The Maid of Honor is usually the bride's closest sister. Otherwise, she could be the bride's cousin or best friend. Sometimes the bride's sister or best friend will be married and thus would be called the Matron of Honor instead of the Maid.
One thing is for sure, the bride's mother should not be the Matron of Honor. The bride's mother is the hostess and should not be in the wedding party.
Having Both a Maid and Matron of Honor
Sometimes the bride will decide to have both a Maid of Honor and a Matron of Honor. In this case, the "Maid" stands closest to the bride, holding her bouquet and serving as the witness.
You may or may not choose to have an extra groomsmen for the Matron of Honor because her husband will join her during the reception. She and the Maid of Honor could both walk in the recessional with the Best Man.
Responsibilities
The Maid and/or Matron of Honor should do all of the following:
help the bride address invitations
plan the hen party
help the bride dress for the wedding
help the bride arrange her train and veil at the ceremony
sign the wedding certificate as a witness
stand in the receiving line
bustle the bride's train
help the bride change clothes after the reception
take care of the wedding gown after the wedding (usually taking it to a professional cleaner)
help with any additional wedding tasks
Monday, 12 July 2010
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Seasonal Summer Wedding Flowers
The best of what's in bloom for your summer wedding. Choosing flowers that are in-season for your wedding will not only ensure that they look great, it'll also save you money!Summer weddings set the perfect stage to showcase colorful, cheerful, and blossoming flowers. What is affordable and easy to get this time of year? You will find some cross over from springtime flowers and some new comers for the season. Remember, it’s possible to get almost any flower any time of year, budget permitting; but for those of you interested in being more eco-conscious and seasonal, consider the following for your summertime nuptials:
Calla Lilies are a carryover from spring, and are available in early summer (June). Their vibrant and versatile color options make a summertime table burst with joy and their sleek shape can create a dramatic, single-flower bouquet.
Orchids have become one of the most popular wedding flowers of late. They no longer just speak to a tropical event or a modern look. Mixed in with roses, hydrangeas, or moss, the look changes dramatically, making the orchid a very versatile flower. You will find they are least expensive in late spring through summer.
The Daisy is a quintessential summertime flower. The look is a little less formal, so the daisy is only suited for certain events. They make fantastic and inexpensive outdoor centerpieces and come in a variety of happy and bright colors.
Dahlias are bold in shape and color and tend to lend themselves to a fall or late summer look (though available throughout the summer months).
Don’t forget the favorite – the rose. Always available for weddings, roses are abundant this time of year.Other flowers, less frequently found at weddings, but also readily available; include the poppy, carnations (making a come back), pansies, sunflowers, geraniums, and hyacinth. Mix and match and make a statement with your seasonal, colorful, and memorable bouquet.
Calla Lilies are a carryover from spring, and are available in early summer (June). Their vibrant and versatile color options make a summertime table burst with joy and their sleek shape can create a dramatic, single-flower bouquet.
Orchids have become one of the most popular wedding flowers of late. They no longer just speak to a tropical event or a modern look. Mixed in with roses, hydrangeas, or moss, the look changes dramatically, making the orchid a very versatile flower. You will find they are least expensive in late spring through summer.
The Daisy is a quintessential summertime flower. The look is a little less formal, so the daisy is only suited for certain events. They make fantastic and inexpensive outdoor centerpieces and come in a variety of happy and bright colors.
Dahlias are bold in shape and color and tend to lend themselves to a fall or late summer look (though available throughout the summer months).
Don’t forget the favorite – the rose. Always available for weddings, roses are abundant this time of year.Other flowers, less frequently found at weddings, but also readily available; include the poppy, carnations (making a come back), pansies, sunflowers, geraniums, and hyacinth. Mix and match and make a statement with your seasonal, colorful, and memorable bouquet.
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Creating the Wedding Seating Plan
I was reading this article and thought l would share with you on my blog
Creating the Wedding Seating Plan
When should you start your wedding seating plan? The answer is - as soon as possible! Certainly don't wait for all of your RSVPs to come in or you'll end up having a huge rush to try to organise the whole seating plan at the last moment. You'll know about your close friends and family, so start working out a seating plan as soon as possible.
It's always a good idea to visit the venue and ask them about the availability of tables, whether there are long tables, round, or both. The venue may be able to offer advice on the best way to fit tables into the room. Knowing what's available, and having a general idea about possible seating plans will allow you to start thinking about your own plan.
