Unique Table Gifts For An Outstanding Wedding Reception
Every couple getting married would desire that their wedding would be such a different one from the others, and one way of ensuring it is by providing guest with unique wedding favors that will really capture their interest.
It seems that there is a thousand and one details that you have to attend to when organizing for your dream wedding day. From the venue of your wedding ceremony to the reception where you will party till the break of dawn, to the menu and the catering management that will take care of it all, to the list of guests that will bear witness to the emotional exchanges of “I dos” that will eventually determine the number of invitations to be made, to the flowers and decorations and fitting clothes to don, a wedding is truly one huge event where the risk of forgetting something is high. Just like the case that goes with tokens of appreciation.
A wedding favor is a perfect token of appreciation that the newly-wed couple could render to their guests, so it is only but important to carefully consider what kind of keepsakes you are going to give out. These little table gifts also serve as a delightful reminder of your wedding 5 to 10 years later. Now, of course you only desire to have sweet and lovely memories of the day you tie the knot with the most significant person in your life.
One good tip is for you in choosing for a gift that will suitably go well with whatever theme you’re going to adapt for your wedding. Color coordination is another thing being considered when choosing for a wedding favor. If the prescribed wedding motif is green, it’s most probable that wedding favors will come in boxes of green or with laces and ribbons in various shades of green are in color green themselves. You may also seek the opinions and suggestions from you families and close friends. You may also surf the Web or visit bookstores to get some unique ideas.
You can also make your guests bring home the music that serenaded them during the wedding. No, you will not hire the orchestra or the choir, not even a single soloist to go to the individual homes of your guests and play or sing something for them upon request. That’s not being unique, that’s being silly already. But if you’re a millionaire or just happen to allocate a hefty sum for your wedding, why not try it out for some quite unusual keepsakes. Or if by chance you and your partner are musically-inclined, well, you may pay the most intimate people in your guest list a visit after the honeymoon and then serenade them with whatever musical talent you possess.
More seriously though, making your guests bring home the music means that you will compile the roster of songs you picked for the wedding ceremony in one compact disc. Now that’s what you may deem to be a uniquely and sentimentally wonderful wedding favor to have and to give, right? You can also personalize the CD by putting in some designs into it (courtesy of a PC). CD burning is quite popular and quite affordable as well especially if you have your own computer with its own CD burner feature. You could actually give two CDs: one containing the songs played during the ceremony and another one that is a compilation of yours and your partner’s all-time favorite love songs. And, if you will really extend some effort, why not also include a couple of songs that you know your guest would love to hear. Now that’s being sweet and unique at the same time!
Just remember the groom and the bride should go hand in hand in thinking and scouting for the right wedding favor to come up with something that is uniquely theirs.
Shot Glass Wedding Favors For Additional Fun At Your Reception
Shot glass wedding favors are a special way to show your appreciation to your guests for sharing your day. With a bit of imagination, these keepsakes celebrate your day and become lasting keepsakes for your friends and family.
Fun and shot glasses go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly. People sink their favorite drinks from a shot glass to celebrate all different moments or simply to party. These unique tokens of appeciation are a symbol of your wedding festivities. When your guests bring them home, they will display them in their china closets or on their bar to remember your special day.
They are versatile. Display votives or tealights in shot glasses to use as individual place setting decorations or centerpieces in groups. Give the guests personalized shot glasses during the toast to the bride and groom. Fill them with candies, nuts or Jordan almonds and tie them with tulle and ribbon to create breathtaking favors for your guests.
Choose a design to match your wedding theme. Romance is a universal theme for any type of wedding. Reflect your love with two hearts on a double heart shot glass. State it simply with a “Live, Love, Laugh” shot glass.
At an ethnic wedding, bring authenticity with themed table gifts. Give out double happiness wedding favors at an Oriental theme wedding. Shot glasses featuring the Star of David are treasured at a Jewish wedding.
Princess brides dream of Prince Charming, castles and a honeymoon in Paris. Show off your fairytale fantasies come to life with castle shot glasses. Go all out with keepsakes featuring the Eiffel Tower. If you decide to go to Vegas for your honeymoon instead, use them featuring triple sevens to show off you hit the love jackpot on your wedding day.
