them. Information that I can actually use, ideas that I can execute using the resources I have, resources that will actually lead to other valuable information and ideas, and generally useful. This is exactly how I would describe “The Green Bride Guide” - valuable.

Kate does a great job of helping earth-friendly couples put being green at the top of the wedding planning to-do list. Her book includes a monthly time line, tons of great, doable ideas, and one of my favorites, “Sustainability Worksheets”. She also includes a recommended reading list as well as a few resource page - all with valuable information on them. Some other features of the book include:

**Price indicators ($, $$, $$$) to help you get an idea on how much things cost
**Markers by information that is expanded upon on The Green Bride Guide website
**Side notes with FYI and idea-sparking tidbits and traditional wedding alternatives
**A whole chapter on “Planning an Eco-Fabulous Honeymoon”

So, if you’re a green person through and through and in the process of planning a wedding, I’d definitely recommend this book. But, I’d also say it’s a helpful resource for the “green” environmentally friendly couple, new to the idea of leading a green lifestyle together or planning an eco-chic wedding. You can go wrong with showing a little love for the earth!

Before you go, check out The Green Bride Guide website to find even more ideas and advice. You can also find eco-products, peruse real green weddings, learn from the lessons of current and recent brides, and grab a list of great reads.

Share This