If you intend to draw a plan out on paper - make sure you have a huge pad, plenty of pencils and a lot of time! There will almost certainly be numerous revisions - some major, some minor. If you decide to use sticky bits of paper, this can become very fiddly. Save time, spare yourself a headache and reduce waste paper - use a more dynamic solution such as Excel, or an online wedding seating planner such as Toptableplanner.
Using a simple-to-use computer-based seating planner such as Toptableplanner you'll be able to make major changes with a few clicks, and minor changes in much less time than it would take to draw it all out again by hand. There are so often instances when changes have to be made the day before because someone is ill or otherwise unable to attend. Making changes to your seating plan the day before your wedding isn't good for the nerves!
Once you've made your changes, printing copies off for the venue is quick and simple. When it comes to wedding seating plans - thank goodness for the twenty first century!
© Toptableplanner 2010
Creating the Wedding Seating Plan
When should you start your wedding seating plan? The answer is - as soon as possible! Certainly don't wait for all of your RSVPs to come in or you'll end up having a huge rush to try to organise the whole seating plan at the last moment. You'll know about your close friends and family, so start working out a seating plan as soon as possible.
It's always a good idea to visit the venue and ask them about the availability of tables, whether there are long tables, round, or both. The venue may be able to offer advice on the best way to fit tables into the room. Knowing what's available, and having a general idea about possible seating plans will allow you to start thinking about your own plan.
If you intend to draw a plan out on paper - make sure you have a huge pad, plenty of pencils and a lot of time! There will almost certainly be numerous revisions - some major, some minor. If you decide to use sticky bits of paper, this can become very fiddly. Save time, spare yourself a headache and reduce waste paper - use a more dynamic solution such as Excel, or an online wedding seating planner such as Toptableplanner.
Using a simple-to-use computer-based seating planner such as Toptableplanner you'll be able to make major changes with a few clicks, and minor changes in much less time than it would take to draw it all out again by hand. There are so often instances when changes have to be made the day before because someone is ill or otherwise unable to attend. Making changes to your seating plan the day before your wedding isn't good for the nerves!
Once you've made your changes, printing copies off for the venue is quick and simple. When it comes to wedding seating plans - thank goodness for the twenty first century!
© Toptableplanner 2010
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Who Pays for the Wedding?
Whether it's just your parents, you alone, or a combination, you'll want to know all the pros and cons of who pays for the wedding.
These days, the cost of a wedding makes a year at Harvard and Yale look affordable. How are you going to scrape together the money so you can have the bash you want? You have options -- legal, time-honoured, respectable options... Here's a rundown of some of them, plus their pros and cons. Keep in mind that a combination of two or more may be how you end up getting your wedding paid for.
The Bride's Parents Pay
The traditional and still pretty popular way of paying for the wedding.
If everyone is contributing, pool all the money upfront and then see what your bottom line is. It's much easier than saying "mom takes care of the gown, the flowers and the band" we take care of the rest.
The Pros:
You don't have to dip into your nest egg to pay for the wedding, which means you'll probably be driving a better car, buying a better house and taking better holidays a year from now than your contemporaries who are paying -- in full or partially -- for their own wedding.
The Cons:
The person who pays ultimately gets what he or she wants which means that if you want 100 guests but your parents want 250, you'll probably end up with at least 175 to 200 people at your wedding. Having your parents pay for the wedding doesn't hurt your wallet, but you have to be willing to compromise on what the wedding will be like." Another downside: Having your parents pay for the wedding especially if they're retired, on a fixed income, or just not that well off to begin with could strap them down with some major debt.
Everyone Pays
A contemporary and effective way of taking care of wedding expenses is for the two of you, the bride's family, and the groom's family to split the expenses. It works best, she says, if you simply take the whole cost of the wedding and divide it three ways, rather than dole out specific things to pay for: "For example, if you let your parents pay for the dinner, then they may be inclined to invite more guests. If you can't divide it equally say one party is more or less wealthy than the other two ask that party what's comfortable for them to give, and throw it into the pot. But just because his family, for example, is giving four times as much money as yours doesn't mean they get four times more say. You're handling this as a group, and one person can't push his or her weight around." The key to making this work, she cautions, is negotiation and compromise.
The Pros:
By pooling your resources, you may be able to afford the kind of wedding you want. You also may not have to empty your savings account to get it. What's more, since everyone is contributing which means everyone gets a say you're not likely to make one side or the other feel left out.
