wedding streaming

Wedding celebrations are becoming social! You’ve seen the groom who pauses to update his Facebook status, or Tweet that he is officially married. Friends are taking photos at the wedding and uploading them to Facebook the next morning! Before you even get your professional wedding photos, you can watch as your guests start to populate your Facebook page with tons of wedding photos!

Friends or family who didn’t attend are able to comment on the photos, and share in your special day as well! Make that wedding sharing real-time by live wedding streaming your wedding. There are 3 HUGE reasons why you should live stream your wedding.

1) Save on Your Wedding Budget - Less live guests means saving on your wedding costs. Think about all those guests that you need to invite, but you don’t necessarily need them to attend. Send a wedding invite that allows them to take part in your wedding over the internet.

2) Experience the Wedding All over Again – Wake up the next morning and watch your wedding ceremony as if you were a guest. The wedding will be such a blur that you will want to capture the moment for you to remember! With live wedding streaming, you can watch your live wedding video of your ceremony and experience it all over again!

3) Share Your Wedding With All Your Friends and Family – You can’t invite all your Facebook friends to the wedding, but you CAN share the wedding with all of them real-time. Or, if you want to make the wedding private only to a select few, Marry Me Live sets up a password protected page that allows your “special” friends to leave comments on your “guest book”.

An engagement signals a thrilling and often overwhelming time for couples. There’s so much to do, so many choices and so little time.

One of the first tasks after setting the date and securing the venue is selecting your wedding invitation.
On the surface, it can appear to be straightforward. But with a huge array of choices in style, paper, color, design and print type, it can quickly become overwhelming. Use these essential components as a guideline and you will optimize the time you spend with your stationer:

• Style: Are you a traditionalist or trendsetter? Whimsical and fun-loving or a dreamy romantic? Whatever your personal style, it will dictate the invitation you select. With today’s resources and technology, you can create an invitation as individual as your relationship, factoring in your hobbies, wedding venue, where you two met or got engaged, etc.
• Paper: A heavier stock can convey elegance and formality, while a lighter weight paper gives off a more casual feel. Many of today’s couples also believe less is more, choosing to forgo multiple components to the invitation to reduce paper usage.
• Design: The sky’s the limit when it comes to the design of your wedding invitations these days. Because your wedding invitation is the first item your guests will see it should convey the style of your wedding while also representing you and your fiancé. The colors that you are using in your wedding can be incorporated into your invitation but you also have the option of going more classic and neutral. If you opt for a less colorful invitation, blind embossing is a great option. A bride may also choose to incorporate the location of her wedding into her invitations. For instance, if you’re getting married outside you can include natural elements, such as trees and flowers. Overall though, you should know going in that wedding invitations have come a long way from the very traditional, simple engraved cards of years past. Stationery companies and stationery specialists are more than willing to work with you to create the perfect design that suits your wedding and your personality.
• Fonts: There are countless fonts out there and each reflects a specific style. As with other invitation elements, the font should complement the overall design. In other words, Modern No. 20 works well with a contemporary invitation, while Old English Text MT would be reserved for a very formal, traditional affair.
• Printing: There are five types of printing used: engraving, thermography, letterpress, off-set and digital. Engraving employs a metal plate upon which the invitation wording is etched. Ink is then placed in the plate’s etchings and the plate is stamped out onto the invitation. It is the most traditional printing method and results in crisp lettering as well as a three-dimensional look. Thermography is essentially an imitation of engraving in which invitations are printed with ink and while still wet, are sprinkled with a clear powder and baked. While thermography has the same raised look that engraving has, this method produces print that is significantly shinier than engraving. Also, when using metallics, thermography will produce a duller look than engraving. Letterpress is a method where a plate is created and pressed down into the paper. This method requires a thicker stock of paper than the other printing methods. One major advantage when selecting letterpress is the flexibility of design – letterpress tends to be more customizable than engraving or thermography. A plate is also created with off-set printing but this plate is transferred to the paper and not pressed into the paper, creating a flat look. Digital printing is flat printing that is created with an inkjet or laser printer.

Your wedding invitation is a wonderful opportunity to get creative and be expressive. More importantly, it sets the tone for your wedding and if done thoughtfully, will generate excitement for your big day.

