I have always loved the use of place cards and escort cards. I just feel that it brings a new level of sophistication and a great way to add those signature elements to make your wedding more your style and a reflection of you.
Escort cards are the alphabetized list of cards that let your guests know which table they will be sitting at during the reception. Here are some fun ideas of presenting these.
-Rows of Miniature potted succulents with each guests' name printed on a little herb garden-style label make for a great Presentation. They are also a nice take-home treat for guests. You could also create a dramatic effect of rows of tall vases displaying a simple orchid or a calla lily. Tie guests' name to each vase or secure them in place with glue dot or double-sided tape.
-Fill an over sized cylindrical vase lined with garden moss with towering branches or curly willow. Write your guests' names and their table numbers on paper leaves and hang them from the branches as alphabetically as possible. This works best when using less than 50 cards. Larger weddings may want to do more than one tree.
-Collect photographs (Most fun to use Baby Photos) of all your guests and string these up alphabetically with miniature clothes pins. It helps to have the guests' names on the backs of the photographs and a table number. You can also use pushpins to arrange them artfully onto a giant corkboard. Allow time for guests to enjoy looking at all the photos as they search for their own. To collect these ask guests to include a photograph of themselves with their reply cards.
-Pick-up Sticks. Attach each name card to a stick using permanent glue. Incense sticks or bamboo skewers can work just as well. You can display sticks in a wooden box of rye grass, or maybe a wheelbarrow, large antique tin washing bucket, small rowboat, or a vintage wagon.
These are some fun easy low cost ways to display escort cards. My next blog will be some ideas for displaying place cards. I hope these ideas are helpful to you guys. Please suggest this blog to others and have them become a follower.
Till next time,
Clay
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
More Signature Elements
Where is our fall weather, I was so enjoying the cooler temperatures the last couple of weeks. Please come back to us. Okay so Fall Weddings are my most favorite simply for the fact that I love all of the colors of the sunsets this time of year.
I am constantly reading up on the latest trends for weddings and events as well as just everyday floral arrangements. One of the books that I am looking at a lot lately is "Southern Weddings....New Looks from the Old South" by Tara Guerard. It is a great book, I got mine at Amazon.com but I have seen it at other book stores.
My favorite parts of this book are the items under Signature Elements, which as I have stated before is one of the best ways to put your mark on your event and make it all your own.
Here are some of the Signature Elements from Weddings that Tara has done that I absolutely love.
Quilt Trip
Before the wedding ask each guest to mail them a piece of fabric, once you receive the final swatch have those pieces of fabric made into a quilt. That Quilt can be used as the canopy for your arbor, the table cloth for you guest sign in table, great way to include those guests that might not be able to make it, this will serve as a reminder that they are with you on your wedding day.
Best Buds
Because Orchids are edible, use them to accessorize food and drink. For example place a tiny bloom in each champagne glass, and garnish each slice of wedding cake with the same.
These are just a couple of great ways to put your mark on your wedding and make it more personal.
Stay Tuned for more and Happy Planning.
Clay
I am constantly reading up on the latest trends for weddings and events as well as just everyday floral arrangements. One of the books that I am looking at a lot lately is "Southern Weddings....New Looks from the Old South" by Tara Guerard. It is a great book, I got mine at Amazon.com but I have seen it at other book stores.
My favorite parts of this book are the items under Signature Elements, which as I have stated before is one of the best ways to put your mark on your event and make it all your own.
Here are some of the Signature Elements from Weddings that Tara has done that I absolutely love.
Quilt Trip
Before the wedding ask each guest to mail them a piece of fabric, once you receive the final swatch have those pieces of fabric made into a quilt. That Quilt can be used as the canopy for your arbor, the table cloth for you guest sign in table, great way to include those guests that might not be able to make it, this will serve as a reminder that they are with you on your wedding day.
Best Buds
Because Orchids are edible, use them to accessorize food and drink. For example place a tiny bloom in each champagne glass, and garnish each slice of wedding cake with the same.
These are just a couple of great ways to put your mark on your wedding and make it more personal.
