The Traditional Order of the Wedding Toast

 

The Traditional Order of the Wedding Toasts

It's said that the Greeks in the sixth Century B.C. started the tradition of the wedding toast. Greeks poured wine from a common pitcher, so the host would drink from his glass first to ensure the guests that there was no poison in the vessel. While you certainly won't have to convince your guests there's no poison in their beverages, toasting has become a tradition at weddings to wish health and happiness to  the couple and to the guests attending the event.

Here's the traditional order of the toasts:

1. The best man starts the festivities with a toast to the beautiful bride.
2. The second toast is also done by the best man and is to the bride and groom as a couple.
3. The third toast is done by the and groom is meant as a response to the best man's toast. He also typically includes a few words to his bride, thanks the parents and the wedding party.
4. Toasts from other people in the wedding can then begin. You may want to limit who is giving toasts to keep this portion of the reception from dragging.
5. The second to last toast is again done by the best man to thank the groom on behalf of himself and the rest of the wedding party.
6.  Finally, the last toast of the evening is from the father of the bride. He thanks all the guests on behalf of himself and his wife. This indicates the official start of the party.

That's a lot of CHEERS!

Be sure to raise your glass in style with a pair of sparkling, personalized wedding champagne flutes.

The champagne toasting flutes at WhereBridesGo.com are beautifully designed and are sure to become an instant keepsake from your wedding.

~ The WhereBridesGo.com Team

Where brides go®  ... for what brides love!

For wedding accessories,  wedding favors and wedding supplies, check out WhereBridesGo.com!

Don't forget about our Coupon Code BLOGREADER which saves you an additional 15% off your entire order at WhereBridesGo.com!!  We also offer FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $100 (continental US only).

 

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Your Wedding Reception Sound Track - Essential Checklist

Music sets the stage for just about everything at your wedding reception. You need to decide what songs you want played for your grand entrance, the cake cutting ceremony, the first dance, and so on. There's a good chance there are songs you don't want played, as well songs that you want to make sure are played.  The best way to make sure your reception music goes off without a hitch is to provide this information to your wedding DJ well ahead of time.

Use this outline to help coordinate your track selections.

RECEPTION EVENTS

1. Wedding Party Introductions

• Song:
• Artist:

2. Bride & Groom Grand Entrance

• Song:
• Artist:

3. Bride & Groom First Dance

• Song:
• Artist:

4. Father -Daughter Dance

• Song:
• Artist:

5. Mother-Son Dance

• Song:
• Artist:

6. Cake Cutting Ceremony

• Song:
• Artist:

7. Bride & Groom Exit

• Song:
• Artist:

DON'T PLAY LIST
If the Electric Slide annoys you and the Macarena isn't exactly what you had in mind for your reception dancing, be sure to create a DO NOT PLAY list for your DJ.  Keep in mind, your wedding guests may request these songs, so let your DJ know how you want him to handle it if they do!

• Song:
• Artist:

• Song:
• Artist:

MUST PLAY LIST
If there are certain songs that mean a lot to you as a couple, add them to your MUST PLAY list.  You might also want to pay tribute to parents and grand-parents in the room by playing THEIR wedding songs during dinner. Creating this list for your DJ will ensure that your favorites are played all night long.

• Song:
• Artist:

• Song:
• Artist:

~ The WhereBridesGo.com Team
Where brides go®  ... for what brides love!

For wedding accessories,  wedding favors and wedding supplies, check out WhereBridesGo.com!

Don't forget about our Coupon Code BLOGREADER which saves you an additional 15% off your entire order at WhereBridesGo.com!!  We also offer FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $100 (continental US only).

