#TipTuesday: Interior Design Tips For Newlyweds

When you get married building your first home together as a couple is important. But furniture negotiation and conflicting styles can lead to meltdowns and drama. It’s not always as simple as deciding which sofa to buy. You’re blending two different styles, preferences, and previous lives (old furniture) under one roof. A common question that arises is -- how to do you pull it all together in a stress-free way while letting your voice be heard? DC based interior designer Danielle A. Gray of Gray Livin’ has compiled a list of tips for maintaining your sanity and love for each other while decorating your new home.

Take Inventory. Let’s face it. We all hate parting with our treasured belongings. Whether it’s the grungy arm chair from your first apartment or your massive collection of snow globes, each person walking into a marriage owns something that is valuable to them. Unless you’re moving into a mansion, you may not have enough space to store everything you both own. Deciding what to keep and what to get rid of can be a daunting process. The best solution in this case is to meet in the middle -- choose a number that you both agree on that represents the number of items of sentimental value that you each get to keep. Everything else gets trashed, donated, or sold on Craigslist. For example, if your number is three, then you each get to bring a total of three personal items with you to your new home. The number of items you keep can be determined by how much storage space you have. Additionally, some couples like to limit the “keep” list to one box per person. Either way, taking inventory and coming up with a purging plan right off the bat eliminates clutter and frees up space for new items that you can purchase as a couple.

The Big Compromise. Ladies, I hate to break it to you but he’s going to want to have a large television in the family room. Don’t fight it, let him have it. That means you get to have something you want like the floral wallpaper in the master bathroom. Give and take is the key to blending styles and preferences. Know when to put your foot down and when to bend a little.

Pick a Style. What do you do when your spouse’s style doesn’t match yours? You envisioned a contemporary space with clean lines and neutral colors while your mate prefers bold colors and a clunky leather sofa. The first step is to settle on a neutral color for the walls. Whites and grays are great neutrals to consider. Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray, Snow White, and Vintage Pewter are my favorites. Next, select an accent color for pop. Sprinkle the accent color in your artwork, throw pillows, or rug. If your mate only prefers neutrals only, add depth to the room with a mix of textures like a glass table, shiny metal accents, faux fur fabrics and varying wood tones. In terms of furniture, a Chesterfield sofa like this one from Restoration Hardware tastefully combines both masculine and feminine elements. The classic design is sturdy enough for lounging and watching sports while the tufted detail and curved lines add a touch of elegance to a room. You can also find similar versions available at any price point.

Divide the Workload. Most women want free reign for designing the house but don’t really care about the backyard. Most men to do so make him the King of the backyard. While the wife is busy selecting paint colors and fabrics, the husband can focus his attention on planting trees, routine yard work, and his beloved BBQ equipment.

Designate Personal Space. From time to time you may find yourself needing a breather from your love muffin. This isn’t because you dislike them, but a little “me” time or solitude is great for self-reflection, prayer, meditation, time-outs or relaxation. This can take place in a designated area of your home like the man cave in the basement. For the ladies, large walk-in closets and spa bathrooms have doubled as our lady caves. Spare bedrooms also make good neutral zones. Stake out your zone and claim it.

Hire A Designer. When in doubt, hire a pro! A good designer is skilled at creating gender neutral spaces and helping couples discover a design aesthetic that suits their lifestyle. Be sure to visit Gray Livin’ online to learn more about my services and to book a design consultation.

Source:Danielle Gray graylivin.com

#TipTuesday: Five Tips You Need To Know About Choosing Wedding Music

So now you’re engaged. You’ve taken the first step toward one of life’s most fulfilling relationships. Congratulations! Now that the initial announcement has been made and you’ve celebrated your big decision with family and friends, it’s time to start making those wedding plans. Elements like date, location, food, invitations, guest list, where to register, dresses, tuxes; it can all seem overwhelming.

But think about it, how many of these items will your guests remember in 10 years? They might remember the location and your dress, right? For all of the time, effort, and yes, emotion that goes into choosing the elements of your wedding, very few end up being long-term memories of your special day.

Other than the bride and groom themselves, of all the elements of a wedding, the music (good or bad) is one of the most memorable aspects of the day. So, it is too bad that music is often an afterthought in the planning process, sometimes being left until just a couple of weeks before the wedding day.

While music isn’t the focus of your wedding day, it does set the atmosphere of the day. An inspirational soloist or a really cooking band playing tunes hand-picked for you and your family make everyone happy. At the same time, a band that isn’t experienced at doing weddings, isn’t very good, or can’t adapt to special requests can be a real downer.

So to help you make the best possible choices for your wedding music, here are five things to remember:

1. Start planning your music early. As plans take shape, your wedding day will take on a character of its own. Including music at the beginning of the planning process will ensure a good fit with your vision for the day. It will also make sure that your wedding budget includes enough dollars to get you what you want.

2. Decide what type of music you want for yourselves and your family. There are probably hundreds of options in your community for wedding music. As you go to the marketplace, knowing what will make you and your family members happy will save you time, money and regret after you’re married.

3. One stop shop. You will save money and time by working with a musician or booking agency that offers a wide range of options. You may want a classical singer for the ceremony, a swing band for the dinner and family dances, and a rock and roll band for late night festivities. Booking these three types of musicians separately will probably cost you hundreds of dollars more than if you work with someone that has access to all three styles.

4. Always hear the bands you are considering, preferably live. It is surprising how many brides and grooms choose wedding musicians without ever hearing them perform. Reputable musicians and agents will readily offer you samples of their work, or even better, dates when you can hear them live. Avoid choosing musicians based solely on the recommendation of a friend, family member or through social media.