The Cons:
By accepting money from other people, you do give up some control. But there are always solutions. If you want a DJ but the parents want a band, look for a band that also works with a DJ, who can play during the band's break. Or if you want a buffet reception and your parents want a seated dinner, perhaps have food stations, but arrange for waiters to serve your parents and their friends at assigned tables,
You Two Pay for Everything
More the norm than you might think. As more and more brides and grooms marry later stockpiling those Christmas bonuses, merit raises, and dividend checks more and more couples are in a good position to foot the entire wedding themselves.
The Pros:
Money talks, and as such, you will have total control over all aspects of the wedding. If you want to get married in a bikini on the beach and dance to a reggae band at the reception, you do it. Your mum may think it's an outrage, but in the end, who does not open their wallet can't dictate to you.
The Cons:
You might deplete your savings (and rack up some debt if you take out a loan or charge on your credit card). You also run the risk of offending your parents if you refuse their financial help. To remedy the situation, you might accept a nominal sum from them, or let them pay for something you don't have strong opinions about say the flowers. In any event, don't shut your parents out of the wedding planning process. Encourage their input they may even have a good idea or two compromise where you can, and stick to your guns on the things that are really important.
If anything creates problems in planning a wedding, its money to sidestep problems, you need to do a lot of communicating with your partner and both families. If you don't, there will be trouble truer words were never spoken!
These days, the cost of a wedding makes a year at Harvard and Yale look affordable. How are you going to scrape together the money so you can have the bash you want? You have options -- legal, time-honoured, respectable options... Here's a rundown of some of them, plus their pros and cons. Keep in mind that a combination of two or more may be how you end up getting your wedding paid for.
The Bride's Parents Pay
The traditional and still pretty popular way of paying for the wedding.
If everyone is contributing, pool all the money upfront and then see what your bottom line is. It's much easier than saying "mom takes care of the gown, the flowers and the band" we take care of the rest.
The Pros:
You don't have to dip into your nest egg to pay for the wedding, which means you'll probably be driving a better car, buying a better house and taking better holidays a year from now than your contemporaries who are paying -- in full or partially -- for their own wedding.
The Cons:
The person who pays ultimately gets what he or she wants which means that if you want 100 guests but your parents want 250, you'll probably end up with at least 175 to 200 people at your wedding. Having your parents pay for the wedding doesn't hurt your wallet, but you have to be willing to compromise on what the wedding will be like." Another downside: Having your parents pay for the wedding especially if they're retired, on a fixed income, or just not that well off to begin with could strap them down with some major debt.
Everyone Pays
A contemporary and effective way of taking care of wedding expenses is for the two of you, the bride's family, and the groom's family to split the expenses. It works best, she says, if you simply take the whole cost of the wedding and divide it three ways, rather than dole out specific things to pay for: "For example, if you let your parents pay for the dinner, then they may be inclined to invite more guests. If you can't divide it equally say one party is more or less wealthy than the other two ask that party what's comfortable for them to give, and throw it into the pot. But just because his family, for example, is giving four times as much money as yours doesn't mean they get four times more say. You're handling this as a group, and one person can't push his or her weight around." The key to making this work, she cautions, is negotiation and compromise.
The Pros:
By pooling your resources, you may be able to afford the kind of wedding you want. You also may not have to empty your savings account to get it. What's more, since everyone is contributing which means everyone gets a say you're not likely to make one side or the other feel left out.
The Cons:
By accepting money from other people, you do give up some control. But there are always solutions. If you want a DJ but the parents want a band, look for a band that also works with a DJ, who can play during the band's break. Or if you want a buffet reception and your parents want a seated dinner, perhaps have food stations, but arrange for waiters to serve your parents and their friends at assigned tables,
You Two Pay for Everything
More the norm than you might think. As more and more brides and grooms marry later stockpiling those Christmas bonuses, merit raises, and dividend checks more and more couples are in a good position to foot the entire wedding themselves.
The Pros:
Money talks, and as such, you will have total control over all aspects of the wedding. If you want to get married in a bikini on the beach and dance to a reggae band at the reception, you do it. Your mum may think it's an outrage, but in the end, who does not open their wallet can't dictate to you.
