Too many people go into a marriage thinking that it’s going to be great fun and not much different than any old long-term relationship. Living together with another person, who is both a lover and friend, has its ups and downs, and it is certainly a whole lot different than regular dating. Experience comes with time and plenty of couples eventually learn to live in relative harmony with each other, but it always helps to get a basic understanding of what you are getting into beforehand. We all come into marriage with a set of mostly unconscious ideas about how great things will be—that no human spouse can meet. “Expectations like ‘Everything will be fabulous, this is my one true love, this person will make me finally happy, I’ll avoid every mistake I’ve made in the past. In your first year or so together, it can all seem like sunshine and rainbows between the two of you. Your relationship is still fresh, you are slowly learning about each other, you have sex all the time and you spend some time away from one another regularly, so every time you see each other, there is plenty to talk about. However, once...Read More
Who knew that finally making one of the biggest decisions of your life would result in the need to make so many more decisions? Once you’ve decided to settle down and marry the love of your life, you will find yourself having to make more decisions than you can imagine. These will be decisions about your dress, your dinner, your color palette, etc. But, one thing that normally doesn’t take too long is the decision of who you will have standing at your side. Sure it can be difficult at times to dwindle down your list, but once that is done you’ll have to make another important decision and that is what to buy them as a gift. Typically you buy your gals a gift to let them know how much you appreciate them sharing in your special day. It’s a way of saying, “I know I’ve been a little demanding and maybe a little crazy lately. I’m sorry and I love you!” Because, no matter how calm and cool you typically are, you’re going to ruffle a few feathers when prepping for the big day. For me; I chose my two sisters and my best friend since fifth grade. All...Read More
Issuing your rehearsal dinner invitations can be done in a variety of ways. You can ask the bride and groom to inform their attendents and then spread the word at the actual wedding rehearsal. Just be sure that everyone is included and feels welcome. A more sure fire approach is to send everyone an invitation. There are so many cute, themed and colorful invitations to choose from that you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that fits your plans. Even if you do send an invitation, you should still follow-up personally with everyone at the rehearsal. Be sure you include wedding party spouses and family members, and you should let your guests know what attire is appropriate as well. Things will probably be pretty casual unless you specify otherwise….so plan and inform accordingly. Some final tips for your party include, be sure you have prepared those giving toasts, and if there is a speech involved, be sure it is kept short and sweet. Name tags are a great idea for making sure everyone becomes more familiar with one another, and even family affiliation can be a plus. Just remain relaxed and enjoy the moment, your child is getting married and...Read More
Once you have decided on a venue for your rehearsal dinner, you need to narrow down your menu. Most restaurants will allow you to offer a limited choice menu that is designed with your budget in mind. So if you have a large group attending, you can pre-calculate your expense. If you have an open budget, ordering from the menu is fine as well. You should also consider whether you are going to pick up the tab for alcohol. If not, you could limit everyone to beer and wine, or perhaps just a glass of champagne for toasting. If you do not want to have alcohol included just be sure you make that clear to your guests before they order. A tactful announcement by your server that anyone desiring a cocktail can be accommodated in the bar would probably suffice. This is a problem you won’t encounter if you elect to host your rehearsal dinner at your home, but making sure you have food selected for everyone attending that is appropriate is something to consider. For example, you may not want to offer prime rib if several of your guests are vegetarian. The bride and groom will know their wedding...Read More
Planning a wedding rehearsal dinner, although seemingly effortless on the outside, still requires a lot of careful planning and consideration in order to achieve the efficient affair you are hoping to host. A typical wedding rehearsal dinner is normally hosted by the parents of the groom. It usually is held immediately after the wedding rehearsal for everyone in the wedding party, including whoever is conducting the ceremony, parents and grandparents, and anyone else contributing to the wedding ceremony itself. If this is a destination wedding, or if many guests are required to travel to attend, it is usually customary to invite all out of town guests to celebrate with you. I don’t think that there are any hard and fast rules in today’s day and age that apply to your rehearsal dinner. Just plan for a dinner that will fit your budget, provide a nice atmosphere, and most importantly will complement the bride and groom! After all, this is their party, their day and should be tailored to agree with their tastes. If the parents are no longer married that shouldn’t get in the way of a joint reception dinner, so be sure to communicate with one another and agree...Read More
