St. Louis Weddings

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

10 Great Ways to Get the Groom Involved

Great gifts for your Groomsmen from WhereBridesGo.com!

Gone are the days when wedding planning was the sole responsibility of the bride and her mother. If your fiance is happily going about his life while you are out alone talking to the florist, caterer, baker, stationer, DJ, etc., it's time to get him involved in the planning of what will be the most special day of your lives together—your wedding day! After all, planning this day will probably be the first major project of your life together. It's important for both of you to feel connected to this process.

Here are the top 10 ways to include your man in planning for the big day.

Request His Help. This may sound like a "no-brainer," but often the groom doesn't get involved because he has been under the mistaken impression that his help wasn't desired. Sit down with your fiance and ask him what he would like to have at the wedding/reception. Tell him what you would like and develop a plan together.
Give Him The Knowledge. The fact that almost every bridal magazine is directed at brides is not lost on your fiance. He may be hesitant to help with planning because he simply doesn't know what's expected of him. Give him a checklist with dates that tasks need to be accomplished. Offer suggestions for each area. Remember, he may not do things exactly the way you might, but that's okay. He's getting the job done.
Enticements. Finding the most delicious wedding cake or most bubbly champagne can be a good way to have your fiance have input into the wedding plans. Spending a few afternoons or evenings eating delicious desserts and sipping on champagne isn't work; it's fun!
Gift Registry. Remind your man that the gift registry isn't just for china and crystal. While he may genuinely care about those types of gifts, today's gift registries are much more diverse. If he's had his eye on a great barbecue set or barware, remind him that the wedding gift registry is the way to go.
Entertainment. Choosing the entertainment for your reception may be just the ticket for getting your fiance involved. Chances are he has very definite opinions in this area. Put those tastes to good use. Have him "audition" the various bands or DJ's your considering. Spending a few evenings together going to clubs listening to music is a date not wedding planning!
Invitations. Chances are you haven't met everyone in your fiance's family or group of friends, yet it is important that they be included in the guest list. Ask him to make a list of people he wants to invite. Better yet, ask him to address the envelopes of his guest list. Don't worry if his handwriting is illegible, there are many computer programs available for printing labels.
Keeping Track. If your fiance is a natural organizer, ask him to keep track of receipts, schedules, contracts, and appointments. Not only will this lighten your load, but also he'll be involved in the planning process.
Accommodations. Asking your fiance to arrange for accommodations for out-of-town guests can be a good way for him to stay involved. Just give him a list of acceptable hotels, and let him do the arranging.
Rehearsal Dinner. Your fiance probably knows that this dinner has traditionally been the groom (or groom's family's) responsibility. If he doesn't already have ideas for this event, give him a few suggestions, and let him have at it. Don't worry if his ideas of fun for all differ from yours. It's his wedding, too!
Honeymoon Planning. If your guy doesn't already have a plan for your honeymoon, give him a few suggestions. Let him know the type of hotel you would find acceptable and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised.

Enjoy the wedding planning process .... together!

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~ The WhereBridesGo.comTeam

Where brides go® ... for what brides love!
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Thursday, March 14, 2013

7 Smart Wedding Flower Strategies

It's no secret that flowers add beauty to your wedding ... gorgeous draping floral canopies, floral wedding arches, pew arrangements, wreaths, centerpieces, and more. They set the stage for your walk down the aisle, dress up the ceremony venue, and adorn the reception tables. By the time you add up all the bouquets and arrangements, you can quickly bust your wedding budget.

Try these 7smart (and simple) floral tips to keep your floral budget in check while still enjoying the beauty, elegance, and fragrance of fresh flowers:

Keep your floral arrangements simple. For your centerpieces, use hand tied bouquets. These require much less labor than complex arrangements that have to be pinned to foam boards or that require on-site assembly.
Concentrate your floral budget on the flowers that will show the most. This includes your bridal bouquet, flowers on the altar, and the centerpieces.
Use candles as centerpieces instead of fresh flowers. Then decorate the reception tables with small inexpensive wedding favors at each place setting. This also gives your guests a small memento from the wedding.
Use a fun cake topper instead of flowers on the wedding cake. The cake will be disassembled anyway ... why not choose a whimsical cake topper that reflects your personality or hobbies? It becomes a conversation piece for your guests and a keepsake for you after the wedding.
Choose a smaller wedding party. Ten bridesmaids can mean ten bouquets totaling $1000 or more on the high end.
Avoid having your wedding around dates where there is peak demand for flowers. This includes Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. Not only will your florist be extremely busy, but the price of the flowers can almost double.
Choose a beautiful venue. If you select a venue with incredible beauty, either architecturally or interior decor, you won't have to spend as much on floral arrangements to decorate it.

