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Have questions about general planning, wedding guidelines & etiquette. Please Email me and my team and I will post your Q & A Here!

Friday
17Jul2009

Hair, make-up, and nails, OH-MY!

DateFriday, July 17, 2009 | AuthorMegan | CommentPost a Comment in ,

Q: I am looking into the hair stylist and make-up artist I want to make me into a bridal beauty!  I know I need to schedule a trial appointment for both and want to make sure I do everything I am supposed to.  Are there any tips I should know about?

A:  There are many things to consider for your hair stylist and make-up artist including their availability (whether you have to go to them or they need to come to you on the big day), their pricing (if it includes the trial appointments or if those come at a separate charge), their time (how long you want them with you, just for getting ready or for touch-ups between ceremony and pictures and the reception)!  As for the trial itself, just like every other aspect of the wedding planning process, be sure to cut, print, and save images of hair styles and make-up styles that you like.  These can come from anywhere- magazines (bridal and otherwise), online (the Knot, product company sites like MAC or Redken), or from pictures of people you see at other weddings or just people watching at the mall!  Once you have compiled and saved all of these images, be sure to organize them a little bit into hair and make-up, and even further into eyes, face, lips, nails, etc.  Then for your trial, be sure to take all of these with you to give the stylists/artists a good feel for what you want!  Also, be sure to be VERY honest with your stylists and artists and give them plenty of feedback on what to do differently for the big day!

Use these tips and you are sure to look exactly like the bridal beauty you are!

Megan :)

www.weddingonthebrain.com

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Monday
13Jul2009

Cake Saver!

DateMonday, July 13, 2009 | AuthorMegan | CommentPost a Comment in ,

Cake from Carrie & Adam's Wedding at Rancho Las LomasQ:  I have heard it is traditional to save the top layer of our wedding cake and freeze it for our 1st anniversary.  Will it really stay fresh a year later?

 

A:  You definitely have options when it comes to the wedding tradition of having your wedding cake at your 1st anniversary!  You can let your cake baker and wedding coordinator know you wish to save the top tier of your cake.  Take the top tier, wrap it in plastic wrap and put it into an airtight bag, then put into a tupperware container and into your freezer!  You may also put into your contract for your cake baker to recreate your cake for your first anniversary so it can be as fresh as the first time you tasted it at your wedding!  Either way is appropriate and traditional, and can be done if the two of you would like!  See also the 1st anniversary gift etiquette blog post and you could incorporate your cake with your 1st anniversary gift!

Enjoy your cake, whatever form it is! :)

Megan

www.weddingonthebrain.com

 

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Monday
13Jul2009

Anniversary gift help?!

DateMonday, July 13, 2009 | AuthorMegan | CommentPost a Comment in

Q: I have recently gotten married and our 1st anniversary is coming up! I have heard that traditionally there are certain gifts to get for certain year anniversaries. Any ideas what I should get for our first anniversary? Thank you. -Anonymous

Image from Anniversary Gifts.comA: Many people do still follow the traditional yearly anniversary gifts but many people also give 'modern' gifts as well, meaning get each other whatever you feel is appropriate for the anniversary that year! Below are the traditional anniversary gifts for certain years! You and your spouse and decide if you would like to follow them or not. If you decide not to, completely fine! Then I would recommend looking into gifts that fit the wants and needs of your relationship at the time of your anniversary or something to reminisce on the day you two said 'I do'.

 

Good luck and Happy Anniversary!

 

1st Anniversary: Paper

2nd Anniversary: Cotton

3rd Anniversary: Leather

4th Anniversary: Linen, Silk

5th Anniversary: Wood

6th Anniversary: Iron

7th Anniversary: Wool/Copper

8th Anniversary: Bronze

9th Anniversary: Pottery/China

10th Anniversary: Tin/Aluminum

11th Anniversary: Steel

12th Anniversary: Silk

13th Anniversary: Lace

14th Anniversary: Ivory

15th Anniversary: Crystal

20th Anniversary: China

25th Anniversary: Silver

30th Anniversary: Pearl

35th Anniversary: Coral

40th Anniversary: Ruby

45th Anniversary: Sapphire

50th Anniversary: Gold

55th Anniversary: Emerald

60th Anniversary: Diamond

 

Megan :)

www.weddingonthebrain.com

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Friday
10Jul2009

Bridesmaids vs. Bridesmen?