5. Ask questions. One of the main reasons music planning gets put off is brides and grooms feel intimidated talking to musicians. They feel they don’t know enough about music to make good choices. Any reputable musician or agent will be happy to answer any questions you have about choosing music. Always look for people who take the philosophy that “there is no such thing as a bad question.”

There you are, five tips that will help you get you exactly what you want in your wedding music. A little bit of concentrated effort early on in the planning process can make the long term memories of your wedding day especially sweet.

Source: foreverbride.com

#TipTuesday: Surviving Wedding Season

Attending a wedding can get to be expensive. Here are some tips to make it through wedding season without going broke :

1. Start saving early. If you're close with a couple who gets engaged, begin putting cash away then.

2. Don't forget to budget for the extra events, such as wedding showers and bachelor or bachelorette parties.

3. Look beyond the hotel that has been selected for guests. Other hotels may be cheaper. Shop around.

4. For out of town weddings, ask the engaged couple if they know anyone with a spare bedroom who would be willing to host you.

5. Ask other guests if they would be willing to buy a group gift.

6. If you plan to attend more than one wedding, try wearing the same outfit more than once.

7. If shopping on a bridal registry, search for the item on another site. It may be less expensive.

Source: abcnews.com

#TipTuesday: A Perfect Southern Style Country Wedding: The Essentials

Cowboy boots? Check. Hanging mason jars? Check. Country barn with all the trimmings? Absolutely. Here's our guide to the essential bits and pieces you'll need for your country chic wedding. The country-themed wedding is by far one of the most novel-wedding aesthetics. It's down-to-earth, its simplicity is elegant and it is usually held in the great outdoors; what is there not to like? An outdoor country wedding is the perfect summer setting for a blooming romance.

Open woodland spaces and rustic barnyards can host an entire evening of drinking and dancing as the lovebirds usher in the latest chapter in their lives cloaked by warm summer evening air. To be sure that your country wedding goes off without a hitch, here are a few of the most important considerations that you should take when planning the wedding.

This is merely a suggested framework for your event, and you should expound, improvise and elaborate as much as you can until it fits your taste perfectly.

Location

The most important consideration for any wedding is going to be the location of both the service and the reception. Some people have to reserve a venue for their nuptials almost a year in advance, which sometimes postpones a wedding for longer than many couples would like. Being the country boy and girl however, you know that resourcefulness is one of your greatest qualities. You don't need to exchange your vows in a swanky venue. Your wedding is validated by the love of your family, friends and spouse-to-be. You want your wedding to simultaneously illustrate your lofty affections and your down-to-earth roots.

Image courtesy of http://www.robholley.net

An outdoor location for one or both of your wedding events is going to be a high priority. This means that weather considerations are very important, since you don't want your guests shivering in their seats and cursing your ill-advised winter wonderland wedding. Once you've decided on a date, you need to find an area that can host your estimated party attendance and give them room to roam about while enjoying the conversation and delicacies that will be had at your reception.

Barns are the ultimate symbolism for a country lifestyle, so if you can find a preserved one ready for such an occasion as a wedding, it will really boost the overall effectiveness of your country theme. For a daytime service in particular, slivers of sunlight peeking through the old barnyard walls and falling on the wedding couple can be romantic and, quite frankly, exciting for all of your guests to see. The bottom line is that your location is going to function as the canvas for your dream country wedding, so make sure that it will be something that will look good when accented with country-style decoration.

Image courtesy of http://www.carpenteroak.com

Attire

If you've been thinking about having a country wedding, chances are that you've already thought about walking down the aisle in your favorite pair of boots. This is a wonderful idea since boots are obligatory country footwear. Cowboy boots are the most iconic element of western culture heritage and they can't be neglected if you are taking a comprehensive approach to country-style nuptials. Although the bride will most likely still be wearing white, she doesn't have to adhere to tradition when it comes to her footwear. In fact, a straightforward pair of neutral Justin Boots may be the best way to bridge the gap between a white wedding gown and an earthy rustic wonderland. Bridesmaids can follow suit, or they can wear a brown slouch variation to complement their colorful bridesmaids' dresses. You should also decide whether or not you would enforce a dress code. An entire wedding party that participates in your down-south festivities can only enhance what will already be a pretty fabulous event. Let everyone know in the invitations if western-oriented styles of dress are suggested or encouraged.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Seating

Fortunately for you, a cowboy country wedding theme doesn't require that you have consistency in terms of furniture. Instead, the outdoor country wedding should be reminiscent of the days when a rural community would come together and the growing crowd of locals would have to improvise seating when they needed a rest from the activity. You're obviously excited to spend your reception dancing the night away with all of your loved ones, but the older invitees will want you to have ample seating at your event. One of the most ingenious ideas for seating that has been used is covering hay bales with burlap or lightly colored sheets secured by twine or thin rope. Hay bales are essentially building blocks that can be stacked and scattered in any way that you think would look best or be most convenient. They offer that quintessential country touch while still providing you with flexibility. A single bale can seat multiple guests like a farmhouse love seat, and they can be scattered throughout the reception space for easy access to everyone in attendance.

Image courtesy of http://www.indulgy.com

At the dinner tables wooden seating is a must, so don't worry about deploying an army of folding aluminum chairs to accommodate everyone. A hodgepodge of mismatched wooden seating, maybe even a bench or two gives your dining setting a lot of character, while adding to the underlying casualness of the event. It can also make your seating arrangement pop against the background, and can reflect the diversity of the newly-combined families coming together in celebration of a single event. Abundant seating should be an important consideration, so any surface that is relatively comfortable and thematically consistent can be used to help your guests take a load off. In fact, if you can somehow acquire a rusty old pickup, just pop down the tailgate to open up seating for about half a dozen of your guests: it will create conversation and be a prime picture location for the entire evening.