Talk with your florist to see if he or she has done a wedding at your venue previously. It's likely that s/he will have some ideas on where you actually need fresh flowers versus where you don't. Florists understand weddings and will often provide great advice on how to how save money by selecting less expensive (but equally beautiful) flowers. They can also provide guidance on making flowers look incredibly lush, using a few of your favorite expensive buds as the focal point and combing them with less expensive fillers. Take advantage of your florist's expertise and you are sure to have a gorgeous floral spread without busting your wedding budget.

Do you have any money saving tips for your wedding flowers? We'd love to hear them!

Take 15% off your entire order at WhereBridesGo.com with coupon code WEDDINGFLOWERS, plus get FREE SHIPPING on orders over $100.

~ The WhereBridesGo.comTeam

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

For a great selection of affordable D.I.Y wedding favors, pre-packaged wedding favors, and wedding cake tops, check out WhereBridesGo.com!

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Thursday, March 7, 2013

3 Things To Never Say In Your Thank You Notes (and more!)

Do I REALLY have to send hand-written thank you notes?

Many people think that hand-written thank you notes are a long-forgotten tradition. In the age of Twitter, Facebook, text messages and all the rest, we rarely sit down and craft hand-written notes and letters anymore.

Your wedding is not the time to blow off the hand-written thank you note, though. Each guest will put time, a lot of thought, and money into the gift they give you. It's important to take the time to thank them appropriately, not only for the gift but for attending the event, as well!

What do I say in my wedding thank you note?

Before we get to what you should never say, let's look quickly at what you should say. If you follow these simple guidelines, writing your thank you notes will be easy. You don't have to write a novel, but you want to make sure your thank you notes are personal and sincere.

Here's what TO say:

Say "thank you for ..." (fill in the blank with the gift). Start every note this way.
Be specific about how you plan to use the gift. For example, if you received something for the kitchen, you might say, "I can't wait to use it to make our favorite lasagna!"
Let them know how nice it was to see them at the wedding. If they couldn't make the wedding and they just sent a gift, let them know they were missed.
Close with a reference to a future visit or get together.

3 Thing to NEVER say in your thank you notes:

Never imply that the gift was less than you were expecting.
Never let them know if you received a duplicate of the gift from someone else.
Never let them know that you are returning or exchanging the gift.

Remember that thank you notes aren't for gifts alone. Be sure to send thank you notes to your bridal party and any other person who helped you with your wedding day. Your wedding vendors appreciate thank you notes, too ... especially if you have someone who really goes above an beyond for you!

For a great selection of affordable wedding thank you notes, check out our Carlson Craft dealer site! You can personalize and design your thank you notes (and your invitations) online ... it's great!

~ The WhereBridesGo.comTeam

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

For more ideas, wedding favors and accessories, 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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Thursday, February 28, 2013

7 Sentimental Ways to Memorialize a Loved One at Your Wedding

While nothing can take the place of loved ones who have passed on, there are many meaningful and subtle ways to honor their memories during your wedding celebration. It's really up to the bride and groom to determine what is best for them. For many, this is a very important part of their ceremony.

If you are considering a memorial for a loved one at your wedding, here are some ideas to consider:

Use their favorite flowers at your wedding
Setup a memorial table at the ceremony venue and include photos and other mementos
Place a photo and a bible on an empty chair
Play their wedding song at your reception or your ceremony
Make a special tribute to them in your wedding program
Carry a photo of them with you down the aisle
Light a candle in their honor and place it at the guest book table

Photo Memory Bouquet Buckle

Your wedding will be a joyous day in your life, but it can be difficult if you've lost someone close to you and they cannot be with you to share your day. We love this photo memory bouquet buckle because it enables you to hold someone close and carry their memory down the aisle with you. Truly a beautiful tribute to someone who has meant so much to your life.

Another personal way to memorialize a loved one at your wedding as you walk down the aisle is with a soft white satin ring pillow. The one shown here has rhinestone accents and satin streamers, and has a beautiful lace-trimmed pocket for inserting your cherished photo.

Memorial Ring Pillow

If you prefer to use a memorial candle, a floating memorial candle & frame set is a special way to honor your loved ones. A lovely wide glass vase is engraved with the words “Forever in our Hearts... Forever in our Lives” across the top and bottom. A personalized name and date can be engraved in the center of the vase and along the bottom of the frame. This a touching tribute during the ceremony, but also becomes a special treasure for years to come.

Paying a special tribute to a loved one who has passed is a uniquely personal decision. You know your relationship with that person best, so don't worry about what anyone else thinks or says. Whatever you decide to do is going to be absolutely perfect for you ... and that's all that matters.