The Cons:
You might deplete your savings (and rack up some debt if you take out a loan or charge on your credit card). You also run the risk of offending your parents if you refuse their financial help. To remedy the situation, you might accept a nominal sum from them, or let them pay for something you don't have strong opinions about say the flowers. In any event, don't shut your parents out of the wedding planning process. Encourage their input they may even have a good idea or two compromise where you can, and stick to your guns on the things that are really important.
If anything creates problems in planning a wedding, its money to sidestep problems, you need to do a lot of communicating with your partner and both families. If you don't, there will be trouble truer words were never spoken!
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Wedding invitations
A client asked me the other day what are wedding invitations and what format should they be? So i thought i would write a blog about this.
A wedding invitation is a letter asking the recipient to attend a wedding. It is typically mailed six to eight weeks before the wedding date. Wedding invitations may be printed using one of the following methods: engraving, lithography, thermography, letterpress printing, sometimes blind embossing, offset printing, and more recently, on laser and inkjet printers as many do-it-yourself brides are printing on their home computers. Invitations can be ordered from an artist, or vendor specializing in invitations. For the artistically inclined, they can be handmade.
Traditionally, wedding invitations are mailed in double envelopes. The inner envelope may be lined, is not gummed, and fits into the outer envelope. The outer envelope is gummed for sealing and addressing. Tissues are often provided by manufacturers to place over the engraved text, originally this tissue protected the engraving against smudging or blotting, but improved printing techniques mean they are now simply decorative.[1] More recently, the inner envelope is often left out in the interest of saving money and postage. In some cases, a pocketfold takes the place of an inner envelope. Traditionally, the mother of the bride addresses the wedding invitations. However, if she chooses not to, the mother of the bride may outsource this responsibility to a professional calligrapher or a friend with good penmanship. With computer technology, some are able to print directly on envelopes from a guest list using a mail merge with word processing and spreadsheet software.
A wedding invitation is a letter asking the recipient to attend a wedding. It is typically mailed six to eight weeks before the wedding date. Wedding invitations may be printed using one of the following methods: engraving, lithography, thermography, letterpress printing, sometimes blind embossing, offset printing, and more recently, on laser and inkjet printers as many do-it-yourself brides are printing on their home computers. Invitations can be ordered from an artist, or vendor specializing in invitations. For the artistically inclined, they can be handmade.
Traditionally, wedding invitations are mailed in double envelopes. The inner envelope may be lined, is not gummed, and fits into the outer envelope. The outer envelope is gummed for sealing and addressing. Tissues are often provided by manufacturers to place over the engraved text, originally this tissue protected the engraving against smudging or blotting, but improved printing techniques mean they are now simply decorative.[1] More recently, the inner envelope is often left out in the interest of saving money and postage. In some cases, a pocketfold takes the place of an inner envelope. Traditionally, the mother of the bride addresses the wedding invitations. However, if she chooses not to, the mother of the bride may outsource this responsibility to a professional calligrapher or a friend with good penmanship. With computer technology, some are able to print directly on envelopes from a guest list using a mail merge with word processing and spreadsheet software.
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
I have looked at these bags and thought they are differant so wanted to share this website with you all
TEEP DESIGNSWith couples jet-setting the globe to wed in the tropics these days, gifts for your maids and family must be equally as well traveled. Teep Designs is a line of handbags and accessories using naturally occurring florals from Thailand, yet its pieces find homes all over the globe. Begun as a gift from a son to mother, Marala Tamprateep and her husband went in search of indigenous flowers in the mountains of Chiang-Mai, the home of their extended family. Using lotus blossoms, orchids, hibiscus, roses, and more, this family-owned business creates its collections with real flower blossoms that translate into vibrant additions to the most fashionable of wardrobes. Order a clutch, tote, coordinating wallet or makeup bag adorned with flowers found from your wedding locale. Because the flowers are picked from their gardens, no two are exactly alike, each handmade, making a perfect package for maids and moms that will feel like you picked yourself. Teep Designs www.teepdesigns.us
TEEP DESIGNSWith couples jet-setting the globe to wed in the tropics these days, gifts for your maids and family must be equally as well traveled. Teep Designs is a line of handbags and accessories using naturally occurring florals from Thailand, yet its pieces find homes all over the globe. Begun as a gift from a son to mother, Marala Tamprateep and her husband went in search of indigenous flowers in the mountains of Chiang-Mai, the home of their extended family. Using lotus blossoms, orchids, hibiscus, roses, and more, this family-owned business creates its collections with real flower blossoms that translate into vibrant additions to the most fashionable of wardrobes. Order a clutch, tote, coordinating wallet or makeup bag adorned with flowers found from your wedding locale. Because the flowers are picked from their gardens, no two are exactly alike, each handmade, making a perfect package for maids and moms that will feel like you picked yourself. Teep Designs www.teepdesigns.us
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Wedding Cakes
Your wedding cake is the centrepiece of your reception. So take as much care in choosing one as you would in picking out the perfect wedding dress. Here are some key questions to ask your cake baker. Do you customize wedding cakes?