Image courtesy of http://www.homemydesign.com

Decor

The part of your country wedding that will really distinguish you from others is going to be how you decorate the landscape. If you wanted, you could go with the 'southern social elite' vibe, but the creative, more accessible 'rustic romance' approach will be much more interesting to your invitees and less alienating to your casual guests. The rustic aesthetic is really a beautiful juxtaposition between the antiquated southern lifestyle and modern-day country living. Your decoration will need to reflect the resourcefulness of the simple country folk, but be highlighted by the traditional trimmings of a romantic wedding. On paper this might sound odd, but anything that rusts or rots could make for some very rich thematic decoration for your wedding background. Think of how great the scenery would look with the occasional cartwheel leaning against a hay bale or a wheelbarrow used as a cooler.

Image courtesy of http://www.etsy.com

Table centerpieces are a great opportunity to really seize the country theme and make for an almost anachronistic dining experience. Old milk or cream cans can be used to contain a daisy arrangement at the center of each guest table. Smaller hors d'oeuvres stations around the area?s perimeter might be made of upright wine barrels with a single baby?s breath bouquet sitting in a polished aluminium soup can. Nametags or table assignments can be hanging from horseshoes or etched on circular wood slabs. The country wedding is all about taking easy-to-access items and refurbishing them for a simply elegant wedding event.

Image courtesy of http://www.robholley.net

One other suggestion would be to buy a ton of mason jars. Mason jars are the most versatile country wedding accessory, as they can be used for fancy drinks, floral arrangements, they can hold candles, or be used as gift containers. You can even hang them from a barn ceiling as decoration. When it comes to country weddings, you can never have too many mason jars.

Image courtesy of http://www.etsy.com

Themed weddings are becoming increasingly prominent in our culture, and reasonably so. Couples are not willing to spend their big day (and their money) going through the motions the way that their parents, and their grandparents probably did in the past. People today want their wedding day to be expressions of the unique personalities that are being united in marriage, and they want their guests to have a genuine impression of who they really are. Themed weddings allow couples to impart a statement about their romantic story on the people whom they share their big day with.

The key to a southern-themed wedding is to relax. After months (and maybe years) of planning, this is going to be the evening where everyone unwinds and enjoys the company of an enthusiastic couple taking their first steps on a lifelong journey together. Whether they?re on hay bales or rocking chairs, your guests will share in your excitement as they marvel at the wonderful wedding that they are now a part of. Use these suggestions to help you create the perfect country styled wedding.

Source: weddzilla.com

#TipTuesday: Five Tips That May Save Your Wedding (and Your Sanity)

1. Give in to the chaos

The ice swan may melt, the sound system could go on the fritz, it might rain toads -- you'll still be just as married as you would have been had everything gone according to plan.

2. Remember that they're all rooting for you

Say something does go off kilter -- you trip on your hem and faceplant into the cake, the wedding elephant has an accident on the floor or you fumble the name of your beloved. If people laugh, it's because it's all part of the grand story that's unfolding -- not because they're gleeful about a screw-up. They're there because they're on your side and are grateful to be part of this momentous occasion, and if they're not, why the heck are they at your wedding? Seriously, take a look at that guest list and snip, snip, snip.

3. Let your loved ones help -- but on your terms

My husband and I had a fairly DIY wedding -- both to cut down on costs and to put our own stamp on the ceremony that would mark the beginning of our married life. We also didn't have a wedding party, because it was a small-ish event and we didn't want people to feel left out.

So we asked people if they'd like to help in ways that didn't cost them anything, celebrated their talents in ways they were happy to share, and where we provided supplies and general guidelines. Two musician friends sang as we walked down the aisle, an artist friend carved pumpkins to decorate outside, my sister-in-law rallied willing guests to arrange the flowers we'd bought and picked, and some writers crafted a ritual that celebrated our communal love of food.

My best friend from college looked after our mutually-beloved whippet dog, another surprised me with a piece from my favorite poet (Frank O'Hara). My husband's best friend officiated the ceremony, and we let our musically-inclined friends pick the songs they'd most like to dance to. People were also free to simply eat, drink and be merry.

The upshot is that our loved ones felt like they had a stake in our wedding -- and in our marriage -- and that feeling continues to this very day.

4. Stay awake and pay attention

Ask just about any married person if they can remember every detail of their wedding and reception and chances are that it's riddled with big, blurry chunks. It's a joyous, often overwhelming day -- and it's only going to happen once.

5. There's a letdown -- and that's OK

After our post-wedding day brunch, I sat down in a walk-in closet and cried. This had nothing to do with regret, second-guessing or sadness; I'd just married my favorite man on Earth and I was happier in my life than I'd ever been before.

But we'd just spent the vast majority of our time over the previous months focusing our energy on planning the joyous event, and the last guests had just said their goodbyes. All those wedding guests we adore were never again going to be in the same place at the same time, the spotlight was off me, and I was no longer a single woman, girlfriend or bride-to-be. I was someone's wife -- a wonderful, but slightly scary new role. And it was time to step into it.

I cried a little more and spent a moment saying goodbye to the single self I'd always known. Then I took a deep breath, stood up, walked out of that closet and went to find my new husband.

Source: CNN.com By By Kat Kinsman

In Full Spring: Easter Egg Decoration Ideas

Decorating Easter eggs is one of the most popular activities when it comes to celebrating Easter. Easter eggs are party of the celebration for kids as they often participate in Easter egg hunts. However, Easter eggs are often just a pretty decoration that work their way into lovely holiday centerpieces and other arrangements.

Here's the trick for Easter egg decorating: use an old-fashioned rubber band. You'll actually want many of them!