 

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10 Essential Questions to Ask Your Wedding Florist

Avoid hiring a florist who might be a thorn in your side by carefully interviewing three or four different shops before signing a contract. These 10 essential questions (and their answers) will help guide you to the best decision, the best service, and most beautiful floral display for your wedding. Is my date available? If your date is available, the next thing to do is ask what deposit is required to hold the date. What is your cancellation and/or reschedule policy? It seems like a negative question, wedding do get cancelled and rescheduled for many reasons. You might decide on a different florist later, have a death in the family, or reschedule the date for some unanticipated reason. You need to know the answer to this question, and have it in writing. Do you charge a delivery or setup fee? This is a standard question. Some shops will charge a separate fee for setup and delivery, while others include it in the cost of your flowers. You just want to make sure you have all the costs up front so there are no surprises later. Have you done flowers at my ceremony and/or reception location before? If they have, they may have some photos you can look at or some floral ideas you haven't thought of. If they haven't, it's not necessarily a problem. You may want to arrange a time to meet them at the location to have a look at the layout. Do you just deliver the flowers, or do you stay  to help distribute the corsages, bouquets, etc? If you've hired a wedding coordinator, this may not be necessary. You could also have someone in your family help with this task. At a minimum, you should ask the florist to label everything so whomever is helping you will know who gets what. What time will you be at my site(s) to setup? There's not necessarily a right or wrong answer to this question. You just want to be certain that things arrive on time, but not so early that your flowers will not look fresh when the wedding begins.  Do you rent decorative items? Some florists will rent archways, candelabras, runners, and other decorative arrangements. Be sure to shop around with local rental companies, as well. The florist may be higher in price for these items. Do you offer silk or dried floral arrangements? If you want to keep your bouquet or allow your family members to keep their corsages and boutonnieres, you might want to consider silk or dried arrangements. You can also make these yourself by purchasing stems at a local craft shop.  Another option is to have your live floral bouquet freeze-dried after the wedding. What items will need to be returned to your shop and what is your return policy? You will obviously have to return any rented items, so be sure to ask the return policy on these. You also might be required to return any plant stands or other items not included in the cost of your actual arrangements. Be sure to ask ... again, to avoid surprises. Do you have references that I can contact? Your best source for unbiased information is another bride who used this florist at her wedding. Ask the florist for references. Selecting a florist is like selecting any other vendor. Be sure to comparison shop and take good notes at each interview. After you have met with three or four florists, you'll be able to make an informed decision and get the biggest floral bang for your wedding budget. What additional questions would you ask (or did you ask)?  Please share here so other brides can gain the benefit of your experience! ~ The WhereBridesGo.com Team Where brides go®  ... for what brides love! For more gift ideas,  wedding favors and accessories, check out WhereBridesGo.com! Don't forget about our Coupon Code VIPBRIDE which saves you an additional 10% off your entire order at WhereBridesGo.com!!  We also offer FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $100 (continental US only). Connect with WhereBridesGo.com online! Follow us on Twitter @wherebridesgo LIKE US on Facebook! LIKE US on Google+

Choose the Best Neckline for Your Wedding Gown

You want to enhance your best features on your big day. Selecting the best neckline to compliment your strengths is easy with this great checklist. Here we present the basic neckline styles and offer suggestions on who looks the best in them.

The most popular necklines are:

• V-Neck
• Sweetheart
• Scoop
• Straight
• Boatneck
• Off the Shoulder
• Portrait

V-Neck style wedding gown.

V-Neck

Just like the name says, the V-Neck creates a deep v-shaped cut to flatter and show cleavage. 

The V-Neckline is perfect for showing off your cleavage if you have a B or C cup size. 

You might reconsider this style if you have an A cup or a D+ cup size. 

Sweetheart Neckline

Sweetheart Neckline

The Sweetheart neckline is pretty, delicate, and found on many of the popular styles of gowns. Its distinguishing look is the heart-shaped top. 

The sweetheart neckline is perfect for larger chests, shorter necks, flattering cleavage and bust. 

Reconsider this style if you have a smaller chest size.

Scoop Neckline

 Scoopneck

Scoop necks are reminiscent of the 50s and 60s - something like Jackie O would wear. It is simply a gentle rounded neckline from shoulder to shoulder.  This style is usually seen with strap, which can be very thin to about an inch wide.It's a classic look really looks great on any figure type. Perfect for practically anyone! 

