32 More Days to Go!

Ah well! After a long lull in my posting frenzy (I was in a state of blog addiction a few months back wherein I made about 4 blogs and now only three are left active!), I am now posting new updates about my up-coming wedding.

I never realized planning a wedding AND going to school IS really HARD! But, here I am, doing both. To add to this, I am also graduating - I HOPE! So far, everything is going smoothly and I am barely hanging there. At least I have a wedding planner to help plan some of the details - yeah I'm seeing her tomorrow night to update our plans and ideas - now it's a frenzy of planning from here!

Anyway, we are now in the process of putting together our invites. Yeah, yeah, I know it's really long overdue but I think we still have time to send them out before March. Here is a photo of our invite inspiration. Yeah, I'm not showing you the ACTUAL INVITE. I mean, where's the fun when you've already seen how our invites would look like?Our Invite Inspiration

We are also updating the guest list (awwww a lot of people really want to get invited). So if you're not part of the guest list, you will just have to make do with the after party! :)

Now, what is really hillarious is that there are some people who would really want to be in the BRIDAL ENTOURAGE! That's right, even if I DON'T KNOW THEM! Can you imagine?! Requesting, if not demanding to be part of the entourage when they aren't even aquainted with me? No matter that they are relatives, but they aren't CLOSE relatives, mind you! Accckk this is really HARD!

Invite Dillemas

The pros and cons of printing invitations.

Professionally Printed Invitations

PROS

Beautiful raised lettering Professional quality Guaranteed superior quality for your once-in-a-lifetime event Less personal time involved than printing your own invitations Easy selection of paper and design options Clear printing quality Worry- and hassle-free ordering Allows you to concentrate on other plans for the event Proofreaders catch mistakes for you The company printing your invitations will take responsibility for errors, should they exist Do not have to buy all the supplies, ink, fonts and paper Order all of the matching parts (enclosures, thank you notes, glassware, books) at one time Wide variety of invitation styles to choose from Additional options such as lined envelopes

CONS

You don't get to know how well your home computer or printer works You don't have the satisfaction of creating your own invitation Expense and beginning monetary costs may be more than printing them on your own May not be as creative as the bride likes Extra costs for colored ink or extra lines

Printing your Own Invitations

PROS

Learn how your home computer and printer work You create your own invitation The beginning monetary costs may be lower Creativity with papers and layouts

CONS

Printer frustrations Getting the paper to feed correctly through your printer Time to set up and print documents When you are planning a big event, you don't want to be worrying about invitations as well Cost and time involved trying to find the perfect papers, font and verse for the invitation Limited design options due to home printer restrictions Limited font selections If you make a mistake, you need to start over Stress of fitting the invitation to size onto a card

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From the files of

The Invite Showcase

Invites 101

Another important element in all weddings (and parties, for that matter) is the INVITES! Of course, everyone wants their invites to be personalized and unique because this is a preview of what the guests would expect during the occasion. Plus, this is also an avenue for the harsh critics to stew your impending party. To let you guys know more about the invites, in this case wedding invites, here's the 411.

Invitations: A Complete Checklist
Before you go buying every pretty note card in sight, determine your needs by breaking down your wedding day. Use your wedding style, however formal or casual, as well as time and budget to guide you through the boundless options. It's helpful to establish a thread of consistency -- with color, theme, or motif -- and apply it to each piece. For efficiency and cost effectiveness, strive to order all your stationery needs from the same place and, ideally, at the same time. Here's everything you need to know about the paper products you'll be ordering.

INVITATIONS
The centerpiece of your wedding stationery, the invitation reflects the tone of your wedding, whether black tie or beach party. An invitation can have several pieces: the outer envelope, an unsealed inner envelope, the invitation, a reception card (if the party is held at a different venue than the ceremony), and a response card with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Printed maps and information on hotels is often also enclosed.

Traditional
These are heavy stock, 100-percent cotton or linen paper in white or ecru, engraved with black or charcoal ink, and with a square of tissue to protect the type.
Twist
Couples are steering away from the standard invitation and using papers in unusual sizes and colors, with exotic textures (perhaps relating to the color scheme of the wedding), and emblazoned with motifs, graphics, monograms, and family crests. Waste-conscious brides with less formal invites often forgo the unsealed inner envelope (originally used to protect the invitation from the elements when mail was hand-delivered and often arrived in shoddy shape).
Order
Three to four months before the wedding date. The sooner you order them, the more time you'll have to proof them, make any changes, and address the outer envelopes (a calligrapher, for example, requires up to two weeks to address 100 invitations).
Send
Six weeks before the date is the most common; eight weeks is ideal (10 weeks for guests coming from abroad). You have more leeway if you send save-the-date cards first.

REPLY CARDS
These cards are, of course, sent with your invitations with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Traditional
Reply cards often ask each guest to check a box letting couples know how many people will attend the wedding. A date for the return of the reply card is essential.