DateFriday, July 10, 2009 | AuthorAllison | CommentPost a Comment in

Q: I recently got engaged, and sat down with my fiance to make our bridal party list. All of my close friends are guys, with the exception of my best friend from college. What am I supposed to do when it comes down to the showers and the bachelorette party? I was sort of hoping my brother could be my "Man of Honor", but I wasn't sure if that'd be too reminiscent of the Patrick Dempsey film. What should I do? -Courtney

A: Well Courtney, the one thing to remember is that you're the shot caller for YOUR wedding! You can make the rules and everything will follow from that! It's great to have male friends, and if they're the closest to you, let them be in your party! When it comes to the shower, see if your own mother would like to collaborate with your sole bridesmaid. Also, bachelorette parties don't have to be the standard conventional 'crazy' experience. Go out to drinks with your girlfriend, or even throw a party together with your fiance. In the end, it's all about who you want to closely surround you on your big day. Throw out former notions and customize everything to make it your own! Good luck!

- weddingonthebrain.com - Allison

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Wednesday
08Jul2009

Simple Ceremony Decorations

DateWednesday, July 8, 2009 | AuthorCassie | CommentPost a Comment in ,

I recently got engaged, and my fiancé and I have decided to have a quick engagement and get married by the end of the summer. I am looking to do a really simple ceremony, possibly on the beach, and was wondering if you had any ideas of what I could use to decorate? I don't want to go overboard with the decorations. My budget is around $200. What is the best way to use that money?

~Courtney~

Dear Courtney,

Congratulations on your engagement! With such a quick engagement, it is a good idea for you to decorate with minimalism. There are a lot of different options for you. For the ceremony, basically there are three things for you to keep in mind as far as decorating goes. 

1. The Arch - Some people do really elaborate arches, whereas some don't do one at all. Personally, I am a fan of doing two flower arrangements on podiums that stand several feet apart, to provide a focal point and a frame for the Bride, Groom and Officiant. There are lots of ways to make your archway a budget friendly item. I encourage you to play around with different ideas, and possibly (if you're feeling crafty) to make an archway! Find something that you really feels represents you and your fiancé as a couple, go to a local craft store, and find a way to incorporate whatever your item is into an arch.

2. The Aisle - Obviously the aisle is very important, as it is one of the most important walkways you will ever walk down! I have two favorite ways to decorate the aisle. One way is using flower petals in a specific design, possibly swirls or fleur de lis. This might be a little difficult in the sand, but on grass or in a non-windy area, it is a great way to designate the aisle as a special, beautiful walkway for the Bride. My second favorite way is to do a LOT of candles down the sides. You have to be careful about fire safety with your guests, but having a bunch of candles in the sand when it is getting a little dark is absolutely beautiful, and it is a fairly inexpensive way to get a beautiful impact.

3. The Flowers - Just in general, you're going to want to think about flowers. Even if you keep it really simple and only have bouquets. Flowers can be your whole design scheme and are a wonderful focal point when you are only having a small amount of decorations. 

I hope this helps! Have fun with the planning!

Cassie

weddingonthebrain.com

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Thursday
21May2009

Fun GUESTBOOK Alternative????