Every bride wants to stand out on her special day. Aside from personal touches, emerging trends are another way to make your wedding one of a kind.

Here are five areas (we’ll skip color since we cover it in this blog) where we see trends for those planning weddings:

• Theme: In the past, theme weddings were often viewed as tacky, mostly when the themes were taken over-the-top. Currently though, theme weddings are making a comeback. Themes range widely and are many times tied to the wedding’s location. Beach and vineyard-theme weddings are very common. If you go this route, just make sure all elements (invitations, flowers, venue, etc.) echo that theme – in both obvious and more subtle ways.
• Food: Food glorious food! In many of today’s weddings, the menu is taking center stage. Menu items include everything from a fresh twist on traditional American fare to more innovative exotic cuisine. Food trucks are gaining popularity as are mini versions of burgers, a spoonful of pasta or a shot glass of soup. A tradition once found solely in the South, the groom’s cake is sharing equal prominence with today’s wedding cake. Many brides are also favoring pies over wedding cakes, and offering up an array of desserts as opposed to just one. Printing up beautiful menus and/or cards identifying each dish is a lovely and much-appreciated touch, especially for those who might not be familiar with some of the selections or who have dietary restrictions.
• Flowers: Bouquet trends include everything from vintage to contemporary arrangements as well as delicate, whimsical arrangements in soft colors. Single color bouquets of more conventional flowers are as popular as a mix of vibrant, multi-colored exotics. Some brides will bling out their arrangements with Swarovski crystals, while others keep bouquets eco-friendly.
• Attire: What will inspire brides this year? Kate Middleton. Her wedding dress, inspired by Grace Kelly, is sure to be copied by countless fashion designers. Another trend to watch is Victorian-inspired gowns. Full skirts with lots of lace, a corset, high collar and perhaps even a choker will be seen on next year’s brides. However, it’s not just the actual ceremony that dictates the dress but the reception as well. Many brides are favoring a reception dress so they can really cut loose after the ceremony. Often these dresses are more casual and comfortable.
• Favors: Having a small treat or favor for your guests is a lovely way to show your appreciation for their participation in your special day. Personalized favors that represent the new couple remain popular. Making a CD of the couples’ favorite music makes a great and inexpensive gift that your guests can enjoy again and again. Many couples today are also choosing to donate to charity in their guests’ names as opposed to a traditional favor. You can have beautiful cards printed, explaining why you choose a particular charity, and leave them at each guest’s chair. More eco-conscious couples can personalize seed packets as favors.

It’s your special day so make it a memorable one. Just remember to incorporate trends that reflect you and not merely a passing fad.

Heidi Kallett is the CEO and President of The Dandelion Patch, a 16-year-old fine stationary store with locations in Vienna, Reston, and Leesburg, Virginia as well as Georgetown in Washington, DC. She has grown The Dandelion Patch by more than 425% since1994. Heidi serves on many non-profit boards and is a member of several area chambers of commerce and professional organizations. She is on the Advisory Board of the National Stationery Show in New York City. She is a past President of the Junior League of Northern Virginia and the current President-Elect for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater DC chapter. She is a frequent contributor to various magazines and blogs. For more information, visit http://www.thedandelionpatch.com.

Washington, DC was the sixth state in the US to pass a law in favor of gay marriage and is one of many states that supports marriage equality. With more states sure to follow, questions about the etiquette for weddings in the GLBT community are sure to arise. Overall, the etiquette for GLBT weddings is not that different from the etiquette used for any other wedding. Here are some guidelines to consider when selecting the wording for your wedding invitations.

Wording your invitation

Since this area is still new territory for many, the best advice is to follow what’s tried-and-true. Again, what goes for straight couples works equally well for gay couples. The traditional wording for a wedding should read as follows:

For those couples who are hosting the event themselves:

The pleasure of your company is requested at the wedding of

Michael Francis Smith

and

John Joseph Johnson

Saturday, the twenty-second of July

two thousand eleven

at one o’clock in the afternoon

Four Seasons Hotel

Washington, District of Columbia

reception to follow

or

Together with their families

Michael Francis Smith

and

John Joseph Johnson

request the pleasure of your company

at the celebration of their marriage

Saturday, the twenty-second of July

two thousand eleven

at one o’clock in the afternoon

Four Seasons Hotel

Washington, District of Columbia

reception to follow

For those couples whose parents are hosting the event:

Mr. and Mrs. David Smith

request the pleasure of your company

at the commitment ceremony

uniting their daughter

Sarah Elizabeth Smith

with

Jane Marie Jones

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Jones

Saturday, the twenty-fourth of September

two thousand eleven

at three o’clock in the afternoon

Dumbarton House

Washington, District of Columbia

reception to follow

No matter what the type of wedding you’re having, the appropriate etiquette is always important. Though the times are a changin’, the tradition of being a gracious host/hostess never goes out of style.

