Preparing for your wedding can be a joyous occasion and possibly the most stressful event to plan in the world! After all, you want it to go off without a hitch, personalize it to reflect your taste and personality, and make it an event that will be remembered for years to come. This is where a wedding planning checklist comes in handy.
If you do not have a wedding planning checklist, now's the time to create one. It's easy really and it will help keep you organized and scheduled. You will be able to keep track of your comings and goings, as related to the wedding, and be able to check off each item on the list as it gets finished.
A wedding checklist is what most brides follow to keep them on a working schedule that's sensible, flexible and organized. There are many ways to create such a checklist and your checklist will be individualized just for you. For some the list will be quite extensive, and for others, it won't. Depending on how much you've already done, your list will vary from the next bride.
Below is a sample wedding planning checklist. You can personalize it to fit your own life and wedding and plans. This is just something to give you an idea of what you might want to create for yourself.
Wedding planning checklist
Bridesmaids and grooms - Have you selected them yet? Wedding party - Do you have a singer lined up? What about an organist, pianist, ring bearer, flower girl, and any special readings during the service? Gowns/Tuxes - Have you picked out a wedding dress? What about bridesmaids' dresses and tuxes? Photographer - Do you want photos taken before or after the wedding? Church or other facility - Have you reserved a place for the wedding to take place? What about the reception? Newspaper announcements - Photos and info should be sent to your local paper Rehearsal dinner - Who's coming and where are you having it? Gifts for those in the wedding party - Do you want to buy tokens of appreciation? Wedding cake, punch, and other refreshments - Do you have a caterer? Who's making the wedding cake? What sorts of refreshments do you want to serve? Decorations for the church and reception - Are you ordering flowers, decorations, ribbons, and etc? Who will help put decorations up? Equipment rental - Do you need to rent tables, chairs, microphones or any other type of equipment for the wedding or reception? Rings - Have you purchased the rings?
The wedding planning checklist is a great way to keep yourself on track. The above list is very general. It's a good idea to assign tasks to your maid of honor, your mom and even your husband to be. Put everyone to work who is willing. After all, you don't need to do it all yourself.
To make your wedding planning checklist complete, it's good to also put a date next to the item that needs to be taken care of. In this way, you keep to a tight schedule and can feel confident that everything is coming along as planned.
How to Create the Perfect Wedding Planning Checklist
Strategically Planning your Wedding with Wedding Checklist Tips-
The time leading up to your wedding is usually one of the most stressful times of your life. It is stressful in a good way but stressful nonetheless. Because there are so many items that have to be remembered in the midst of all the stress, it is a good idea to create a wedding checklist so as not to forget or overlook anything. And these days, couples have an especially great advantage in that there are many websites which provide a wedding checklist for you.
It all depends on your budget but there are even consultants who can help you plan your wedding and create your customized wedding checklist. But if you hire a wedding consultant, be prepared to pay a significant fee as these professionals do not come cheap. One source reported a wedding consultant making $1,900 to $2,850 USD per wedding. Part of that consultant’s job is to make a checklist so you might save some money by doing your own wedding checklist.
Wedding Checklist – The Really Important Items
Of course everyone will have an opinion as to what is important and what is not important on a wedding checklist but there are some major items that most agree are critical. These are items that are potential showstoppers if overlooked. One item that most do not think about but it is very critical is the wedding budget. If you and your spouse-to-be do not sit down and get a rough idea of what you can spend then you risk running out of money before everything has been ordered and arranged. If you, as a bride, are fortunate enough to have your parents pay the bill, then it would be most thoughtful of you to sit down with them and try to budget the expenses. Your parents will greatly appreciate you for it.
Once you have budget planning as your first item on your wedding checklist, then you can prioritize the other major items that you cannot forget. At the top of the list should be the bridal gown and the groom’s attire. Then next should be the attire for the members of the bridal party. And even before planning the attire of the wedding party should be just deciding who you want to be in your wedding party. Deciding the members of your wedding party is a topic itself because it can get very complicated. The attire portion of your checklist is really important because you are going to have to arrange things like fittings for rentals or if attire is being custom made.
Other really important items on your wedding checklist include the place of the wedding and reception. These need to be at the top of the list as well because you will probably have to reserve the venues in advance. Next on your list are things like food that will be served at the reception, who you want to perform the wedding ceremony, and what entertainment needs to be arranged for at the reception.
Conclusion: The Overlooked Items
Then there are the items that can be easily forgotten if left off of the wedding checklist. These are items such as the rings, the guest book, the invitations, the flowers, the honeymoon reservations, the attire for the honeymoon, the thank you cards, a photographer, keepsakes for the guests, and music for the reception. The list can just go on and on. One advantage couples have today that may not have been available to their parents is the internet where they can find many sample checklists that can serve as great starting points in building their own customized list. Making a wedding checklist is very important and it is one item you must not overlook.
Wedding Reception Checklist is how to Organize Your Wedding
If you buy a good wedding planner book, chances are it will include a wedding reception checklist. With this handy tool, you can plan everything about your reception, from wedding reception rentals to table decorations. Trying to plan your marriage reception without a wedding reception checklist could be a recipe for disaster and just invites forgetting an important event.
While a wedding reception schedule does not need to be strictly planned out, having an order of events that flows smoothly will keep your guests sticking around. Besides the time for open dancing, the only break in activities should be between the toast and the cake-cutting because to allow time for eating.
After dinner, your reception schedule should move along quickly so the people who have attended your reception can enjoy all of the festivities, including: the cake cutting ceremony, the garter removal, and everything else that is typical of a marriage reception.
With your wedding reception checklist, you can organize your marriage reception rentals and equipment. First and foremost, the reception hall is the most important of decision, unless you have made other venue arrangements.
Wherever you decide to hold your reception, tables and chairs might be another concern on your list of reception rentals. If you are looking for a more sophisticated touch, you can also get linens and seat covers for added accents and styles. Other rentals include a variety of decorations, such as: a decorative arch, a stage and a backdrop behind the head table.
In some cases, you may want to rent table decorations for the reception tables. Since your marriage reception table decorations will be a focal point for the guests at each table, you'll want to have an impressive conversation piece to get people talking.
Creative and unique centerpieces can be an expensive addition to your marriage budget, but some companies specializing in wedding reception rentals have options for marriage table decorations, too. This can be an affordable way to give your reception an added appearance that you spared no expense, even though you may, in fact, be saving money.
Planning a reception is one of the most exciting events in a couple's life together. With proper resources, you can fully enjoy the experience, without getting overwhelmed by the amount of work.
A wedding reception checklist is an ideal tool to help you stay organized and on task. You can get a reliable and comprehensive wedding reception checklist at your favorite marriage planner website or purchase a wedding planner book at your local bookstore.
Wedding Checklist Photography - Wedding Planning Tips
The photographer you choose should be highly experienced in this job. Because while are enjoying this special occasion he is the one capturing it all with his lens. So photography is a must have piece on your wedding planning check list.
You should lay it out to your photographer that what according to you would be most vital moments or what exactly would like to be documented. Add if you plan to have video recordings of the proceeding then both the coordination should be in sync.
Include photography in the wedding checklist
All things need to be discussed elaborately with the photographer and an outline must be given as to what pictures you want more taken or less captured. It is common that pictures of the groom & bride are taken separately before the wedding day arrives. So the photographer needs to be given exact dates when he can come over and take these pictures also the photographer should inform you prior to his arrival so that you are dressed up precisely to occasion.
This synchronization of timings will be fitting to derive desired results. Keep the list of demands within acceptable limits or else the photographer could get bogged down with such demand and lose the plot altogether, all the same a professional should be used to such demands from customers and therefore should not be fussy at all.
Pre wedding pictures, then wedding ceremony pictures, pre wedding pictures, post wedding pictures, photos before and post the wedding receptions and on the arrival and while leaving pictures of the groom and the bride, all the form the basis of wedding photography checklist. Names of important people in your wedding whose photos should be taken should be chalked down and handed over to the photographer.
A full family photo of all the aunts, uncles, cousins and relatives should be arranged at a convenient time suitable to all. As a personal advise I would say that give freedom to the photographer so he can show his creativity in some areas where the light and the background make positioning quite important.
Wedding Posing Guide
Suppose the facility has a garden or water fall then have the photographer click some pictures of the two of in bright sunshine for better effects. When the light is beaming from a side angle or over the head that's when the effects are the best. Severe light coming from where the photographer is positioned will wash out your pictures. If you can arrange for some photos to be taken at your favorite meeting place or at a theme park then that too will be a good idea. Forget all stressed up matters while posing as pictures should look natural and fresh. Anything natural is appealing and the same goes you're your photos as well.
Wedding Picture Guide
Some pictures are a must in the album. So make a list of those pictures that you would like to frame up or would like to see again and again. Like a prime photo of the bride wearing an elegant evening gown or the groom sitting besides the bride, the full family photo of the brides and the grooms side standing side by side. Close up of your exclusive wedding cake and bouquet is also sought after photos selection.
Clearly you both will be the ones who will decide what photos are taken and of whom. So, anyways any relation formed is healthy and if you can communicate well with your photographer then that's just about perfect.