As you put your personality on paper with your Save the Dates and Wedding Invitation, we hope you’re inspired by these stationery trends for 2012, but certainly not defined by them. Slim Bride and Groom Invitations are on the upside of the trendy world, they are fun and bring a elegance to your guests. Hot topics include the look of Old-Hollywood, where you can get your movie star on, to an event that’s more royally inspired—where the fairytale really does come true. Carry the look of your favorite theme—be it an era, a destination, a hobby, your culture, or season. Take your favorite elements and carry them to your attire, décor and wedding stationery items. Love color? 2012 is the year for you…from soft blushes like pastel pinks, spearmint, and beach nautical blues. Anything bold and saturated for a theme is a great trend like Palm Passion Invitations with the perfect pastel and a beach theme. Choose the hues that make your heart sing and leap for joy! Your wedding stationery will be on trend –whether you love the elegance of a soft neutral or shades that are daring and unexpected. Have a favorite pattern? Here are a few of the most...Read More
Finally, the love of your life got down on one knee and asked you to marry him. There can’t be a much better feeling in the world than knowing you will be with your best friend for the rest of your life, planning a family, a home and achieving the dream of living happily ever after. Before you can settle in to your life together you normally need to tackle a few other things first, the wedding ceremony, the dress, the cake, bridesmaids, grooms men, where, at what time and what your color pallete will be… Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming experience, but keep in mind it is also a once in a life time chance to plan the day you’ve always dreamed of having. So, why not plan to make your day an extraordinary event/adventure…don’t hold back! Why not plan your wedding at a destination near and dear to your heart or dreams? Nothing could be more special than being surrounded by everyone you love and adore in a destination that offers a lot of pizzazz to the event. Deciding to have a destination wedding is thrilling, not just for you, but for your guests as well....Read More
Lingerie Shower- women only, hosted by any bridesmaid, friend, or family member (but should be close enough that you feel comfortable giving her underwear); gifts are generally lingerie for the honeymoon, including panties, thongs, bras, and other unmentionables; casual in nature and sometimes followed by the bachelorette party Wording Option 1 Wording Option 2 Something sexy Something sweet Something to knock Mr. Spillman off his feet! Saturday, April 15, 2032 2:00 pm Given by Eden Fort 11111 Baggins Ct. Whitestown, IN RSVP by April 10th (555) 876-1234 Soon she’ll be a bride, all dressing in white Let’s get her ready for her honeymoon night! Hosted by Allison’s bridesmaids Bachelorette party to follow Saturday, April 15, 2032 Six o’clock pm Hosted by Molly Luttrell 11111 Baggins Ct. Whitestown, IN Regrets, (555) 876-1234 These are just a few ideas for a shower theme and some options for wording. The American Stationery Company offers several invitations that allow for customized invitation wording that will fit your party perfectly! Read Parts:  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  
Couple’s Shower- men and women, hosted by anyone in the wedding party, friends, or family; gifts generally given are for the couple’s home, monetary, or can be anything related to the couple’s personality or hobbies (such as camping equipment for the outdoorsy couple); can be formal or informal Formal Wording Informal Wording Please come to a Couple’s Shower honoring Allison Stogsdil and Emerson Spillman Saturday, April 15, 2032 Six o’clock pm Given by Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Luttrell 11111 Baggins Ct. Whitestown, IN RSVP by April 10th (555) 876-1234 Before they take the plunge Please join us for a Couple’s Shower honoring Allison Stogsdil and Emerson Spillman Saturday, April 15, 2032 at 6:00 p.m. 11111 Baggins Ct. Whitestown, IN Hosted by Ethan and Molly Luttrell Regrets only, (555) 876-1234   Read Parts:  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6    
The bridal shower is an important part of the festivities leading up to the wedding, and the invitation is the first step to making that shower a success. Begin by choosing a theme for your shower. Once you’ve picked a theme let your invitation announce that to your guests. Here are a few examples of themes, details about the shower, and wording associated with them: Traditional Shower- women only, hosted by bridesmaid, friend, family member, or coworker; gifts generally given for the bride’s home, such as kitchenware, tableware, home accents, bedding, or bath items; can be formal or informal Formal Wording Informal Wording Please join us for a Bridal Shower in honor of our bride to be Allison Stogsdil Saturday, April 15, 2032 One-thirty pm til Three o’clock pm Given by Chandler McLarren 1234 Heavenly Drive Carmel, IN 46032 RSVP (555) 876-5555 Allison is registered at Crate & Barrel Allison’s wedding is on the way let’s get her prepared for the big day A bridal shower for Allison Stogsdil Saturday, April 15, 2032 1:30p.m. Hosted by Chandler McLarren 1234 Heavenly Drive Carmel, IN 46032 Regrets only (555) 876-5555 Allison is registered at Crate & Barrel Read Parts:  1  |  2 ...Read More
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