DateThursday, May 21, 2009 | AuthorCassie | CommentPost a Comment in

 

Q:  I came across this album today through Guestbook Store that has a page for each guest or couple. It asks them to share how they know the bride or groom, share memories or thoughts of the wedding, give advice to the bride and groom, and make predictions about things like kids (how many, names, when, etc). I am really thrilled with this idea because I feel like it is something that I would actually want to save and would value what my guest have to say. My only hesitation is I am not sure how to logistically set it up so all our guests would get an opportunity to sign it. All of the pages can be removed from the album. Some reviews I read suggested a page be put at each guest’s place setting so they can do it before or after dinner. Another suggestion was the pages be left loose on a table and guests could sign there or take it back to their table. I do want this to be available during the cocktail hour and during dinner and dancing. I was hoping you could help me come up with a plan to do this well.

- Jenna

A: For your guest book it would be okay to do it either way (on the individual tables or at a designated table). Personally, I think it could be really cute to put the pages at the individual place settings! However, you have to keep in mind that you don't want to have the pages interfere with your table design, and you don't want their dinner to accidentally spill on the pages because they were in the way... not to mention, they won't be able to work on signing it during the cocktail reception, because they won't be at their tables. Going with putting them on a designated table is a safe bet because it can be set up at the cocktail reception and then moved to the reception area during the dinner, so it will be available to them at all times. I definitely think having the loose pages out is a good idea, because then the guests can take the pages somewhere other than that one crowded table to take their time and sign it. Another idea is to put small stacks of pages and pens on each cocktail table that you have in your cocktail reception, so that guests will easily see them and can pick them up and take them with them to work on over the course of the evening.

I really like the way your guest book sounds. You're totally right that guest books can be boring and cliché... it sounds like you found one that's actually a cool concept!

Good Luck!

Cassie

weddingonthebrain.com

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Tuesday
19May2009

Big Party? Little Party? No Party? MY Party!

DateTuesday, May 19, 2009 | AuthorMegan | CommentPost a Comment in ,

Q: My fiance and I both have very large families and plan on having a rather large wedding!  Although we are having a large wedding, we want to keep it as intimate as possible.  With that being said, we both have a lot of people we wish to have in the wedding but are not sure what to do about the bridal party numbers.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

-Sophia, Denver

A: The biggest thing to keep in mind is that this is YOUR wedding!  There are always pressures from family and friends to be in the wedding party and to do things just so but you need to remember, it is your day and you call the shots.  When dealing with family, it is often hard to decide which sibling or cousin should be the Maid of Honor or the Best Man.  It is quite alright to pick a friend to hold the position and keep all of your family on the same level.  Therefore, you can have as many or as few and you wish!  Some couples decide that they want all of the focus on them on their big day and opt to have NO bridal party.  This is completely fine!  If you decide to do this, be sure to decide who will be the 'witness' for your wedding to sign all of the legal documents needed to make you officially a married couple.  Good luck deciding how big or little your wedding party is!

Remember, it's YOUR party!

Megan

www.weddingonthebrain.com

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Tuesday
10Mar2009

How much is this going to cost me?!

DateTuesday, March 10, 2009 | AuthorCassie | CommentPost a Comment in

Q: How much is this going to cost me?

A: That is a very good (and popular) question! The answer is… it depends. There is no specific price when it comes to weddings. How much you will spend depends on you! I’ve met some brides who have spent as little as $1,000, using a park venue and had the best night of their life. On the other hand, I’ve also met brides who have said, “The sky’s the limit” and had a party that no guest would soon forget. Your budget will completely depend on you. When you’re setting your budget, here are some key points to keep in mind:

·      How much have you saved up already?

·      How much are you prepared to spend?

·      What are the essentials that you’re wedding can’t be without?

·      What areas of your wedding are you willing to compromise on?

To get a more specific estimate of what your wedding will cost, I suggest considering each expense that goes into a wedding and realistically pricing out how much you are willing to spend. The Knot's Online Budgeter is a great tool for finding an estimate on what each aspect of your wedding should be costing based on your budget. 

Budgeting a wedding is a difficult thing to do, but when you are dancing that first dance as Mr. and Mrs. you will be glad that you went through all the hard stuff to get to your moment. Also, keep in mind, if you are going to hire a wedding coordinator, some packages do include budgeting help, so make sure you look into that when you go for your initial consultation.