Wedding Checklist - Choosing A Videographer
While wedding photographs have a reputation for capturing the precious moments of matrimony, snapshots pale in comparison to reliving the laughter heard during the best man toast, watching the cutting of the cake, and noticing the delicate sway of the bride's dress. All of these lively, memorable flashes are delivered by a videographer, which can be rewound, fast-forwarded, and paused with the simple touch of a television remote. To make sure your memories are preserved with decency and satisfaction, it is important to choose a videographer who possesses both experience and creativity.
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When it comes time to choosing a wedding videographer, you should consider the following suggestions:
· Samples Are Key: In order to make an effective decision on who will successfully produce a video illuminating the overall allure of a wedding, analyzing the previous work of a potential professional is essential. As you view samples, it is important to pay attention to clarity, quality of video, composition, as well as skill in shooting and editing.
· Know Your Video Formats: There is a wide range of video formats that a videographer may utilize when covering a wedding. To ensure the best quality and results, knowing the different types of options you may select from will help make a decision much easier. Today, the most commonly used approaches include VHS, S-VHS, and DV. VHS and S-VHS produces the lowest quality, while DV (also known as digital video) offers the best in quality, which can be repeatedly recopied without loss of features. For couples looking to receive video with the feel of a major motion picture, DV provides the best display of sound and video that comes in the form of a DVD.
· Don't Let Fancy Equipment Distract You: Although name brand and flashy equipment is impressive when it comes to creating a video to your liking, if the videographer does not possess the skill, talent, or imagination to put the equipment to good use, it doesn't matter. Simply looking at samples is not enough to ensure competency, ask for a short demonstration on what they can do with their equipment.
· Ask About Various Videotaping Methods: There are two main approaches towards videotaping a wedding. One option deals with multiple cameras that feed information onto one tape with instant editing (called live switching). The second technique involves multiple cameras that record on their own tape that allows a videographer to make edits within the comfort of his or her studio. It is the latter choice that videographers do not feel rushed to make on-the-spot decisions.
· Know the Setbacks Associated With Live Switching: Live switching requires a lot of equipment and wires, which may cause a distraction and physical obstacles with the multitude of cords running throughout a wedding scene. One person is responsible for watching all of the cameras on monitors that allows instant editing. This essentially makes a videographer's job much easier, but for the consumer, it is a setback because fine-tuning and follow-up editing does not take place.
· Request the Highest Level of Sound Quality: Some videographers rely on the built-in mics that camcorders possess, which produces the worst sound quality. Wireless mics follow as another ineffective way to capture sound. The best way to enjoy clear and crisp dialogue, music, and other wedding sounds is to use small digital sound recorders that can be placed in a variety of locations, such as the groom's pocket.
When it comes to creating a wedding memory that will stand the test of time, choosing the right videographer to meet your needs is vital. Overall, factors such as skill, talent, and creativity are quite important, but depending on your requirements and budget, you should also inquire about varying price packages, guarantees and liabilities, written contracts, additional charges, and the cost for multiple copies.
organizing That Special Day with Wedding Checklist
Wedding bells ringing in the future? This is a tradition that dates back to ancient times when it was thought that with the ringing of wedding bells, evil is warded off. The excitement of an upcoming wedding leaves the bride and groom tingling. Having a grand wedding that people talk about for years to come is the dream of every couple. They want their wedding day to be special where everyone is happy and bless them whole-heartedly.
For this to take fruition, a lot of detail needs to be taken care of and a wedding checklist made. It can be very arduous and haphazard if not well planned. Beginning to create a wedding in your mind should begin much in advance. There are numerous things that need to be taken care of and ensuring nothing is missed.
Starting off with buying an organizer or wedding planner to make a step-by-step wedding checklist and making a beginning.
The first thing would be to decide on the type of wedding and style of the wedding. This can be done by the bride and groom sitting together and involving parents on both sides. This makes the parents feel wanted and enjoy the wedding along with the couple. If you can afford it, it would be a great idea to find wedding coordinators who also act as consultants to give you various ideas on what is required and how to go about it. They will also help you with the type of decoration you wish to have or a theme wedding if you desire. Friends play a very important role in a wedding. A friend’s wedding is an awaited occasion and filled with fun. Involve close friends from both sides to get ideas.
Once you decide on the type of wedding, next thing to do is to contact the clergy, begin checking out locations for the actual wedding ceremony, rehearsals, reception and other events. The major chunk of time will be taken up in deciding on the bakers, caterers, photographers, videographers, florists, and music. This needs to be done many months in advance to ensure they are available and you get what you want.
Once all these external things are taken care of, time to prepare the guest list to ensure no important person is left out in the last minute. Talk to people who you want as attendants. Start shopping for the wedding dress and accessories for yourselves as well as the attendants. It may be a wise idea to begin looking at honeymoon options available and make travel plans well in advance too. Prepare the menu for the different ceremonies.
About four months ahead of the wedding, time to finalize on all the above. Shop till you drop for the gifts, lingerie, travel clothes, party clothes, gifts for the fiancé etc. Make appointments with the beautician.
A couple of months ahead, time to send out the wedding invitations. Spend at least a couple of days with the family and relax without doing anything at all.
The day is dawning closer and you are left with one week to go. Check all the fine details with all the wedding professionals. Give the list of guests to the caterer. Fine-tune any dressing needs. Finish packing for the honeymoon. Schedule the day prior to the wedding as a free day and relax so that you look great on your wedding day.
If all these are done beforehand, things can be done without any hassles and getting rushed. Starting at least 6 months before the wedding if possible is a great idea and this will allow you to have a wedding of your choice and enjoy the wedding too.
How Creating An Effective Wedding Planning Checklist?
Are you planning to get married soon? If you are, then you are probably making initial plans to make your wedding special and memorable. If you want to make sure that you will get everything right, using a wedding planning checklist will help ensure that nothing will go wrong in your wedding.
What do you need to write on a wedding planning checklist? Well, there are a lot of things that you need to cover. Primarily you start with the date of your wedding. This should be written on the top of the wedding planning checklist. The next thing you need to think about is the location and the time of your marriage. Discuss these issues with your partner until you can agree on an ideal date and setting.
This way you can take care of the food, lodging and location all in one go. With weddings, it’s always better to have everything planned out in advance. Careful and advance planning is the key to having a wonderful wedding that runs smoothly. When my wife and I planned our wedding, we booked the hotel room over a year in advance. Our special date was a private ceremony and we agreed to have the wedding and honeymoon all in one whack. The detailed wedding planning checklist we used made our wedding run smoothly.
Other things that you should write on your wedding planning checklist should include your partner’s name, the exact location of the ceremony, the marriage license, possible blood testing, the wedding cake, the bouquet, and of course the rings. These are all vital elements of a memorable wedding ceremony.
On the whole, a wedding checklist should include a lot of wedding essentials. It only takes one overlooked detail to ruin your wedding. Using a detailed wedding planning checklist to plan in advance is a sensible method that can ensure that your special date will be unforgettable.
Wedding Checklist
Soon after announcing your wedding
• Prepare a wedding budget and if relevant discuss it with who is paying.
• Prepare a tentative guest list.
• Decide upon a date for your wedding ceremony and reception. Confirm the dates with the chosen venue and officials.
• Determine what hire equipment and facilities may be required.
• Check with appropriate authorities if you need to book photo venues such as parks and gardens.
• Decide the size of your wedding party.
• Nominate your Matron of Honour and best man.
• Begin the search for your wedding dress and those of the bridal party.
• Identify suitable photographers and videographers. Be sure to view their past works and book your photographers and videographers early.
• Decide upon invitations.
• Book the entertainment for your wedding including jukebox
• Book your wedding cars / vehicles.
• Research possible honeymoon destinations.
• Research Florists
• Research hairdressers and make up artists. Book once you have found suitable providers
• Consider wedding insurance.
Six months before wedding
• Choose your wedding dress, and bridal party.
• Choose wardrobe for groom and groomsmen.
• Order wedding rings.
• Book your honeymoon. If required ensure your passports are valid.
• Review guest list.
• Register your gift list at a Bridal Registry.
• Complete an "Intention to Marry" form which your celebrant or church can assist with.
• Finalise guest numbers. Order invitations, place cards, Thank You cards and Wedding.
• Keep a list of gifts received and who they are from. Ensure you send thank you notes within 2 weeks of receiving the gift.
• All honeymoon travel should be booked.
• Consider dancing lessons
Two months before your wedding day
• Ensure all wedding invitations have been sent. Maintain a list of acceptances.
• Arrange for Dress fittings for the wedding dress and bridesmaids.
• Shop for wedding shoes and begin to wear them in
• Confirm grooms suits have been booked.
• All pre-wedding parties should be planned including wedding shower, hen's night, bucks night etc.
• Book in wedding night accommodation.
• Contact your florist and select flowers.
• Choose your Master of Ceremonies.
4 weeks before the wedding day
• Arrange for final fittings of your dress.
• Trial runs for hair and make up.
• Draw up the reception seating plan.
• Hold pre-wedding parties.
• Organise 'Thank You' gifts for bridal party
• Make any final payments for venues, cars, honeymoon etc
• If travelling overseas for your honeymoon, arrange traveller's cheques, foreign currency, credit cards and travellers insurance
• Invite people you would like to make speeches at the reception.
1 week before wedding day
• Confirm everything.
• Pick up the wedding dress, grooms suit and ensure the bridesmaids and groomsmen have theirs
• Have a rehearsal of the ceremony.