Heidi Kallett is the CEO and President of The Dandelion Patch, a 16-year-old fine stationary store with locations in Vienna, Reston, and Leesburg, Virginia as well as Georgetown in Washington, DC. She has grown The Dandelion Patch by more than 425% since1994. Heidi serves on many non-profit boards and is a member of several area chambers of commerce and professional organizations. She is on the Advisory Board of the National Stationery Show in New York City. She is a past President of the Junior League of Northern Virginia and the current President-Elect for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater DC chapter. She is a frequent contributor to various magazines and blogs. For more information, visit http://www.thedandelionpatch.com.

A weak economy. An increase in co-habitation before marriage. More transient families. These are just a few of the reasons that more Americans are choosing to elope rather than throw a royally lavish wedding.

Running Off to Tie the Knot

Though you don’t have the exciting build-up that comes with planning a wedding or the benefit of having all eyes on you (if that’s what you’re into), eloping does have it merits. Most obvious, it is much less expensive to elope than it is to throw the wedding of the century. What’s more, there’s a lot less stress and you can often have a lot more fun with it (think: Elvis impersonator as your best man at a little chapel in Vegas). You can even lighten up on the dress code for your elopement too.

In fact, many places are now marketing elopement packages in all colors of the rainbow. They include destination packages, bed and breakfast ones and the all-inclusive. The latter often touts everything from the actual ceremony and cake to the photographer and honeymoon. On average, elopement costs are about 10-20% of the price of a traditional wedding.

If you do decide to run off in the middle of night to pledge your love to one another, keep a few things in mind:

• Be sure to tell close family and/or friends in person before or immediately after the elopement. Though some may not be happy about it, it will help to alleviate hurt feelings (and shock) for most.
• Check the marriage licensing requirements before you hop on a plane somewhere to exchange “I dos”. Some destinations require a waiting period and even in the U.S., prerequisites vary from state to state.
• Send out elopement announcements shortly after you’ve sealed the deal. Like the first point, you’ll lessen disappointment if you do so promptly. The last thing you want is for your BFF to find out through a third party that you’re hitched.

Now that you’ve got your “Ts” crossed and your “Is” dotted, the fun begins.

Surprise! We Got Hitched!

An elopement reception is a great way to celebrate. Often, it can be a lot more fun than the traditional wedding reception. You’ve gotten through the stressful vow-taking part. It’s time to let loose and have a good time.

Just as the actual elopement can be a free-for-all in terms of style, the reception afterwards can be as casual or formal, romantic or whimsical, or as conventional or unique as you’d like. There is no set protocol to follow. On the other hand, keep the following points in mind as you plan the event and ultimately, celebrate:

• Host your event within in a month or two of your elopement. Any later, unless you’ve got a really good reason, isn’t in good taste and could seem as if you are fishing for gifts.
• Make sure you send out invitations and word them properly:

Jane Elizabeth Doe
And
John Joseph Smith
were married on the seventh of September
Two thousand eleven
In
Washington, District of Columbia

The pleasure of your company is requested at a reception in their honor
Sunday, the fourth of December
At
six o’clock in the evening
at
Shady Brook Country Club
1234 Elm Court
Washington, DC

Kindly reply by the fourth of November to 555-5555

• Recognize that your invitees are not obligated to come or even give you a present. You opted out of a traditional wedding and they didn’t get to witness the big event, so you can’t fault or expect them to on either front.
• Include a photo of the two of you on the day of your elopement. It can be part of the elopement reception invitation or can be displayed at the actual event. Either way, it will not only give guests a point of reference but will connect the two events.