Before dyeing your Easter eggs, secure a few rubber bands of varying widths around each egg. The result? Patterns of perfect white bands around your eggs. Try to shift the position of the rubber bands to achieve different patterns.

Though the striped patterns on each of your Easter eggs will be different, the simple mixture of bright Easter colors and white stripes will serve as a lovely unifying design theme that keeps your Easter activities aesthetically pleasing.

Another idea for Easter eggs is decoupage. Make a simple mixture of glue and water, and paste your favorite magazine or newspaper clippings to the outer surface of each egg. Talk about unique Easter eggs! The end result is a sophisticated, polished and antique look that will impress all of your Easter Sunday guests.

No matter how you decorate your Easter eggs, be sure to make time for fun in your Easter activities! Find more inspiration for your easter egg decorating below.

Source: Punch Bowl

#TipTuesday: 31 Tips To Make Sure You Enjoy Your Wedding Day

1. Wake up refreshed.

youtube.com / Via thematthewandkallieshow.blogspot.com

Get to bed at a decent hour the night before so you can be your best. For this reason it’s wise to plan bachelor and bachelorette parties at least a week ahead of time.

2. Eat a breakfast that is high in protein and complex carbs.

Bonita Suraputra / Flickr: 21185968@N00

This food will take a while to break down in your body and keep you going, which is important since brides and grooms can go long periods without eating.

3. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready.

You want to be able to relax and have a good time with your bridesmaids, not stress over whether you’ll finish in time.

4. Wear a dress shirt when getting your hair styled.

Flickr: splurj

Brides often wear T-shirts that have to be pulled over their freshly coiffed hair at the end. Dress shirts, however, can be unbuttoned without doing any damage to your beautifully done hair.

5. Grooms should make a list of all the things they need to do on the morning of the wedding.

BBC / Via effyeahscotus.tumblr.com

Bridesmaids are great at helping a bride remember everything. Groomsmen are less helpful in this regard, though they are more likely to bring beer.

6. Speaking of groomsmen, it’s a good idea for the groom to discuss expectations for behavior.

Flickr: dorret

Guys can get pretty crazy at a reception. If you want a level of decorum it’s best to spell that out before someone tries to do a body shot off your grandma.

7. If you bought new shoes for the big day, be sure to break them in ahead of time.

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Otherwise you’re liable to feel awkward in them and have sore feet.

8. Don’t overdo the perfume.

Via thefrisky.com

Heavy perfume can make you feel nauseous and even attract bugs.

9. This goes for you too, grooms.

Remember, a little cologne goes a long way.

10. Hire a wedding coordinator if possible.

Flickr: mindonfire

Couples often decide to cut this expense, but coordinators let you enjoy your day by keeping drama at bay. Favored by Yodit Events can take care of all your wedding needs! Choose from day of coordination, partial planning or full planning.

11. If you can’t hire a wedding coordinator, let your bridesmaids handle some of the day-of logistics.

Universal Pictures / Via cosmopolitan.com

They’re literally falling over themselves to help.

12. Don’t forget a wedding day survival kit.

Colleen Melarkey-Beattie / Flickr: 107771213@N02

A typical one includes a first aid kit, tampons, a Tide To Go stain remover pen, and anything else that might fix a minor emergency.

13. Take a few selfies.

Flickr: plasticcandy

These candid shots make a fun counterpoint to your photographer’s stylized professional shots.

14. But other than that, put your phone away.

Fog and Smog / youtube.com

Nothing is happening that’s more important than your wedding, OK?

15. Get loose before you walk down the aisle.

Via sbnation.com

Do some light stretching to release tension and get your blood flowing so that you don’t — gasp — pass out. Hey, it happens. Check YouTube.

16. Stop to take it all in during the ceremony.

Flickr: spenceke

Ask your officiant to include a “deep breath” moment so you can look over the audience, gaze at your spouse, and burn the memory into your brain.

17. Make a five-minute dinner date.

Flickr: fenglong

Taking the time to enjoy a full meal is almost impossible with so many guests clamoring for your attention, but a five-minute dinner date — where you grab a few bites and enjoy your new spouse’s company — is more manageable.

18. If five minutes is too much, get your food to go.

Flickr: mizinformation

Arrange with the caterers to send a couple to-go boxes of food with you when you leave the venue. They’ll be glad to do it.

19. Be magnanimous.

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Greet everyone with a smile even if it’s your second cousin whom you haven’t spoken to in a couple years because she said that thing (you know what I’m talking about). No one likes an angry bride, and you won’t like being one either.

20. Similarly, stay poised during the best man and bridesmaid’s speeches.

If something inappropriate is said it’s best to let it pass without having a big reaction. Many people will have missed it, but they won’t miss you screaming at the best man.

21. Give a thank you speech with your spouse.

Flickr: seanmolin

It’ll feel good to thank your parents, grandparents, and guests (especially those who traveled great distances) for making such a momentous occasion in your life possible.

22. Arrange for group photos at the reception.

nextexitphotography.com

Have the DJ call over college friends, co-workers, and teammates for a few quick group photos. Your photographer may suggest doing these before the reception, but save the more formal, time-consuming shots for the wedding party and family only.

23. Be careful with alcohol.

HBO / Via reactiongifs.com

This is a day you’ll want to remember clearly for the rest of your life, so make sure you don’t drink too much (that’s for doing at your friends’ weddings). One tip is to drink a full glass of water between each alcoholic drink.

24. Pack flats for the reception.

Flickr: nieton21

Sophisticated ballet-style slippers look great with a wedding dress, so bring a pair to put on when you want to cut loose.

25. Appoint someone to save you from chatty guests.

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Inevitably someone, whether it’s your great aunt from Poughkeepsie or the dad of your old college roommate, will talk your ear off seemingly unaware it’s your wedding day. That’s why having someone to politely pull you away is a must.