• Pack for your honeymoon.
• It is a good idea to have an 'emergency' kit prepared. This may include Band Aids, a hanky, spare lipstick, spare pantyhose, etc.
• Collect honeymoon tickets and reconfirm flights.
The Wedding Day
• Get a good night sleep before the wedding.
• Eat a good breakfast, you may find the day rushes by.
• Meet bridesmaids at the hairdressers and make up artist.
• Remember wedding rings and marriage licence
• Have a great wedding.
the Important of Wedding Checklist
Is a wedding checklist important? Why do you need it? Do you think everything you have on your mind will be ready on your big day? Don?t you think of the opportunities of missing something? If you don't have a wedding checklist you're asking for trouble. No matter how good your memory is you'd be very unwise to rely on it for every little detail you have to remember concerning your wedding.
In such an important day for you, it would be a crying shame if it was spoiled simply because you failed to plan properly in the first place - and a properly constructed checklist is the very best way you can ensure that all of your wedding plans come to fruition.
Creating a wedding checklist tailored to your specific needs and desires will certainly help to relieve the inevitable stress, particularly as the special day gets closer. Having a well thought out wedding checklist will ensure that you don't forget anything and will enable you to relax, safe in this knowledge, and enjoy the day itself.
Here are some of the things you should put on your checklist are setting the wedding date and time, reserving the date with a florist, photographer and DJ; reserving the church and reception location. These are the first things that should be done in the planning stages six to twelve months before the wedding day itself.
Other important things for your checklist include planning a budget, choosing the wedding party and ordering the invitations. You also need to make arrangements for a wedding dress, hairdressing and makeup. Not forgetting that you also need to arrange for co-coordinated clothing for your wedding attendants and, of course, you need to arrange the all-important wedding rings with a jeweler.
It is necessary that all of the above major things should be arranged as early as possible so that you have plenty of time for the small details later.
Reminders are helpful. Don't forget to ensure that you put reminders on your list for closer to the date. Reminders for ordering your wedding flowers, the wedding cake, addressing and sending invitations, a final fitting for the wedding dress and groom's outfit and placing a wedding announcement in the local press etc.
About a month to six weeks before your big day you should go over your wedding checklist to make absolutely sure you haven't forgotten anything. There are, of course, many more things than those listed above that you will need to put on your specific wedding planning checklist that are personal to your wedding, but the above will give you an idea of the things you need to include.
Being well-organized with your checklist will help you having plenty of time to complete each task. With this checklist, your wedding will be as what you have dreamed!
Wedding Checklist - Wedding Party Favors - 2
Your wedding day is approaching and included to your wedding checklist are different task and responsibilities to be properly done. Wedding is perhaps one of the most memorable moment for couple's lives, thus proper planning and preparation matters most. Literally, planning and preparing for a wedding isn't easy as one-two-three. One of perhaps minor items included in any wedding checklist are wedding party favors. Although they can be very minor, but the fact that giving favors during weddings is one of marriage tradition and until now is widely recognized.
Party favors come in wide variety of selection to choose from, you can find these items usually at local bridal gift shops and even at online stores. Manufacturers of these items made variety of option according to different wedding themes. Weddings like beach themed, travel themed, formal and non-formal themed weddings have their own appropriate favors. Example, for beach themed weddings, party favor choices could be something that are related to beach-like atmosphere. You may consider favors that include beach sand, stone, seashells and the like. Or perhaps, if your wedding fall in other season, a winter wedding for instance, you can find winter themed favors also like Snowflake Bottle Stopper, Snowflake Gel Candle, Snowflake Place Card Holder, "Snow Fall" Exquisite Glass Photo Coaster and more. For fall weddings, consider a Fall Leaf Tea Light Place Card Holder or Fall Leaf Cookie Cutter Wedding Favor.
Wedding party favors are accessories that can make a big difference to your wedding. They were given to simply show deep appreciation to all the attendees and participants during the said celebration. Though they aren't mandatory, but the fact that they can make a thoughtful remembrance for your guests is enough reason to definitely include them in your checklist. These favors however can be presented also during pre-wedding parties such as bridal shower party and bachelor's party. Also, the idea of choosing appropriate favor is important to not just accentuate the party but also to commemorate the celebration.
Popular kind of wedding favors today are those that were custom-made. These options are ideal in today's fashionable weddings for they can be very stylish to jazz up any wedding themes. The choices for custom-made favors are plenty, from simple to exquisite. You can find custom-made choices like personalized favors, a sure hit not only during wedding but also for other occasions and gatherings. Personalized items are from simple things that were enhanced by means of decorations and personalizing. Personalizing can be through embroidering, engraving and even monogramming. The advantage of personalized option is, something that was made with personal touch can be very meaningful to any receiver. Whether it is a expensive or inexpensive, a personalized gift are likely to be more appreciated that any other gifts.
Also, you may opt to choose personalized items not only to serve as your personalized wedding favors but to serve as special gifts for your participants. Personalized items can make a one of a kind parents wedding gifts, maid of honor and bridesmaids wedding gifts, or best man and groomsmen wedding gifts.
Wedding Checklist: Wedding Party Favors
Your wedding day is approaching and included to your wedding checklist are different task and responsibilities to be properly done. Wedding is perhaps one of the most memorable moment for couple's lives, thus proper planning and preparation matters most. Literally, planning and preparing for a wedding isn't easy as one-two-three. One of perhaps minor items included in any wedding checklist are wedding party favors. Although they can be very minor, but the fact that giving favors during weddings is one of marriage tradition and until now is widely recognized.
Party favors come in wide variety of selection to choose from, you can find these items usually at local bridal gift shops and even at online stores. Manufacturers of these items made variety of option according to different wedding themes. Weddings like beach themed, travel themed, formal and non-formal themed weddings have their own appropriate favors. Example, for beach themed weddings, party favor choices could be something that are related to beach-like atmosphere. You may consider favors that include beach sand, stone, seashells and the like. Or perhaps, if your wedding fall in other season, a winter wedding for instance, you can find winter themed favors also like Snowflake Bottle Stopper, Snowflake Gel Candle, Snowflake Place Card Holder, "Snow Fall" Exquisite Glass Photo Coaster and more. For fall weddings, consider a Fall Leaf Tea Light Place Card Holder or Fall Leaf Cookie Cutter Wedding Favor.
Wedding party favors are accessories that can make a big difference to your wedding. They were given to simply show deep appreciation to all the attendees and participants during the said celebration. Though they aren't mandatory, but the fact that they can make a thoughtful remembrance for your guests is enough reason to definitely include them in your checklist. These favors however can be presented also during pre-wedding parties such as bridal shower party and bachelor's party. Also, the idea of choosing appropriate favor is important to not just accentuate the party but also to commemorate the celebration.
Popular kind of wedding favors today are those that were custom-made. These options are ideal in today's fashionable weddings for they can be very stylish to jazz up any wedding themes. The choices for custom-made favors are plenty, from simple to exquisite. You can find custom-made choices like personalized favors, a sure hit not only during wedding but also for other occasions and gatherings. Personalized items are from simple things that were enhanced by means of decorations and personalizing. Personalizing can be through embroidering, engraving and even monogramming. The advantage of personalized option is, something that was made with personal touch can be very meaningful to any receiver. Whether it is a expensive or inexpensive, a personalized gift
are likely to be more appreciated that any other gifts.
Also, you may opt to choose personalized items not only to serve as your personalized wedding favors but to serve as special gifts for your participants. Personalized items can make a one of a kind parents wedding gifts, maid of honor and bridesmaids wedding gifts, or best man and groomsmen wedding gifts.
Step By Step Guide for Wedding Check List
Planning a wedding is a difficult task for both the families of the bride and groom and the bride and groom individually. There are so many preparations that must be made, and in many cases, not enough time to do it. It's little wonder that many resort to paying professional wedding planners to do the job for them. However, for many, that is an added expense they can't afford or, takes away from the fun of planning the wedding. For those who need guidance concerning planning the wedding, here are some steps you will find helpful.
1. One of the most important things to do, as soon as you set the date, is to decide where you want to hold the reception. This may seem like a backward way of doing things, but the reasoning is that reception halls tend to book quickly, especially in the summer or during certain holiday seasons, such as Christmas. In order to assure you will be able to have the reception at the place of your choice, book well in advance - sometimes you may have to plan as much as a year in advance. Of course, you will need to have a general idea of the number of guests you plan to invite, just to be certain your venue of choice is big enough.
2. If you plan to have a church wedding, your next step is to make plans for the use of the church, minister, organist, and any other church facilities you need. If you already belong to a church, this process is much easier than for those who don't have a home church. In fact, this should probably go hand in hand with booking the reception hall, since you have to make sure the church is available at the date and time you desire. This is especially important if you are planning your wedding around a holiday season or on a Sunday afternoon.
3. Whether you're having a band or just a disc jockey, you want to book several months in advance. Again, this will depend on the season, but during Christmas with many parties going on, they will book quickly.
4. Unless you have booked a venue that provides catering, such as a fire hall or banquet hall of a restaurant or hotel, you will also need to contract with a catering company. Even if your parents are paying for the wedding, you and your fiancé should have a say in picking the menu items as long as your choices fall within the allotted budget. Alcohol is optional, and if many of the guests are underage, you may wish to eliminate it, except for the wedding toast. If costs are a factor, a cash bar is an alternative.