An elopement can be an exciting and romantic way to begin your lives together. However, it is your family and friends who will help see you through the highs and lows of marriage, and an elopement reception is a good first step in that direction.

Heidi Kallett is the CEO and President of The Dandelion Patch, a 16-year-old fine stationary store with locations in Vienna, Reston, and Leesburg, Virginia as well as Georgetown in Washington, DC. She has grown The Dandelion Patch by more than 425% since1994. Heidi serves on many non-profit boards and is a member of several area chambers of commerce and professional organizations. She is on the Advisory Board of the National Stationery Show in New York City. She is a past President of the Junior League of Northern Virginia and the current President-Elect for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater DC chapter. She is a frequent contributor to various magazines and blogs. For more information, visit http://www.thedandelionpatch.com.

If you’re of a certain age, you’ve probably been to a wedding where the bride and groom choose a perennial favorite, “Colour My World” by Chicago as their first dance song. Though the song may be a little outdated, color does play an important role in nuptials. Keeping up with the latest color trends in wedding stationery will connote style.

Color of the Season

In Spring and Summer 2011, the most popular wedding colors we’ve seen include turquoise, coral, black, yellow, fuschia, deep red, chartreuse or apple green, slate grey, purple, and latte. This range of colors can convey various moods, depending upon the theme and location of the event as well as the bridal couple’s personalities and style. Generally, fresh, bright colors connote warmth.

Color trends, like fashion, vary from season to season. Spring and summer colors like coral and turquoise look out of place at a fall or winter wedding. Chillier months often dictate cooler colors such as those that Pantone.com suggests for Fall/Winter 2011. They include: bamboo (mustardy yellow), ember glow (muted coral), honeysuckle (rosy fuschia), phlox (rich purple), cedar (mossy green), deep teal, coffee liquer (brown), nougat (taupe), orchid hush (greyish lavender) and quarry (slate blue).

So how can you predict what colors will be hot for 2012? Look to the following:

• Take a cue from the runways: Vivid, jewel-toned colors like emerald green and cobalt blue continue to maintain popularity on the runways. Another color fashion trend is red-all shades of blood red, orange red and classic red. After all, it is the color of love and passion.
• Explore the latest trends in home fashions: With green living still on the rise, earth tones continue to be popular and eco-friendly, particularly when it comes to recycled stationery products.
• See the “painting” on the wall: Companies like Benjamin Moore are a good indication of where color palates are heading in the next year. Use these trends to build a color-scheme around your wedding as you would if you were decorating your home.

Match Made in Heaven

Some brides choose to keep it classic and elegant, abiding by tried and true color palettes. Others like to stay on trend. Many brides prefer a monochromatic theme, while more adventurous ones like a combination of colors.

If you are the later, just make sure that your colors complement one another. How do you know if they are well-matched? The obvious question would be: Do they look good together? However, we all know a bride or two who hasn’t been so adept at this process. A good rule thumb is to match a warm color with a cool color. For example, pairing cool lavender with an warm brown is a modern, yet elegant combination. Likewise, a turquoise is best complemented by a cool white for a crisp, minimalist effect. Think Tiffany.

It is well known that color affects mood. Make sure you select the right colors to reflect the mood you want to set. Whatever you choose, have fun during the process. After all, it’s your wedding and the planning should be as much fun as the actual event.

Heidi Kallett is the CEO and President of The Dandelion Patch, a 16-year-old fine stationary store with locations in Vienna, Reston, and Leesburg, Virginia as well as Georgetown in Washington, DC. She has grown The Dandelion Patch by more than 425% since1994. Heidi serves on many non-profit boards and is a member of several area chambers of commerce and professional organizations. She is a past President of the Junior League of Northern Virginia and the current President-Elect for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater DC chapter. She is a frequent contributor to various magazines and blogs. For more information, visit http://www.thedandelionpatch.com.