26. Have a moment with each of your parents.

Flickr: toastforbrekkie

Brides dance with their fathers and grooms dance with their mothers, but there’s no moment on the schedule for your other parent. Make one.

27. Don’t do the cake smash.

Brides, you still have people to see and photos to take, so you don’t want to get cake in your hair and on your dress (nor do you want to reapply makeup). Grooms, this is not how you want to start married life. Trust me on this one.

28. Give the DJ a list of songs you want to hear.

Flickr: fensterbme

This way you’re more likely to hear your jam than “Y.M.C.A.”

29. Make sure you dance.

Paramount Pictures / Via hotukdeals.com

Your favorite tunes are playing, the dance floor is packed with people you love, and you have reason to celebrate! With conditions like that even grooms who “don’t dance” will regret it if they don’t let their inner Bacon loose.

30. Have a relaxed attitude about the wedding night.

Warner Bros. / Via zimbio.com

If fireworks explode, awesome. But after a long day many brides and grooms collapse in exhaustion. Don’t worry… there’ll be plenty of time for fireworks later.

31. Remember why you’re there.

nextexitphotography.com

Amid all of the fun and celebration be sure to take a moment to look over at the person you’re pledging your life to and reflect on the incredible journey that lies ahead of you both.

Source: Buzzfeed.com

#TipTuesday Checklist: 8 Things to Ask Your Rental Vendor Before an Event

Rental items are essential to almost every event or meeting, but aside from knowing which pieces your rental house is supplying, you'll want to discuss other issues that could impact your budget, planning, and setup.

1. What other fees can I expect? You may know the stated cost of each item on your list, but don’t drop that number into the budget until you know what it really includes—or excludes. “Some delivery companies have additional fees like card processing fees, transportation or facility-to-facility transfer fees, separate labor and delivery fees, and after-hours or weekend fees,” says AFR Furniture Rental & Event Furnishings Southeast sales manager Lindsay Masterson. “When comparing prices, ensure you compare a whole quote to a whole quote.”

2. What is your damage policy? It’s a simple question, but an important one—and could end up making a big difference to an event’s bottom line. And make sure you know not only the damage policy, Masterson says, but specifically what constitutes damage for which the vendor will charge.

3. What design and planning assistance do you provide? Cort Event Furnishings' director of marketing and product development Kevin Dana advises finding out how much design assistance your vendor provides, and who is responsible for the task of planning the layout ahead of the event. He suggests asking, “Does the rental company provide 2-D and 3-D models of all their products to create plans that assure everything fits into the event space?”

Masterson recommends organizers ask if the rental house can provide scale floor plans or design assistance, or offer CAD renderings of its furniture that can be used to get an accurate depiction of spacing. “Your rep likely has some great creative thoughts that you may not have considered,” she says, so keep the vendor in mind as a resource if design consultation is an available service.

4. What can be customized? Many hosts want every part of their event to match the message or overall theme, so knowing which items can be personalized for the occasion in advance can save time and money later. If pieces can be customized, be sure to ask whether or not a proof will be provided for review.

5. How much access will I have to trained rental staff—and when? Aside from load in and out, you’ll probably want access to your rental staff for any time-sensitive needs that may come up during the event. So find out whether—and when—your rental vendor will be available to meet on site with other relevant vendors, like the florist, lighting team, or caterer.

It's also worth asking who’s providing the labor for your event—whether it's trained employees or outside temporary labor. “Experienced delivery staff should be able to work efficiently, fix a mishap that occurs in delivery like a broken leg, and can even help with preferred placement of the items,” says Masterson.

Once you know, adds Choura Events C.E.O. Ryan Choura, “Make sure you double check your rental contract for any phone numbers you may need during your setup.”

6. Do you have what I need nationwide? If you’re planning an event as part of a larger series across the country, check to make sure your rental house can supply the same or similar pieces for the entire series. “If doing multiple events nationwide, ask if the rental company can provide the same furniture in every major market in the U.S. for a consistent brand message,” suggests.

7. What’s new in stock? Fritz Williams, the owner of FormDecor, advises always asking what’s new in the rental provider’s inventory—even if it’s not what you need for the event at hand, it may spark ideas for the next big project in the pipeline. “We welcome clients into our warehouse to view our collection,” he says. “It can be beneficial to see the furniture in person for the current event you’re planning, but it also gives you the opportunity to mentally catalog items for future events as well.”

8. What’s your style specialty? If you’re specifically looking for a certain aesthetic or niche design style, make sure you ask up front if your rental company has a solid inventory of the kind of pieces you’ll need. Williams suggests, “Oftentimes boutique furniture rental organizations collect and curate around a certain aesthetic. If you’re looking for mid-century or modern furniture, for instance, you’ll want to check with specialty firms.”

Source: BizBash.com

#TipTuesday: Wedding Etiquette 101

Gone are the days where my Facebook timeline is filled with embarrassing photos of who got chocolate waste over the weekend and campus activities. Now every day I am greeted with proposals, wedding preparations and baby announcements! As exciting as this new phase of life is, it is becoming painfully aware to me that common wedding etiquette for guests and/or the bride or groom is not so common. After receiving many questions, seeing several things that made me cringe and even being unsure about a few rules myself I decided to do some research. To avoid being THAT girl/guy check out 10 Wedding Etiquette rules below.

