411 Pointers on Wedding Guest Etiquette

Great 411 Pointers on Wedding Guest Etiquette

We all have heard and seen them too...

the fashion aficionados proclaiming that white is the "new black" this season as a wardrobe staple. This may be true, but for weddings and bridal showers, leave the solid white to the bride unless asked to in the invitation!

The whole reason for your invite was for you to be a honored witness to your loved ones life changing event! It is rather tacky to skip the ceremony and attend only the celebration. The couple may not notice, but the other guests will. Since were speaking of the ceremony PLEASE DO Arrive Before the Bride gets to the aisle! This really does seems like the most obvious advice, but for some reason there are always stragglers. Be sure to make every possible effort to arrive at the wedding ceremony at least 10 -20 minutes early!

 

Unless your invitation specifically states "plus 1", "and guest" or "and family" you can presume only the people named on the invitation are invited. You may want, feel, think, and be sure others should be invited, but only those issuing the invitations can make those decisions. Due to the rising cost per person most must stick below a certain number of guest. For all the singles out there, an FYI weddings are great places to meet potential mates!

Our second to last 411 Pointer concerning Wedding Guest Etiquette is about Clicking Cameras. Personal pictures taken by guest should be taken at the beginning and at the end of the ceremony. Only the photographer hired for the event should be clicking away during the ceremony (this includes the vows, ring exchange and kiss). The clicks, flashes and sound of film rewinding can turn a serious and (usually) religious event into a paparazzi-fest and the other flashes could potentially interfere with the professional shots. Also on the subject of uploading to the Internet, it's OK to tag yourself at the event, but try to wait until the end of the night to post your pictures. Give the couples hired or appointed instant Internet liaison a chance to upload them instantly first!

Our last 411 Pointer about Wedding Guest Etiquette is about when is a good time to leave? Maybe you have to work early in the morning or drive back that night night, if you have accepted the celebration invitation, you should remain at the party until the wedding cake has been cut. It really is rude to leave before then because they thought enough of you to invite you and pay for all that came with that (catering, decor and etc). Once the cake cutting has ended if you must leave, you may, but before you leave, be sure to wish the wedding couple well, congratulate the families of the bride/groom, and thank the wedding hosts (i.e. whoever paid for the wedding!).

 By following these few tips, you will be the perfect guest to the prestigious event you were invited.  Feel free to share with friends, because sharing is caring! Have fun!

Blog Written By Cossie Crosswhite

National Event Planner

1 Elegant Event, Wedding & Event Planning

www.1elegantevent.com

For more free tips like us on facebook! www.facebook.com/1elegantevent

Avoiding The Pitfalls of Planning Your Dream Destination Wedding!

This topic you may want to share with an engaged friend, avoiding the pitfalls of planning your dream destination wedding! Some of these may seem obvious to some, but we do know quite the risk takers. Check out our list, it may save you come heart ache in the future!

If you don't hire a planner you must visit your chosen location at least once during the planning process to check everything out! Have you ever book a hotel room online just to get their and think, "This doesn't look like the pictures at all!" You really don't want that to happen for your wedding day, hire an experienced destination planner or take a quick vacation!

 

Even though your wedding dress my be big and bulky or thin and silky it is always wise to opt to check your regular bag and carry on your dress! Underwear, sun-dresses and bathing suits can easily be replaced, but the dress you waited 6 month to get in should not be replaced by an off the rack dress you would be in a rush to buy. That would be an everlasting reminder of what the airport may have lost!

 

Many couples usual choose to marry at an exotic location they’ve always dreamed of visiting, for example this Bora Bora Wedding featured below. In this scenario, it is crucial to do your research to find out how much paperwork you’ll need to marry legitimately as a visitor. A general overview is laid out by the U.S. Department of State but you’ll have to investigate the rules for each country on your list of possibilities. Some are more complicated. Check out this Overseas marriage laws link http://travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_775.html#marriage

to get insights on these such regulations!

