Transportation

Many hotels offer free shuttles so do your guests a favor and check to see if they offer shuttle service to the wedding location and if so what time the shuttle runs.  This may be a great option for guests staying at the hotel to get safely to and from the hotel.  Another option (my husband and I did) although not cheap was rent a transportation bus that made trips between the hotel and venue.  If you chose this option make sure guests know the approximate departure times so they can plan accordingly.  Many of our guests took advantage of the "safe" transportation.  So instead of taking a limo at the end of the night we just jumped on the bus (more like a coach bus) with our guests and reduced the cost of having a limo all night and spent the money saved and a little extra to offer this option to our guests so they could all have a designated driver :)

Bridal Shower Wishing Well

Lets face it most of us don't use any of the recipes given to us at showers.  So instead ask everyone to bring one their most used favorite small must have kitchen gizmo or gadget for a basket to give the bride.  And ask everyone to explain or give a little story about why it is a must have.  For example....chip clips....you can never have too many.  Zip lock bags...I zip lock everything.   Kitchen towel save the world one less paper towel at a time.  A food substitute that saved you dinner one night.  You get the idea.

Rustic Wedding

Looking to have a different wedding.   Maybe something rustic.  But can't afford the HUGE price tag usually associated with it.  Check out local summer camps.  Many of them have large "mess" halls that provide a great space for tables and dance floor.  Alot of the camps also have a picturesque area that you could host the ceremony too.  The only downside is the camps usually aren't available during summer months.  Many of the camps you would also have to do alot of things yourself,  but you could always hire a wedding planner to handle details.   Hope you find your perfect place to say I Do and celebrate the start of your happily ever after.

Favor or Welcome Bags

I recently threw my sister a bridal shower and had spent money on food, drinks, game prizes, decorations and favors.  I didn't want to spend a fortune on the gift bags for the favors.  After all the just get thrown away.  I was shopping at Target one day and came across colored lunch bags.  Perfect!!!!  I put the favors inside brought inexpensive ribbon and punched two holes at the top of the bag and tied a pretty bow....the colored lunch bags may be new favorite party favor bag.

Make your own Wedding Organizer

This is so easy.  My sisters and I each had one and it was such a huge help.  It was the first gift we made each other.  We purchased a one inch white binder with the clear inserts for the front and back.  We the scrapbooks the cover and back using wedding colors and customized it to the location or feel each was going for.

For instance I didn't know what colors I was going to go with right away but I knew it was going to be a beach wedding so mine had beach wedding design.  My sisters knew there colors right away so those were incorporated in their designs.
We put phrases like soon to be Mrs. Smith or Bride to be or Coming Soon Mrs. White May 1, 2018, etc.

We put some loose leaf paper inside and clear protectors to keep contracts or photos from magazines or bills or receipts.

Have fun!

Something Old

"See a penny pick it up.  All day long you'll have good luck."

I was in a wedding once where the bride had sort of put off figuring out her "old, new, borrowed, blue."  So we decided as her bridal party to take care of it fir her.  Her maid of honor let her borrow jewelry (a bracelet, I think).  I had purchased her blue panties.   Her dress was new.  So the only thing missing was old.

So we decided to find a penny with the year the bride and groom were born and tape it to the bottom of her shoes.  You could also do the year the couple met or just the oldest penny you can find.  Or just a penny you find on the street, after all who couldn't use the extra luck on their big day and forever :)

This idea is cost effective,  great for those who don't have anything old they can incorporate  into their special day and easy to include.

Bridesmaids & Groomsmen Gifts or even wedding favors

Think back to the days when you would go to a dance or Sweet 16 or Prom...your feet were always killing you from dancing the night away.  My friends and I always packed a pair of socks to slip on once our feet started to hurt so the dancing wouldn't end until the last song played.  Consider giving the gift of flip flops or even grip socks that look like shoes so your wedding party has the option to change into them once the ceremony and photos are over and dancing has begun.  Or include everyone and give all your wedding guests that same option by making that your wedding favor.  No excuses for not dancing the night away :)

(Photo provided by PesonalizationMall.com)

Skip the Traditional Recipe Sharing

My sister is getting married next year so we have started to discuss her bridal shower.  She decided since she doesn't cook and most people forger not to bother with creating a collection of recipes.   So we have come up with two alternative ideas....
The first is to ask people to bring cleaning tricks to share.. like use this household product to get wine out of carpet and then supply that product.
The second idea is to ask everyone to bring their spare change to feed the honeymoon piggy bank.
Now since participation isn't always great with these extras we thought we would give away raffle tickets and create a basket to give away.  So instead of asking just for these items you can just say purchase raffle tickets for a great basket giveaway.  For every cleaning gift or $1 you get a ticket.   Other ideas could be stock the bar and for every bottle receive a raffle ticket.  Or every kitchen item brought in gets a ticket.
Hope this helps those planning showers :)