5. Once you have booked the reception hall and the church, many of the other preparations can go in any order you choose, since they all need to be started at about the same time. However, most brides like to begin by choosing a wedding gown and dresses for the bridal party. Both of these require one to two months' preparation in case alterations may be necessary and in case any of the styles are sizes need to be ordered by the bridal shop. Allow enough time to ensure your final fitting and any additional alterations will be ready several days before your wedding.
6. You should order the flowers approximately two weeks in advance to allow the florist time to put the order together appropriately and have time to schedule delivery to the church and reception hall on the day of the wedding.
7. You also want to order your cake a couple of weeks before the big day - preferably even one month, depending on the policy of the bakery. In fact, some may only want a week's notice, but check with your bakery first.
8. Finally, a few days before the wedding, confirm that everything is in place - all guests have responded, names have been provided to whomever is going to make up the place cards (if you plan to have reserved seating), the caterer is clear on the menu and whether it's sit down or buffet style, the wedding party (male and female) has picked up their attire, and the cake will be delivered by the bakery to the venue.
Of course, your wedding trip is already planned, and though that is part of the wedding, it is not included in the wedding checklist here since many people choose to do that at a later date or it is booked separate from wedding preparations. The same holds true for house hunting, especially since many couples today either live together or already have a place of their own before the wedding.
Steps Planning a Wedding (Wedding Checklist)
A YEAR PRIOR (OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE) - Steps Planning a Wedding
- Decide on a date and time.
- Cost a budget and decide who will pay for what.
- List how many guests to be invited (for each party).
- Investigate and book ceremony location , church/temple and venue
- Contact the priest for availability on the date & time and set up an appointment.
- List all the services you will require :-
- Attorney , cakes , flowers , jewellery , invitations , dress designers , make-up artists , hair stylists , photographer (still and video) , décor , dance instructors , car hire , music (set up appointments to get quotes and portfolios)
- Decide on bridesmaid, flower girls etc and include them in initial dress fitting.
- Choose best man and master of ceremonies.
- Honeymoon location and plans - airtickets , passports etc.
- Follow a diet plan if any of the retinue need to slim down even a few pounds.
4 to 6 MONTHS AHEAD - Steps Planning a Wedding
- Choose Stores and set up a Bridal registry.
- Order wedding rings.
- Order invitations .
- Streamline guest list.
- Make appointments with : Hairdresser , make up artist.
- Plan the menu.
1 to 2 MONTHS AHEAD - Steps Planning a Wedding
- Collect wedding rings
- Confirm honeymoon reservations.
- Mail Invitations.
- Set up (day before) beauty salon appointment for manicure , pedicure.
- Final dress fittings for you and entire retinue.
- Appointment with DJ to select music.
- Contact all service providers and ensure all arrangements are on track.
- Confirm all transportation including honeymoon.
- Arrange to move belongings to new home, if required.
- A day or two before the wedding plan a rehearsal.
1 WEEK AHEAD - Steps Planning a Wedding
- Send out reminders for the rehearsal.
- Hold rehearsal.
- Pack for honeymoon.
- Confirm all final details with service providers.
- Caterers to get final guest count.
DAY BEFORE
- Manicure and pedicure.
- Confirm hair stylist and make up artist for the wedding day.
- Procedures for the wedding day to be discussed with Fiance , parents and retinue.
THE WEDDING DAY
- Hair Stylist and make up.
- Eat a square meal.
- Pack change of clothes for after the ceremony.
- Relax and Enjoy!
How Did Wedding Favors Become Part of Tradition?
Wedding favors have a rich heritage, which dates back to the early dynasty of the Romans. The tradition of exchanging wedding favors is one that is indulged in throughout cultures around the world. In American society there is a lot of focus placed on wedding favors, though they certainly aren't the only aspect of wedding planning. However, the giving of favors from the bride to all of those who have helped make her wedding day very special is not only a tradition, but it is also part of wedding etiquette.
So, what are wedding favors and what do they do? Typically, a wedding favor is a small memento or thoughtful trinket that the bride of the wedding presents to all of the guests that have attended. When wedding favors first came about, they consisted of sugared almonds, fancy chocolates, cookies and other delicacies. These have been given for centuries. But these days, edible creations are not the only limitation for wedding favors. Anything that is small, thoughtful and worthy of being made into a gift makes for a perfect favor.
Today, marrying couples may favor more personalized wedding favors. Think of small, highly decorated photo frames, custom labeled wine bottles, packets of floral seeds, personalized candy bars with custom wrappers, even jewelry and expensive cosmetics.
When should a wedding favor be presented? There are several options for when a bride may give out wedding favors. Sometimes a bride will hand them out directly as guests enter or leave a reception. In other events, the favors may be gathered in large baskets, which are then placed in open and public areas for guests to help themselves to. Depending on the type of wedding favor being used, it may fit in with the wedding theme so well that it becomes part of the place settings at the reception.
Planning for wedding favors might take several months. The nice thing about shopping for favors is that depending on the item you are considering for a favor, you'll be able to find it at any discount retailer, or even a dollar store. The internet offers many online websites where wedding favors can be purchased, and specialty shops may also have wedding favors for sale.
If you need ideas for wedding favors, consider consulting with a wedding planner. These individuals are highly experienced with wedding planning, and will be able to help you find wedding favors that are perfect for your upcoming wedding.
Cheap Tropical Ideas for Wedding Favors
ropical weddings can be beautiful. Tropical honeymoons can be magical. Even a tropical theme at a wedding or reception can be exciting. Whatever your reason for using tropical ideas, you have a budget. That's why you want cheap tropical wedding favors.
Cheap tropical wedding favors should not be difficult to find, as long as you use your imagination. You cannot expect to walk into your nearest mall and find them quickly, though.
Finding Cheap Tropical Wedding Favors
Finding cheap tropical wedding favors is easier if you begin with a few minutes of thought about things that are tropical. What do you think of when you hear the word "tropical" or think of a tropical place?
* Palm trees swaying in warm, humid breezes
* Sandy beaches licked by gentle ocean waves
* Sailboats on a turquoise lagoon
* Flip-flops, loose shirts, sunhats, and sunglasses
* Seashells and sandcastles
* Colorful flowers and fish
Draw up your list of the pictures brought to your mind by a tropical theme. These will be the focus for your cheap tropical wedding favors.
Before you begin shopping for your cheap tropical wedding favors, set a budget for yourself. How much can you afford to spend on your wedding favors? How many guests will you have? Divide your total wedding favor budget by the number of guests, and you will see how much you can spend on each wedding favor.
We will try here to present tropical wedding favor ideas that are around $1 per guest.
Cheap Tropical Candle Wedding Favors
Many couples plan to use candles at their wedding reception. You might give each guest 2 mini plumeria candles. The colorful, pastel flower shapes will brighten your tables, and the candles can be used later by guests. Unscented mini floating plumeria candle can be ordered in lots of 25 for $9.49, making your cost about $0.76 per guest.
Cheap Tropical Lei Wedding Favors
Seashell leis are readily available and inexpensive. We did an online search on the phrase "shell leis" and found 38" long leis at $5.95 per dozen. These really are cheap tropical wedding favors - a mere $0.50! You could tie a small bow around each lei, using your wedding color scheme. These are natural tropical wedding favors.
Fern leis made of simulated silk fern leaves are also an option. At $6.95 per dozen, these 36" leis will cost only $0.58 per guest before you add a bow.
For really cheap tropical wedding favors, and a tropical rainbow of colors on your tables, you can give two-tone leis at $0.33 per guest.
Cheap Tropical Flower Wedding Favors
Tropical flower leis are not the only possibility when it comes to cheap tropical wedding favors. Hibiscus napkin rings of simulated silk would be a colorful use of tropical flowers. A set of 4 napkin rings at $2.95 can be divided among 4 guests makes your tropical wedding favors $0.74 per guest. The napkin rings we found had bright pink and orange hibiscus flowers with leaves, each 3.5" wide. The wire ring was covered in green paper.
Another idea for cheap tropical wedding favors is to purchase hibiscus print goody bags at $0.10 each and fill them with candy. You could also put bulk seashells in your bags. Or stuff each colorful bag with one of the leis above.
Cheap Tropical Island Wedding Favors
Cheap tropical wedding favors can often be found at websites that feature island or luau products. Look, too, at wedding favor sites for island items. We found palm tree placecard holders at $0.99 per guest if you buy 96 or more. Real sand dollar favor decorations can become cheap tropical wedding favors by adding ribbon from which to hang them. We found them priced at $0.50, $0.75, and $1 each, dependent on size. Starfish soap, each 2x2" and presented in a ribbon-tied box, can be ordered at $0.90 per guest if you need more than 144, and still qualify as cheap tropical wedding favors.
Cheap Tropical Novelty Wedding Favors
Finally, you may want to check online websites that feature novelty items for proms and parties that have a tropical theme.
Flip-flop key chains that cost over $1 each on wedding favor sites can be ordered for as low as $0.20 on novelty sites. Luau leis with flip-flops hanging from them will cost you about $0.70 at novelty sites. Solid color paper hand fans shaped like palm leaves will cost you only $0.20 per guest, but offer 10x10" of bright color.
Tip: Cheap tropical wedding favors can be as simple as seashell-shaped or flower-shaped guest soaps available at your local discount store. Drop two into an organza bag (ordered bulk) and you have solved your wedding favor problem.