Flowers are another popular wedding theme. Use party favors with images to match your bouquets including sunflowers, roses, calla lilies or daisies. Seasonal wedding are another popular choice for many couples. A snowflake shot glass is ideal for a winter wedding. Elegant falling leaves are perfect for an awesome autumn wedding.
Include traditional wedding symbols on your presents. Images of a wedding cake or champagne flutes capture the essence of your wedding reception. Shot glass wedding favors are a memorable, fun way to say thanks to all your guests.
Wedding Favors Should Not Be Looking Cheap
Your wedding favors should never look cheap or cheesy. After all, these keepsakes thank guests for sharing your day and become lasting treasures when the party is over.
Select inexpensive wedding favors carefully so they look attractive without going over your budget. Wedding planning can get pricey and setting a budget is imperative to have a successful day. Create a realistic wedding budget before you start shopping so you have a guideline when you begin. Remember, party favors are better than having no tokens of appreciation because you budgeted improperly - or not at all.
Have a wedding budget that is accessible and simple for everyone. If you work well with a notebook and pen, keep your financial plan in a ledger. For tech savvy couples, a computer budget may be a better option. Either way, have a plan and stick to it because it is the backbone of your big day. Gage your financial progress as you go by updating your budget to avoid future financial crisis.Guests look forward to receiving favors at your wedding reception. Themed wedding favors are a thoughtful way to thank your guests. Make sure they are both cost-effective and attractive.
Consider affordable, plantable gifts for your guests. For a fair price, plantable wedding favors are an impressive gift that keeps giving because your guest can plant them. In romantic shapes such as hearts and flowers, plantable ones will remind everyone of your special day when the flowers grow.
Use place card holders that double as favors so you don’t have to pay for two separate items. An ideal option is a place in my heart bud vase and place card holder with a single silk blossom. This elegant favor guides guests to their seats and goes home after the reception to be displayed in a place of honor.
Use outstanding presentation to make them look more exciting. Buy candies or Jordan almonds in bulk to put in attractive packaging and create your own favors. Your guests will love to get goodies in mini calla lily pails, enchanted carriage favor boxes or a getaway car favor box with expandable convertible top and tin cans.
Add pizzazz to inexpensive wedding favors with sparkles, personalized ribbons and tulle in a rainbow of colors and styles. Personalized ribbon is a cheap way to customize them.
Funny Wedding Toasts and the Strategies that Make them Great
If you are like most people, the prospect of writing a toast is much different than the dread of delivering it. Even the most seasoned public speaker will tend to get a little nervous delivering a toast partly because of the public speaking aspect, but also because of the fact that a wedding toast is different in terms of the special significance it holds.
A speech on the latest company profits or an educational initiative is one thing, feting your good friends as they embark on a life of marriage is quite another. Delivering the toast sends pangs through just about everyone, but coming up with funny wedding toasts on paper during the wedding planning process is easy with the help of the internet and the employment of a sound strategy.
First, use an outline, even if that is all you will refer to during your toast. Outlines allow you to stay focused throughout and allow you to regroup if you get distracted or nervous. Outlines also allow you to keep to a script and avoid the never-ending, rambling sort of toasts that kill the occasion.
Second, use simple jokes. Remember the old broadcasting adage that no more than three sentences per paragraph and no more than fifteen words per sentence. By doing this, you will ensure that your speech is crisp, succinct and easy to understand.
Third, have a backup plan. For even the most seasoned public speaker, some speeches fall flat. Pay attention to your guests and if you are not getting laughs, move on to the next joke or have an alternative to shift in mid-stream. Salvaging a toast falling flat is indeed an art, but if you are prepared for that contingency, you can usually do it with little effort.
Fourth, keep the humor subtle. Do not recite jokes, but rather incorporate one liners into your repertoire. This not only will flow better, it will also be funnier as it appears more natural.
Fourth, include the bride and groom when possible. One good way is to comment on their toasting flutes. If they are using Silver Plated Heart Stem Glass Flutes, it does not hurt to mention them, draw attention to their good taste and tie that into your closing. It also will allow you to acknowledge the bride’s taste, as chances are they are her selection or heavily influenced by her, so celebrating her in public like that will always be popular.
