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Moving location of our blog

Sunday, June 7, 2015
Today marks the last of our Blog entries to this site and all future posts will be on our Blog located on our Web site.

Please don't worry, we will keep this site open so you can go back and look at previous Blog posts but all future content will be posted to our new Blog page.

Thanks so much for everyone for making our Blog such a success, we couldn't have done it without you and for that we are truly grateful.

Styling Sunday 11: Invitations 101

Wedding invitations can be an overwhelming task.  What are the "rules?" Is this a formal or informal occasion?  Who's the "host?" How do I put all of this into words?!  Fear not.  I am about to break it down for you.


Formal




Informal




Host
Traditionally, the bride's parents' were charged with paying for the wedding so their names would be listed as the hosts.  In more formal weddings this wording is still often used, but not always.   Nowadays, isn't always the case that the bride's parent's pay for everything.  Sometimes it's both families and sometimes it may just be the bride and groom that foot the bill!  "Together with their families..." is common; as is listing of both sets of parents in the introduction.


Invitation
The invitation line is the line that requests the guests to the wedding.  This can be worded many ways but is frequently seen as: "request the honor of your presence," "cordially invite you to," "invite you to join," "request the pleasure of your company," or "invite you to share the celebration."  Depending on the vibe of the event, this line can be as informal or formal as you'd like.


Couple
After the host and invitation lines, the couple is listed (bride first).  These names are often designed with a much larger typeface and bolder font in order to draw the attention to who this shindig is celebrating!  More formal invitations list first and middle names whereas informal invites often display first names only (or maybe first and last as shown above).


Date and Time
Typically, the dates and times are capitalized and spelled out completely rather than using numbers.  Example: Saturday, the twelfth of September, Two-Thousand Fifteen, at four-o'clock in the afternoon.  And, again, if the invitation is more on the informal side, these phrases can be altered to "Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 4 pm."  I will say that spelling out the words is the most common, however, whether the invitation is formal or not.


Location
For well-known venues, an address is not required to be listed.  Usually just the venue is listed followed by the city/state that it is located.  If an address or directions are needed in the invitation, a separate insert card can be created.


Reception
Sometimes, "reception to follow" is listed at the closing of the invitation.  Or perhaps, "dinner and dancing to follow."  If the reception is in the same venue as the ceremony, "reception immediately to follow" is often used.  Not having a dinner?  In that case, writing, "cocktail reception to follow," "dessert reception to follow," or "hors d'oeuvres reception to follow" works perfectly fine as well.  No kids at the reception?  Stating "adult reception" is a polite way of requesting this. 


Dress Code
If you'd like to specify a dress code, this can also be written under the reception information.  Some dress codes might be: black tie, semi-formal, cocktail attire, festive attire, black-tie optional, dressy casual, or informal.


RSVP and Registry
In the case of my informal invitation above, this couple chose to list the stores in which their wedding registries are located as well as RSVP information.  Even in an informal instance, I would advise having a separate insert for these categories.  But to save on money for the extra paper, maybe listing it on the same sheet is more practical for you.  In the grand scheme of things, it's your day.  Make your own rules! :)


Happy writing, friends!
xoxo, Kim

Tips for an Atypical Vegetarian Reception

Friday, June 5, 2015
Your wedding day should be about celebrating what you and your future spouse love most, not what you think your guests will love. So, if the chicken or steak option just will not do and planning a meat-less reception is an important to-do, this is the Food-tastic blog for you!

Start by thinking about what your favorite foods are, and if those are items you would like to see on your reception menu. Have a secret love for peanut butter and jelly sammies? Or you just can’t get enough grilled tofu? Be sure to incorporate your faves into your selections for the big day, and personalize the menu descriptions to get your guests excited about getting to experience it too.

 
Doing your research and selecting a caterer who is knowledgeable about and supportive of your meat-less menu will eliminate the stress that comes with planning any reception menu. They will know what items to offer as crowd pleasers, and which items to avoid due to cost. Save yourself the hassle, and make hiring a skilled caterer a top priority.


Make your guests forget there isn’t any meat by setting up some grazing stations. Gourmet fruit platters and tiered cheese trays, varieties of veggie plates and of course something sweet; you and your guests will leave with full bellies and happy hearts.

Janice Hussey, Food-tastic Friday Blogger


Super Fun Ways to Add Color to Your Wedding

Thursday, June 4, 2015
Want a vibrant wedding, but don't want to go overboard on your color scheme? Maybe use a few of these ideas to add a pop of color to your wedding, without going too crazy!

1. Wear a pair of bright colored heels under your dress! You may not always see them, but when you lift to walk or are dancing, they will be the perfect pop!

2. Give your bridesmaids their own color to accent! Along with their matching dresses, have them accessorize with their own color! It could be rainbow, or a few colors from your wedding color scheme.