 

Get to know all of your destination wedding vendors well! Talk with them over a visual like Skype or Facetime. Look at them to see if they seem to be telling you the truth about what they are offering you. Check out their references on-line and see what people are commenting about them on-line. Make sure everything that you are expecting them to do is put into writing. Email is a great way to make sure what you ask is in writing because they will answer you back with an email. Keep all of your records and print them before your trip so that you will have them on hand in case an issue arises and you can't retrieve them from the Internet. 

If you follow these simple steps, your destination wedding should turn out to be the dream you had envisioned all along! Happy Planning!!!

Blog Written By Cossie Crosswhite

National Event Planner

1 Elegant Event, Wedding & Event Planning

www.1elegantevent.com

 

Ideas for your fabulous Wedding Cake Display!

 

The contemporary wedding cake has grown out of many traditions. One of the first traditions began in Ancient Rome where bread was broken over the bride’s head to bring good fortune to the couple. You have the kissing over the cake for luck tradition, hiding a ring in the cake and many more, but what about the design? So you are over the fancy Cake on pretty linens display, today we're giving you some ideas today that step out of the box!

So you want a unique idea for your wedding cake table design? I loved this idea from the first time I saw it and we finally convinced a Bride to try it for her wedding in a few weeks! This idea looks expensive, but truth be known, this look can be done for cheaper than high end linens that usually adorn the cake table! You can customize the color with your flower inserts, 

so Lovely an absolute WOW piece!

 

You really want the new trend of cupcakes at your wedding, but don't want to give up the fancy cake either, then do it all! You can even have your cake artist to fancy up those mini's with some intricate florals or designs! 

 

You must get permission from your rental facility and hire a professional, but why not gave your cake Hanging from the rafters! This is a stunning display and will have all of your guest saying WOW all night!

  

Are you still wanting the classic wedding cake area design, but with just a hint of something different? Have your cake displayed on raised glass filled with your wedding color flowers, simply beautiful!

 

The possibilities are endless with this clear cake table base! You can display just about any sort of decor inside to make this Lucite sensation even more special!

 

Do you have a flair for all things shiny! This ultimate bling cake will have that girlly girl on the inside screaming with joy!  

 

Our last Idea for your Fabulous Wedding Cake Display! As the saying says, "Go Big or Go Home!" We are in love with this Chuppah style cake display area! It's bold, it's grand and will have all of your guest swooning in amazement!

  

Blog Written By Cossie Crosswhite

Owner and National Event Planner

1 Elegant Event, Wedding & Event Planning

Visit out webpage at www.1elegantevent.com

 



 
 




 
 

Tips to Survive and Enjoy Your Dream Beach Wedding!

 

I'm really not sure how brides pull off beach weddings with ease, without hiring professionals! There are just so many things that happen during these beach events, but we hope our few tips will help. This beach set is beautiful but it doesn't come without a lot of effort! 

Check out our Tips to see how to pull this look off!

 

Breaking down the beach set up. 1st you must get the arbor stabilized, easy right?! You never new how windy the beach was until you see your arbor blow down the beach, funny but true! Make sure it has side hooks and anchor 2-3 foot stakes in the sand to keep it in place!

Brides love beautiful beach chair decor and it goes on pretty easy, they catch is getting it to stay in place until ceremony is over. The secret to keeping all of your chairs in the sand, drum roll please.... Put your booty in them! You sit in each one and they will stay, easy fix! 

We all love flowers, shells, tulle etc... decorating the arbor! The key is lots and lots of zip ties. Just as the mighty wind wants to wisk away your arbor, it loves to blow away all your fine decor. So tie it tight, and keep it secure! 

Everyone tends to enjoy the soothing sounds of the beach until the soothing sounds keep your guest from hearing your ceremony. Don't have your guest trying to read your lips during the vows, have a simple speaker set-up so all will be able to hear your confessions of love! 