Floating Memorial Candle and Frame

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

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

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Sunday, February 24, 2013

Our 5 Favorite Wedding Guest Book Alternatives

	Fun Wedding Coasters Let Your Guests Give Marriage Advice We love this unique guest book alternative. What a way to get your guests talking and get their insights on what makes a happy marriage. You'll enjoy these for years after the wedding, there's no doubt! These soft white paper coasters feature "Advice for the Mr. & Mrs." The design is printed in blue with red heart accent at bottom. Four lines for writing advice and area at bottom for signature. 4" x 4". Not available personalized. 25 per set.
	Lovebirds Canvas Signature Guest Book So romantic! This beautiful canvas becomes a work of art as your guests arrive and sign it. It's custom made, personalized free of charge, and fashioned with a vintage inspired lovebirds design and quote. This super cute guest book alternative creates interactive fun for your guests on the big day and a standout, signature art piece for every day after. Combining contemporary style to a time honored wedding tradition, this framed canvas transfers beautifully into custom home decor. Quote along the top reads, "Without love, we are birds with broken wings." -Morrie Schwartz
	Metal Etching Signature Frame Another one of our favorites. This Personalized Signature Frame is a great alternative to traditional paper guest books and is a wonderful keepsake from your wedding day that can be displayed for years to come. You simply add your favorite photo! The easy-to-use Signature Engraving Scribe™ permanently etches signatures into the sturdy, high quality alloy surface. No special treatments are needed for the mat, your guests just sign and it is ready to display.
	Signature Decorative Platter, Pen & Easel Set If you're looking for a fun way to collect guest signatures, look no further than with our Signature Decorative Platter, Pen & Easel Set. An interactive way to involve your guests, this fun platter also makes an amazing keepsake for your home. The three dimensional design of the square platter gives a modern twist to traditional shape, and the vintage easel easily displays it for all to see.
	The Story of Us Personalize this unique guest book alternative with your very own love story! Fill the pages with the story of your first date, how he proposed, your family trees and so much more. Your guests can read your "Story of Us" then sign in the guest book space at the back of the book (allows for up to 128 signatures). Includes a small hidden compartment suitable for a few select keepsakes such as your "something blue" or sentimental marriage vows.

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

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

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Saturday, February 2, 2013

5 Indispensable Tips for Your Wedding Reception Tables

5 Indispensable Tips for Your Wedding Reception Tables

Once you have decided where to have your wedding reception, you can start thinking about the design of your reception tables.

1. Place Cards & Place Card Holders

Using place cards and place card holders not only direct guests to their seats, but they are the perfect way to dress up your reception tables or to continue a theme. Today, many place card holders can do double duty by also serving as a wedding favor for your guests.

2. Centerpieces

Another aspect of reception table decoration is the centerpiece. You want to be sure that the reception centerpieces are not so large that they keeps your guests from seeing each other. One really clever idea is to create a larger floral or candle arrangement using smaller vases and candles. At the end of the reception, the individual pieces serve as wedding favors when each person seated at the table then takes one of them home.

3. The Head Table

If you are planning to have a head table for you and your wedding attendants, be sure to put it at the front of the room. It is customary for the head table to seat each of the attendants facing the other wedding guests.

A very popular decorating idea is to use wedding party toasting glasses at each place setting. Another idea is to consider decorating the head table with one of the accent colors used elsewhere at the reception. For example, if you have chosen garnet and gold for your wedding colors, the guests’ tables may be covered in garnet table cloths, while the head table is covered in shimmering gold with garnet accents.

4. The Gift Table

Many of your guests will bring their wedding gift with them to the reception. Place your gift table near the entrance of the reception so that your guests don’t have to worry with storing it during the party. You can also move your guest book from the ceremony location to the reception venue and place it nearby. Be sure to use make the table inviting by using the same decorations as the other tables in the room.

The gift table is also the perfect place for a wedding card holder, which can serve as the gift table centerpiece. There are some beautifully designed card holders available today, including personalized etched glass card holder which serve as wedding heirlooms after the event.

5. The Cake Table

Perhaps the most important table in the room is the table that holds the wedding cake. Because today's wedding cakes are available in so many beautiful designs, this table needs to be centrally located so that the wedding cake serves as both dessert and decoration. If you are planning to have people serve themselves wedding cake, then be sure there’s enough room for people to move on both sides.

Many brides purchase whimsical cake tops that fit the bride and groom's personality or custom personalized cake tops to set next to the cake as additional decoration and as a keepsake!

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

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

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Saturday, December 1, 2012

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:

The best man starts the festivities with a toast to the beautiful bride.
The second toast is also done by the best man and is to the bride and groom as a couple.
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.
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.
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.
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!

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