Reconsider this style if you don't want to draw attention to your chest or neck.


Straight Neckline

Straight Neckline

A very simple neckline that is a clean line straight across the chest.

It's very popular on strapless dresses and best suites brides with smaller busts.

Reconsider this style if you are C cup or larger.

Boatneck

Boatneck

The Boatneck shape sits high on the chest and is cut straight across from shoulder to shoulder with a small dip in the center. 

This style also suites brides with smaller busts and it frames the face very nicely.

Reconsider this style if you have larger bust size. It also draws attention to the upper arm area, so you might reconsider this style if that's not an area you want to highlight.

Be aware, the boatneck  style can also hide your necklace if you are planning to wear one.

 

Off the Shoulder

Off the Shoulder

Off-the-shoulder is quite popular in wedding gowns.

This neckline rests below the shoulder and typically has sleeves that cover a small part of the upper-arm. 

Perfect for brides with great shoulders and defined collar bones. This style often flatters full-chested and pear shaped figures. 

Reconsider this style if you have fuller arms, broad shoulders, or slouched posture.

Portrait Neckline

Portrait Neckline

The portrait neckline is classic, much like the scoop neck, but there is more fabric around the bust area. This use of fabric creates a softer scoop from the tip of one shoulder the other and "frames" your chest, neck, and face.

Perfect for a pretty upper chest, defined collar bones, fuller arms, and those with longer necks. 

Reconsider this style if you have undefined collar bones.


With so many great necklines to choose from in today's wedding gowns, you are sure to find the perfect style to accentuate your best features. Remember, these are only guidelines. You should always try on many different styles to determine what looks the best on you!


~ The WhereBridesGo.com Team
Where brides go®  ... for what brides love!



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"Fall" in Love!!

You'll absolutely fall in love with these dreamy wedding collections, perfect for a wedding during the Fall season!!   Picked by our Staff, exclusively for our subscribers and Facebook Fans!!



Romantic Taupe Wedding Collection

This Beautiful taupe rose wedding collection is a timeless classic!  The set features two shades of taupe satin and is decorated with a delicate rose.  With nine pieces in the complete collection, it's also a classic money saver for the wallet!  If you don't need all nine items, each piece may also be ordered separately.











Fall Into Love Wedding Collection

Perfect for Fall lovers, this brown wedding collection of suede-like material with textured fabric and satin ribbons.  Rhinestone brooch set against an embroidered leaf accent.  Simply Gorgeous!!!

Enchanted Evening Collection

This striking wedding collection features black and white, damask-patterned collection on shiny satin white grosgrain ribbon and bows.  Available in brown too!!!










Floral Fantasy Wedding Collection

This beautiful plum/eggplant wedding collection features a matte satin collection with layered floral embellishment, black  French netting and clear gem center.  Incredibly striking against the white backdrop of a wedding.

Isabella Collection in a Dramatic Black

One of our Best Sellers!!  A luxurious satin double ruffle decorates this wedding collection creating a sophisticated and dramatic look.  An Austrian crystal brooch is pinned on each piece.  If you love the collection, but black isn't for you, the set is also available in white or ivory.





We hope these ideas will help you as you prepare for your Fall Wedding!! Be sure to visit our online store for more gift ideas, wedding favors and accessories!!

~ The WhereBridesGo.com Team
Where brides go®  ... for what brides love!

Check out WhereBridesGo.com and Don't forget about our Coupon Code VIPBRIDE which saves you an additional 10% off your entire order at WhereBridesGo.com!!  We also offer FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $100 (continental US only).

Connect with WhereBridesGo.com online!

  Follow us on Twitter @wherebridesgo
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Fall Weddings Are in the Air!!

If you have ever been to a Fall wedding, you know the beauty of the gorgeous rich colors are striking against the white wedding palette.

If you are planning a Fall wedding, take a look at some of the great items WhereBridesGo.com has to complement your decor!

Rich brown suedes,brilliant oranges and yellows, and warm burgundies are bride favorites for Fall weddings.