Will the cake baker create a custom cake, or are there set styles to choose from? Look at photos and actual cakes, if possible. Be sure to bring pictures, fabric swatches, and other resources if you have a custom style in mind.
What are my filling choices?
Find out what filling choices are available and what ingredients are used. Whether you're looking for a fruity filling like strawberry or orange; or a heavier mocha or chocolate, the type of ingredients used will make all the difference in taste. Some common filling ingredients: fresh fruits or purees, Italian buttercream, and farm-fresh buttercream.
If you want to garnish your cake with fresh flowers, find out whether your cake designer will work with your florist or you are responsible for the blooms.
How far in advance are wedding cakes prepared?
Keep in mind that cake bakers often have more than one cake per weekend to prepare. So don't be surprised if your baker makes your cake three to four days prior to your wedding day. Of course, the closer to your wedding date the better.
Who will bake my wedding cake?
Some bakeries house a baker and a designer; at other places, one person creates the entire cake from batter to sugar flowers. Find out how many people work with the baker and who exactly will be making yours. Whether it's a single person or a team of people, however, the number involved should have no bearing on the quality of your cake.
How are your wedding cakes priced?
It's common for wedding cakes to be priced by the slice. And the price will increase depending on the complexity of flavors and fillings you're after. This goes for custom-designed cakes as well. The more intricate the details, the higher the cost.
Does the wedding cake price include the top tier?
Depending on the baker, the top tier may or may not be included in the overall price. Find out the cake baker's policy, and whether having a top tier will add money to your bill.
What is the delivery process?
Some cake bakers will deliver your wedding cake to the reception for an added fee, while others ask that you have someone pick it up the day-of. Ask the baker how deliveries are usually handled, and if you're planning to order a large, delicate, or at all complicated cake, know that delivery is well worth the peace of mind.
Your wedding cake is the centrepiece of your reception. So take as much care in choosing one as you would in picking out the perfect wedding dress. Here are some key questions to ask your cake baker. Do you customize wedding cakes?
Will the cake baker create a custom cake, or are there set styles to choose from? Look at photos and actual cakes, if possible. Be sure to bring pictures, fabric swatches, and other resources if you have a custom style in mind.
What are my filling choices?
Find out what filling choices are available and what ingredients are used. Whether you're looking for a fruity filling like strawberry or orange; or a heavier mocha or chocolate, the type of ingredients used will make all the difference in taste. Some common filling ingredients: fresh fruits or purees, Italian buttercream, and farm-fresh buttercream.
If you want to garnish your cake with fresh flowers, find out whether your cake designer will work with your florist or you are responsible for the blooms.
How far in advance are wedding cakes prepared?
Keep in mind that cake bakers often have more than one cake per weekend to prepare. So don't be surprised if your baker makes your cake three to four days prior to your wedding day. Of course, the closer to your wedding date the better.
Who will bake my wedding cake?
Some bakeries house a baker and a designer; at other places, one person creates the entire cake from batter to sugar flowers. Find out how many people work with the baker and who exactly will be making yours. Whether it's a single person or a team of people, however, the number involved should have no bearing on the quality of your cake.
How are your wedding cakes priced?
It's common for wedding cakes to be priced by the slice. And the price will increase depending on the complexity of flavors and fillings you're after. This goes for custom-designed cakes as well. The more intricate the details, the higher the cost.
Does the wedding cake price include the top tier?
Depending on the baker, the top tier may or may not be included in the overall price. Find out the cake baker's policy, and whether having a top tier will add money to your bill.
What is the delivery process?
Some cake bakers will deliver your wedding cake to the reception for an added fee, while others ask that you have someone pick it up the day-of. Ask the baker how deliveries are usually handled, and if you're planning to order a large, delicate, or at all complicated cake, know that delivery is well worth the peace of mind.
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