Elegant Wedding Favors
Attractive, unique and elegant wedding favors usually make wedding ceremonies unforgettable to the guests. Unique wedding favors may be an inexpensive and elegant way of showing thanks and love to the guests who had attended this special event. Wedding favors are part of the celebrations and these are gestures of appreciation.
Wedding favors has become a flourishing business which can be limited only by imagination and creativeness. Elegant wedding favors can be made by simply combining one of the likes or hobbies of couples along with elegant packaging. Customizing the wedding favor is the best way to make an elegant wedding favor. This type of wedding favor shows an extra care towards the guests that in turn add to the elegance of the special occasion. Most of the distributors of the wedding favors specialize in the uniqueness and elegance of their wedding favors. There are different types of elegant wedding favors available such as all occasion gifts, decorative candles, charms, placecard holders, unique favor boxes and packaging, nautical wedding favors, botanical garden wedding favors, vineyard wedding favors and signature line wedding favor boxes. Creation of imaginative labels for the ordinary food items can make interesting wedding favors of every day use.
The selection of a wedding favor is one of the most enjoyable parts of planning a wedding. Couples need to consider many things while selecting an elegant wedding favor. They need to keep the wedding favors within their budget as well as elegant enough to honor the entire guests. The trends of wedding favors usually vary each year and the couples need to ensure that their wedding favors are not out of fashion.
Elegant wedding favors usually provide wide possibilities for a couple to express their gratitude to their guests who were present for the great occasion. The selection of inexpensive wedding favors with quality and elegance will be the order of the day. The choice of these gifts may also vary according to the culture, interest, wealth, imagination and theme of the wedding. Couples are tempted to select elegant wedding favors that can be enjoyed long after the wedding day and which can be treasured by their guests.
Wedding Favors not to Buy for your Wedding
Wedding favors have become an important part of the wedding celebration. However, there are some wedding favors your guests will not appreciate receiving at your reception. Lets take a look.
1. Personalized Favors With The Couples Names. Dont get me wrong. Some personalized favors are nice BUT it depends how they are personalized. Wedding favors such as silver photo frames or bells, monogrammed candle favors, and coasters engraved with the happy couples names and dates will never be displayed in your guests home. Why would they? If you are set on personalized wedding favors, choose to personalize the tags or go with a smaller, less expensive personalized favor such as lip balm or note pads. That way you are sure your guests will use and appreciate your wedding favors.
2. Overtly Themed Wedding Favors. For example, did you decide to have an Asian themed wedding or an Irish themed wedding? Thats wonderful and there are many great ways to incorporate your theme into the wedding but leave the favors out of it. Choosing to provide your guests with a themed favor that they dont understand or does not complement their d?r ensures that the favor will go straight into the garbage can when they get home. Choose a more practical wedding favor such as a neutral candle that matches your color theme, a silver bottle stopper or luggage tag. These types of favors are not only practical but elegant as well.
3. Expensive Wedding Favors. Your dream is to have the wedding of the decade. Thats fantastic, but spend your money where it will matter the most to YOU not your guests. By all means provide your guests with a tasteful, elegant wedding favor but unless youre a celebrity, you dont need to spend $10 per favor to achieve that look. Silver wedding favors also look elegant as do wine bottle stoppers. If you are discriminating in your choice of favors, your goal will be achieved.
4. Cheap Wedding Favors. Spend some time looking for a wedding favor that is inexpensive but not cheap looking. Many brides make the mistake of having friends and family make their wedding favors for them. Often this task is rushed to be completed right before the wedding and they look it. There are many wedding favors under $1 or $2 that appear to cost more than they really do. A few great examples are heart cookie cutters, heart bath soaps in a gift box, or sachets.
You want your day to be perfect. Dont choose a wedding favor that will derail your whole plan. Take your time and choose a wedding favor that both you and your guests are sure to love.
Fun Wedding Favor Ideas
Have you started looking around for your wedding favors yet? The selection can be overwhelming. There are wedding favors available for every theme, idea, location and personal taste.
One thing you most likely want from your wedding favors is that they are not only practical but fun too. You want your guests to really be glad they've received this memento from you to remember your wedding day and how special it was for not only you ' but for them too.
The best way to guarantee your guests will look back fondly on your wedding day is to give them a fun, but practical wedding favor. Think of practical wedding favors as items that may be used in your guest's houses as the occasion arises.
A few great examples of practical wedding favors are bottle stoppers, measuring spoons, coffee scoops and candles. Now, let's add the fun factor to these same practical favors. If you're having a beach themed wedding, beach ball wedding favors are sure to bring a smile to the faces of your guests. Imagine how cute those little beach balls will look perched on top wine bottles at this summers picnics and barbecues.
Ice cream scoops are fun just as they are. What could be more fun than a scoop of your favorite ice cream any day of the year? Having the ice cream scoop in the shape of a heart adds even more fun factor to this particular favor.
What about the coffee drinkers of the world? Are you a Starbucks fanatic? Then for your wedding favor you may want to choose a cute coffee scoop that may be used with either an Espresso Machine or coffee pot. This coffee favor is sure to be used just about daily in your guest's homes. Coffee, not quite your thing but tea is? An adorable little tea infuser in the shape of a heart would be the perfect fun favor for your wedding.
Luggage tags are the perfect fun wedding favor idea. Just looking at a luggage tag allows you to daydream of that perfect vacation. Although your guests may not see this particular fun favor everyday like they would a coffee scoop, you can be sure they will put this cute little luggage tag favor right on their suitcase for future vacations and adventures.
Candle wedding favors are at the top of the list for fun. Think of the many wonderful candle themes available for your wedding. Having a nautical themed wedding in the Northeast? Choose a sailboat candle as your party favor. How about a Hawaiian Luau wedding reception? Then the flip flop candle favor is the fun choice for you.
Are you the princess of the ball at your wedding reception? There are many fun, fairytale party favors you should take a look at. How about a carriage candle favor that will remind your guests of the magical time they had with you on your wedding day. Another fun option for a fairytale wedding could be a teacup candle favor that is so adorable your guests will want to display it in their homes.
If you keep fun in mind when selecting your wedding favors, you are sure to choose a favor that your guests will love to take home with them. Happy Favor Hunting.
Wedding Favor Ideas for Low Cost
As a rule, a wedding will not be complete without handing out the traditional wedding favors. Although, the bride and the groom may opt not give away such tokens, many people are of the opinion that the handing out of wedding favors is a nice way of acknowledging the presence of your guests in celebrating your wedding day. Given the expenses earmarked for the bridal gown, the entourage's dresses, flowers, and the reception, you may not have enough money left for the wedding favors. However, this should not discourage you from utilizing your creative minds on how you can give out low cost wedding favors. Nowadays, a couple has numerous choices available to them, you simply have to make the necessary adjustments in order that the token will suit the occasion or the theme of your wedding.
A popular wedding favor idea is edible food. Chocolates, candies or special nuts will be greatly appreciated and at the same time, will not cost too much. If your guest list is in the hundreds or more, then you should buy these treats by the volume to fit on your budget. By wrapping these goodies in appropriate yet attractive packages or boxes, your guests will certainly look forward to receiving these tokens. Even after they have eaten the contents, the packages can be put to other uses. The boxes will serve as a continuous reminder of your wedding. Assuming that you still have extra time during the wedding preparation and to cut down on expenditures, you can try to make homemade chocolates or goodies. You can ask the assistance of your close friends or relatives to help. This is a more personal way of doing your wedding favors and more importantly, if you are working within a fixed budget, translates to lower expenses.
Aside from food that can be easily consumed, you can choose to make your own non-consumable wedding favors. One option is to make scented candles or soaps that are customized to your wedding theme and color. This would definitely be more meaningful since the guests would realize that given your hectic schedule, you allotted some time in preparing the wedding tokens. You can likewise share with your guests your favorite love songs by giving them a copy of a CD containing such compositions. You could also try to create your own wedding favors like mini-baskets with colorful beads. If these ideas do not appeal to you, you can still buy scented candles, soaps, and other useful trinkets in bulk, then add a personal touch to each. You can print labels containing the couple's names, the date of your wedding, the reception and other information and stick them on these wedding favors.
You should not rule out the distribution of wedding favors on the ground of additional expense. There are alternatives in coming up with low cost ideas that will not be a huge burden on your budget. You just have to identify what you want and find ways on how to do it without spending so much money.
The Important of Wedding Favors and Whay we needed
A lot of couples will not prepare the wedding favors nowadays. In fact, it is not really a good idea to do so. You will probably want to say thank you to your guests. You appreciate that they have attended your wedding. And you will try to express your appreciation using these small gifts.
In fact, there are also other reasons for you to prepare wedding favors in your wedding. There are some experts who believe that it is extremely impolite if you do not prepare them in your wedding.
As you may probably know, the wedding favor can be part of your wedding decoration. You will be putting them on the reception table. And this will become part of the decoration. If you can pick some special and unique items, your guests will certainly be able to see it once they arrive. And it will become a talking point of your guests.
You will certainly want your guests remember your wedding. And the wedding favor can help you to do so. Of course the point here is that you have to search for some special and useful items. Whenever your guests see the it, they will remember your wedding. The wedding favor will help the guests to recall the memory about your wedding.