Simple Autumn Cake Topper

We just love this simple and colorful wedding cake topper ... perfect for Fall weddings.  Paired with gorgeous white cake and rich flowers, it makes for a memorable and unique centerpiece on the cake table.  Oh, and did we mention it's UNDER $20??

Fall Wedding Custom Banner

Announce your love in style with our Fall Wedding Custom Banner!  Fashioned with autumn leaves and personalized free of charge, this super trendy, decorative item will make your celebration more distinctive and fun!  With its polished look, it works famously at your reception, ceremony and even in your home after the I do's are done...  making it an incredible accent you'll enjoy throughout the years.  We LOVE this!!

Fresh Foliage Table Runner

This beautiful table runner is perfect any time of the year!  With their flourished look, our Fresh Foliage Decorative Table Runners make amazing accents for your wedding reception decor.  Exclusively designed with your initial printed directly into the fantastic foliage - done in the color of your choosing.   The custom made wedding accessories are a great way to add a seamless look to all your reception tables without exerting a whole lot of effort.  This beautiful accent will serve you long after your wedding day and can be used for many years to come!






Fall Into Love Wedding Collection

Who ever said that your wedding accessories have to be white...Boring!  If you are planning a Fall wedding, why not go for this gorgeous brown collection of suede-like material with textured fabric and satin ribbons.  A rhinestone brooch is set against an embroidered leaf accent...perfect attention to detail.  The full wedding collection has 5 pieces, but each are also available separately.


We hope these ideas will help you as you prepare for your Fall Wedding!! Be sure to visit our online store for more gift ideas, wedding favors and accessories!!


~ The WhereBridesGo.com Team
Where brides go®  ... for what brides love!

Check out WhereBridesGo.com and Don't forget about our Coupon Code VIPBRIDE which saves you an additional 10% off your entire order at WhereBridesGo.com!!  We also offer FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $100 (continental US only).

Connect with WhereBridesGo.com online!

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The Role of the Flower Girl in Your Wedding

Flower girls add a serious cute factor to every wedding. If you plan to have a flower girl in your wedding, here's a quick outline of her role, as well as some tips to help the day go smoothly.  Since flower girls are typically the age of 6 or younger, taking a few proactive steps to prepare her for the big day will not only alleviate some of her stress, but it will help ensure that her walk down the aisle goes exactly as planned ... maybe :-).

WHO TO CHOOSE
The flower girls is typically a relative of the bride or groom. It's okay to select the daughter of a friend, but be aware if you multiple friends with young daughters, your selection of one over the other could hurt feelings. If the flower girl you select is very young, or very shy, you might consider having two flower girls so they can support and help each other during the big day.

WHAT SHE WEARS
Some flower girls wear replicas of the brides gown, but this can be expensive. An age appropriate white dress, or a dress that matches the bridesmaid gowns in color is equally appropriate . Many times the flower girl will also wear flowers in her hair to signify her role in the wedding.

WHAT SHE DOES
Typically flower girls carry a  small flower girl basket basket filled with rose petals and she sprinkles them down the aisle in front of the bride. If your ceremony venue doesn't allow rose petals, confetti is a nice alternative. Some ceremony venues won't allow either.  In this case, the flower girl can simply carry a small bouquet or a single flower. Some brides elect to have the flower girl walk down the aisle directly ahead of her and just behind the ring bearer, while others prefer to have the flower girl and ring bearer walk together. If there are multiple flower girls, they can walk together down the aisle, or one can walk ahead of the bride while the other walks behind the bride and helps with the train and arranges the dress when the bride reaches the altar.  If the flower girl is very young, it's appropriate to have them sit their parents once the procession is complete.  If the flower girl is older, she can stand with the bridesmaids. After the ceremony, the flower girl should be included in the wedding photographs with the bridal party.