.
According to The Wedding Report, guests spent $6.9 billion on wedding gifts in 2008. Choosing the right gift within your budget can be a daunting process. However, it doesn’t have to be. Employ the following etiquette rules and tips (including a few for the bride and groom) and the process will be fun and stress-free:

• Location, location, location: Believe it or not, where the wedding takes place can actually dictate whether you give the bride and groom cash or a gift, and even how much you should give. This same approach also holds true for certain cultures; where a gift in one culture is the norm, while in another it might be frowned up in favor of cash.
• Registry blessing or curse: While the couple’s registry can be helpful, it can also be a dilemma. What if the items out of your price range? Conversely, if the remaining suggestions are very inexpensive, should you gift them or up the ante with another alternative? Shop the registry as soon as you R.S.V.P. That way, you’ll have more variety in price and selection. Either way, a personal note included in the gift is a nice touch for what can often be seen as impersonal items like toasters and espresso machines.
• Where cash is king: So the wedding takes place in a region or culture where cash is king. How do you determine what amount to give? There’s no clear cut answer. It depends on your circumstances, budget, age and relation to the couple. As a general rule, the Wedding Channel.com suggests $100 to $150 (or more) for a close friend or relative. For more casual friends or distant relatives, $100-125 is acceptable. A coworker warrants somewhere between $75-100. Bear in mind that these are guidelines. Only you can decide how much you are willing to give.
• Two for one no no: If you are bringing a guest or date, you should double the amount of cash you’d give or would spend on a gift. Though a bride and groom should never expect a monetary gift equivalent to the amount they’ve spent on you and your date’s reception meal and drinks, if you can afford it, it is a nice gesture.
• No show, no gift: So you can’t or don’t want to go to the wedding. Does it exempt you for sending a gift? Simply put, no. Unless it is a cash, check or gift certificate, send your gift ahead of time. That way, they don’t have to worry about collecting and transporting cumbersome presents after the wedding.
• The one year mark: There’s an urban legend that says a wedding guest has up to one year to present the betrothed with a gift. May I be so bold to say, “How lame!” Seriously, unless you have a really great excuse such as a family crisis, medical condition or financial straits, there’s no excuse to wait that long. It’s always best to present a gift on or before the event. At the maximum, do not wait longer than six months after the wedding.
• Heed not the “no gifts” request: Even if the bride and groom stipulate that they do not want gifts, you should still acknowledge them in some way. It can be in the form of a gift for their home, cash or a donation to charity. Though it is generous of the couple to “let you off the hook”, you should still commemorate this special occasion with a gift of some kind, even it is as simple as a heartfelt note on a beautiful piece of stationery.

A Little Advice for the Bride and Groom

So, we’ve told your guests how to treat you right. Now, we need to reinforce to you that it is equally important to treat them kindly-even if it is your day. With that said, please heed the following:

• Do let your guests know if you have a wedding registry and where. You can provide this information on your wedding website.
• Don’t decree that your guests buy specific gifts or give you specific dollar amounts. It’s unbecoming and puts guests in an uncomfortable position. If you are taking an extravagant honeymoon, please-oh please-do not ask your guests to foot the bill with cash gifts.
• Do accept each and every gift gracefully, no matter how big or small. By the same token, don’t equate a guest’s gift with the cost of their reception meal. Your ultimate goal is to share your special day with family and friends, not make a killing on the gifts and cash you receive.
• Don’t get too creative at your wedding reception (or your engagement party or bridal shower). What do we mean? Do not ask your bridal party or family to enlist guests to make a money tree for you or fork over a dollar a dance with you.

While guidelines are great, there is no greater present than your presence. So whether you’re the bride or a guest, always keep the focus on the celebration. Doing so will ensure memories that last long past any material gift.

Dorothy Gale said it best in “The Wizard of Oz”, “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.” Though it’s doubtful that Glenda the Good Witch will transport you home in her bubble, you can still enjoy all the festivities and announcements that go with a new house.

Joined in Marriage, Now Setting Up Your Love Nest

So your wedding wasn’t on the scale of Prince William’s and Kate Middleton’s affair. They are no different from you…at least not on the home front. As newlyweds, they’ll be busy setting up their own love nest just like you and your betrothed.

Once you’re done feathering it and accessorizing it with your wedding gifts, you’ll likely want to invite your family and friends over for a peek and to celebrate this new chapter in your lives.

The housewarming party is a great way to bring family and friends together to admire your handiwork and your new digs. After drawing up your guest list and choosing a date for the party, your next order of business should be selecting beautiful stationery to print all the details of this event. Some things to keep in mind include:

• Wording your invitation: Nowadays, anything seems to go. However, a good rule of thumb is wording it like this:

We have a new home!

