Don’t spend the money to purchase an expensive, fancy wedding planning binder (they can run $80-$200) when you can create your own. A binder provides one place to gather all things wedding related. Divide the binder into sections such as the subjects listed below. Use the checklists and timelines available in most wedding magazines and websites as your to-do list.
Following are items you need:
- 3-hole Binder
- Calculator
- Pen & Pencil
- Notepad or 3-hole punch lined paper
- 3-hole Dividers
- 3-hole Plastic Document Protectors
- Zippered plastic pouches
- Plastic Business Card Holders to hold twenty (20) Cards
Following are some section suggestions: Calendar, Task/To Do List or Timeline, Budget, Wedding Party, Guests, Attire & Beauty, Cake, Caterer, Music, Reception, etc.Remember: smart planning begins with smart organization!
Here’s one of my favorite sites for favors, favor packaging and other wedding accessories. They also have one of the best prices for votive candle holders:
www.cudge.net
Contact me if you are interested in attending a Bridal Party Open House at Tuscana West Restaurant, at 1350 I Street NW, on Saturday, April 5th from 5:00pm – 7:00pm.
Enjoy champagne and Italian hors d’ouevres and see the many ways Tuscana West can host your wedding related events: bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, and even your reception. Kindly RSVP by Wednesday, April 2nd.
I received a question from a bride today asking what she should do with the red walls at her reception site, especially since her wedding colors are white and yellow.
My response: use professional lighting to bring the guest’s eye away from the walls and to the guest tables, dance floor, and cake table and/or use up-lighting to soften the walls. And of course, dimming the lights won’t hurt. But bottomline: guests don’t pay too much attention to that stuff. It’s usually just the couple and the vendors who pick a location apart inch by inch.
Wedding Colors
One of the first design decisions in wedding planning is choosing your wedding colors. Consider these latest trends for a modern look:
- Get bold with color. Stronger hues such as jewel tones are favorites: emerald green, sapphire blue, royal purple, and deep burgundy red
- Wedding colors usually take a hint from the fashion runways…the color of the year: YELLOW. And the new accent color: Silver — pair steel colored attendant dresses with a deep burgundy, eggplant or pale pink bouquet
- Try one of these fresh color combinations for your wedding: Brown-Champagne, Pink-Orange-Lime, Yellow-Black-White, Purple-Brown-Lime, and Gold-Green
Food
Use some of these latest trends to ensure your wedding day meal is memorable:
- Foods presented in individual containers, such as: shot glasses, mini espresso cups, martini glasses, small plates/bowls, and spoons
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Soups: hot or cold served in little espresso cups or martini glasses
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Serve an Amuse-bouche before the first course (a bite-size dish)
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Beef, lamb, or halibut as an entrée
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Plated meals
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Unique drink bars: cappuccino, smoothies, hot cocoa, sangrias, or an after-dinner beverage bar serving cordials, brandy, or port
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Late-night snacks as a fond farewell after a long night of dancing: mini burger and fries, popcorn (served from an actual popcorn stand), warm petite donuts, Asian noodles served in a take-out box with chopsticks and a personalized fortune cookie from the couple, or warm cookies and milk
Cake/Dessert
- Individual cakes for each guest or each guest table
- “Pre-dessert” course, such as a sorbet or a small savory-sweet dish
- Sweet endings buffet
Favors
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Charity donations
- Travel Candles
- Theme favors
- Anything practical and useful
Themes
- “Green” Weddings
- Destination Weddings
- Ethnic-Inspired
Other Unique Trends
- After reception get-togethers
- A unique first dance
- Live entertainment: magicians, dance troupes, salsa instructors, comedienne
- Elaborate, personalized paper goods
- Square tables
- Colored glassware
- Geometric dinnerware
- Color transition from the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception: go for an all-white ceremony to a pale hued cocktail hour and finally to a richly colored reception
- Soft seating vignettes for the cocktail hour
- Clusters of small arrangements interspersed with candles of various heights
- Photo booths
- Lucite chairs
