WEDDING NOTES™ - Post Reception Party

It used to be that the parents of the bride and groom stayed at the reception until the last guest left.  They thanked guests for coming, gathered up gifts brought to the celebration and loaded them in cars for the trip home.

Now it is likely that the bride and groom themselves will stay until the last guest has left.  The reception would have been a great party and no one- including the honored couple- wanted it to end.  The party mood would be hard to shake and since they will have the entire honeymoon to be alone/together, more and more couples are choosing to spend time afterthe reception with close family and friends relaxing and replaying some of wonderful events of the day.

Couples staying at reception venue may host an after party in their suite or they may have arranged a small room at the site to gather for conversation and nibbles and a replay of some the best events of the day.  After the organized events, it would be fun to get caught up on what happened or what was said about the wedding that the couple did not see or hear during the ceremony or reception.

This would be a great time to see the candid shots that people took on their phones.  It would be fun to get a peek at how the bride and party looked coming down the aisle.

Coffee, tea, soft drinks and a light snack would be in order before the party disperses and the couple thanks those whose presence and help meant so much.

WEDDING NOTES™ - The License to Marry

In the flurry of wedding plans - selecting THE GOWN, the flowers, the tuxedos, the menu, the reception site and stationery trousseau, there are legal obligations that must be met.  This is a serious union that requires the "blessing" of society in the guise of your wedding license.

Consider these reminders:

• ·         Since states and even some counties may have slightly different rules, call or visit your city hall to make sure you know all the details of the legal requirements in your area.

• ·         Don't wait till the last minute to make that call or visit.  Most states require that you have the license at least 72 hours prior to the wedding.  Keep in mind that marriage licenses can and do have expiration dates.  The usual range is from thirty to ninety days.

• ·         Know that the couple must apply together and in person.  In some areas you may need a birth certificate, while in others you may need to show a valid photo ID like your driver's license and/or passport.

• ·         If you have been married before, you may need to show proof that your first marriage was legally ended.  This can be done with a copy of the divorce degree or death certificate.

• ·         Be prepared to pay for the license on that day you apply.

WEDDING NOTES™ - Why Do I Need a Day Of Wedding Coordinator?

Because you will have the peace of mind that results from knowing that all of the myriad details you have worked so hard to put in place will happen as you planned.

Many brides-to-be hire a wedding planner to assist with all aspects of the wedding from the beginning of planning.  Some want to do that themselves, but want the security of having a coordinator in place on the big day so they can relax and be a guest at their own wedding.

How does it work?  It usually starts with an in depth consultation with the bride at least 3 or 4 weeks before the wedding.  From that meeting, the consultant/coordinator will assemble a detailed timeline for the wedding day and work to ensure that everything comes together just as you imagined it.  It is helpful to know that some venues have a requirement that the couple hire a planner or at minimum, a coordinator for the day.

What do you get?  The peace of mind knowing that all the details will come together just as you planned.  If a last minute problem occurs a professional is there to handle it.  You and your groom remain as gracious hosts rather than "frazzled, last-minute problem solvers."  You will be able to truly enjoy every moment of your big day. 

Most wedding coordinators will cover the following:

• ·         Put together the wedding day timeline and distribute to all vendors.

• ·         Coordinate all the wedding professionals hired by the bride and groom.

• ·         Conduct /attend the wedding rehearsal.

And on the big day, the coordinator will handle all day of activities like:  assist with bride and wedding party dressing, photo schedules, insure flowers are delivered and placed appropriately, guide wedding party through processional and recessional.  Coordinate with caterer, check place settings, favors, cake placement, cue master of ceremonies or music, collect personal items, coordinate gift collection and security.   As one consultant said:  "We are usually the last person to leave."

WEDDING NOTES™ - Why Do I Need a Day Of Wedding Coordinator?

Because you will have the peace of mind that results from knowing that all of the myriad details you have worked so hard to put in place will happen as you planned.

Many brides-to-be hire a wedding planner to assist with all aspects of the wedding from the beginning of planning.  Some want to do that themselves, but want the security of having a coordinator in place on the big day so they can relax and be a guest at their own wedding.

How does it work?  It usually starts with an in depth consultation with the bride at least 3 or 4 weeks before the wedding.  From that meeting, the consultant/coordinator will assemble a detailed timeline for the wedding day and work to ensure that everything comes together just as you imagined it.  It is helpful to know that some venues have a requirement that the couple hire a planner or at minimum, a coordinator for the day.

What do you get?  The peace of mind knowing that all the details will come together just as you planned.  If a last minute problem occurs a professional is there to handle it.  You and your groom remain as gracious hosts rather than "frazzled, last-minute problem solvers."  You will be able to truly enjoy every moment of your big day.  

Most wedding coordinators will cover the following:

• ·         Put together the wedding day timeline and distribute to all vendors.

• ·         Coordinate all the wedding professionals hired by the bride and groom.

• ·         Conduct /attend the wedding rehearsal.

 And on the big day, the coordinator will handle all day of activities like:  assist with bride and wedding party dressing, photo schedules, insure flowers are delivered and placed appropriately, guide wedding party through processional and recessional.  Coordinate with caterer, check place settings, favors, cake placement, cue master of ceremonies or music, collect personal items, coordinate gift collection and security.   As one consultant said:  "We are usually the last person to leave."

WEDDING NOTES™ - A Print Primer

We like to remind our brides that their wedding invitations should be looked at as a gift the bride and groom give to their guests.  Invitations set the tone for the wedding to follow.  They introduce the level of formality and the theme of the wedding in addition to providing all of the necessary information of when and where.  Invitations are also the only keepsake that guests who are unable to attend will have.

We urge brides to spend time in the selection of the invitation because it is so important to the ceremony and celebration that it introduces to your guests.  There are a wide variety of papers and designs and print styles and wording options available.  Many print resources offer multiple choices and many will handle custom print jobs for brides to be.

In addition to a world of paper choices and designs, brides need to be aware of the various print styles available to enhance the design of this important piece of wedding information.  Here are the most popular printing methods.

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Letterpress Printing was the primary way text was printed.  A form was inked and then applied to paper with pressure and an impression was left on the paper.  It is a timeless way to print.

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Foil Stamping is similar to letterpress but instead of ink, a sheet of metallic foil is placed between a heated form and a sheet of paper.  Under pressure, metallic print is formed.

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Engraving is the traditional formal print style.  A piece of paper is pressed between two engraved metal plates a results in a raised design.  It is an elegant look.

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Thermography creates a look that is similar to engraved print but is less expensive to create.  Ink is combined with a resinous powder so that when heat is applied, the print is raised off the surface of the paper.  Unlike engraving, the back of the paper remains smooth.

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Digital or flat printing is the most familiar today.  It is cost effective and because it is done digitally, it is very versatile.

Our consultants can help you select the perfect paper, the right print style and the best design to capture the unique wedding that you have planned.