You are invited to our housewarming on Sunday, April 12th from 2 pm to 6 pm

Bill and Susan Jones
1234 Just Wed Lane
Love City, Nevada 12345

Please R.S.V.P. 555-555-1212 by April 7th

• Defining the type of housewarming: Will it be a casual affair with backyard cookout food? A hip cocktail party with drinks and appetizers? A formal sit down dinner? Before selecting your housewarming stationery, consider what type of party you’ll have. It will dictate the style of invitations and even the font you select. What’s more, be sure to indicate on the invitation whether it is a dinner or just cocktails, so your guests will know what to expect and plan accordingly.
• Including a final important detail: Now that you’ve selected the date, time, menu and invitations, do not forget to include directions to your new home. They can be included as a supplemental sheet or on the invitation itself.

Come One, Come All to Our Open House

An open house is a great way to celebrate your new abode. This type of party works particularly well for many newlyweds, who might not have the space or adequate furnishings and housewares yet to accommodate every guest at once. Keep in mind the following:

• Starting Time: Though guests can arrive within the timeframe as they wish, they’ll need a point of reference. On the invitation, include the time you’d like the festivities to begin. However, bear in mind that you shouldn’t have specific activities planned that guests might miss because of the open ended invitation.
• Ending Time: Everyone has had one; the guest that wouldn’t leave. In an open house scenario, you either have to take a laid back approach and let people leave when they decide the fun is over, or set a pre-determined time to conclude the event. If the latter, you can state a time you’d like things to start winding down. Hopefully, your guests will pick up on this cue and leave the party within an hour of that designated time. On the invitation, you can phrase it as:

Please join us at our Open House
Saturday, May 4th
1 pm until 5ish?

Bob and Sue Hosts
123 Main Street
Anytown, USA 12345

• Filling in the Blanks: Since an open house can leave things to interpretation, it’s best to provide additional details such as whether there will be a buffet or what the dress code will be.

Oh the Places you’ll go!

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American moves 11.7 times in his or her lifetime. How will family and friends keep up, so they can ensure that their annual Christmas letter doesn’t get lost in the mail? You’ll give them the heads up.

The moving announcement, or change of address card as it is also known, is particularly important to those with whom you only communicate with a few times a year or only during the holidays.

To make it a bit more fun, you can craft a short little poem to precede your new address, phone and email, if pertinent. These announcements should be selected with as much thought as your other stationery items such as the tone, graphics and font.

You’ve started a new life together. A new home or move is a rite of passage in that process. Mark the occasion with as much style as you did on your wedding day!

Nowadays, second weddings, or encore weddings as they are also known, are as ubiquitous as firsts. And while we all hope that the second time will be a charm, there are some rules of etiquette that should be followed.

• Do check religious tenets before setting your heart on a traditional church ceremony. Some religions do not recognize divorce and therefore, will prohibit a religious ceremony in those cases. Generally, the more stringent the religious organization, the less likely you will be able to marry within it. If it is the case for you, then consider marrying at a non-denominational site or where your reception will be held.
• Don’t expect Mom and Dad to foot the bill. Chances are they paid for your first wedding, so the second one should be on you. However, if they are insistent on contributing, it is perfectly acceptable for them to do so but on a more moderate scale.
• Do skip the bridal shower. Between you and your betrothed, you probably have plenty of items to set up your household. If your friends or attendants want to have one for you, ask that they keep it very small and very simple. What’s more, tell them to let guests know that gifts are not expected.
• Don’t presume guests will bring, or should bring, wedding gifts. The event should be focused on your union. Additionally, many guests probably attended your first wedding. Anticipating gifts from them the second time around puts them in an awkward position. So encourage them to skip gifts and just share in your day.
• Do include your children in the wedding. After all, they are “marrying” into your blended families as well. If your children are old enough, they can serve as attendants, read Bible verses or a poem, offer a toast or participate in a candle lighting ceremony to join all of you as one family.
• Don’t let wedding rules constrain you too much though. The second time around should be less pressure-filled and more in line with your tastes and personalities. That said, have fun with your reception venue as well as your attire. The rules no longer dictate that a second marriage precludes the bride from wearing white. However, do choose something that reflects your personality, flatters your figure and is tasteful. You may choose the attendants you wish to participate in your day rather than those you feel obligated to include as well.
• Do get creative with your registry. If you choose to set up a registry, now is a great time to exercise your personality and values. You most likely need more china like you need a hole in your head. Instead, use this opportunity to direct gift-giving guests to support your favorite charity or help fund that bucket list dream trip.
• Don’t try to recreate your first wedding. All I’ll say here is, “Reminiscing on the first wedding is not a great way to start a second marriage.”
• Do follow stationery protocol with regard to announcements and invitations. Treat the second wedding invitation as you would the first. The same goes for an announcement. Formal second wedding? Print a formal invitation-heavier stock and engraving. Either way, ensure that the invitation represents your personalities and the style wedding you are hosting.

