How much does that extra wedding guest cost me?

A bride will get the ring, book a venue, and start picking vendors. After the initial decisions are made..they start to finalize that guest list and realize it's a lot more than they thought! It can happen so fast! Between the future in-laws, the couple's friends, lost relatives, co-workers...it adds up fast! Ever wonder how much those extra guests actually cost though?...Here's a look:

table $12 ($1.20 per each person)

tablecloth $22 ($2.20 per each person)

chairs $3 each

centerpiece $38 ($3.80 per person)

Food $22 + tip/service charge ($26.40 per person)

Alcohol - sodas $10 per person

Wedding cake $2.40 a slice

$49, but with tax...

$52.43 per person OR $104.86 per couple!!

(This is even a very inexpensive menu too...and doesn't include wedding attire, room rental, bouquets, band, photographer, rings, etc.)

It sure does make a bride re-think inviting those long-distance relatives or extra co-workers.

A bride shouldn't need to be introduced to guests...Wouldn't you want to only be surrounded by your closest family and friends that support you as a couple anyways?

The easiest way to cut a budget is to cut the guest list....keep that in mind :)

Happy Wedding!

Tissue paper poms!

Need some extra color or hanging items to a wedding or party, but short on budget...tissue paper poms are the perfect option!

Want to hang over a dance floor? Just rent poles and metal bases from a rental company and have then hang string from the different poles. Then just hang the poms.... viola- instant decor over the dance area

You could make smaller ones for decorative accents or hang from a chandelier.

You could even make them out of fabric to a very special touch! With a huge trend towards "homemade" and original items...these are perfect!

You could also use for a birthday party or wedding shower too!

You can order from etsy.com or even make yourself. Want to know how...check out the links below!:

http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/tissue-paper-pom-poms-diy-wedding-decor/

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/pom-poms-and-luminarias

even a youtube video to show an actual step-by-step:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDAgjtScFpU

Vignettes

Instead of traditional centerpieces or one main table arrangement…there is a huge change to doing “vignettes”. It can be a great way for a photographer to shoot an extra special shot, it is the use of more furniture and household items, and it can be a great way to get amazing decor shots. It makes the wedding have more of a photo shoot element. Notice all the amazing pics on these fabulous blogs and websites? These vignettes allow each wedding to look as amazing as the published features!

Every notice that most featured weddings showcase not only vignettes, but decor shots?! It is a MUST that your photographer capture those. You may give them a list of certain family photos to take (don't miss Aunty Mary, or Granmommy, etc.) But be sure to express the importance of decor shots. Every bride works hard on the details and they should be showcased. Whether you ordered collegiate pom poms, monogrammed chocolates, taffy favors, or a custom lit monogram...make sure they are all captured in the photos afterwards.

Don’t know what a vignette is? Take a look below to see examples of amazing vignettes:

pic sources: greenweddingshoes.com, ohdarlingwedding.blospot.com, nineseventeeneleven.blogspot.com, ribbonsandrust.wordpress.com, celebrationsathomeblog.com

Mason Jars

One thing about most southern brides…we love the south! The south has it’s own way of doing everything. We let college football and hunting season determine wedding dates. We consider sweet tea and diet coke standard drinks. We also have a very distinct southern drawl, that seems to add a innocent touch to every sentence said. Mostly though, we also have a unique way of doing weddings.

What’s more southern than mason jars?!?!

They are so useful and we can’t wait to show you the different ways to use them. You can hang them from a large tree with candles inside, use them for mint juleps or a lemonade, favors, or even clustered together for floral centerpieces. They add the perfect southern touch to any affair!

Happy Viewing!

Source of pics: Intimateweddings.com, Thriftyfun.com, Boards.weddingbee.com, Flikr.com, and Kathrynleachhome.com

Telegram...

So many wedding are going vintage/rustic right now! We just blogged about the handkerchief invitation...can't wait to show the finished product!

If you can't make that happen, we have another great idea... The Telegram! We are doing the handkerchief invitation, but also a directional card enclosed that looks like a telegram. You could also use it for a Save-the-Date, RSVP, or as tags on the hotel welcome bags! While it's printing, I thought I'd show where we got the inspiration:

http://dave-douglass.com/?p=173

from greetdesign.com

http://www.petite-fete.com/gallery.html#prev

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58921177/telegram-wedding-invitation-letterpress

Thanks for viewing!