Happy Planning!

Cassie

www.weddingonthebrain.com

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Wednesday
04Mar2009

Pretty please with a thank you on top!

DateWednesday, March 4, 2009 | AuthorMegan | CommentPost a Comment in

Q: Who should I send thank you's to? Only the guests that brought presents?

A: While you definitely want to thank the guests who brought you that set of pots or Tiffany's china from your registry, you also want to be sure to thank the guests that just came and celebrated your fantastic day! Be sure during all of your pre- and post-wedding celebrations you keep careful track of who gave you what and for what. Example: Aunt Milly gave the wacky massage kit during the bridal shower! Gifts could come as early as when you register and for months after your event so be sure to keep all the information detailed, organized, and with an added a personal touch. Remember that thank you's should be sent out as soon as possible after the gift is given/the wedding date. You want your celebration to still be somewhat fresh in the minds of your guests and thank them for sharing the memories with you! If it helps to make the thank you more personalized, try having personalized disposable cameras or personalized notepads/paper on each table for guests to leave memories they had from your wedding to help you know what guests loved about your big day! You can use all of these pictures and notes later for your wedding scrapbook! For an even further, more creative touch to your thank yous, try sending thank yous as collectible post cards from your wedding photos. Look at Forever Clever for creating one for you, or try Zazzle to create your own!

Thank YOU for reading!

Megan

www.weddingonthebrain.com

Image from ForeverClever.com

 

Reference1 Reference
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Wednesday
11Feb2009

Put A Ring On It

DateWednesday, February 11, 2009 | AuthorAllison | CommentPost a Comment in

Q: Why do people wear wedding rings on their fourth finger, next to the pinky? What is the significance behind this, if any?

A: The Romans are responsible for the Western tradition of the “ring finger”, because they believed the fourth finger was directly connected to the heart by a vein called “the vein of love.” Keeping the heart symbolism in mind, the left hand has been adopted as the ideal place for the wedding ring.

Just a fun fact to know! :-)

 

-weddingonthebrain.com- Allison

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Monday
09Feb2009

What's that date again?

DateMonday, February 9, 2009 | AuthorMegan | CommentPost a Comment in

Q: So I am new to this wedding thing :) and am worried about when to send the save-the-date cards to our guests! Any help?

Ashley M.

A: Save-the-date cards can be a tricky subject! Especially when the type of wedding, length of engagement, budget, personality, and creativity also come into play! With the times of today, people are so busy too soon is practically perfect! For a destination wedding or one in which travel and lodging accommodations need to be made, sending save-the-date cards as early as nine months before the wedding is appropriate. Be sure to include as much information of the travel accommodations as possible such as the lodging information, name of the block of rooms, or airlines that fly to your destination. On average, save-the-date cards are sent out six or seven months before the big day. On the other hand, if you are having a short engagement or are getting closer to the event, make sure save-the-date cards are sent no later than four months before the event. If you find yourself past that mark on the timeline, just send your invitations out a little earlier, about two months before the wedding.

Now that you have timing down to a T, be sure to keep these things in mind for your save-the-date cards!

  • The earlier the cards go out, the more general the information can be included, i.e. city and state, date, and of course that you and your special someone are tying the knot, be sure to keep some aspects of your wedding a surprise for the invitation!
  • If you have a wedding website, include the link to get guests excited about what is in store for the big day!
  • Get creative with your cards! This is a chance for you to express your personality as a couple, start playing around with themes and color palettes, and to be unique from your invitations. Visit save-the-date-cards.com for some ideas of creative cards!

Now go mark your calendar’s before you forget!

Megan

www.weddingonthebrain.com

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Monday
09Feb2009

Humorous Wedding Readings

DateMonday, February 9, 2009 | AuthorCassie | CommentPost a Comment in

 

Q: I have been looking around for Readings for the wedding ceremony.  I was hoping for something with a little humor.  Anything that I have found that is humorous is over the top, I just want something that is sweet that may make people laugh.  Any suggestions?