So you decided to have everyone go bare feet down the aisle, make sure you have someone to rake through the sand in the walking path before the wedding to make sure nothing dangerous is in the path to hurt their feet. 

 

 Our last Tip to Survive and Enjoy your Beach Wedding! Its so easy to go pick up a bag of fake rose petals to use for your aisle, unless your having an outdoor/beach wedding! Only dried or fresh flowers are allowed to be used in most outdoor locations, and it is the right (Green) thing to do! 

Blog written by: Cossie Crosswhite 

Owner of 1 Elegant Event Wedding & Event Planning 

visit our website

www.1elegantevent.com

For more free tips daily like our Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/1elegantevent  

"What's your first impression?" Deciding on your style invitations!

You have spent months maybe even years planning your fabulous wedding 

and now it's time to send out your invitations!  

Many brides/couples tend not to put a great amount of thought into these,

but why give your guest the wrong impression. 

This is the 1st glimpse of what your guest are to expected to see 

or experience at your magical day. 

Check out some of these amazing ways to began the excitement in your guest 

so they'll be running to the post office to mail back their RSVP!

These invites below would be great for a wedding that is being held at a modern museum or a chic modern styled reception location!  

Lace has been very much on trend for the past few years. These beautiful antique lace jacket invites would be a romantic way to announce your nuptials!  

Who had a pop up book at home as a kid that they open and closed so much it began to rip, yes I did! These elegant and so cool pop up invites will amaze your guest and probably keep them entertained even as adults for a while!
                           


Do you plan on having a second line at your wedding? Guest would be instructed to bring their fabulous silk handkerchief invites to be waved during the second portion of your celebration! This is a great way to get the reception party started and guest up and dancing! 

  

Having a whimsical wedding full of great fun details? This view finder invite will get everyone excited to see what's next at your event!                                              

I think my favorite type of wedding invitation is the Dupioni Silk boxed invites! They come in hundreds of custom color variations and styles. Many are clasped with brooches, flowers, shells and an array of other niceties. This one has a bonus truffle gift under the invitation for your guest to munch on as they send back there RSVP!
                                    


How about a Silk box with scroll invitation! This would be absolutely stunning for a formal wedding at an elegant ballroom or estate!

    

As the saying goes, all good things must eventually come to an end! Hope you enjoyed our topic today, "What's your first impression?" Deciding on your style invitations! We could go on for days with different styles of invitations. The point is, don't get stuck with the same, look around and find an invitation that speaks to you!                  

 

Blog written by Cossie Crosswhite, 

1 Elegant Event Wedding & Event Planning

www.1elegantevent.com

Ideas to keep you in your $10,000 budget!

Several years ago weddings were getting bigger and bigger and bigger! 

Now in these economic times weddings are trending to be more modest 

and more of an intimate affair. Although we are not budget planners 

everyone in all budget parameters want to know 

they are getting their moneys worth. 

Here are a few ideas you can incorporate to keep you eye on the prize! 

The wedding is over, but pictures must be taken, don't have guess sitting by hungry have a crudités plus cheese station and signature drinks to keep guest occupied when a full cocktail hour would be too expensive. Then when you arrive everyone will still be excited tosee you more than the food that's for dinner!

 

When trying to get the biggest wow for your buck, choose lighting and basic linens for your decor, and then adjust the centerpiece according to what you can afford. No one will ever know 

that what you saved on was flowers! 

 

When is comes to food choices appetizers are not always the way, choose pasta or rice based dishes from your caterer. They are cheaper dishes that feed lots of people for much less than a full meat dish and can still look pretty plated up! 

  

I am a true believer that you get what you pay for! With that said, in this budget size you can not afford the most exclusive photographer in town. You can find some amazing photographers with mid range prices! Always check their past work, and opt to take the CD package that lets you print copies at whatever printing location you choose.

 

For more free tips like our facebook page at 

http://www.facebook.com/1elegantevent  

Blog written by: Cossie Crosswhite

Owner and National Event Specialist

1 Elegant Event Wedding & Event Planning

www.1elegantevent.com  

Top ten things to discuss with your fiancée before getting married!