TIPS TO HELP THE DAY GO SMOOTHLY

1. Educate your flower girl about her role and how important it is. Do this well before the wedding day. It will help her feel important and she'll be excited for the big day! You might consider giving her a special flower girl shirt or other cute flower girl gift to make her feel special about her role.
2. Seat her parents as close to the front as possible and on the aisle seat. This way, they can smile at her and coax her down the aisle during the ceremony, and easily get her to her seat after the procession.
3. Stay away from candies and treats before the ceremony to avoid the sugar rush. It's not a bad idea to promise them as a reward AFTER the ceremony, though.
4. Wedding days are very long days for children. Ensure your flower girl has plenty of rest the night before and even sneak in a nap before the ceremony.
5. Have her get dressed as late in the day as possible.
6. Include your flower girl in as many pre-wedding activities as possible. This will enable her to get to know the other people in your wedding party and will add a sense of inclusion and trust.
7. Put together a wedding activity kit for kids for your wedding reception. This will help keep them entertained and happy.

Some our our favorite flower girl products are show below!  All are available at WhereBridesGo.com and you can take an additional 15% off your order with coupon code BLOGREADER!

Flower Girl Fun Kit ... http://www.wherebridesgo.com

Pretty black & white flower girl basket ...WhereBridesGo.com

Flower Girl Fun Kit ... WhereBridesGo.com

Flower Girl Book

Flower Girl Watch

Flower Girl Necklace

Flower Girl Teddy Bear

Turquoise & White Flower Girl Basket

Pearl Flower Girl Basket

Flower Girl Bracelet

Flower Girl Basket

Flower Girl Basket with Pretty Brown Ribbon ... WhereBridesGo.com

10 Neat Things About Being a Flower Girl

Flower Girl Frame ... WhereBridesGo.com

Flower Girl Basket with Cherry Blossoms ... WhereBridesGo.com

~ The WhereBridesGo.com Team
Where brides go®  ... for what brides love!

For more gift ideas,  wedding favors and accessories, check out WhereBridesGo.com!

Don't forget about our Coupon Code VIPBRIDE which saves you an additional 10% off your entire order at WhereBridesGo.com!!  We also offer FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $100 (continental US only).

Connect with WhereBridesGo.com online!

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Wedding Gift Theft : 5 Musts So You Aren't a Victim

It's hard to believe, but wedding gift theft is a more common occurrence than you would think. However, with proper planning and a few proactive steps, you can prevent yourself from becoming a victim.


1. Ask Your Bridal Party, Close Family, and Wedding Coordinator to Be on the Look Out for Wedding "Crashers"

Thieves who target wedding receptions often come dressed as a wedding guest ... they are true wedding crashers.  They mingle with your guests and act as though they belong with your group. Then when the time is right, they strike the gift table. If there is someone in the room that you don't recognize, don't be afraid to approach them and strike up a conversation to find out what their story is and who specifically they are related to in the room. This is obviously much easier with smaller weddings. If you are having a large wedding (300+ guests), consider hiring a security guard for the gift table.

2. Position Your Gift Table Away from Entrances and Exits

Many brides position their gift tables right at the entrance to the room for the convenience of guests. This is not a good idea because it makes the gift table an easy target for a thief. Instead, place the gift table in a corner, away from any doors (including restroom doors).  This makes it more difficult for a thief to take something from the table and make an undetected escape.

3. Assign Someone (Before the Wedding) to be in Charge of the Gift Table

As you are deciding who to include in your wedding party, be sure to select someone to be in charge of the gift table. The person you select should not be a member of your bridal party. Instead, it should be a responsible individual who's attention won't be distracted by other activities at the wedding reception. Let the person know that you selected them because it's a critically important job. He/she may not even be aware that wedding gift theft is an issue, so be sure to educate them.  After all guests have arrived and placed their gifts on the table, the person in charge of the gift table can then take all the gifts (with the help of others) to a secure location. This can be the bride/groom suite, or the trunk of a family vehicle.  Some hotels may offer secure locations, as well, but be certain you can trust the hotel employees before opting for this.