Cat

A: Humorous readings for the wedding ceremony are a very good way to take off some of the stress for the bride and groom. One option is to use song lyrics. Perhaps there is a song that is meaningful and sweet, but may seem entertaining when being read instead of sung. This is a good way to individualize the readings to the couple. If you would like to go in the direction of poetry, there is a cute poem by Pam Ayres called “He Never Leaves the Seat Up”. It’s cute and funny but ends with a sweet message. More poems can be found at weddingwords.vox.com  Another good way to go is to individualize the readings to the two people getting married. The people doing the readings can write something descriptive of the bride and groom that will hit home with the guests as well as the happy couple.

I hope this helps! Good luck on your search!

Cassie

weddingonthebrain.com

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Sunday
08Feb2009

Location, Location, Location

DateSunday, February 8, 2009 | AuthorCassie | CommentPost a Comment in

 

Q: My fiancée and I have a fairly low budget for our wedding, so we decided to either hold the ceremony either at the beach or at my fiancée’s parent’s house. Which scenario is generally more budget friendly and easier to work with?

A: Both locations can be cost friendly. However, both do have drawbacks. If you decide to have a beach wedding you have to get the appropriate permits for the event, and depending on what kind of things you use to set up (chairs, tables, arches, sound system, etc.), it can get relatively costly. Also you have to consider if you are going to hold the reception at the beach as well or find a separate venue that you would likely have to pay for. As for the grooms parent’s house, you have to consider the amount of space you have vs. the number of guests and be prepared for fire code restrictions, noise ordinances, and of course the potential of your future in-laws being overly involved. I would suggest that you research the regulations for both locations and weigh the pro’s and con’s for each. The home wedding may be harder to work with, but the beach wedding could be more expensive. Keep in mind that whichever venue you choose, it is sure to be a wonderful event.

Cassie

weddingonthebrain.com

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Friday
16Jan2009

Oh those Beautiful Blue... "TINIS"

DateFriday, January 16, 2009 | AuthorCarrie Goff | CommentPost a Comment in

Great Blue drink ideas for your wedding...

Blue Sapphire Martini Recipe

Ingredients

3 ounces iced bombay blue sapphiregin

1/8 ounce dry vermouth

3 olivesor 1 large capers

6 ice cubes

Directions: Chill your martini glass in freezer for 10 minutes or fill with ice cubes and cold water to chill. Place ice cubes in a metal shaker top with gin and shake very very very well. Empty water from glass if used. Pour vermouth into chilled glass and swirl to coat glass then discard vermouth or use for the next glass. Strain very well shaken gin into glass and garnish with lemon twist

 

 

Or try a....

 

Blue Cosmo Recipe

Ingredients

2ounces Absolut citron vodka

1ounce blue curacao

1/2ounce grapefruit juice

1/2ounce sugar syrup

sugar

1 maraschino cherry

Directions:Frost the rim of a chilled cocktail glass with sugar. Stir absolut citron, blue curacao, grapefruit juice, and sugar syrup in a mixing glass with ice to prevent cloudiness. Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry

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Tuesday
13Jan2009

Cutting your wedding guest list down

DateTuesday, January 13, 2009 | AuthorCarrie Goff | CommentPost a Comment in

Q: How do I say no to unwanted guests?

A: People should understand how expensive a wedding is and that another person means more money, so tell them the truth in the nicest way possible. “We already struggled to cut the guest list down and had to cut out a lot of our friends, we just cannot afford or fit in another guest.

www.weddingonthebrain.com

~Jenny~

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Thursday
20Nov2008

How many Guests should I expect to attend our Wedding?

DateThursday, November 20, 2008 | AuthorCarrie Goff | CommentPost a Comment in

Q:- Guest Count - if we want to get our guest count to 130 ish to be in budget, how many people can we estimate to invite? 15% of our list has to travel via plane to get to the wedding, and our wedding is on a Friday. Do you know what to expect for people not attending? Ex: Can we invite 160, and expect 130? Just did not know if you had a percentage you work with for these things. 