So the question here will be how you should choose your wedding favor. As mentioned you will need to make it unique and special. One of the ways is to personalize them. It is not very difficult to do so. There are a lot of choices. You can try to put your name on the wedding favor and this is already a good way for you to personalize them.
Of course you should also make your wedding favor match your wedding theme. As mentioned, it is a part of your decoration. To this end you need to make it match your wedding theme. Of course you are doing this because you would also give your guests a total experience on your wedding. Again, it is not difficult to do so. However, one thing you always need to remember is that you should never confine yourself to party favor shops when you are searching for the wedding favor. There are a lot of other options and choices and you should spend the time to explore these options.
When you are searching for the wedding favor, it is very important for you to know the number of guests first. It will certainly affect the cost of them. Besides, it may be impossible for you to order the items if you are going to invite too few guests. You have to consider this carefully before you make your final decision.
As for your other wedding items, you may also want to save some money on it since a wedding is so expensive. As a result, you have to compare the prices of them. You will also try to visit some online shops in order so that you can find discount items. Remember, you should be very careful if you see some offers which are too good to be true!
Some Tips for Making your Wedding Favor Ideas Come to Life
If you’re a bride with a creative side, chances are that you have some wedding favor ideasfor your reception already in mind. Maybe you imagine something chocolate and decadent, maybe you have a practical side that you want to express. In any event, if you haven’t already made a decision or a purchase, then how do you go about making those wedding favor ideas of your own come to life? What are some tips and hints, and what are some things to avoid?
Wedding Favor Ideas Should be Unique
There’s nothing wrong with being inspired by a wedding you saw of your favorite celebrity, or a photo in a bride’s magazine, or even something at a wedding you’ve attended yourself. But the bottom line is that your wedding favor ideas need to tailored to your own personality, to the personality of your groom, and the two of you as a couple.
For example, you may have seen a very decadent gift of chocolate truffles being given away at a celebrity’s wedding. Depending on the brand of chocolates, chances are they paid thousands and thousands of dollars for those gifts. Unless you have that kind of money to spend on favors, you may want to scale yours back a bit.
In a case like that, some good wedding favor ideas might be smaller boxes of more inexpensive chocolates. Brands such as Russell Stover or Fannie Mae are very good but are a bit more affordable. The boxes can be wrapped with wrapping paper you get from a store for a festive look. Tie them with some thick silver or gold ribbon and they are now an elegant take-home gift for your guests.
Additionally, you can still tailor your wedding favor ideas to include customized candy bar wrappers for chocolate bars. This trend in wedding favors is one that has really caught fire in recent years, since some of the larger companies offer so many different designs that you’re sure to find one that expresses your personality. For example, if you search on The Knot or Wed Alert, you can find several different types of wrappers being offered. One of the internet’s leading candy bar wrapper companies, www.FavorsAndWraps.com, has over 150 different designs that feature flowers, beach scenes, autumn scenes, art deco designs, fun and whimsical designs, along with some traditional and very elegant ones as well. Whether your wedding favor ideas include something traditional, something fun, or something that celebrates nature, you’re sure to find something just right for you.
Your wedding favor ideas should also incorporate some of the same elements from your wedding, such as the choice of flowers or the colors you’ve picked. For example, if your bouquet is all roses, then of course you would want to use roses in your wedding favor ideas. It would make no sense to wrap your chocolate boxes or choose custom candy wrappers that have daisies or irises as part of their design. Additionally, if your bridesmaids’ dresses and other colors in your wedding are soft pastels, these colors should be reflected in your wedding favors. If you’re a bride that has opted for stronger, bolder colors, then remember this same point. Don’t use traditional wraps with silver and gold for your favors if your bridesmaids are all wearing black or cherry red.
Making Your Own
You may opt to assemble or create your own favors if you can’t find just what you’re looking for, or have a strong creative side and want to do this type of thing for yourself and your guests. In this case, making your wedding favor ideas come to life will take a bit more planning and consideration. It’s very easy to underestimate the time, effort, and money involved in creating your own favors.
For example, if you have the idea of getting foil-wrapped chocolates and placing them in a tulle bag to wrap with ribbon, this can be a very beautiful item. However, have you figured how many guests you’re expecting, and how much wrapped chocolate you will need for that number? How much ribbon will you need? How much time will this take you, and where will you store the chocolate before the reception?
This isn’t meant to scare you off from going through with your own wedding favor ideas, as this can be a great way to add personality and style to your reception. Additionally, there is no end to your options for making these items uniquely you. In the case of tulle bags filled with chocolate, you can skip the ribbon and use strands of crystal beads to tie them for a more elegant touch. Or if you want to express your fun side, choose an oversized Hershey’s Kiss instead. The possibilities are endless.
What to Avoid With Your Own Wedding Favor Ideas
There are some things that should be avoided when considering your wedding favor ideas. For one thing, it’s tempting to simply get whatever you want without any thought or considering of your own budget. It’s easy to think that you can spend what you want since your wedding is going to happen only once (hopefully) in your life, but starting out your new life deeply in debt can only add tension to your relationship down the road.
Additionally, you want favors that are going to match your overall theme and feel of your wedding. Don’t indulge in wedding favors that are fun and funky if your wedding is traditional and elegant. You can find things that are very affordable and still look beautiful at the same time.
And lastly, make sure that your wedding favor ideas are practical and can be accomplished. You may think up some extravagant gift idea that requires hours and hours of preparation and assembly, and assume that your bridesmaids and friends will be willing to pitch in and help, but remember that they may already be somewhat stressed themselves with all the other responsibilities they have for your wedding.
If you keep all these thoughts in mind, you’re sure to find a creative, fun, and elegant way to bring to life your own wedding favor ideas.
Wedding Favors for Irish
Irish wedding favors are wedding favors which reflect the spirit of Irish humor, friendship, love and luck. It is traditional at Irish weddings to give the guests a handkerchief made of Irish linen or lace and an Irish couple usually gives a small piece of the wedding cake in decorated boxes that are marked with the names of the couple and the date of their wedding.
Irish tea makes the best wedding favor for an afternoon wedding and it can also be accompanied by biscuits or tea rings. Iced sugar cookies or foil-wrapped chocolates are some of the other edible treats in an Irish wedding favor. The foil-wrapped chocolates are available in the shape of shamrocks, celtic crosses or claddaghs. Claddagh is a classic symbol of love, loyalty and friendship. It depicts two hands holding a heart with a crown on top. Many of the Irish wedding favors such as picture frames, plaques, candle holders and cups use this symbol to show friendship and love. Shamrock is also an important Irish symbol often used to represent the Holy Trinity. Since the three-leaf shamrock is considered sacred, shamrock favors such as charms, pins, a shamrock corsage or wreath?crown and a small potted plant are widely used as Irish wedding favors.
Almost all of the Irish wedding favors contain the color green which is considered as the symbol of Irish pride and solidarity. Hence, green color is used as the primary color in most of the Irish wedding favors. Traditional Irish blessing can also be given as wedding favors for the wedding guests. Small cards with a blessing printed in calligraphy with a pressed or artificial shamrock is widely used as Irish wedding favors.
Irish wedding favors usually give long lasting memories for the wedding guests of the wedding day depicting their love and loyalty of their friendship. Irish wedding rings such as spirals, triskeles and shield knots are some of the popular favors for the weddings that have an Irish theme. These Irish rings can be presented in personalized boxes. Irish designs are usually printed on these boxes.
Where Do You Find Beach Wedding Favors
When you are going to get married you will need to have wedding favors. Wedding favors come in all different types including beach wedding favors. Depending on where you are going to get married, and the theme for your wedding, will determine what type of wedding favors you need.
A wedding is an auspicious occasion that marks a new life brimming with adventure, the experience of different tastes, and above all an ideal communion of two individuals in entirety. Wedding favors are, essentially, gifts that are given to a bride and groom by relatives, friends, and family, as a semblance of goodwill, love, and appreciation. Beach wedding favors come in a sumptuous range and varied assortment of wedding ceremony and reception favors that can captivate the hearts of not only the onlookers, but also the ones who are gifted these favors.
If you get married on the beach or at the beach then you will want to have beach wedding favors. Wedding favors come in all different sizes, shapes, and costs, that you can pick from.
Here are several beach wedding favors you could have at your wedding:
Silver beach wedding favors - These could include, silver coasters, silver wine bottle openers and wine stoppers. These make unique wedding favors.
Seashell wedding favors - Some of these could be shell mint packs and seashell toothpicks.
Homemade wedding favors - These could be playing cards and soaps. You can personalize them better when you make them yourself.
Other beach wedding favors - These could include beach sand pails, sand castles, flip flop candle favors, dolphin shaped bottle openers and beach chocolate and cookies.
These are certainly not all of the beach wedding favors that you can get but they will give you a good idea. Now you just need to know where to find these wedding favors.
The first place to start is with the wedding planner if you are using one. They may be able to find you some beach wedding favors at a great price.
The next best place is to go to your local party supply store. They will have a lot of wedding favors that you can choose from.
How about going online and finding the wedding favors you need? There are a number of websites that are devoted to wedding supplies. They will definitely have the beach wedding favors that you need. You will more than likely be able to get them at a great price too if you are willing to shop around.
You may know somewhere else to get the beach wedding favors that you need since these are certainly not the only places to get them. They are best places to research because of the wide variety of wedding favors they carry for all different wedding themes.