1. Just because you are Facebook friends, does not guarantee you a wedding invite: A wedding is a very personal and sacred event, reserved for family and close friends of the couple. Just because you went to college with someone or occasionally engage in witty banter on social media does not qualify you to receive an invite. Also publically shaming said couple for the lack of an invite makes you look bad…not them. While we are on the topic…

2. Who gets an invite: After you send out your save the dates, you will probably get an influx of informal RSVPs. For those that confirm they will not be attending, there is no need to send them a formal invite. If that person happens to be Aunt Susie who you know will want to keep an invite for her scrapbook, be sure to include a note saying it’s for keepsake purposes only.

3. Plus one woe: If you knew how expensive weddings cost these days, you wouldn’t assume this is an automatic yes. Typically, the only “guaranteed” plus ones are spouses, fiancées, and live in significant others. If you are allowed a guest to accompany you to a wedding, the invitation will either state you and your significant other's name or in lieu of their name “guest”. For my single friends, if you are unsure, ask, but don’t just show up with your flavor of the month.

4. What to wear, what to wear: Most wedding invites will specify the appropriate attire for the event. If you are questioning if your powder blue suit, or crop top mini dress is considered black tie, there is this excellent tool called google that can help you out (lol). If the invite doesn’t say, stay on the safe side and leave your jordans, t-shirts, jeans, and white dresses at home.

5. Everything isn’t Facebook appropriate: While you may be super excited to post your “ussie” of you and the blushing bride on Facebook immediately after you take it, it may be against the wishes of the couple. Unless you are encouraged to post pictures on social media with a specialized hashtag, avoid posting any pictures of the couple until after they post them.

6. Bring on the Gifts: Brides, even though you are spending an insane amount of money on chicken wings per person and are expecting everyone to gift you with those $75 napkin holders you requested or the diamond encrusted skillet you NEED, guests aren’t REQUIRED to bring a gift. While it’s not in best taste to show up empty handed, manage your expectations. Keep in mind that there will be a vast range of budgets attending your wedding and register accordingly. Speaking of gifts…

7. Engagement party gifts: Engagement parties are an opportunity to congratulate the couple; gifts are not expected but will certainly be accepted. Who doesn’t like presents?! If you are dying to give the happy couple a gift, don’t you worry there will be plenty of opportunities including the bridal shower and wedding.

8. Cut the Cake: While the cake ceremony is a longstanding staple in the world of wedding receptions, it’s not one that is mandatory. If you find that tradition dated opt for a dessert table, cupcakes, or a candy bar.

9. Wedding party trade-off: Just because someone invites you to be in their wedding, does not necessarily mean you need to return the favor. If you are feeling uneasy about the situation, there are always other positions you can put them in, for example a hostess or a reader.

10. Thank you…thank you very much *in my Elvis voice*: Even though your guests wished you a lifetime of happiness, that does not mean you have a forever to send out thank you notes. You have about a three month window to send out a handwritten note, and NO an e-mail will not suffice.

 Bonus...

11. Oh you thought that was a gift?: Tapping into your resources and hiring friends as vendors can be a great cost saving tool for couples. However, make sure everyone is clear on the terms of the agreement ahead of time. Whether you are offering your services as a gift or at a discounted rate, make sure all parties involved are well aware and PUT IT IN WRITING. The last thing you want is to your friend repoing your cake at the reception or casting you on the next episode of Judge Judy because you didn't provide her with the check she was expecting.

Source:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/24/wedding-etiquette_n_3806349.html and

http://www.realsimple.com/weddings/etiquette/wedding-etiquette-00100000094464/page3.html

#TipTuesday: 14 Best Hotels for Destination Weddings

Are you the bride that wants your wedding to also be a vacation for your guests, but have no idea where to go? Tablet Magazine put together a great list of the top 14 hotels for a destination wedding like the above Taj Lake Palace! Located in Udaipur, Rajasthan, if you’re a bride and groom for whom nothing less than a brigade of elephants and camels dressed in full regalia will do, you’re in luck. Animal welcoming parties are old hat at this ancient Rajasthani palace, where they’ve been throwing over-the-top celebrations for centuries.

The Auberge du Jeu de Paume located in Chantilly, France is perfect for the couple that wants to party like Marie-Antoinette on thier wedding day. Twenty-five miles outside of Paris, Auberge du Jeu de Paume is one of France’s grandest country estates, with an aristocratic heritage to match the best of them.

The Serai Jaisalmer in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan is a deeply romantic safari-style tented camp in the desert. It beat out such contenders as a hotel with views of the Taj Mahal and an opulent maharaja’s palace in the Himalayas, to say nothing of the Serai’s sister-hotel Sher Bagh, which has thrown some famous weddings of its own.

Boucan by Hotel Chocolat located in Soufrière, St. Lucia, is a 140-acre estate high in the hills above the Caribbean. This hotel has gone and made chocolate a central part of the hospitality experience as well. And needless to say, St. Lucia’s unbelievably photogenic landscapes serve as memorable backdrops for a wedding.

For the full list of destination wedding hotels, visit Tablet Magazine here.

Tip Tuesday: 20 TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS

There are (literally!) thousands of types of flowers, and infinite combinations of colors and arrangements that you can create with them. So how do you narrow it down to the perfect blooms for your wedding? Start with these basic, must-know tips.

First, Know Your Budget

Have a good idea of what you're ready to spend on flowers before getting your heart set on specific blooms or arrangements. The cost of wedding flowers ranges widely (typically between $2,000 and $6,000) depending on the types of flowers you choose, how delicate those flowers are and, of course, how many arrangements you'll need and how elaborate they'll be. So set your budget, then look for inspiration -- not vice versa.

Then, Spend Wisely

Focus your flower budget on the areas of your wedding that will be in the spotlight. Your bouquet, a signature element at the ceremony (like the huppah or pedestal arrangements) and reception centerpieces should top your list of priorities. Use leftover cash on the extras like decor for the cake table, guest book table and cocktail hour.

