How to Simplify Your Wedding Guest List

When you stop and consider all the things you have to spend money on for your wedding guests (food, favors, venue space, etc...), you realize that the size of your guest list can make or break your wedding bank. We've all heard it over and over again..."the easiest way to cut down on your wedding expenses is to cut down the wedding guest list".

But how, exactly, do you determine who makes the cut? Answer: check out what is probably the best wedding hack I've seen in a long time. It's called Guest List in 30 Seconds--and it's awesome!

Via The Overwhelmed Bride

Wedding Monograms

Are you stuck on figuring out ways to personalize your wedding? Consider a wedding monogram. Hands down there is no easier way to personalize the look of your wedding than by slapping your initials all over it (in the loveliest of ways of course).

Monogram Uses

There is an endless list of possibilities on where and how you can use your wedding monogram. It’s commonly used on everything from invitations, napkins, cake toppers, menu cards, favors and of course in gobo lighting (that big lit up monogram you commonly see projected on reception dance floors and walls). 

Things to Consider

Since the monogram encompasses both the bride and grooms initials, both of you should be very involved in choosing the monogram for your wedding. Monograms come in so many styles and fonts that you will really have to carefully consider which one will best reflect your unique personalities and the tone you’re trying to create for your wedding.

Where to Find Your Monogram

This will largely depend on your budget. Your first choice would be to hire an experienced graphic designer, give them your ideas and ask them to help you create a custom monogram for your wedding. A cheaper alternative would be to choose from ready-made monograms. You can find lots of these on places like Etsy.

Once you have your wedding monogram ready, the fun begins as the possibilities on where and how to use it are ENDLESS.

belletristics

Wedding Planning Tip: Cocktail Hour Hors d’oeuvres

Do not skip hors d’oeuvres at your cocktail hour. There’s nothing worse than guests drinking for one or two hours with not enough food to eat.

Not sure whether to serve stationery hors d’oeuvres or passed hors d’oeuvres? As a rule of thumb, especially in a more casual atmospheres, stationery hors d’oeuvres are ok as long as there is enough to go around, and you set it up in a way where your guests don’t have to “stand in line” to grab a couple of appetizers (i.e., multiple stations or at least long double-sided tables). 

Always make sure your hors d’oeuvres are displayed in an attractive manner and not just thrown on a tray and haphazardly placed on a table. If you can, go ahead and splurge on passed hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour— they make a great first impression!

Style Me Pretty

Does the idea of all the attention on you as a bride freak you out?

Does the idea of all the attention on you freak you out? Many of the brides I work with tend to be on the introverted side. But that's ok! Here are some tips from Blissful Bride Coach Jennifer Gilchrist who is doing a 30-day series on becomming a blissful bride. Check her out:

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Nautical Wedding Favor Ideas

I love beach and nautical themed weddings. Below are of my favorite nautical-inspired wedding favor ideas that will add the perfect touch to these weddings. Design Tip: don't feel stuck by having to use the traditional navy blue, white and red colors. You can create a nautical theme using bright colors too!

Anchor Candy Cups, Nautical Twist Wine Bottle Stoppers, Sea Salt Favors, Sailor Knot Favor Boxes, Chevron Anchor Flasks, Mermaid Soap Favors, Compass Favor, Personalized Bottles

Real Wedding: Unconventional Wedding Venue Couple Shirani & David

Piggybacking on my last post about unconventional wedding venues...I want to give a big shout out to my newest clients Shirani and David who will be celebrating their nuptials at SAX DC (a burlesque lounge). Yes, you heard right, a burlesque lounge! Complete with dancers and all. When I first discovered what type of venue my client had chosen I was like HUH?! But it's not like what you would think at all!

At our venue walk through last week I got to see it for myself. The atmosphere was amazing! The entire venue was decadent and romantic and sexy (but in the best way). The whole restaurant is gold and very lux and VERY impressive looking! Think Marie Antoinette meets Interview with the Vampire. Yup, after one look I completely changed my mind. 

And the BEST part is...drum roll please...the stage, which is not a stage at all is a glass-enclosed burlesque stage box right above the bar. This also happens to be where my couple will be saying their "I do's". That's right, in a glass box high above a bar for all to see!

The logistics will be a bit challenging, as I'm starting to find out, because this venue is anything but typical for a wedding. But the venue staff (shout out to Angela) is awesome and has lot's of great ideas. In short, this wedding is going to be AMAZEBALLS! And maybe at the end of all of this I'll become an unconventional wedding expert lol.

What kind of unconventional wedding locations have you planned (or would like to plan) a wedding at? 

Photo credit: SAX DC, Yelp

Non-Traditional Wedding Venues

Reception halls and hotel ballrooms are not the only locations for wedding receptions. Today anything goes. A budget conscious bride may be able to find eclectic, wedding-friendly options; many of which may surprise your guests (in a good way). When selecting a non-traditional wedding venue it’s important to keep in mind the following:

Not all choices will end up costing less. The secret is being able to recognize the bargains.

Watch out for “hidden costs”. A non-traditional wedding location may be cheaper or free to rent, but also know that many times they will pose additional logistical challenges that a traditional wedding venue will not. The costs of making these locations event-ready, is where a lot of the “hidden costs” will come to light. Examples include Porta Potties, tables ,chairs, tents, electric generators, insurance, permits, and security. Additionally, many vendors will charge you extra for the additional staff and equipment needed to setup in a particularly challenging location.

Hire the right planning help. If you’re considering having your wedding in a non-traditional location, the best piece of advice I can give is to employ the services of a professional and experienced wedding designer and planner. They will be able focus on the services you need for each stage of your event (from electrical outlets, sink with water, refrigeration, etc.). This way you can more easily compare the total cost between your different options.

Wrapped Coture

Source: My Online Wedding Help