Twist
Since so many people have dietary concerns, many reply cards now include the menu options so that guests can check off what they wish to eat that day, and so the caterer can be fully prepared for the number of vegetarian meals that needs to be cooked. Additionally, if it's a weekend wedding, the reply card will often include a list of activities with check boxes so that guests can let the couple know which events (such as a tennis tournament or golf outing) they plan to attend.
Order
With your invitations.

RECEPTION CARDS
These are cards sent with the wedding invitation to inform guests where the party will take place.

Traditional
A small card that asks guests to join the newlyweds and their families for a celebratory reception. It gives the date, place, and time.
Twist
Play with fonts and designs (like a motif or monogram) on this card, especially if your invitations are classic.
Order
With your invitations.

WEDDING PROGRAMS
Not only can they provide useful information, they also make charming mementos. Programs are often in the form of a small booklet and include information about the ceremony, such as the date, the names of the bridal party (and perhaps their relationships to the bride or groom), the order of events, and the titles of readings and songs. Couples may also choose the program to honor deceased loved ones, to thank important people, and/or to explain unfamiliar rites of the ceremony.

Traditional
The front cover of the booklet bears the couple's names or joint initials. The pages are bound, usually by the stationer, with a satin ribbon.
Twist
A less expensive option is a single piece of heavy-stock paper with a vellum overlay, tied together, by you and your bridesmaids, with a ribbon reflecting your color scheme. Some couples are including their favorite poetry or the story of how they met or got engaged. Other couples are crafting creative programs, such as ones shaped as fans (especially popular for beach or summer weddings).
Order
If the programs will be formal and multipaged, it's best to order them with your invitations. Otherwise, order four to six weeks before the wedding date.

MENU CARDS
These cards are becoming more popular and thankfully so. No one likes to sit down to a meal when they have no idea what is about to be served.

Traditional
Often designed as a single card in a heavy cotton stock in a rectangular shape and containing the elements of the meal, including different wines or other beverage options.
Twist
This is a great place to list why you've chosen a particular dish if it has cultural or personal significance. Drink cards (listing the five martinis available to guests, for instance) are cards that stand at the bar.
Order
At least six weeks before the wedding day.

PLACE CARDS
Place cards inform guests which chair to sit in. (Escort cards direct people to their tables.

Traditional
Small, tented cards that are printed with each guest's name and placed at the top of every setting.
Twist
You can choose to use any kind of prop you like to tell guests where to sit: small stones with hand-painted names, the tag of each favor, even a die-cut flower to enhance your wedding aesthetic.
Order
With your invitations (or buy them about four weeks before the wedding day).

THANK YOU CARDS
These handwritten notes -- from both of you -- should thank guests for their gifts and/or presence at your wedding.
Traditional
Cards that say "thank you" or have your new married monogram and new address stenciled into them.
Twist
Our favorite idea is a picture card or postcard with your wedding photo (or a photo of all the guests at the ceremony) on the front.
Order
With your invitations.
Send
No later than one month after your honeymoon for gifts received the day of your wedding. You should ideally send thank-you notes out immediately for any gifts received before the wedding day.
Source: A. B. Olmeta & Allison Micarelli from The Knot

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From the files of

Bachelorette Parties: The Basics

Bachelor parties have been a wedding tradition since the so-called Olden Days, when they gave the groom a chance to "sow his wild oats" before marriage. We are well out of that dark age (thank goodness!), and these days women celebrate imminent weddings with their closest pals too. Need some help with this night on the town? Read our complete bachelorette party guide.

Who Hosts?

Virtually anyone can host a bachelorette party. Often the maid of honor and bridesmaids, who are close to the bride, do the honors, but any friend, relative (a cousin, for example), or even coworkers who feel the urge can plan this party.

The Guest List

Shower guests must all be invited to the wedding, but this isn't necessarily true for bachelorette parties. Chances are that most bachelorette party guests -- who are generally the bride's best gal pals -- are wedding guests, too, but it's fine to invite coworkers or neighbors who may not be invited to a small or out-of-town wedding. Just be up front with them about your limited wedding guest list -- you don't want to disappoint any well-wishers. It's usually best to keep this party pretty small -- definitely under 20, and under 10 is probably ideal.

Decide on a Date

Steer clear of the night before the wedding -- the last thing the bride needs is a hangover! She'll be nervous enough; she shouldn't have to worry about getting sick. (The rehearsal dinner is usually scheduled for that night, anyway.) If the wedding is in a town other than the bride's hometown, you might want to have the party before she leaves; even if the wedding is local, party at least 2 or 3 nights before the big day.

Plan Ahead

One person can plan the entire bash, or several people (like the bridesmaids or the clique from college) can collaborate. Some bachelorette hosts ask for a donation from each guest or co-host, depending on the type of party -- whether you're renting a private room in a restaurant or taking everyone for an afternoon of spa treatments, for example. That contribution may range from $50 to $200, but the bride shouldn't have to contribute a dime. Be reasonable and don't go overboard -- you needn't put yourself in debt over this. A fabulous time can be had by all for little money.