Visit a Flower Shop...

There's more to wedding flowers than roses and peonies, so don't miss out on the blooms you didn't even know existed. (Some lesser-known types not to miss: craspedia, proteas, scabiosa and gloriosa lilies.) Find out what's out there in person by taking a walk through the biggest nursery or flower depot near you. Ideally, you'll go exactly one year before your wedding date so you'll see what colors and flowers are in season and will be readily available to you.

...Then Home Depot (Seriously!)

For color inspiration, visit the paint aisle of the local hardware store. Pick up a few swatches that you love and bring them to your meeting with your florist to get each of your creative juices flowing. Other good sources of color: Visit a fabric store, which can drum up ideas for both color and texture, or simply take a look around your apartment to see what colors you loved enough to choose for your home.

Prioritize, Then Plan

Think about how important flowers are to you in the grand scheme of your wedding. If the answer is "very!" then consider planning elements of the day around your dream flowers. For example, if you know you want lots of peonies, pick a date in late spring (when they're in season) and a classic venue to complement them.

Complement What You Love

Speaking of prioritizing, your wedding flowers should enhance whatever element of the day you want to emphasize most. Are you big on food? Plan to have centerpieces that fit in with the dishes on the table, like low, long centerpieces in wooden containers. Want your wedding party to be the stars of the show? Spend extra effort planning individualized bouquets and boutonnieres for them.

Look to Your Dress

As one of the first major purchases you're bound to make, your dress can inspire the style of your entire wedding and your flowers -- especially your bouquet. Choose a floral design that will photograph well with your gown. If you buy a sleek, sheath dress, a simple bouquet of calla lilies and similar arrangements will accent it well, while a loose, just-picked bunch of wildflowers looks great with a romantic, lacy gown. Also something to take into consideration: your height! If you're petite, ask for a smaller bouquet that won't overwhelm your frame.

Complement Your Venue

Once you book your reception site, choose flowers that will look like they belong there (wild, rustic flowers might look odd in a formal ballroom, while glam arrangements decked out with crystals might not fit with a garden venue). Take into consideration the height of the ceilings (high rafters call for taller centerpieces, which might look cramped in a space with low ceilings). If your florist isn't familiar with the venue, plan a site visit so you both know what you're working with.

Think in Seasons

Don't make decisions about flowers or colors before knowing what blooms are available for your wedding date. Spring and summer have the biggest selection of flower types and colors, while you'll be more restricted in fall and winter. Peonies, cherry blossoms, ranunculus, lilacs and anemones are popular blooms that have limited peak seasons. Some top flowers that are available year-round: roses, calla lilies, hydrangeas and cymbidium orchids.

Pick a Personality

Still stumped about your flower style? Rummage through your closet. Who's your favorite fashion designer? If it's Kate Spade, maybe your flowers will be monochromatic, but bold and bright. If your drawers are filled with J. Crew, a preppy, streamlined look might be for you. Consider putting together an inspiration board of a few things you love -- a photo of your favorite dress, a vintage postcard and a swatch of fabric, for example -- to show your florist your style.

Don't Expect Exact Colors

You might be able to find table linens in that perfect shade of pink, but flowers are a different story. Color-matching with a natural living thing like a flower can be frustrating, if not impossible -- flower colors vary vastly, even if they came from the same plant! Instead, think in terms of color families (think: light greens or pale pinks) rather than precise shades picked out of a Pantone book (like cerulean blue or lavender).

Go Classic for Your Ceremony...

Your ceremony flowers -- the bouquets, boutonnieres and those at the actual site of your vows -- will probably be the most photographed flowers of the day. Keep your ceremony arrangements on the clean and classic side so your pictures will stand the test of time.

...But Creative for Your Reception

For the party, there's much more room for creativity (that's right -- your ceremony and reception flowers don't have to match). If you're itching to experiment with funky colors or unusual arrangements, the reception centerpieces and other decor are the place to do it.

Mind Mother Nature

For an outdoor wedding, your flowers will probably be delivered and installed several hours before the event starts, meaning they might be sitting in the sun. Not all flowers can withstand heat or wind, so work with your florist to choose flowers that'll stay fresh for your venue. The same goes for boutonnieres and fresh flowers for your hair.

Envision Your Tables

When planning your centerpieces, visualize what else will be on the dinner tables. Don't let candles and favors upstage your tall, glam centerpieces. On the other hand, a minimalist arrangement might look too spare if there aren't other accents nearby.

Don't Forget About Your Guests

Don't let your flowers get in the way (literally) of your guests' having a good time. Be sure that centerpieces aren't so large that they'll block conversation across the table. If you opt for tall arrangements, display them in thin vases or clear glass containers so guests can see each other.

Think About Flower Alternatives

Nonbotanical decor can be gorgeous, especially for your reception. For a vintage wedding, a pile of old, meaningful books can make a great centerpiece (not to mention conversation piece) or arrangements of colorful veggies might be just the thing for a barn setting.

Personalize It

Making your wedding flowers extra meaningful can be as simple as adding your grandmother's brooch to your bouquet or carrying the same flowers down the aisle that your mom did -- or it can be as complex as using a photo of your family's home garden to inspire your entire floral vision.

Trust Your Florist

We've heard it over and over: The happiest brides are the ones who picked a florist they loved, then let them do their thing. Most likely, your expert has experience from hundreds of weddings and knows those little secrets about everything from choosing your flowers to last-minute adjustments. So trust her instincts as well as your own.

Show Them Off

After your flowers are set, make sure to show them in their best possible light. Plan for lighting that will enhance their beauty, like pink pin spots to highlight fuchsia centerpieces or amber room lighting to complement romantic all-white flowers. And choose simple, not-too-busy linens that will enhance your flowers, not detract attention from them.