Why do You Need an Independent Wedding Planner?

A lot of brides and even some "all-inclusive" vendors are starting to think they don't need a wedding planner. The problem is, many truly want to "design" and not really plan. There is a huge difference!

So what is the difference between "planning" and "designing"?

People who design: don't want to be bothered with the wording of an invitation, the special guest book you want to find, specifics on registering, wedding directing etiquette, etc. They also really don't want to be the ones to be there from 7am until midnight that Saturday. They will forget things that a professional planner knows. For example, a bar needs a "bar back" table to hold the drinks, you don't just need cloths for the guest tables but all the tables (bar, food, guest book, coffee station...etc!), the delivery and setup you paid the rental company does not mean that they put on the tablecloths or tie on cushions...they are delivered in a clear trash bag and that is where they will stay if you haven't planned ahead.

They are always extra helpful in choosing tablecloths, styling centerpieces, and the layout...but you need to realize that is not wedding planning. We offer so much more and think of every detail!

For the bride that thinks she wants to do it herself...you can, but most planners offer a service where you can plan the whole time and then hand over the torch to a professional to execute your vision. You do not want to answer the continuous phone calls on your wedding day! You don't want to give directions to the band while you get your hair done, or handle the fact that the shrimp or bar has run out.

I recently had a mother-of-a-bride who had decided to plan it herself...she told me she'd be hiring someone for the second daughter...no questions asked. She said she was pulled aways from her daughter/husband/guests so many times that she couldn't even have one full conversation. She was also so busy for the following months tracking down and returning items (finding the extra programs, returning a friend's punch bowl, returning the grandmother's cake knives, etc.) that she said the process was never-ending!

Let me tell some reasons why a planner is so crucial.

We have handled every aspect...so we have vendor discounts for almost anything and we pass those along to our brides! There is a misconception that we are an added expense and increase the budget. A great planner can actually save you money! We know the ways to make the most bang for your buck. We had a bride on a tight tight budget and wanted to spend money on custom M&M's...we said "STOP!" There is no need to waste $400 on candy that nobody will notice. We put it towards centerpieces and made a much bigger impact!

We also know specifics on etiquette, how to get unusual items (like fan programs, white chocolate favors, custom collegiate garters...), and even lists of what to bring that day, timelines and budgets.

Here is a link from wedalert.com: http://www.wedalert.com/content/articles/why_hire_coordinator.asp

"Not long ago, a wedding coordinator was thought of as a luxury, only used by the wealthy. Now a coordinator is essential to the well planned affair. It is no longer "trendy" to engage a coordinator. Being experienced in negotiating contracts with caterers, florists, photographers, and other suppliers, the coordinator saves valuable time and money. The coordinator can take advantage of discounts not available to private parties and avoid costly mistakes, while turning your dreams into reality.

The average wedding can take more than two hundred fifty hours just to plan. With today's hectic lifestyles, you may not have time to compare all the options, making sure you get the best deal, and make sure all the details are in place.

Wedding coordinators are not here to make decisions for you, but to guide and assist you in making informed decisions. Their training, knowledge, and experience will turn your dreams and expectations into reality. They want you to host a beautiful and distinctive event which you can enjoy.

A wedding coordinator will save you time and enable you to get the most for your money! A wedding coordinator can serve in many other capacities. They can act as the family counselor for apprehensive brides and the mothers, a wedding coordinator can become as close as your best friend.

I know it's a lot of information...but it was time to pop some myths and let brides realize: wedding planning can be a true blessing to a bride!

Vintage invitations

To go with the vintage wedding themes...I had to share this idea of printing wedding invitations on vintage handkerchiefs:

Here is one by Bird and Banner http://www.birdandbanner.com/

Here's another one by Lucky Luxe Couture http://www.lucky-luxe.com/HOME.html

I could not LOVE them more! I just love a bride who is willing to think outside the box and make a cohesive wedding style, from the save-the-date, to the favor at the end! Happy Wedding!