More for the Great Outdoors

I think the girl scout in me was the inspiration here, but how cute would it be to create S'mores gift packages either as a welcome gift and invite your guests to spend "S'more time with you" before the wedding or as a wedding favor as an after party gathering.  You could brown lunch bag it to keep it simple and casual or fancy it up as much as you want with personalized labels on your chocolate bars, ribbons to tie everything together.  Or if you really want to keep it simple you could create post card size invites or even simpler print fliers to invite your guests to spend "S'more time with you".

(Photo provided by Wikipedia)

For the Great Outdoors

There are so many wonderful options for centerpieces, but here is one inspired by the nature lovers that love to go hiking.  Purchase glass conisters that have lids or you could even use small mason jars and stack them in a pyramid and they could double as the wedding favor.  Fill the glass container with your favorite trail mix or make your own.  If you want to add more color you can add ribbon to match the colors of your wedding.  Easy & simple.  And I'm huge fan of the fact that you're not just spending money on something that will wind up in the trash that night or the next day...at least your guests can enjoy your centerpiece as an after party snack or for energy the next day :)



Check out the colors the trail mix can bring to your centerpiece...





(Above photo found on e-how.com)



(Above photo found on ThriftyFun.com)

Or if you have something already in mind for your centerpiece this would make an excellent wedding favor or welcome gift.....think brown paper lunch bags stamped for decoration filled with trail mix.  So cute!!!

Sweet Dreams...

Such a cute wedding favor idea for evening weddings or even as just an added treat for guests staying in your hotel block.  Whether it is a candy bar with all yours and your significant others favorite candies or candies matching your color scheme or candy that matches your theme a cute cellophane bag or jar with a sticker on it saying "Sweet Dreams".  Or maybe a large candy bar at each placesetting with a candy wrapper (you can buy them already printed or buy the wrappers and print them yourself) saying "Sweet Dreams" or a prefilled jar with that same label (and maybe even a cute ribbon).
Or if you already have a wedding favor in mind you could ask the hotel you have your wedding block at to leave a candy bar or jar or bag with "Sweet Dreams" on each persons bed or in their room the night of the wedding (kind of like a mint on the pillow kind of idea).
You get the idea....
As always if your having any problems coming up with ideas for your wedding please feel free to contact me and I'll do my best to come up with an idea for you.

Wedding Favors That Make a Difference

How many wedding favors have you gotten that wind up in the trash or just collect dust somewhere in your house?  My husband and I attended a wedding where the bride and groom made a donation in the name of each guest to the American Heart Association and gave each guest a red American Heart Association bracelet with a tag attached letting them know that they made that donation in their name.  Seriously...how awesome is that!  There are so many different foundations out there that could benefit from this generous gift idea...please spread the word and lets make this a trend.  Many foundations sell small items where the proceeds go to research like pins, koozies, pens, etc.  So before you go spending your money on a favors think about giving the gift that could save a life or maybe even millions of lives one day.

Bridal Shower Recipe Book

I know it has been a while, but I'm back.  Today is an idea for the traditional recipe book given to the bride at the shower and usually contains recipes from everyone that attended or was invited.  Usually the host sends out recipe cards with the invites for the guests to fill out and return.

Well, for my sister's I decided to do it a little differently.  We did a scrapbook recipe book.  And here are some reasons why:
1.  She can add recipes to it any time
2.  The recipes are protected from liquid and food with protective covers
3.  Even if guests forget to write out their recipe ahead of time and to bring the recipe card with them, many people have a favorite recipe memorized that they can still help fill the book
4.  It becomes an activity at the shower
5.  And it truly is a one of a kind :)

Supplies:
Binder
Paper
Protective Covers
Scissors
Glue
Stickers
Markers
Pens

Here are a couple photos to help give you a better idea.

Go Green for the New Year!

I went to the grocery store the other day and as you walked in the store they had a sign that said Make it a New Years resolution to bring your bags.  This inspired my next idea and by now you've already guessed...

Instead of using gift bags that will just get thrown away for your welcome bags why not purchase reusable shopping bags.  I'm sure you can find some really cute bags at your local stores or even online or you can order them custom made.  Or if you and your fiance are environmentally friendly people this may even be a fitting wedding favor.