You just want to remember that you have to get the favors that you need well ahead of time. You don't want to wait until the last minute and hope that they still have what you need.
So start shopping early and get it done rather than wait until later to do it. You will be so glad that you did as your important day draws near.
Bonbonnieres or Wedding Favors
What exactly are bonbonnieres, and how are they different from favors?
This is a question I seem to get very often from quite a few customers. This article will try to cover the differences between the two.
Bonbonnieres
The tradition of giving favors to guests at celebrations goes way back to olden European culture. It was especially popular among the wealthy and the aristocrats. In their earliest form, bonbonnieres - a French word that refers to a small container filled with bonbons - were made of gold, precious stones, porcelain or crystal and were filled with sugar cubes. As time went on, the sugar cubes were replaced with sugar-coated almonds, otherwise known as Jordan almonds. In today's European culture, Jordan almonds are the primary choice of sweet treat used in most bonbonnieres.
One long-standing European tradition is to offer a small bonbonniere to each guest as a thank you for their presence on that special day. This tradition still holds strong today, primarily in countries such as Greece and Italy. The traditional bonbonniere given out is usually made with tulle or lace and constructed as a small box or pouch decorated with ribbons and flowers. The number of Jordan almonds should be uneven, and in some cultures, it is imperative that this number is such; otherwise the church cannot bless them. Typically, five are included, each one representing a respective wish for:
- health
- wealth
- fertility
- happiness
- longevity.
A personalized ribbon or tag may complement the bonbonniere.
Favors
Nowadays, many people seem to prefer giving a more significant gift that guests can keep and utilize. These are known as favors. Favors may be chrome, porcelain, silver or crystal. They can also be theme related (i.e. beach favors for beach weddings, autumn favors for autumn weddings, etc.)
Some of my customers seem to like combining the traditional with the contemporary, opting for a nice gift as a favor and adding that special touch, be it tulle containing the requisite uneven number of Jordan almonds, a personalized ribbon or tag, flowers, or using colors that match their occasion's theme.
In closing, whether you decide to go with the more traditional bonbonnieres or with favors that have a more modern-like feel, you cannot go wrong because both fulfill the main purpose: Giving your guests a memento as a token of your appreciation for making that special day truly memorable. We, at "Favor Creations" make it easy for you as we offer customized bonbonnieres and personalized favors. We will personalize any favor with your colors or theme.
Special Wedding Guest's Gifts - Personalized your Wedding Favor
Another great and unique option of thanking your wedding guests is by giving them personalized wedding favors. Also, many couples agree to give such favors to extend their heart-felt gratitude for the support and effort rendered by their wedding participants, including their families, friends and colleagues. Gifts for wedding attendees are known as wedding favors. Personalized favors in particular, are most popular souvenir selections made by brides and grooms to show how thankful they are to have their circle of friends share their precious time with them on their big day. However, searching for personalized favors for your wedding is quite challenging. Though there are a plethora of personalized items widely available, the real challenge is how to find the ideal favor to fit into your wedding.
Consider your wedding theme, your theme can help and guide you in choosing different wedding essentials, primarily, your wedding favors. According to your wedding theme, your should opt for items that have coordinated style, design and colors to the environment of your celebration. Example, if you have a beach wedding theme, choose souvenirs that you usually see during summer outings at the beach, like shells, sand, stones, rubber slippers and the like. Also, the color schemes you want to incorporate are those pastel shades. Think of these ideas or have some research about different wedding themes, in that way, you can have helpful information on what favors to buy.
Most elegant-theme weddings choose metallic souvenirs like gold, silver, platinum and more. Some of these items include crystals and gemstones to add more elegance. They can be turned into personalized keepsakes also by engraving scripts such as names, messages and more. If you have enough budget for these souvenirs, grab this idea for they can really make a great difference on the overall appeal of your wedding. Plus, give it away and allow your guests to remember your one of a kind wedding celebration with elegance!
Some inexpensive favor choices can make a practical option. Think of functional and useful items that are ideal for everyone's use. Such items are pens, mugs, pocket knives, place card holders and picture frames. These items may turn into personalized wedding favors by means of engraving. Personalized pens in particular, can make very useful souvenirs to all your guests. Pens are used by majority, therefore you've done a smart pick if you have pens as favors for your wedding. There are different cool options for personalized pens, you may find themed pens for different occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, valentines. Different scriptures on pens are also available, from religious to funny messages to fit everyone's personality.
Personalized pens may also be presented during pre-wedding parties, consider them as your bridal shower favors. Actually, not just personalized pens can make a great wedding souvenir option for you, opt for something else, other personalized favors could give a unique touch and likely appreciated by your attendees. Feel free to choose, save enough time to shop around and make comparisons. The important thing is, you've experienced a fun time roaming around while looking for personalized gifts for your supportive guests!
Your Wedding Favors and Wedding Reception
The reception is certainly the most important event in your wedding. You will be spending a lot of time to prepare for it. You will need to consider a lot of details when you are preparing for it.
The first thing you will need to consider is certainly the venue for the reception. You will need to think about the number of guests you are going to invite when you are choosing the reception hall. Of course it is only one of the issues you will need to consider. You will also need to think about the transportation to the venue. The atmosphere of it is also very important. And your budget will play an important role when you are making your final decision.
In most cases the reception hall can be able to provide your with a caterer. If this is not the case, you will even need to hire your own caterer. To this end you will also need to spend a lot of time to discuss with the caterer about the menu. One thing you may want to know is that the prices may be higher if you would like to give your guests more choices concerning the menu.
When the decorations are concerned, you will need to first of all think about the centerpieces. They are the most important since you will put one on each table. You will need to make your decorations match your wedding theme and color scheme. As a matter of fact, your wedding favor can also be part of your decorations since you will also put them on each table.
To this end the packaging design of the wedding favor will be very important. You will need to design the package in a way that it also match your decorations and wedding theme. You may need to discuss with your designer in order to design a perfect package.
Besides, the wedding favor itself is also very important. As you will probably know, this small gift is one of the ways to thank your guests to coming to your event. Every couple will spend a lot of time to search for the most perfect gift. There are tons of party favor shops online and you will need to visit these shops in order to search for it.
There are a lot of choices when you are searching for your wedding favor. For example, you may consider purchasing some chocolates or cookies and give them to your guests. If you do not really like the idea of edible items, you may also consider purchasing items such as crystals as your wedding favor. Of course the costs of crystals will probably be a lot higher than that of cookies of chocolates!
One of the things couples would probably want to do is to personalize the wedding favor. It is very popular for couples to order some custom printed wedding favor. One of the advantages of it is that it will not be very expensive.
How Much Should you Spend on Wedding Favors?
Most brides today wish they could go out and buy anything and everything they want for their wedding and reception, but unfortunately most know that they need to stay within a certain budget. Because of that, many brides wonder the appropriate amount to spend on every item and accessory, including their wedding favors. How much is too much, and how little is too little? Having a budget is a good idea and even commendable, but no one wants to come across as cheap or tacky. So what is a good amount to spend on your wedding favors, and how can you get "the most bang for your buck," so to speak?
Obviously the answer as to an appropriate amount for wedding favors will be different for every bride and every wedding. The one thing to keep in mind regarding your budget and your particular wedding is that your favors should be appropriate for the occasion itself; a more upscale wedding should have more elegant wedding favors, whereas a more casual wedding would offer more affordable and perhaps fun favors. If you have a wedding that includes a designer gown that everyone knows cost you thousands, held in a very old cathedral with a reception at a fancy country club, your guests may very well be offended or insulted by cheap plastic trinkets. On the other hand, fancy silver candlesticks may seem somewhat out of place at your barefoot beach wedding.
The size of your invitation list will also affect the budget for your wedding favors. Obviously the more people you have, the more those favors will cost you. If you absolute must have hundreds at your wedding, you may need to be a bit more modest when it comes to your wedding favors.
Your best bet for deciding the appropriate amount for wedding favors is to start with your budget overall, and once you've figured your dress, the catering, deejay, hall rental, and everything else, see how much that leaves you for favors. If the budget is somewhat skimpy at this point, you might want to see where you can make adjustments. Talk to your caterer about some options such as serving one less side dish, or see if you can cut back a little on decorations.
In any event, always plan on spending at least one dollar per favor; while you may not actually purchase wedding favors that are a dollar each, if you multiply that by how many guests you have, you then have you budget for favors overall. Two hundred guests equal two hundred dollars for favors; you can probably make something at home for that much. Assembling bags of chocolates or personalized candy bar wrappers that you wrap yourself are both good choices.
And if you have the budget for it, you might even consider gift bags with an assortment of wedding favors. Each favor might be somewhat modest, but if you wrap them individually in beautiful wrapping paper and then nestle them in tissue paper in the gift bag, your guest will feel like they're getting a handful of gifts to take home with them.
But whatever your budget for wedding favors, make sure they reflect the fact that you put some time and effort into choosing them as a way of expressing your appreciation to your guests for participating in your special day.
Choosing What Kind Wedding Favor Should you choose
Giving out wedding favors is a tradition. You will be sending your guests a small gift in order to thank them for their presence in your wedding. As a matter of fact, some couples may go for some traditional options such as candles. Of course it is clear that it should never be your only option.