Source:http://weddings.weddingchannel.com/wedding-planning-ideas/wedding-flowers/slideshows/tips-for-choosing-your-wedding-flowers.aspx

Tip Tuesday: 15 Cheap Wedding Ceremony Decoration Ideas on a Budget

Whether your wedding is in a big, elegant church, or a rustic, old garden, or at a white, sandy beach, the backdrop and decorations of a wedding ceremony can really make a lasting impression. And luckily, a pretty ceremony doesn't have to cost a fortune. When it comes to ceremony decorating, less tends to be more. Additionally, you can save some money by being creative and keeping it simple. Here are 15 ideas for decorating your ceremony while sticking to your budget.

Save Money on Ceremony Decorations at a Church

1. Use Your Venue’s Decorations If you’re getting married in a church, see what decorations they have for you to use. Many have candelabras which can add sophistication to your ceremony. Also, you may not have to decorate at all if you plan to get married during Christmas or Easter time when churches are already adorned with flowers and greenery.

2. Use Candles Instead of Flowers Candles are a lot cheaper than wedding flower arrangements, and can often be more romantic. Use them at the altar, to line the aisle (make sure they’re in fireproof bags or enclosed in glass to prevent fire hazards), or even in place of bouquets.

3. Get Some Potted Plants In the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, they lined the aisle of the beautiful Westminster Abbey with big, potted trees creating an English garden atmosphere. You can do something similar by bringing some potted plants from home or borrowing a few from a friend.

4. Buy Lots of Tulle There are so many fun things that you can do with tulle to decorate, but here are two of my favorites. The first thing you can do is create a canopy effect with the tulle. Have a few friends hang some from the center of the ceiling and then drape it down to the corners of the altar or stage. To complement the tulle canopy, use tulle to make bows to put on the pews or rows of chairs.

5. Decorate the Altar Only If you have a beautiful wedding venue already, there is no need to go overboard with your decorations. Perhaps all you need is a simple arrangement at the altar.

6. Decorate Your Own Unity Candle This is a fun and easy project that can be done in less than one hour. Go to a craft store and buy a plain, white candle that is at least two inches in diameter. You will also need to buy a ribbon (at least two inches wide) and some sequins. To assemble your own unity candle, glue the ribbon around the bottom of the candle and then glue the sequins on the front of the candle so that they spell the first letter of the groom’s last name.

7. Go Shelling                                                                                                                                                                                   If you live by the beach and have access to free shells, put them in clear vases or hurricanes to be used as wedding decorations. Although shells would be a great addition to a wedding near the ocean, they would also be a beautiful added surprise to a landlocked wedding as well.

8. Throw Down Some Flower Petals Even if you do not have a flower girl, you can still throw down some flower petals along the aisle. This can be done as part of the decorating process before the guests arrive. Flower petals are inexpensive to buy compared to actual flower arrangements, so if you really want flowers but don’t want to spend the money, this is a great way to add them into the decoration of your ceremony.

Save Money on Ceremony Decorations Outdoors

9. Pick a Naturally Beautiful Setting Outdoor garden, beach, or mountain weddings are already decorated for you. For example, if you’re getting married at a farm, throw down some hay bales for seating and you’ve got a rustic, but romantic aisle to walk down. If you want a garden wedding, make sure you get married in the spring when all the flowers are in full bloom.

10. Have a Focal Point There needs to be some sort of focal point that you and your spouse-to-be meet at to be wedded. The focal point will act as a frame around the event. Some of the most common options are arches and gazebos. First check to see if you will have one provided to you by your venue. If not, you can buy one, rent one, or make one. Unless you are a carpenter or a handyman, you should probably opt to rent one. I suggest renting an arch since they are typically cheaper than gazebos and look just as nice.

11. Hang Some Christmas Lights If you are getting wed in the evening, white Christmas lights are a must. And if you’re renting an archway, it would be the perfect place for the lights. Also consider hanging lights in some of the trees if you will be in an outdoor setting.

12. Mow the Lawn This may seem obvious, but if you are getting married in a backyard, start working on the lawn early to ensure that it will be ready in time for the big day. If the yard is kept up with regularly, it will look better for the wedding. Also, start early to plan out what flowers and plants you want to feature. Planting bulbs months in advance will save you from buying more expensive flowers to plant the week before the wedding.

13. Use a Theme to Guide You I went to a wedding not too long ago that had an amazing “Zen” theme throughout. Some of the decorations included paper parasols, lanterns, and bonsai trees. They even had rock gardens as the wedding reception centerpieces to complete the theme. What’s great about using a theme is that you only need a few elements to make a big impact on the overall impression of the ceremony.

14. Light It Up In addition to white Christmas lights or candles, other ways to light up your evening are to use luminaries, torches, and lanterns. Use what is most appropriate given your particular wedding venue. Also, keep in mind whether or not children will be at your wedding and if it would cause any issues to have open flames.

15. Blow Bubbles Although this may sound childish, bubbles can actually add an elegant touch if done correctly. If you’re going to use a bubble machine, make sure that the machine is out of sight and that the bubbles are not coming out too quickly or too slowly. Also make sure that the bubble machine is not too noisy.

The key to successful wedding ceremony decor is simplicity. Clean, elegant flower arrangements, a few strategically placed candles or some potted plants to add a little greenery are all you need to create a romantic and memorable ceremony. Less is more – which ultimately means more money in your wallet.

How did you decorate for your wedding ceremony? Were you able to keep the cost of decorations low? Send us pictures of your big day at helen@favoredbyyodit.com

Source: http://www.moneycrashers.com/cheap-wedding-ceremony-decoration-ideas-budget/