-->

In the past, may couples attended pre marriage counseling with their priest/ pastor and had time to hash out all of these questions during long courtships (dating and conversion). Now in 2013, many couple do not have priest, opt out of pre counseling and really don't ask the deep questions one should have an answer too before tyeing the knot. This results in many couples according to statistics having a loosely tied knot instead of a knot that is forever bound. We at 1 Elegant Event want you and your mate to have a jump on the rest so we are giving you our top ten things to discuss with each other before getting married! 

10. Where will we live after the wedding? Even couples who choose to live together before marriage tend to want a fresh start location after the wedding. If you both have chosen to live separately, began to look for you new dwelling 3 months for rentals and 6 months for purchases before the wedding. It takes about 30 days to close on the sale of a house and about 2 weeks to close out your rental agreement. Remember to consider each others needs in the type, style and location of your new dwelling!
    
    

9. What will your financial status be after the wedding, does one or both of your need to seek credit counseling before marriage? You don't want to drag your low credit score into a marriage and bring down your mates stellar rating. It takes at least 6 months to fix any reasonable amount of damage to your credit score so you can enter into marriage without money issues, which is the #1 reason for divorce in the USA!
   
   
   
   

8. Does your mate expect you to be the lady of chores and he the man of chores? Figure out will he expect the traditional roles from you once married or will it be more of a compromise. This may seem trivial at first, but it is the small things that add up in the end to be big blow-ups.
   
   
   
   

7. Who's family will we spend the Holiday's with? This may not be a problem if everyone lives in the same town, but what if his family is in New York and your family is in California?! Trade off Holiday's each year with both families, so none of the mother's will feel slighted. It will take some time to get used too if your families are close, but it will help you get to know your spouses family and learn their family traditions.
   
   
   
   

6. Do discuss Sex and intimacy! The fire that most newly weds have does eventually die down, so do discuss each other ideas of a reasonable amount of intimacy each is expected to maintain for one another. It really is the great boding factor for your relationship!
   
   
   
   

5. Recognize the cute bad habits each of you have, discuss them with each other and strive to fix them. Yes, know-one is perfect, but you can for you true love work on fixing something that annoys them. For example, my husband likes his toothpaste tube smooth and rolled, where I just pushed it out however! Over the years, I worked on it and now I smooth and roll the toothpaste, it really did not change me as a person to fix that little thing, but it made the man I love deeply very happy, so I was glad to do it! (unfortunately our kids squeeze like I did, LOL so he doesn't use theirs!)
   
   

4. Discuss before marriage, how much information you will disclose to your friends/ family about your relationship and honor each others wishes (unless it involves you being in danger, then all deals are off) . When you get married, you marry them so do not get others involved in your lovers details or disputes, because when you have made up ( or you disclose some intimate details) they still won't be over it but you will and they will forever hold that grudge or detail.
   
   
   
   

3. Do discuss the number of kids you want to have, if any, and all the details that go with it. If you are expecting to have 4 kids and send them all to the most exclusive private school in town, he may want to know that. You can not predict all the time whether this is an option, but it is always better to a least have a starter plan!

2. What religion will you both uphold and what church/ synagogue/ location you will attend. Many couples today have a mixed religious household. I strongly believe that the couple should come together to decide to come together for one. You may disagree, and that is fine but it does make life more simple in the future. A family that prays together, stays together holds true in most cases. In any case, do discuss your options and devise a plan of action and also talk about which one if any will be introduced to your future children.

 

1. The number 1 thing to talk about before getting married is to promise you will continue to talk, have conversation and try to compromise taking in account each other feelings on any topic you may face in the future. You get married to become 1, discuss everything as 1, and living forever as 1. Conversation is the key to a lasting marriage!

Congratulation, on your nuptials from 

1 Elegant Event Wedding & Event Planning!

Wishing you love that last a lifetime! 

www.1elegantevent.com