You have plenty of choices nowadays. There are a lot of party favor shops out there and there is unlimited number of choices when your wedding favor is concerned. As a result, you do not need to stick to the traditional options. You can certainly choose a gift which can represent you and your wedding.
You may wonder how you should choose your wedding favor. Again, you are going to thank your guests using this gift. You have to choose it carefully. Most couples will choose to personalize their wedding favor. In fact, it will be a good idea to do so. And your guests will be impressed if you can really personalize it.
Of course you will need to make your wedding favor match the theme of your wedding theme. For example, you may still want to stick to the traditional idea of candles if you are planning to have a relatively traditional wedding. Of course the case will be totally different if you are going to host a modern or contemporary event.
For instance, if you are going to host a beach wedding, you may order some chocolates or cookies in the shape of seashells. This will certainly make the small gift match your wedding theme. Of course you will need to choose other kind of gift if you are having a different wedding theme.
On the other hand, you may also want to make the wedding favor reflect you and your spouse. Of course you will try to personalize the small gift. However, you may think that it is not enough. If this is the case, you will try to choose the gift based on your hobby or interest. For example, if you are a golf lover, you may consider choosing a miniature of a golf club. This will certainly make your guests remember you if they know that you love playing golf.
You may think that you will need to spend a lot of money in order to purchase your wedding favor. However, this is not always the case. There are some choices if you would like to save some money on it. In fact, money saving will be very crucial for couples who have limited budget. You may need to search for some discount items from some party favor shops. You may also search for such items on some online shops. At the end of the day it is not that difficult for you to order wedding favors which are not very expensive!
You will be spending a lot of time to make your wedding perfect. You will spend the time and effort on your wedding dress and decorations. So, you should never forget your wedding favor and you should start searching for it as soon as possible.
Good Ideas for your Wedding Favor
A wedding celebration just wouldn't be complete without giving the guests a wedding favor to take home so that they will remember the event. Giving your guests a bad favor choice would be worse than giving no favor at all. We have all been to weddings where we were given a wedding favor that we just didn't know what to do with. When you think of a bad favor choice, think of any favor that you, yourself, would immediately be tossed into the trash can. If the wedding favor is one that you really wouldn't want to receive, don't give it to your wedding guests. Today, there are many, many wedding favors available that are unique, yet practical too. You want your guests to use or at least keep the wedding favors your give them. Starting with that thought in mind, let's take a look at the many favor options available to choose from.
Practical wedding favors are favors that your guests will definitely be able to use in their homes, offices, or even purses and cars. A great example of a favor that fits this category is a bottle stopper. Bottle stopper wedding favors are available in so many elegant styles and themes and can be used for wine, liquor or other bottles. Another great example of a practical wedding favor would be a coaster set. If the coaster set is neutral such as white or in a design that can be used at certain times of the year such as a fall design that can be used at Thanksgiving, you can be assured your guests will happily accept this gift. Tape measures, bottle openers, key chains and bookmarks are all perfect examples of other practical wedding favor choices.
Another popular choice to consider would be candle wedding favors. Of all the party favors available, candle favors has the most to offer in the way of colors, designs, themes, and styles. This favor also can decorate the guest tables around the floral centerpiece adding another elegant dimension to the d?r. Spring wedding? Select a beautiful butterfly candle favor. Summer wedding? Choose from mini lanterns with a tea light candle inside or adorable flip flop candles would be a fantastic choice.
Edible wedding favors are not only fun, but easy to put together too. Who doesn't love to receive a gift that they can eat? You can purchase mint tins that may be personalized to match the theme of the wedding then fill them with matching candies or other fun items. Having a beach wedding? Select a mint tin personalized with a palm tree in colors to match your wedding colors. Fill the tins with fun little candy like Skittles or Starburst that are available in tropical flavors. Will your wedding be held in December or January? Then fill the favor bags or tins with peppermint colors in red and white or green and white to match the season. Wedding favors you can eat always go over very well with the guests that receive them. Another great idea to consider is to place an assortment of loose candy in bowls next to the favor bags with silver candy servers. Your guests can create their own edible wedding favor. This will be fun for your guests plus save you time too.
The best way to select a wedding favor is to choose something that you, yourself would like to receive.
Smart Shop for your Wedding Favors
Making the decision as to what wedding favors you want to hand out at your wedding can be somewhat difficult for many brides as of course there are literally hundreds and hundreds of options from which to choose. Some brides get overwhelmed very quickly and just purchase the first thing that catches their eye, and then wind up regretting that decision rather quickly as they realize they have something that doesn't fit their wedding décor and that really doesn't fit their own personal style.
This is also a good way to spend far too much on wedding favors; it's so easy to forget about how the cost adds up once you purchase enough favors for all your guests, especially considering tax, shipping charges, and anything else you may need for a beautiful presentation.
So how does a smart bride shop for wedding favors? There are a few simple steps you'll want to keep in mind before you browse.
For one thing, what is your budget? If you're having 100 guests and have a budget of $200 for wedding favors then remember that you can't really spend two dollars per favors as you'll need to figure in tax, shipping, and any other accessories for your favors such as wrapping paper or ribbon for each one. A $200 budget for 100 guests means about $1.50 per favor. When purchasing anything for your wedding you always want to leave yourself a little "wriggle room."
Taking your time to browse is also a good idea when shopping for wedding favors. Remember that there are endless options for you; don't just pick up the first nice candle or coffee packet you see. Give it some thought - what would really express something about you and your fiancée, your hobbies and interests, and your wedding overall? You don't want to make your wedding favors too personal as they should be something your guests will appreciate, but you can balance these two if you think about it.
For example, if the two of you love to travel and are real "city" people, a small paperweight in the shape of the Eiffel Tower may be appreciated and can be very affordable. Most major museums have little key chains and other tokens that could work well as wedding favors so if you have a favorite museum you both love, go online and see what they may offer.
Or suppose you and your fiancée are very romantic; candle wedding favors are always a romantic choice and just about everyone can use a nice candle for their home or apartment. If you appreciate greenery and gardening, a small potted flowering plant can cost around one dollar and can be appreciate by just about anyone for their home or office. By giving some thought to your own personality and that of your fiancée, you can make a good choice by way of wedding favors that really express those personalities.
And when you're shopping for wedding favors, don't rule out something unique and original, and something you find at any retail store. If a beautiful set of note cards catch your eye, who says they can't work as wedding favors? You can even mix and match designs if they coordinate - different flowers, different autumn designs, and so on.
Make sure your wedding favors work well with your reception's theme and feel as well. If you're having a very elegant and traditional wedding you might want to steer clear of the fun little trinkets. If you're having a beach wedding then an autumn-themed favor might not make sense. Remember that many choices for wedding favors are available in a wide variety of options - candles in what look like little sand pails are great for beach weddings, picture frames that are wood rather than silver work better for an autumn wedding, and so on.
By giving some thought and making sure that you set aside some time to really shop and browse, you'll be sure to choose the right wedding favors for you, the way any smart bride would!
Wedding Favors with your Placecards Double
Everyone is looking for ways to make their wedding special without spending a fortune. Instead of having to buy placecards for the tables and wedding favors, why not be creative and design placecards that can double as wedding favors. That way, you can have one really nice thing for the price of two mediocre items.
There are lots of great items that you can use for placecards and then have your guests take home as favors. One classic idea is to get little silver or gold frames and put one at the seat of each guest with their name inside. It is an instant upgrade from the basic plain tent style placecard, and your guests will love the frame. If you want to make it more customized, you can choose frames that tie in with the theme of your wedding. For instance, if you are having a Breakfast at Tiffany's wedding, then naturally you will want frames in Tiffany blue enamel. To make them even more deluxe, line the inside border of the frame with a row of faux pearls to match the bride's pearl bridal jewelry.
With all of the great computer software that people have at home these days, it it very easy to print up professional looking tags and labels. Use this to make your placecards/favors. For a fall or winter wedding, a great idea would be a small jar of maple syrup at each guest's seat. Instead of the label of the maker, make your own custom stickers with the names of the bride and groom, the wedding date, and the name of each guest to serve as a placecard. For a spring or summer wedding, you could have the same down-home type of favor by using a jar of strawberry preserves.
Christmas weddings have wonderful possibilities all their own. A fantastic idea would be to design an ornament that can also be the placecard. If you are having a small wedding, or if price is not a concern, a fantastic idea would be to have silver ornaments engraved with the name of each guest.
If custom engraving is not in the budget, there are many other fun options. If the wedding has a Winter Wonderland theme, with the bride in crystal bridal jewelry and tons of sparkle everywhere, then crystal (or glass) snowflake ornaments would make perfect favors. To use them as placecards, simply tie a holiday gift tag with the guest's name to each one, and put it on their place setting. The beautiful snowflakes will enhance your theme, and your guests will love the ornaments.
Wedding favors need not be pricey, especially for an informal wedding. One other idea for a combination placecard and favor is to set out one beautiful, ripe pear at each guest's place. Tie a small banner of gold paper to the stem of each pear and write the name of the guest on it in calligraphy. Simple, but elegant - not to mention tasty!
Your favors are one of the parts of the wedding that allow for the most originality. Be creative, and find a way to make your favors do double duty as placecards. Not only will it look great at your reception, but you will be able to kill two birds with one stone.
Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. Bridal jewelry is available in a style to suit any taste and budget.