Go Green and you may get others to join you...and just think if they do everytime they go to the store and use your bag they'll be reminded of your special day :)

Happy New Year!!!

With the end of one year and the start of a new year it is the perfect time to reflect on the memories created over the past year and look forward to the memories that will be made in the new year. 

My ideas for today are all about reflection.

My first idea is a gift for your wedding party.  Purchase either an engraved picture frame or a really nice frame and include a note letting them know you will order an photo of their choice from your photographer to fit the frame.  If you decide to go this route make sure your photographer captures either a family photo, or friend photo, or even just a photo of the person in your wedding party with their significant other.  Keep in mind that they may not necessarily want a photo with you in it, but any photo they chose will remind them of the amazing time they shared with you celebrating your special day.

My second idea is for your wedding favors.  This can be as expensive or inexpensive as you chose.  Purchase picture frames.  Inside each picture frame include a note letting them know that a photo from the wedding will be sent in a few weeks.  Here are some different ways the cost can vary: 
Option 1 - you can double the frames as seating place cards - list the name of the recipient(s) and seat assignment and below that put the note thanking them for sharing in your big day and that a photo will follow and have that show in the window of each frame
Option 2 - you don't have to give one to each person that attends - examples:  if a husband and wife attend give them one frame, if a family of four attend give them one frame, etc.
Option 3 - the frame itself can be as expensive or inexpensive as you'd like - you can purchase anything from a magnetic picture frames to a more expensive engraved picture frame (you get the idea)

Enjoy every moment!

Take Advantage of After Holiday Sales

If you are planning to use red, green, gold, silver or even blue as your wedding colors or maybe your planning for a holiday wedding next year or even just a winter wedding you may want to check out the after Christmas sales.  You can find great deals on gift bags, ribbon, tissue paper and many other items that can be used as welcome gift bags, favor wrapping, or possible wedding favors.  Also if you're planning an outdoor wedding and want to incorporate some Christmas lights now is the time to stock up on those too.

If you're thinking pink or red or hearts...shop after Valentines Day!  Lots of great deals to be had.

Maybe you're using orange, brown or black in your wedding or you're incorporating fall items into your wedding and the various pumpkin items or gourds would fit in perfectly with your theme, then the after Halloween sale might be of interest to you.

So think about how you can put the after holiday sales to work for you and your wedding and SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!

Save the Dates

I love this idea and it can work for any wedding, but is especially fitting for weddings where a lot of guests would need to travel.  Are you ready....Save the Date Luggage Tags!!!!

This save the date can be done inexpensively or it can be more costly depending on the route you decide to go.  You can create one time use tags that have your save the date information on one side and the guests information on the other side (you could get them laminated too if can afford the additional cost).  A middle cost version of this would be to purchase plastic luggage tags they usually come in clear or colored and then print (or order) your save the date information as well as the guests information or if you need to save time just include a blank paper for the guest to fill out with their information (two separate pieces of paper) and slide them into the luggage tags.  The most expensive versions would be to order customized luggage tags with your save the date information or doing the same thing as the middle cost version but purchasing leather luggage tags.

Happy wedding travels!!!

Bridesmaids or Groomsmen Gifts

A few years ago I was in a friend's wedding.  She gave us each a digital picture frame.  She took the time and went through not only her digital photos, but also collected photos from various social media websites and personalized each frame with pictures of us over the years we've known each other.  It was not your typical gift, which I loved.  I really appreciate the time and effort she put into personalizing this gift for me, it was extremely thoughtful and special!  I still use it today and have added pictures to it over the years. 

Keep in mind this gift will require time and effort on your part, but that is what will make this gift extra special to those you give it to.

Bridemaid Gifts

Another gift I gave my bridesmaids were vases. I chose vases that were engraved with their first initial, but basically you pick a vase that is the perfect size to hold their bouquets.  I actually purchased a vase for myself and the moms (basically anyone that was given a bouquet.  I then had the vases set at their tables for the reception with water in them so my bridesmaids had somewhere to put their bouquets and the flowers added color to the tables.



(photo from weddingdaywonderland.com)

Place Cards

Place cards that would work for several different kinds of weddings that are just a bit more decorative than a paper place card by itself.  You can print your own place cards on your home computer or bring it to a printing store or even have them hand done with your guests names and table designation (whether you number your tables or name your tables).  The next material you will need are wine corks you can purchase them or even ask friends and family to save them for you.  You will then cut one side so that the cork sits level and flat on a table and doesn't roll away.  Then you will cut a slit along the top to put the place card in.

(as seen on LGB Studios)