Stay Tuned for more and Happy Planning.
Clay
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Signature Elements
Every wedding should have its own signature elements. Here are some great ideas for your Oct/Nov wedding.
Hello Pumpkin!
In keeping with the season display your butler cards (place cards) on miniature pumpkins. It is a fun festive way for guests to find their names and know where they will be sitting. To add to your decoration place a large jar and fill with pumpkin candies in the middle of the place card table, this will set a light hearted tone to the evening.
Sweets for the Sweet
Who does not like candy? You can take jars and fill with candy in the fall colors. Put out some mini bags so the guests can help themselves. I just think this is fun! fun! fun! The children at your wedding will really enjoy this.
Just a couple of cute ideas to bring the season into your reception. Have fun and let me know any ideas that you have used.
Clay
Hello Pumpkin!
In keeping with the season display your butler cards (place cards) on miniature pumpkins. It is a fun festive way for guests to find their names and know where they will be sitting. To add to your decoration place a large jar and fill with pumpkin candies in the middle of the place card table, this will set a light hearted tone to the evening.
Sweets for the Sweet
Who does not like candy? You can take jars and fill with candy in the fall colors. Put out some mini bags so the guests can help themselves. I just think this is fun! fun! fun! The children at your wedding will really enjoy this.
Just a couple of cute ideas to bring the season into your reception. Have fun and let me know any ideas that you have used.
Clay
Planning Your Reception Part 2
In planning your reception there are a couple of secrets that I would like to share with you. Just a few things to add to the perfection of the event.
Clean Look
Hiding all your hardware and wires is the secret to a streamlined look-and you can even do it while adding to your decorations. Wrap or have wrapped the chains hanging your chandeliers use the same fabric that you are using elsewhere, disguising the out-of-place chains with a smoother look. To hide the ugly stage equipment place a row of boxwood trees at the edge of the dance floor and string them with lights. Not only will this disguise wires, but will even light up your dance floor a little more.
Sweetheart Table
Most of the time as a bride and groom you guys don't get a lot of time to talk or spend together at the reception. Consider what's known as a Sweetheart Table, a private table for the two of you. This way you can catch up with your new spouse, enjoy dinner without answering a dozen questions between mouthfuls and then get up and make the rounds without feeling rude for leaving other guests at the table.
Just a couple of new ideas that we have used and they do work great. Many more to come. Please keep the questions coming.
Clay
Clean Look
Hiding all your hardware and wires is the secret to a streamlined look-and you can even do it while adding to your decorations. Wrap or have wrapped the chains hanging your chandeliers use the same fabric that you are using elsewhere, disguising the out-of-place chains with a smoother look. To hide the ugly stage equipment place a row of boxwood trees at the edge of the dance floor and string them with lights. Not only will this disguise wires, but will even light up your dance floor a little more.
Sweetheart Table
Most of the time as a bride and groom you guys don't get a lot of time to talk or spend together at the reception. Consider what's known as a Sweetheart Table, a private table for the two of you. This way you can catch up with your new spouse, enjoy dinner without answering a dozen questions between mouthfuls and then get up and make the rounds without feeling rude for leaving other guests at the table.
Just a couple of new ideas that we have used and they do work great. Many more to come. Please keep the questions coming.
Clay
Monday, October 11, 2010
Panning the Reception Part One "The Caterer"
Over the next few blogs I will be discussing the planning of your reception. Remember the wedding reception is your chance to share your happiness with friends and family.
Today's topic for planning the best reception is a discussion on "Helping The Caterer Help You".
The caterer is an important member of your wedding team. You can make your caterer's job easier by viewing the relationship as collaborative working toward the same common goal; the success of the event. Here are a few suggestions and advice on ways to make working with a caterer a positive, joyful experience for everyone.
1- Know your vision and make sure if the caterer can accomodate it. Think it through so you will be able to articulate your goals.
2-Stick to your vision. Speak up and insist on attention to detail. A wedding planner can be invaluable in helping fight for your vision.