3. Have a colorful centerpiece, Legos are a good distraction for the kiddos at your wedding!

4. Add a little color to the traditional champagne toast! Not much, but a few berries will do the trick!

5. Or have a non traditional wedding scheme, go a little crazy! 

6. Photo booth backdrops are always fun, personalize it on your own and give it some vibrant color!

7. Create some wedding guest book art! Finger painting is always a fun idea for any age!

8. Or give your boutonnieres a subtle pop of color!

There are so many different ways to sneak some vibrant color into your wedding, these are just a few ideas that I could come up with! Have fun!












Before You Say I Do

Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Before you say I do there is one special day that you need to think about. Your rehearsal! Your rehearsal dinner is an important part of your wedding timeline. Your families and loved ones come together and you begin to celebrate the start of your life together. Rehearsal dinners typically follow the rehearsal at your venue or a selected spot. Traditionally, brides have worn white on their rehearsal dinner as a precursor to the big day. Now, I'm all about breaking traditions, but this one- well, this one I kinda like. Here are some great white cocktail dresses for your wedding rehearsal dinner. Enjoy!
High Gloss Fashion ($175)


Periwinkle Smile by ModCloth ($119)




Bursts of Delight by ModCloth ($109)



Beyond Bombshell by ModCloth ($114)


Sparkling Celebration by ModCloth ($149)



So before you say "I do", say "I do" to the perfect rehearsal dress. 

XO 

Rachel 

The "Debater" Bride

Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Winter Whimsical Bridal Session – Timeless Photography » Vintage Wedding Photography

Find out your Bride Personality Type here!
http://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test

The Myers-Brigg Test has indicated 16 different personality types based on how people interact with the world, absorb information, make decisions, and organize thoughts.

The Visionaries Type Head! The Originator, The Explorer Inventor, Lover of Verbal Debate, "One exciting challenge after another", Intellect GroupStressors that get me spinning: check out this ENTP stress head! #mbti #myersbriggs

This week we will be debating with the ENTP personality type!

1. Otherwise known as the "great debater", this lovely lioness is a visionary with a steady flow of ideas and imagination to get her from point A to B. Want to spark a fire under her butt? Easy! Just tell her she can't do something or better yet, tell her it's impossible and see what happens next. This bride's enthusiasm and drive to conquer everything in her path will ensure that she will get everything she wants for her special day.

Funny Wedding Photos - Funny Wedding Pictures | Wedding Planning, Ideas & Etiquette | Bridal Guide Magazine

2. CAUTION! This bride's kryptonite is boredom. ENTP's need constant mental stimulation to keep their balls of fiery energy rolling. Some ENTP's that share resemblance are Amy Poehler, Robert Downey Jr.,  and Salma Hayek. Known for their extraverted intuition, they aren't afraid to express their feelings especially when it comes to winning (one of their favorite hobbies). The ENTP bride will demand an excellent itinerary for her wedding day but she will need a team of people behind her to carry out her vision, for her strengths fall into the start of the race not the finish.

20 Creative Wedding Poses for Bridal Party. Some I've seen, but a lot of them are really cute.

3. Intellectual conversations, witty batter, and ideation will always soothe an uneasy ENTP soul. This bride loves to be inspired and will seek any outlet that will provide it for her. Some of the top career choices for this personality type are entrepreneur, director/producer, reporter, and creative marketing. She can be good at anything that interests her, especially if it's unconventional. My unorthodox yet stupendously exciting reception senses are tingling!

Wedding Reception Ideas: Beautiful Escort Cards and Seating Charts - Rebekah Westover

4. While patience may not be her strong suit, the ENTP bride is most compatible with INFJ's and INTJ's who both will have the easy-going reserved nature that will help tame her sometimes boisterous outbursts. But that's why we love you ENTP bride! You like to see matters from all points of view but we can always count on you to express your stance on what you think is "right" until the wedding bells ring home. I am pleased to honor the "Bride Most Likely To Burn The City Down On Her Adventurous Wedding Night" to the forever charming, ENTP bride!

Gatsby Party (Leonardo DiCaprio Portrait as Great Gatsby with "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody" as Reclaimed Pallet Wood Sign Painting)


See you next week!
Love,
Mo Hughes 

What can guests do between ceremony and reception?

Monday, June 1, 2015
You just said “I do” and now you and your new husband are rushing off to go capture pictures. Since the ceremony just ended and your reception is not scheduled for another hour or 2 what are your guests supposed to do in the meantime? Here are a few tips on how to keep guests entertained.

1) After the ceremony you can have guests head over to the location of the reception. A great way to keep guests busy is to have them write good luck notes or happy thoughts to the bride and groom and then put them in a box. These notes would mean so much to the bride and groom.
2) Another idea is having cocktail hour. Chances are guests will be pretty hungry and thirsty and you do not want to make them wait until dinner. Guests will appreciate having little appetizers and drinks while they wait. It also gives the guests a chance to mingle with one another.
3) Another idea is to have a live band for your guests to listen and watch or a slideshow of the couples. This will give the guests a special look into the lives of the bride and groom and a glimpse of their journey together. 














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