4. Be Sure to Create an Online Wedding Gift Registry

Believe it or not, proper wedding guest etiquette states that guests should not bring gifts to the wedding. Instead, they are supposed to send them in advance of the wedding. Most people are unaware of this, however. Creating an online wedding gift registry can help minimize the gifts that are brought to the reception. When the gift is purchased from the registry, the buyer will have the option to ship the gift directly to the address specified by the bride and groom.

5. Use a Wedding Gift Card Holder on the Gift Table

Many guests will be bring a card with cash or gift cards enclosed instead of a wrapped gift. These cards are what wedding thieves go for first since they are easy to grab and hide. You can deter this by using a wedding gift card holder on the table so that all cards are secured in a large decorative box that can't leave the room easily without being detected. Wedding gift card holders come in all shapes and styles, many of which can be used after the wedding as decorative items in your home seasonally or year round. Some of our favorites are shown below ... all are available at WhereBridesGo.com.

As sad as it is, wedding gift theft is a common problem.  By taking just a few proactive steps, you can minimized your risk of becoming a victim of this heartless crime.  The last thing you should have to worry about at your wedding is the gift table ... so relax and enjoy your big day!

~ The WhereBridesGo.com Team
Where brides go®  ... for what brides love!

For more gift ideas,  wedding favors and accessories, check out WhereBridesGo.com!

Don't forget about our Coupon Code VIPBRIDE which saves you an additional 10% off your entire order at WhereBridesGo.com!!  We also offer FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $100 (continental US only).

Connect with WhereBridesGo.com online!

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5 Fun Wedding Ideas ... from Favors to Bridesmaids!

Today's weddings are all about the extra special touches and personalized details. If you are looking for some fun and unique wedding ideas, WhereBridesGo.com has just about everything you are looking for.   

Here are 5  favorite items chosen for you by the Team at WhereBridesGo.com.

Here Comes the Bride!  Paying homage to one of the world's most famed wedding sayings; our "Here Comes the Bride" custom wedding banner is super fun and a unique way to announce the bride's arrival!   As an alternative to the traditional roles of flower girl and ring bearer, the banner is typically carried down the aisle by children right before the bridal march, this ultra enjoyable banner will give all your guests one more reason to turn their heads in excitement!  Available in 12 colors.

  
A beautiful alternative to the traditional unity candle, our Unity Sand Ceremony Shadow Box Set creates a sentimentally chic way to display your love.  Perfect for outdoor ceremonies or destination weddings, this keepsake kit includes everything you'll need to create a memorable unity ceremony as well as provide your home wit a unique piece of decorative home decor after!!  Simply display your finished sand artwork and use your pouring vases for candles, flowers, or whatever else you see fit, and you see just how amazing a symbolic centerpiece can be.

 

Our Personalized Rhinestone Toggle Bracelet is absolutely darling!!  Perfect for the bride AND the bridesmaids.  This rhodium finished bracelet featuring a circular rhinestone toggle charm is an excellent gift for all the women on your list.  Whether you're dressing up or dressing down, this sparkling bracelet will look fabulous with all your clothing options. Includes a free organza gift pouch.






 
Our Wedding Pen Wedding Favor with four rotating messages allows you to convey the excitement of your new life together and gives your guests a unique keepsake wedding favor.  Use one of our verse ideas or make your own!!

Mix and Match Culturally Diverse Cake Toppers!!!  Now your cake decorations can be as personal and as special as you are.  These fashionable and culturally diverse Brides and Grooms stand poised to embrace!!  Mix and match the partners to create a custom figurine that reflects your unique blend.  Set includes 1 each, bride and groom 7" tall.








It's your day...personalize it!!! WhereBridesGo.com offers many fun ideas to help you create your perfect personalized wedding.

For more gift ideas,  wedding favors and accessories, check out WhereBridesGo.com!

Don't forget about our Coupon Code VIPBRIDE which saves you an additional 10% off your entire order at WhereBridesGo.com!!  We also offer FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $100 (continental US only).

Connect with WhereBridesGo.com online!

Follow us on Twitter @wherebridesgo

LIKE US on Facebook!

LIKE US on Google+