3- Recognize the strengths of your caterer. Always ask what the company's signature and most popular dishes are.
4-Always be up front with your caterer on the amount of money you want to spend on your catering and stick to that figure. If you are firm about your budget then it is the caterer's job to work with that figure. Reliable caterers are not in the business of inflating budgets, certainly not at the expense of customer relations.
5-Always let a caterer know up front if there is something you really want on the menu and also let them know the items that you do not want on the menu.
6-Even perfectionists need to know when to pull back. You may have articulated a vision, but you don't neccessarilly need to know exactly how your caterer is going to achieve your vision.
7-Remember that the kitchen and waitstaff, managers, and bartenders are two parts of the same team. You will want to make sure that communication between the two is there so that your plans are carried out.
8-Don't forget to check on any site restrictions before your caterer gets to work.
I hope that this information is helpful, if you have additional questions concerning cattering please let me know.
Clay
Today's topic for planning the best reception is a discussion on "Helping The Caterer Help You".
The caterer is an important member of your wedding team. You can make your caterer's job easier by viewing the relationship as collaborative working toward the same common goal; the success of the event. Here are a few suggestions and advice on ways to make working with a caterer a positive, joyful experience for everyone.
1- Know your vision and make sure if the caterer can accomodate it. Think it through so you will be able to articulate your goals.
2-Stick to your vision. Speak up and insist on attention to detail. A wedding planner can be invaluable in helping fight for your vision.
3- Recognize the strengths of your caterer. Always ask what the company's signature and most popular dishes are.
4-Always be up front with your caterer on the amount of money you want to spend on your catering and stick to that figure. If you are firm about your budget then it is the caterer's job to work with that figure. Reliable caterers are not in the business of inflating budgets, certainly not at the expense of customer relations.
5-Always let a caterer know up front if there is something you really want on the menu and also let them know the items that you do not want on the menu.
6-Even perfectionists need to know when to pull back. You may have articulated a vision, but you don't neccessarilly need to know exactly how your caterer is going to achieve your vision.
7-Remember that the kitchen and waitstaff, managers, and bartenders are two parts of the same team. You will want to make sure that communication between the two is there so that your plans are carried out.
8-Don't forget to check on any site restrictions before your caterer gets to work.
I hope that this information is helpful, if you have additional questions concerning cattering please let me know.
Clay
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The New Wedding Helper: Technology
The Etiquette of E-Mail
Just because you can send an e-mail does not mean that you always should. The more formal the communication, the more appropriate it is to use postal mail rather than e-mail. A good test of whether it is acceptable to send an e-mail invitation of other communication is to ask yourself if you'd feel comfortable extending the same invitation over the phone. If the answer is yes, then e-mail away.
When Not to Use an E-Mail
For Wedding Invitations. E-mailing a wedding invitation, even to closes friends or family is not appropriate in any situation. I am going to use a phrase my mother would use "Tacky, Tacky, Tacky". Take the time to print invitations and mail.
For Thank you Notes. Take the time to sit down and hand write each thank you note and send through the mail. If you have fallen behind on your note writing, however, you can send an e-mail as a stop-gap measure to let the gift giver know you've received his or her gift and will be sending a formal thank you soon. Just remember the e-mail does not replace the actual thank-you note.
Modern Technology is great for the wedding planning processes and will help streamline everything, just keep in mind some things just are not appropriate for e-mail or social networks.
I hope you all have a good day, I am going to get better at my blogs but please send me any questions that you might have.
Just because you can send an e-mail does not mean that you always should. The more formal the communication, the more appropriate it is to use postal mail rather than e-mail. A good test of whether it is acceptable to send an e-mail invitation of other communication is to ask yourself if you'd feel comfortable extending the same invitation over the phone. If the answer is yes, then e-mail away.
When Not to Use an E-Mail
For Wedding Invitations. E-mailing a wedding invitation, even to closes friends or family is not appropriate in any situation. I am going to use a phrase my mother would use "Tacky, Tacky, Tacky". Take the time to print invitations and mail.