Though there are no hard and fast rules, the second wedding is an opportunity to plan better than the first. Even more important, it affords you an opportunity to showcase who you truly are, and to finally relax and enjoy the journey as much as the actual event.

Your BFF is getting married! What does any good bestie do? Throw her a bridal shower.

Where to begin? Who do you invite? What needs to be done? What should be served? Where should it be hosted? Who should help with the planning?

Whoa, nelly! Slow down. We’ll give you the 411 for an entertaining, memorable shower.

Showers of Happiness

Planning a bridal shower can be a lot of fun. It can also be wrought with headaches too. The information below goes a long way towards planning an event that will be fun for all:

Who should plan the bridal shower? As a rule of thumb, the maid of honor and/or bridesmaids should take the reins in planning.

What would be the next steps? Like any party, you need to figure out the date (somewhere around eight weeks prior to the wedding), venue, budget, theme (if any), and guest list. Traditionally, the maid of honor/bridesmaids foot the bill for this event.

What are some creative ideas for a bridal shower? The first point to consider is what would the bride like. The last thing you want to do is throw a themed shower that makes the bride feel uncomfortable or is not something that interests them. If your bride got engaged at a vineyard (or will be getting married there), a wine and cheese shower complements that theme. Today, such traditional events now include the opposite gender, so why not make it a co-ed event? Is the bride having a destination wedding in Hawaii? A backyard luau has the potential for great fun.

Who should I invite? Unless it’s a surprise, you can ask the bridal couple who they’d like to include. Though an Evite is becoming more acceptable nowadays, we still think that a beautiful paper invitation adds a special element to the event and provides a keepsake of the occasion for the bride. If the shower is a surprise, make sure you note it on the invitation so that no one inadvertently tells the bride.

What about the menu? Your menu will be dictated by the time of day the event will be held, your budget, number of guests and your/the bride’s preferences. A shower on a Sunday morning is a great opportunity to host a champagne brunch. A casual cookout on the deck works well for afternoon/early evening co-ed showers.

Should we have entertainment or plan games at the shower? Who doesn’t love games? The right one can keep a party moving and the guests engaged. One idea is to have each guest bring a picture of the bride and/or groom and post it to a bulletin board. Guests can then share their picture by relating when the picture was taken, how they know the bride or groom and even relate a funny story about them/the picture. Partygoers then will understand who each guest is and how they are connected to the bridal couple. Guests (and of course, the bridal couple) will get a kick out of taking a walk down memory lane. Of course, one traditional event is collecting all of the bows from the presents and attaching them to a paper plate with ribbon ties at either end. When the bride has finished opening all the gifts, you can place the whimsical bonnet on her head and take a photo. Sometimes brides save these hats and wear them at their bachelorette parties as well.

How should shower gifts be handled? Designate a spot where guests can drop off their gifts when they arrive. When you’re ready to have the bride open them, set up a chair next to her so that you can regulate the flow of gifts. Ask another bridesmaid to record each gift and who gave it to the bride, so that it’ll be easier for her to write thank you notes.

Do I have to provide favors to each guest? No. You aren’t obligated; though it is a nice touch. Many of the gifts I’ve suggested in the wedding guest favor and wedding party favor blogs are appropriate.

Ultimately, your goal should be to ensure that the bride has a pleasant and relaxing day. A well-planned event will bring showers of happiness rather than a downpour of stress. What’s more, it will be a great way to show the bride just how much you care.