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Wedding Planning Checklist
Groom's Checklist
Party Planning Checklist
Preparing Invitations
Color is very important when planning a wedding. Colors selected for weddings are sometimes carried throughout the entire event, such as: attire, decorations, invitations, receptions and all other essentials.
Wedding invitations are no longer traditional. Couples are matching their invitations to correspond with their theme wedding and colors. It is fundamental to select colors that correspond with the season of the year. Popular colors for the seasons of 2008 are:
Spring symbolizes a new beginning. Colors such as sky blue, celery, creamy butter, mellow yellow and pastel pink resonate with the blossoming of the season.
Summer arrives and everything is in full bloom and the weather has turned very warm and humid. Vibrant colors will abound – especially citron, lime, dark greens, teal, turquoise and hot pink.
Autumn is a time for spectacular colors. The leaves on the trees are showering the landscape with breathtaking colors: shades of deep red, terra cotta, mint sage, rich mocha and warm gold will reflect nature in all its glory.
Winter creates images of snowy landscapes and dark nights. Ebony black, white pearl, silver gray, deep burgundy, velvet blues, dark purples, and wine are elegant colors whose richness will reflect warmth at this coldest season of the year.
Wedding Invitations are selected once the location and theme of the wedding has been decided. Today, couples are moving away from the more traditional and formal wedding and opting for theme style weddings. The invitation you purchase should be a reflection on the type of ceremony and reception that the couple is planning but it should also be very personal.
There are things to consider when purchasing your invitation such as:
- Is the wedding formal, casual or traditional?
- Will it be a Destination Wedding?
- The color – does it correspond with the color scheme for the wedding?
- What is the theme if you are having a theme type wedding?
- The time of year – what season?
- Do you want a personalized verse or biblical verse in the invitation?
- Budget.
There are many types of styles to choose from. You might want something unique and whimsical. Traditional, formal or contemporary may be your choice or perhaps you would prefer a photo wedding invitation or a Disney themed invitation.
The invitation materials vary too. You may want a translucent vellum paper, bright white, soft white, parchment paper, floral, unique shimmer or a textured paper.
You may want the color of the invitation to coordinate with the theme color of the wedding. There are many colors to choose from and the season of the wedding should influence the selection of colors.
There are other cards that may be needed for a wedding. You may wish to send out a card announcing your engagement to family and close friends. They come in many styles, papers and colors.
Reception cards may be sent to guests that you have not invited to the ceremony but you wish them to attend the reception. This card could also be used for couples who are remarrying or are celebrating an anniversary.
Thank you cards should be sent out within 4 to 6 weeks of the ceremony. You may have them printed, blank or theme oriented. However, it is more personal to select a blank card and handwrite the note of thanks yourself.
Couples are now sending out save the date cards so that people will keep the wedding date free. It is especially important to do this if you are having a destination wedding, if many of your guests are traveling to your wedding, or if the date is around a holiday. These cards are sent out 4 to 6 months before the wedding. You may want to state, “invitation to follow,” so they don’t mistake this for the actual invitation. This type of card is not meant to be formal. It can incorporate the theme of your wedding, use the same color scheme and be made of the same paper as your wedding invitation. It can also be magnetic. You might want to send a photo magnet card or perhaps a card with a calendar and the date circled. The magnet card will serve as a reminder of your special day.
Other unique announcements to buy: fun tickets as a constant reminder of your special day; a beach save the date magnets and cards for tropical and destination weddings; a scratch-off invitation that reveals your wedding date; and precious moments® that displays your love for each other.
The Rehearsal dinner is a time for family and friends to come together to celebrate the upcoming wedding. Invitations are usually simple and are the domain of the groom’s family. However, the style of invitation is really dependent upon the type of rehearsal dinner planned. The invitation can be sent out anytime after the wedding invitation has been sent. But don’t wait to long to send them, especially in the case of those guests who are traveling to the wedding.
For a formal dinner you might wish to purchase an ultra heavy card stock in ecru. Be sure to state if it is “Black Tie.”
For a more casual dinner buy a more casual invitation. If it is a theme wedding, incorporate the theme into the invitation. Make it fun and use vivid colors. You might wish to reflect the location of the dinner. For example if you are having the dinner at a barbecue restaurant you might purchase a brownkraft paper with a western theme.
Another nice touch would be to purchase a dinner invitation with a picture of the engagement couple as a keepsake.
Today bridal showers are more relaxed and sometimes the groom is included. If it is for women only you might plan a spa day. If the shower includes couples you might have it at your favorite restaurant. Think of something unique.
The chic trend in bridal showers is to organize a theme party. Some suggestions are:
- A garden party hosted in a garden. The perfect invitation to buy is simply flowers with your garden table set with like flowers shown on the invitation. Napkins could also follow the floral theme. Purchase decorations that follow suit.
- A bridal tea party with delicious finger sandwiches, petit fours and fine teas. A perfect invitation to buy is bridal tea. You could purchase place cards, decorations and napkins using the same theme.
- A gourmet party where everyone brings their special gourmet recipe. Perfect invitations to purchase for this type of party are bridal shower recipe cards. The host might use a recipe card as a place card, giving her guests one of her own favorite recipes.
- A beach party with couples having a picnic and fun and sun on the beach.
- A dance the night away party. Invite couples to your favorite hangout for a night of fun and good cheer. A perfect invitation to purchase is a chic couple invitation.
Q. What is a Destination Wedding and why have one?
A. Couples may decide that there is a special place where they wish to have their wedding. This may be true when the couple comes from different parts of the country and so they decide to select a neutral area and one they believe they and their guests will enjoy. Many times the destination is in a tropical area such as Hawaii, Mexico or the Caribbean. Some may choose a location in Europe. The wedding party, family and guests will travel to the selected destination.
Q. What is a Unity Candle?
A. A unity candle consists of three candles. One or more people from the bride’s family comes up and lights one of the candles. The same is done by the groom’s family. At some other point during the ceremony the bride and groom take the candles and light the center candle which signifies the uniting of the two families.
Q. What is a favor?
A. The wedding favor is something that you give to your guests as a lasting memory of your wedding day. You want this to be something special. If you already have the theme of your wedding you should find it easy to select your favor. Your gift will be saying a thank you for sharing in your special day.
Q. Are the bride and groom still tossing the bouquet and garter?
A. It is a tradition to do so but many couples are choosing not to. Some brides want to keep their bouquet and if she is older, she may not have many single friends to catch the bouquet. The same is true for the groom tossing the garter. It is your wedding and you should do what is important to you
Q. What items does the bride need to purchase for the reception?
A. There are several items that are traditionally purchased for the reception.
Q. What items are needed for the ceremony?
A. Items needed depend on the type of ceremony you are having. Here are some suggestions that traditionally are used and may or may not apply to your wedding:
Q. Is it necessary to give a gift if not attending the wedding and if you are attending should you bring the gift to the reception?
A. You are not obligated to give a gift but most guests do. If you are attending gifts may be brought to the reception, but it is easier on the bride and groom if the gifts are sent in advance. Gifts of money or certificates are usually given at the wedding.
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