A:- As far as what to expect, this is really hard to determine. I know magazines will often quote a percentage and how o determine your quest count, however it is really too generalized. It is based on really who you are inviting.

  • How many are out of town (oot)
  • If you do save the dates
  • How many are close friends and close family
  • How many are not close to either of you
  • If it falls on a weekday
  • Etc

Obviously if you do save the dates and invite a majority of close friends and family say 90% with 15% OOT guests who are close to you...

You will have about 85 % to 90% show...and so on. Call me if you want to further dissect your situation. I would love to help

-Carrie-

 

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Friday
17Oct2008

Local NON-toxic Body Mist Company - KNOT Raffle!

DateFriday, October 17, 2008 | AuthorCarrie Goff | CommentPost a Comment in ,
Q: Who do you recommend me to use who is an local eco-friendly company who provides wonderful essential oils and mists for my bridal party gifts.
 
Rubyblaise essentials was created by  a holistic-minded mom of boy/girl twins (the name is actually her twins' middle names combined). 

Jody owner and mother says:

She want most is to share with the world what she has learned about the amazing healing powers of essential oils.

"There are so many toxins in our world-
in the water we drink,
in the air we breathe,
in the food we eat,
in the products we use in our homes, offices &  schools;
and what we put on our bodies. "

Rubyblaise essentials mists are completely non-toxic, natural, fresh & healthy!

Join www.weddingonthebrain.com and rubyblaise essentials to make the world less toxic.
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Friday
17Oct2008

Kashi -"THE BRIDE" Energy Food on your BIG Day!- KNOT Swag Bag item!

DateFriday, October 17, 2008 | AuthorCarrie Goff | CommentPost a Comment in

Q: What do you recommend I (the bride) the week of my wedding, for a healthy snack to keep me going?

A: Kashi...Kashi..Kashi... Simply said. Check out their website! Then visit your local health food or grocery store to stock up on their wonderful product. Kashi is not only healthy and eco-conscious but tastes yummy as well!

Kashi's MISSION Statement:

Everyone has the right to healthy food.

Helping people make healthy changes is the reason we get up in the morning. We love being able to give people all-natural, minimally processed foods that are free of highly refined sugars, artificial additives, and preservatives. Because when we eat well, we feel well.

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Friday
17Oct2008

HIP Cocktail Mixers-KNot Market Party Swag Bags!

DateFriday, October 17, 2008 | AuthorCarrie Goff | CommentPost a Comment in

Q: Where can you get great tasting cocktail mixers for your wedding which are all natural and better for our enviroment?

A: Check out Stirrings.com to order the perfect fit of cocktail mixers and fun favors for your guests. All natural is the best enivormentally friendly way to go!

How lively libations can make a huge impact at your special event

All-natural cocktail ingredients from Stirrings make it fun and easy to plan a cocktail menu that will entice your guests. Stirrings believes that better ingredients lead to better taste and better times, so we only use the finest real fruit juice, pure cane sugar and triple-filtered water. You and your guests will taste the difference these better ingredients make.


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Friday
17Oct2008

Weddingfavorite.com (Irvine) - KNOt Market Party Swag Bag Item!

DateFriday, October 17, 2008 | AuthorCarrie Goff | CommentPost a Comment in

Q: What is a great chic wedding favor to give to the guests they will use and give my wedding some "BLING?" I also want to be eco friendly and order from a local supplier. Less shipping...less emissions into our air.

A: Well look no further but to weddingfavorites.com for super CHIC and eye catching diamond paper weights. Your wedding guests will appreciate the favor and use it for a long time to come. Weddingfavorites.com is a local company based out of Irvine, California. These gorgeous crystal paper weights are of a high quality and are a definite eye catcher.Truly making this a perfect fit for "the knot "swag bags given to all the attendees! After the event was over I heard this was one of the more popular gifting items. Check out their website to see all the other wonderful items they offer.

 

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