Spread the Word

Store-bought invitations will do, or make your own with a desktop publishing program or paper, scissors, pens, and glue. Choose or design with a theme in mind, even if it's as simple as the bride's favorite color. Some hostesses forgo official invitations and just call guests a few weeks before the wedding -- it all depends on the type of party you're planning. If you need to make reservations for a show or other activity, you'll probably want guests to officially RSVP. If you'll be hanging out at the corner bar, scrap the invites -- a phone call is probably fine.

Party Time

Bachelorette parties are more laid-back and less structured than traditional bridal showers. There is no "typical" bash, though what usually comes to mind is a group of giggling girls dragging the bride from bar to bar (maybe encountering a sexy male stripper along the way) and making her blush in public. You can paint the town red if that's your style (or, more importantly, the bride's). But there are lots of other ways to celebrate -- a nice dinner at someone's house or a favorite restaurant, low-key dancing at a cool club, a concert (maybe Prince is in town and the bride absolutely adores him) -- the list is endless. The point is to reminisce, laugh, act goofy, and embarrass the bride at least a little (phallic props like wind-up mini penises are hilarious -- as long as she won't get completely offended!).

Tokens of Appreciation

The bachelorette party is not a gift party in the same way a shower is -- presents are not necessary. That said, this is a great opportunity for guests to give the bride silly gifts -- or even sexy ones (like the lingerie that was just too risqué for the shower). You might ask everyone to bring a gag gift (one guest we know presented the bride with a glamorous red wig to wear all night) or something hot -- a book about fabulous sex complete with diagrams, or perhaps a how-to video! Regression is another option -- give her candy necklaces or rings, bubbles, glitter, or a water gun. The goal is for the bride and her guests to just have fun before the wedding.

Ehemmm...guys! I'm giving out hints here! Who says the guys can only enjoy his last days of being single? hehehehehe :)

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From the files of

Wedding Guest List Etiquette and More

Wedding rules can vary from generation to generation, but some wedding rules for wedding invitation etiquette and bridal shower invitation etiquette never change.

First, uniquely elegant wedding invitations, custom-designed especially for you, will convey to your friends and family how wonderful that day will be. They also express to the invitees the general tone of the wedding whether it is formal, intimate, whimsical, spectacular, or low-key. One of the most important points of wedding invitation etiquette, however, is that your invitations communicate the details about the day's proceedings.

Next, wedding rules typically state that you should be clear in both language and meaning about times, locations, attire, activities, directions or anything else that may or may not be involved in your special day.

Finally, be sure to send out invitations well enough in advance of your bridal shower or wedding for your pending guests to plan accordingly.

The Guest List
Invitations should be decided once you have the guest list. Once the guest list and the budget are determined, you may have to make some adjustments to one or both to accommodate everyone.

Divide the Guest List
It might help to split the guest list; half for the bride's side and half for the groom's, or a third each between the bride's parents, the groom's parents, and the couple.

Try to Include Everyone
For a count of how many wedding invitations to send, you should make sure to include every couple, single guests, parents, and the person performing the ceremony.

Children Guests
If you're not sure about whether or not a child of an invited couple should receive his or her own invitation, a good rule of thumb is that any young guest over 16 years old should receive his or her own invitation.

Wedding Invitations and Children

When you've made the decision about whether you're going to invite children to your wedding or not. The first suggestion is to be specific with regards to the wedding invitations and children. If you choose not to invite children, address the envelope to Mr. and Mrs. Guest. If you want to have children, invite The Guest Family.If you're not inviting children and the guests RSVP with the children included, call them and politely and diplomatically discuss the situation with them. In fact, if you're going to have an adults-only reception, it may be a good idea to telephone all of the guests with children beforehand to ensure they understand. This is also a good way for you to gauge how many people will be inconvenienced by not bringing their children.Try to be understanding--your decision to not include children at your wedding can cause stress. On the other hand, your guests have to similarly understand that you're not trying to be discriminatory, but you are planning YOUR special day, and you want it to be perfect.The question for you must answer for yourself is: will it be more perfect with children or without?

Guests of Guests
Be clear about whether or not your guests can bring guests of their own, or you might be faced with the awkward situation of having them ask you.

Order Extra Wedding Invitations
Allow for errors, and expect that you will think of someone you had left outinitially. Ordering an extra 20% more invitations will cover for those possible unforeseen errors. In addition, try to account for mistakes by you, your bridal party or the calligrapher who will be addressing the invitations by ordering several extra envelopes.

Backup Wedding Guest List
Do not forget to have back-up lists ready. Some guests may decline, and it's a good idea to have a second list ready to fill those empty spots as they become available.