Registering is Good

December 17, 2010 by  
Filed under Get Registered

20081129152828452I know I was nervous about putting together a list of gifts for people to buy. It can be awkward to think about but the truth is most people love being told what gift to buy. It makes it so much easier. If they don’t want to buy something from the register then they don’t have to. It is best to register or else you may end up with 4 sets of candle holders. True Story.

In addition to saving the wedding guests time and possibly money, you won’t have to use your free time returning gifts you don’t need (or want) or gifts that you got two of (or four). No bad gifts and no returns, sound like a nice gift for yourself. And after the honeymoon is over, you’ll appreciate the extra time you will have saved.

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Are You A Diva Bride?

Television shows, movies and the media all joke about diva brides. Brides who will go to every length to get what they want. “It’s your day” has now become more of a threat instead of a simple saying about treating the bride well for her wedding day. Are you a diva bride? Let’s talk about a few ways to tell. Take our easy diva bride quiz and check your diva-licious score.
bridezilla

photo by Corey Ann on Flickr

You’re ordering your wedding cake. It has five layers and you want the layers to be raspberry – lemon – raspberry – lemon – raspberry. The baker’s assistant writes it down switching it so it says lemon – raspberry – lemon……You do:

  1. Politely point out the error before the baker pulls out the baking pans and gets to cooking.
  2. Shriek “It’s raspberry then lemon!” and burst into tears.
  3. Call your fiancé and make him explain it. He’s the negotiator.

You are trying on your wedding dress for a fitting. They need to fix the neckline. You:

  1. Ask someone at the shop the status of fixing the neckline.
  2. Throw your wedding veil in the air and run through the store saying, “They’ve damaged my dress!”
  3. Tell your mother and let her talk to the store.

A bridesmaid is not getting the invitations ordered or her other duties done. You need to help get her organized – quick! You:

  1. Have lunch with her and find out what is going on – help create a plan for her.
  2. Cry on the phone to her that she is ruining your wedding and then cry to your other 5 bridesmaids about her for two hours.
  3. Ask your future mother-in-law for advice and let her replace the bridesmaid with a cousin.

The caterer is asking for a second deposit. You’ve paid them but now they want even more. Your wedding is three weeks away and your fiancé is out-of-town. You:

  1. Call the caterer and ask the reason for the additional deposit. Get the information in writing and understand why you need to pay them.
  2. Leave work abruptly and go down in person to yell at the manager that he is “wrecking your day” and that he doesn’t understand. Cry on the way back to work and hire a new caterer.
  3. Call your parents and in-laws and tell them you need a new caterer.

The band you’ve hired has an emergency and now can’t perform on your wedding. You’ve got to find a replacement – fast. You:

  1. Put out the word to family and friends you need a referral to a great band.
  2. Cuss out the band manager and tell him you’ll never forget how he tried to ruin your most important day.
  3. Call your fiancé and let him decide what to do.

Okay, it’s time to tally up. How did you do?

All A’s: Regina Reasonable Bride – rational and practical, you’ve got it all under control
All B’s: Diana Diva Bride – get out of her way, she’s loud, proud and out of control!
All C’s: Beth Baby Girl Bride – time to grow up before you put on that wedding dress

Creative Centerpiece Ideas

Your wedding is a special day.  That’s the understatement of the century – right?  Of course it’s special.  Not only do you want everything to go smoothly, to look perfect, and to be a fairytale kind of day, you also want your reception to stick out in people’s heads as a first-class event that reflects your personality and style.

If you don’t go in for theme weddings (and let’s face it, not everybody does), you can still spice up your reception with something special on the table.  You can go for an artsy-type centerpiece, a fun and interactive centerpiece, or something simply beautiful and memorable.  Here are some ideas to get you thinking about the perfect centerpieces for your wedding.

Put Your Guests in the Right “Frame” of Mind

wedding picture frame

photo by Eggybird

One way to personalize your wedding tablescapes is to use pictures of you and your spouse-to be as part of your centerpiece.  You can place votive candles and flowers around the frames, and your guests will have lovely photos of the two of you to entertain them during the really long best man’s speech.  You can take it a step further and use a double frame with the photo on one side and a description of the time the photo was taken – be it a vacation, the day you got engaged, etc.

Water, Water Everywhere

floating centerpiece

photo by Tracy Hunter

Another easy but beautiful option is to float your flowers or candles in a water-filled centerpiece.  You can use varying heights of cylindrical vases, like the picture above, or (better yet) get large, flatter bowls and float a candle and some flower blossoms in it.  Not only do you have a beautiful, fragrant centerpiece, but your guests can talk to one another without peering around a tall centerpiece.

Build Some Fun

photo by oskay

photo by oskay

If your guests have busy hands, fill some large clear bowls with Legos or other building blocks and have them build you little wedding gifts.  Better yet, let them build things to take home with them as part of their favors.  For an additional Lego good time, rumor has it you can email Lego and they will send you a bride and groom Lego cake topper.  How cute is that?

No matter what centerpiece idea you choose, remember this is your day and your chance to express your personality and your flair.  Go for it!

Practical Wedding Gifts That Don’t Break The Bank

November 2, 2009 by  
Filed under Wedding Planning

personalized-wedding-photo-albumAttending a wedding this winter? You’re probably looking for a wedding gift. Many people get anxious about finding the “perfect” wedding gift – and some go overboard spending way more than they can afford. Especially in today’s economy that can be a big mistake. Fortunately there are some great wedding gifts that don’t break the bank. Let’s talk about some of the bride and groom’s favorites that won’t be returned or wind up in the back of a closet after the honeymoon.

Personalized Photo Album. This is one of the best gifts you can buy them. Most couples spend thousands of dollars getting the best professional photographs they’ll ever have taken in their lives at their weddings. What better way to enjoy them than in a special photo album. But that’s not the only use for a photo album they’ll have. Remember they are often taking a special honeymoon to an exotic destination, a place where they will take many photographs. This photo album could be the one they use for wedding photos or for the honeymoon. Or get them two photo albums – one for each!

Gift Certificate/Card to a Restaurant. This a perfect gift to get a newlywed couple. Many newlywed couples find that their relationship changes, that they just don’t go out on “dates” the way they used to. Your gift certificate to a restaurant is an easy way to enjoy an evening out without the added expense to the family budget. Pick a restaurant that is near their home so they don’t have to think or plan extra hard about going out. You may be surprised, but this is often one of the bride and groom’s most favorite gifts.

Cookbooks. A cookbook is an ideal gift to get a newlywed. So is a subscription to a cooking magazine. Even if the bride or groom have been living on their own for some time, getting married often means adjusting your cooking styles. A cookbook offers some ideas and suggestions to make new meals together and find great family favorite meals. You could be creating family traditional meals by giving this cookbook!

Genealogical Research. This is a fun gift to give a newly wed couple. You can find professional genealogists and online services. Many brides and grooms are curious to learn more not only about the family they’ve married into, but about their own birth families after they have married. Learning genealogy is a wonderful gift. Especially if they have children or are planning a family. This is something they will treasure as they learn about new and old family relatives.

Gas Card. While this doesn’t sound like a very exciting gift, most bride and grooms would be thrilled to see a gas card as a gift. Gas is a regular expense – and weddings are expensive. Your gas card would offer great convenience and could make the difference between taking a quick family getaway for the weekend – or not being able to do it. Most major gas stations offer gas cards.