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Tidbits & Tips { Guest Seating }

Creating a seating chart can actually be a lot of fun if you go about it the right way =) You’ll want to start planning seating arrangements as soon as RSVP’s start arriving to avoid last minute headaches. Here’s a few more quick tips to help you create the perfect seating arrangement:

Sweetheart vs. Head Table

  • Tradition says that the bride + groom should sit with the best man, maid of honor, and parents. It’s usually at a rectangular table so no one has their back to the guests. Nowadays, sweetheart tables are much more popular and give the bride + groom some time to themselves. It’s also much easier to set a sweetheart table if you’re parents have split up, the best man or maid of honor is married, etc. Consider doing a head table and seating your bridal party at their own table. Parents can also host their own tables with close family + friends.

Seating Arrangements

  • Decide whether you want guests to be at long, rectangular tables or traditional rounds. One fun option is to mix and match the table sizes + shapes. The size of the tables will dictate how many guests should be seated at each. It’s always best to assign each guest a table {avoid open seating if possible}, but you’d don’t have to place them in a particular seat. Try to group guests who have similar interests so they’ll have lots to talk about {work colleagues, school friends, etc}. If you can’t avoid splitting guests up, leave a fun activity at each table {like a quiz about you and your fiance} to get guests chatting =)

Seating Charts

  • Make sure your seating chart is clearly visible and easy to read {avoid too much calligraphy and complicated charts}. The best place to put it is near the cocktail hour so guests will know their seating assignment before dinner. If you’re expecting a large number of guests, consider setting up two charts in different areas of the space. Make sure to also provide a list of guests to your wedding planner – they can assist guests that can’t quite find their seat. It helps to create a seating chart that can easily be changed {think chalk boards, mirrors, window panes, etc}. That way you won’t have to worry about reprinting anything.

Seating Charts

Photos: Two Foxes Photography, Amanda Watson Photography

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Trendy Thursday { Dapper Grooms }

Grooms + groomsmen are really incorporating some dashing looks into their wedding attire! We’ve seen all sorts of vibrant patterns and textures making their way into men’s fashion, and we certainly are not opposed! After all, the groom’s got to look just as good as his beautiful bride =)

Dapper Groom's Attire

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Tidbits & Tips { For the Mother of the Groom }

Being the mother of the groom {or the bride for that matter} can be hard work! From hosting family gatherings to helping with wedding plans, there can be just as much work for the MOB as there is for the couple. Here’s a few quick tips to keep wedding planning fun:

  • Get rid of your own expectations – Do your best to support the decisions of the bride + groom, even if they aren’t what you’d want at a wedding. Giving too much input can cause a lot of unnecessary stress on the couple.
  • Choose your battles – If you do have a lot of requests, choose one or two that are the most important to you and present them in a kind way to bride + groom {like a long standing family tradition, mother/son dance, etc}.
  • Start on the foot – If you want to be super involved, offer to help out when you notice the couple is stressing. They’re likely to pass off a few items for you to assist with =)
  • Don’t over promise – Make sure you can deliver what you’ve promised. Like the bride + groom, don’t commit yourself to doing too many projects and then finding yourself having to cut a few at the last minute. Believe me, it’s not worth the hassle!
  • Know the in-laws – Getting to know your soon-to-be in-laws is super important. After all, they’re about to become part of the family! Invite them over for lunch with the bride + groom so you can spend some time with them before the wedding.
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Tuesday Tips {Lavender Inspiration}

Lavender is one of my favorite flowers for weddings – it’s simple, elegant, and has a lovely scent! Plus it’s a great flower for drying!!! Try featuring lavender in your bridal bouquet, centerpieces, or place settings for a fun pop of color and to add just a hint of flowery aroma =)

Lavender Wedding Inspiration

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Tidbits & Tips { Engagement Parties Part II }

Last week we shared a few tips on planning engagement parties – today will finish up with a few final tips for the perfect soiree!

How to invite guests?

  • Since engagement parties are usually less formal than the actual wedding, feel free to keep it simple! If you’ve already picked out your stationer, ask if they can offer you a special rate for invite to the engagement party.

What to eat?

  • Engagement parties are usually light-hearted and fun, so keep the food simple with passed hors d’oeuvres or a fun stations setup. I love brunch style events with biscuit bars, omelet stations, and a few sweet treats =)

How do you set the scene?

  • The decor your select doesn’t have to match what you’ve picked out for the wedding. If you’re going for a super elegant wedding, consider doing a more relaxed engagement party. Just remember that this should be fun, not another stressful thing for you to plan!

What to wear?

  • Finally, my favorite part! I would totally encourage you to pick out a fun new outfit for your engagement party, especially since there will be lots of photos taken! Go for something that matches the style of your venue {maybe a pretty sun dress for a brunch, or cocktail dress for an evening affair}.
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Trendy Thursday { Apple Cider }

It’s finally starting to cool off here in Central Florida, which can only mean one thing – fall is right around the corner! I’m so excited to see some warmer color palettes {think deep reds, burnt orange, rich purples, and lots of gold} and yummy treats! One I recently came across is apple cider served in a crisp, red apple. Love!

Fall Wedding Inspiration - Warm Apple Cider

Photos: Best Photography

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Tuesday Tips { Things to Know }

Working with your wedding vendors should be exciting and fun – they’re here to help you plan each detail of your wedding, after all! Keep these quick tips in mind to ease your wedding vendor stress:

  • If you call or email them on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, don’t expect to hear back from them until Monday. I know this sounds a bit harsh, but most vendors have weddings on the weekends so it’s difficult for them to respond to clients. I mean, would you want your vendor emailing other clients on your wedding day? If you need an immediate response to your call or email, let them know. They will do everything they can to get back to you!
  • Emails don’t always go through. Sometimes they go to spam and other times they just don’t come through at all. If you’ve sent your vendor an email and it’s been quite a few days with no response, don’t hesitate to call them!
  • Trust them! You obviously hired these vendors, so trust them to do a good job. They know what they’re doing, so try not to worry too much about how things will turn out. Don’t follow the florist around on wedding day to make sure things go in the proper place. Don’t ask your photographer if they got a shot of the wedding cake. Your vendors are professionals and they’ll capture the essence of how you want your wedding to feel =)
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Tidbits & Tips { Engagement Parties 101 }

Engagement parties are a great {and fun} way to celebrate a new season of life with friends and family. Here are a few simple tips for planning the perfect engagement party:

Who hosts?

  • Tradition says that the bride’s parents host the first official wedding celebration. Nowadays, it’s common to see engagement parties thrown by the groom’s parents, or close friends of the couple.

When to have it?

  • Take a month or two to revel in the fact that you’re engaged! Then get to planning =) Engagement parties typically happen 9-11 months before the wedding.

Where to have it?

  • Choosing the perfect locations for an engagement party really depends on the couple. If you live out of town, consider having your soiree where most of your friends and family reside. You can also consider having two smaller get-togethers. One for friends & family that live close by, and another for your out-of-towners. This will give those who live far away the chance to celebrate with you.

Who to invite?

  • Tradition says that anyone invited to the engagement party should also be invited to the wedding. Even if you have friends that you know can’t make it to the wedding, make sure to still include them in other wedding related activities like the engagement party.

Check back next week for more tips on planning the perfect engagement party!