For Thank you Notes. Take the time to sit down and hand write each thank you note and send through the mail. If you have fallen behind on your note writing, however, you can send an e-mail as a stop-gap measure to let the gift giver know you've received his or her gift and will be sending a formal thank you soon. Just remember the e-mail does not replace the actual thank-you note.
Modern Technology is great for the wedding planning processes and will help streamline everything, just keep in mind some things just are not appropriate for e-mail or social networks.
I hope you all have a good day, I am going to get better at my blogs but please send me any questions that you might have.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Why Hire a Wedding Coordinator?
Wow! Congratulations, you are engaged! As you begin the some what daunting task of planning your wedding, consider hiring a wedding coordinator. A wedding coordinator can help you from the beginning with budgeting, where to obtain specialized services, and how to choose vendors. After the excitement wears off and reality sets in, its shocking to discover how much preparation is involved. Couples are faced with everything from invitation wording to planning their honeymoon. Couples often find they want experienced professional help.
Wedding planners used to be thought of more as a luxury and only used by the wealthy. Now a coordinator is essential to the well planned affair. It is not just "trendy" to hire a coordinator it is essential. Coordinators are experienced in contracts with vendors and venues, and can save you valuable time and money. Coordinators can take advantage of discounts not available to individuals and avoid costly mistakes.
The average wedding can take more than 250 hours just to plan. With today's hectic lifestyles you may not have time to compare all of the options, making sure you get the best deal and make sure all the details are in place.
Wedding Coordinators are not here to make all the decisions for you, but to guide and assist you in making informed decisions. Their training and knowledge and experience will turn your dreams and expectations into reality.
A wedding coordinator will save you time and a lot of times money, in most cases the money that they can save you will be more than the fee they charge. They will help you get the biggest bang for your buck.
Trust is the most important factor in making the decision of which wedding planner to choose. You should feel completely comfortable with the coordinator and feel assured that he or she completely understands what your needs are. Your personalities should match.
How Do Wedding Coordinators charge for their services?
There are several ways that coordinators charge for their services. Here are a few ways.
10 to 15 Percent of the Budget
Fee Based on the Number of Guests
Flat Rate Based on the Amount of Work Needed
Hourly Rate Often more than $40.00 per hour
I hope this information is helpful, I have always say that the only things a bride should worry about on her wedding day are; "Will my Daddy Cry?" How will my future husband look at me while I am walking down the Aisle?, and Will I remember my vows? Please give me a call and I will go over my fees for my wedding planning service.
Clay
Wedding planners used to be thought of more as a luxury and only used by the wealthy. Now a coordinator is essential to the well planned affair. It is not just "trendy" to hire a coordinator it is essential. Coordinators are experienced in contracts with vendors and venues, and can save you valuable time and money. Coordinators can take advantage of discounts not available to individuals and avoid costly mistakes.
The average wedding can take more than 250 hours just to plan. With today's hectic lifestyles you may not have time to compare all of the options, making sure you get the best deal and make sure all the details are in place.
Wedding Coordinators are not here to make all the decisions for you, but to guide and assist you in making informed decisions. Their training and knowledge and experience will turn your dreams and expectations into reality.
A wedding coordinator will save you time and a lot of times money, in most cases the money that they can save you will be more than the fee they charge. They will help you get the biggest bang for your buck.
Trust is the most important factor in making the decision of which wedding planner to choose. You should feel completely comfortable with the coordinator and feel assured that he or she completely understands what your needs are. Your personalities should match.
How Do Wedding Coordinators charge for their services?
There are several ways that coordinators charge for their services. Here are a few ways.
10 to 15 Percent of the Budget
Fee Based on the Number of Guests
Flat Rate Based on the Amount of Work Needed
Hourly Rate Often more than $40.00 per hour
I hope this information is helpful, I have always say that the only things a bride should worry about on her wedding day are; "Will my Daddy Cry?" How will my future husband look at me while I am walking down the Aisle?, and Will I remember my vows? Please give me a call and I will go over my fees for my wedding planning service.
Clay
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