Get Inspired With Wonderful Winter Wedding Ideas
Winter wedding ideas sparkle like your love and the season itself. Create a wonderland with exciting winter wedding ideas that make your ceremony and reception glitter.
Winter wedding dresses can be ivory, off-white or white. Choose from any length sleeve, ranging from sheer, long sleeves to short, puffy sleeves to sleeveless. If you wear a strapless wedding gown, put a dramatic fur wrap or colored shawl over your shoulders to stay warm.
Match the shawl to your groom’s boutonnière for fantastic photos. Avoid strappy sandals if you’re going outside. Choose a dressy boot, ballet flat or closed shoe with a lower heel instead to avoid dangerous accidents on your wedding day.
Choose a seasonal location for your wedding reception, such as a ski lodge, traditional inn, historic estate or private club. A working fireplace is a romantic bonus. If you’re sure there will be snow on the ground, have a picture window overlooking the scenery so guests can gaze out at a real winter wonderland during your reception.
There are countless winter wedding ideas for your tables. Include bold, holiday colors such as dark blue, green and red with silver and gold accents. Match your napkins and tablecloths and use napkin rings. Include place cards with snowflakes, iridescent snowflakes scattered over the tables and tent cards to designate the table number so guests know where to sit.
Choose centerpieces that are attractive and small so guests can see around them. Serve warm, wintry foods such as squash and eggnog. Set up a hot chocolate, herbal tea and coffee station. Place a snowflake cake topper atop your tiered white wedding cake.
Winter wedding flowers include white and red roses, colored carnations and poinsettias with touches of pine, eucalyptus and berries. Create a fantasy feeling using winter wedding ideas with tulle and lights. Yards of tulle and garlands of white light are used for a snowy, illuminated atmosphere around doors, windows, railings and ceilings.
Include snow in all your wedding accessories including a sparkling bridal garter and a glittering toasting set. Give out winter wedding favors such as snow globes or tins filled with hot chocolate mix. If you have a holiday theme wedding, give out a silver plated friendship ornament filled with mints to each of your guests.
Bring bling and ice to your wedding with diamond and rhinestone jewelry. Have an ice sculpture set up near the entrance of your reception. Use fun winter wedding ideas to express the joy of your love and this special season.
How to Plan A Wedding 101
How to plan a wedding becomes a priority after you get over the first few dizzy days of love after your engagement. With a few easy tips, you can plan a stellar wedding without stressing out.
Relaxation is a first step. Avoid getting frenzied and remember you are planning a loving celebration. Focus on the love you share and discuss your dreams together. Wrap your wedding plans around your vision, whether you want a winter wedding at a ski lodge or a traditional ceremony at a country club.
Select a date for your wedding. Create a budget and vow to stay with it. Base your budget on realistic expectations and spend 10 percent less so you have extra money for unexpected expenses that are bound to come up. Maintain a weddingbudget notebook where you write down all expenses. Have a folder for receipts to keep track of what you spend and have proof of deposits paid. This type of organization is great practice for married life.
Order wedding rings and decide if you want them engraved with a special sentiment or initials. Decide how many people you want to invite to share your wedding day and whether you want a small or large gathering. Keep a binder to write down your guest list and addresses for wedding invitations. This can even become your telephone book when you get married.
Secure a wedding ceremony site and a reception location for your chosen date. Make sure you know the regulations and requirements at the locations. Pick your menu options based on your budget and preferences. Choose a theme for your wedding day to create a uniform feeling at your ceremony and reception. Reflect your wedding theme in your invitations, thank you cards, favors and decorations.
Get recommendations from family and friends for vendors such as a florist, entertainment, music, caterer, hairdresser, video professional and photographer so you can review them. Sing up with a gift registry. Find out the requirements for a marriage license.
Shop for your wedding day attire. A bridal gown, veil, shoes and accessories should be ordered in advance along with bridesmaid dresses. Consider tuxedo rental options. Order outfits for the flower girl and ring bearer.
Select exciting decorations for your wedding ceremony, reception and honeymoon getaway car to create a party mood. Little accents go a long way such as centerpieces, wedding favors, a cake topper and bubbles to blow at the happy couple. Remember to choose thoughtful presents to thank you wedding party.
No matter how you plan your wedding, make sure you have a wonderful, unforgettable day.
Jennifer Mills
