Stand Up for the Bride

This weekend I officiated at a lovely outdoor wedding in northwest Florida. As the bride and her parents walked to take their place in the processional I suddenly wondered, "Who is going to signal the audience to stand as the bride walks down the aisle?" 

Typically, the mother of the bride is in charge of this time honored tradition. When the mother stands, and not until, everyone else follows her lead. Saturday's bride had asked both of her parents to walk her down the aisle. Her mother couldn't signal the audience to stand. She was already standing.

There was a dear family friend and second mother to Saturday's bride sitting up front. I tried to catch her eye as if to say, "Why don't you stand up and then everyone else will too." She didn't get my signal. The crowd remained seated.

Saturday's bride was extremely organized throughout the entire planning of her day. Her wedding invitations went out exactly on time. Her wedding programs were perfect. I am trusting that if she had wanted people to stand, she would have made that plan clear to me and others.

Standing as the bride walks down the aisle is a sign of respect and a way for those present to actively participate in the ceremony.  

Suzanah 

How to Create a Wedding Invitation List

Readers, readers, readers. This just in, Google Docs is a lifesaver for the woman on a wedding list mission. If you have participated in a wedding list work day, then you know the tedious process a list creation becomes. 

The bride sits down with a variety of people including her fiance, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, grandmother-in-law, and maybe even her mother's sisters. Pain-staking care is taken to ensure every friend, cousin, and 1st grade teacher is included. Then the catering estimate comes and revisions begin! Before long there are at least five re-worked lists on your hard drive. "Did I name the latest one 'Wedding List Final' or 'Wedding List Final Final'," you ask yourself? 

Enter Google Docs and the days of pulling out your hair are fewer and father between. First you must create a gmail account if you do not have one. If using Excel, simply upload your file to Google Docs and share with as many recipients as needed. If you do not have Excel, the guest list can be created directly through Google Docs. 

Once shared, list recipients are free to make changes from their computers. This eliminates the 337 updated lists and new files. No more wondering if you are working from the most updated list. Once completed, email list to your wedding invitation source for easy uploading. 

Thank you Google Docs and Morgan Gunter from celbrationsinmylife(dot)blogspot(dot)com for the tip.

Suzanah

Money Saving Wedding Engagement Photo Tips

Affordable wedding engagement photos are possible. To save money consider the following suggestions:

• Have a friend use her  snazzy digital camera to capture you and your beloved in a variety of locations and poses. Once you've chosen your favorite photo setup, negotiate a shorter sitting fee with your photographer. Time is money.
  
• Check craigslist for up and coming photographers ready to give you a deal.
• Poll your friends to see if any are in need of a professional headshot for their website or portfolio. Some photographers will offer shared sitting fees or a package deal for multiple clients.  
• Use your engagement photo as the design for your save the date card.  

Suzanah

"Should I Have a Wedding Program?"

Wedding programs are quickly becoming  a treasured keepsake for family and friends. They provide a special touch and useful information for guests. The wedding program is the back stage pass to ceremonies. It gives those present the pertinent behind the scenes information that serves to include guests regardless of their friendship level with the couple.

Consult the Wiregrass Weddings website here, for wedding program sample wording.

The staff does an excellent job of walking clients through the process of program set up. Regardless of your budget, there are beautiful designs from which to choose.

Watch this video for a detailed look at "The Jackie" wedding program. Listen as Laurie explains options for ribbon color and font choices.

How to Choose a First Dance Song

Depending on the location of your wedding reception, there may be dancing. If so, are you ready for your debut dance as a married couple? There are first dance songs to consider and steps to learn. Some couples love the idea of being the center of attention as an awed crowd watches them waltz. To some this may be spine chilling.

If you are planning a first dance consider the following tips:

• Choose a first dance song that fits your favorite dance moves. Are you comfortable with the two-step? Find a two-stepping love song that will bring a smile to the crowd and joy to your heart. Shake things up a bit. It isn't written in stone that your first dance has to be to a slow tune.
  
• Carefully consider the song's wording. Not all love songs mean well.
• Practice your moves before the reception. After the song is chosen, grab your partner and rehearse. 
• Whatever your final song and style choice, move with confidence on the dance floor. Save the sheepish grins and shrugging shoulders for your caterer. Give your guests the show they deserve. 

 Suzanah

Wedding Venues

How clever of the writers of Sarah Jessica Parker's latest movie to choose the New York City Public Library for Carrie Bradshaw's wedding venue. Recently I stopped by to see what all the fuss was about. The library is indeed a fabulous space.

So, where does the average girl get married these days? 

1. House of Worship (Church, Temple, or other religious space)

2. Court House

3. A family member's lawn.

4. An exotic destination.

Of course my list is not exhaustive. There are many creative options available for those willing to look. The bride and groom may, for sentimental reasons, feel the need to get married near one of their home towns or close to the location where they first met. Several of my college friends chose to have their ceremonies at our college's chapel. 

Before choosing the location it is a good idea to consider who should attend. If it is important to the bride and groom that grandparents and extended family be present, they must keep in mind grandparents aren't always physically able to make a long trip. Extended family members aren't always keen on the expense that a destination wedding requires.  

If the couple is looking for an intimate affair with only their closest of friends, small venues and destination weddings can meet their needs with ease.

 

Almost Wedding Cake

Friends, New York City is buzzing with spring wedding features. Tis the season. 

While in the city on Saturday I used my GPS to find wedding stores and ran across one called the Wedding Cafe. I got very excited about the possibility of purchasing a big fluffy piece of wedding cake. Surely the Wedding Cafe has all things cake and punch, I thought. 

Turns out the cafe is actually a wedding resource center and a place for vendors to meet with clients. Wedding Ideas and Advice is its own resource center. So let me take this time to remind you of some of our favorite vendors:

Wiregrass Weddings

and 

Programs and Bulletins

Laurie and her divas have recently created a fabulous new line of programs. Delicious.