Monthly Archives: May 2013

Wedding Gift Theft: Steps to avoid the wedding spoiler we don’t like to think about

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My friend Terri, who searches wedding sites almost as much as I do, shared an article with me recently about wedding gift theft. Can’t get much lower than stealing from newlyweds as they celebrate the most joyous event in their lives!

As soon as I read it, I flashed back to my daughter’s reception, where envelopes spilled out of the artsy bird-cage thingy we placed on the gifts table– there were envelopes everywhere, and I remember thinking how easily one of them could get misplaced, thrown out, or (sad to say) stolen. There really is no polite way to call someone and say, “hey, if you gave us something, it wasn’t in the pile– just checking!” Just think of all the people in and out of the party room– music people, photography/videography people, catering staff, sketchy relatives or sketchy dates of relatives…. you get the idea.

Check out the link below for some simple preventative measures to take. The only thing worse than being robbed during your reception would be suspecting someone at your wedding!

http://theknot.ninemsn.com.au/wedding-planning/wedding-planning-wedding-planning/etiquette-issues-wedding-planning/how-to-prevent-wedding-gift-theft

Engagement ~ Planning some fun around that calendar full of appointments!

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The year between my daughter’s engagement and her wedding centered around a boatload of lists, appointments and errands, and most of those were fun. But make no mistake about it, for both the bride and her mom, it can feel like a year of working an extra job.

Looking back, those errands, chores and appointments added up to a whole lot of special time for my daughter and me. Look for ways to amp up the “special” factor throughout the engagement year. Some of those “to-do’s” are for the couple, but more than a few are opportunities for mother-daughter time— wedding dress fittings, florist appointments, shopping for outfits for engagement party/shower/rehearsal dinner, shoe shopping, welcome bag assembly, hair trials, etc.

Schedule those appointments so you can cap them off with something celebratory– a sushi lunch, a stop at your favorite wine bar, a mani/pedi. Now that she’s a fiance, how often do your really get your daughter to yourself?

As you cross things off that never-ending to-do list, celebrate that feeling of accomplishment together.

Happy Mother’s Day: 5 reasons to thank your mother today if you are planning a wedding

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DebMegHan

1. She will go with you to 17 stores to find the perfect wedding shoes, wedding day Spanx, and just about any wedding errand you throw out there, even if she worked all day, hasn’t had time to get her own hair colored, and has yet to shop for her own dress and shoes.

2. She will probably pay if you invite her along, and she will likely buy you dinner too.

3. She knows more about flowers than you do, and will be really helpful when meeting with a florist. Stephanotis anyone?

4. She will smack down any bridesmaid who gets out of hand or doesn’t step up, and she will handle rude breaches of etiquette when it comes to guest RSVPs.

5.She will tell you, OK, maybe with a look, if a dress is not flattering on you.

And last, but most certainly not least, she continues to love you, even when you go all Bridezilla on her.

Ceremony Checklist

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Whether your ceremony is held in a chapel, church, or even a room adjacent to the reception, here is a checklist of things you may need:

1. Marriage license! We know firsthand that this can be overlooked. You need it at the ceremony so the officiant can sign and post it. Trust this to your best man, father of the bride, wedding planner, or other responsible participant.

2. The rings — the classic best man responsibility.

3. Programs to hand out as guests arrive. These can be simple, printed card stock. Have your invitation printer design one to match your suite, or make one yourselves. Check out the link below for a nice program option.
CeremonyProgram

4. Bubbles, little pre-made packages of birdseed or confetti, or whatever your guests will toss at the happy couple as they exit the ceremony venue.

5. Candles in holders, if the couple will include some type of candle lighting as part of the ceremony. Don’t forget matches.

6. If you will incorporate the Jewish tradition of breaking a glass, bring what you need for that too (tip: a lightbulb in a velvet bag makes a satisfying sound when stomped).

7. Flowers to decorate the altar or place where the couple will stand to recite their vows.

8. A plan! Even if you don’t have a formal rehearsal, definitely do a walk-through so everyone knows their roles. My daughter’s groomsmen really had no idea that their primary responsiblity was to seat the guests. Assume nothing.

Rice, birdseed, bubbles? A tradition for a ‘fruitful and prosperous union’

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7Bubbles
One of the oldest and most enduring wedding traditions is throwing rice, or some other form of “confetti” on the newlyweds as they exit the ceremony.

Although theories about the origins of this custom vary, it is thought to have stemmed from an ancient pagan tradition of throwing wedding rice (or some other grain) on a couple in order to wish them a fruitful and prosperous union. Over time, couples began choosing more “eco friendly” confetti options, like birdseed. Kate Harrison, creator of greenbrideguide.com, offers 5 eco-friendly confetti ideas– check out the link below for some fun ideas.
http://www.bridalguide.com/blogs/bridal-buzz/eco-friendly-confetti

We chose bubbles, which were easy to order through bridal sites and made for pretty pictures. As for getting them into the guests’ hands, enlist a couple of children who will be attending the ceremony to greet guests as they arrive with a printed program, and hand out bubbles as guests leave the ceremony.