Planning: Pleasing Your Guests

PLEASING YOUR GUESTS

Recently, For the Bride has learned not all guests are thrilled after attending a wedding. Long kisses at the altar…reception too crowded…long lines at the food stations are just a few of the complaints we heard. So, how can you please a roomful of family and friends? We’ve made it easy for you by pinpointing some very common guest grumbles. Read on and vow to avoid them!

Stockbrokerxtra - Dreamstime

GRIPE The invitation didn’t say it was an outdoor wedding. I ruined my favorite shoes when the heels sank into the soft ground.

WHAT TO DO If the invitation doesn’t state your wedding is outdoors (if your site is a beach/park/garden), add an enclosure that lets them know what to expect. Say something like, “Ladies should wear comfortable shoes due to uneven ground at the ceremony.”

GRIPE “You may kiss the bride,” turned into a ten-minute love fest.

WHAT TO DO Keep the smooching short. Remember, the honeymoon is a few short hours away.

GRIPE The dance floor was too packed—no one could move.

WHAT TO DO Be sure your dance floor can handle the crowd. Event planners say you’ll need a minimum of 2.5 square feet of dance-floor space for each guest. However, if you know your guests love to show their moves on the floor, opt for 3 square feet.

GRIPE I never received a thank-you note.

WHAT TO DO So maybe you’ve already written 157 thank-you notes but have 43 more to go. Finish no later than three months after the wedding. Make the process as painless as possible by doing a little each night--and get hubby to do his fair share, too.

GRIPE Either there were a lot of party crashers or the couple hadn’t planned well. There were long lines at the food stations and bars.

WHAT TO DO A good way to avoid the lines for food and drinks is to have the wait staff offer trays of drinks and hors d’oeuvres, which will keep some people from queuing up.  

GRIPE The bride and groom were getting pictures taken for half of the reception.

WHAT TO DO A simple solution is to have formal shots done before the wedding. Most couples get them done so they can be with guests immediately following the ceremony. But if you want to stick with tradition and not permit the groom to you before "I do," keep it to a minimum. You don't need shots at three different locales. Let your photographer know in advance how much time you want to allot for pictures.  

By Patricia Canole

Planning: Joy Ride

The Road To The Right Transportation.

Your grand entrance begins with your wedding-day ride. It reflects your style and gets the wheels of your celebration turning. These tips will help to guarantee a smooth drive.

THE PERFECT MATCH Consider the following questions: How many people will be riding in the vehicle? Where do you need it to take you (the ceremony, locations for photo ops, the reception, the hotel or airport)? Be sure to budget in ample time if you decide on a horse-and-carriage ride.

LOCATE YOUR WHEELS Ask other vendors for recommendations. Or, if your place of business uses a reliable car service, inquire about its wedding packages.

Keep in mind that most limo companies offer a variety of vehicles, including stretch SUVs, party buses and antique cars.

WHEEL DEAL Transportation companies will require that you sign a contract. Pay particular attention to whether they charge by the hour or distance. What about overtime? Does the hourly charge start when the vehicle leaves the garage or when it picks you up? Are parking costs and tolls included in the price or are there additional expenses? Make sure you are clear about cancellation policies and refunds on deposits. The contract should indicate all intended stops (ie: home/church/photo locale/reception, etc.).

BE THRIFTY Think about hiring a different car to pick you up after the reception. Otherwise, the car that picked you up in the morning will be parked outside your party doing nothing more than kicking up the hourly fee.

ASK FOR THE ROYAL TREATMENT Several transportation companies offer wedding-day packages to make your ride more memorable. Why not have the tux-clad chauffeur roll out the red carpet for you when you arrive at the ceremony site? Also, many vehicles come stocked with chilled Champagne (toast each other in private!), and you can choose a sign for the back of the car, ranging from “Going to the Chapel” to “Mr. & Mrs!”


By C.A. Deignan

Valentine's Day Inspiration

Clever Ideas To Personalize Your Party With Flair.

February 14th is the perfect day for love and romance. But even if it's not your big day, consider including some of these touches!

Opening Shot - Beautiful Day Photography

ATTIRE An old-fashioned look is always romantic. You'll want to wear a classic style gown and tuxedo. Another option is to go for a dress with red accents—a cherry red sash would be stunning. Have your bridesmaids wear dresses shades of pink and red; groomsmen will look handsome with red ties with coordinating red and pink boutonnières.

Gabrielle by Claire Pettibone

DÉCOR Create a romantic atmosphere by blanketing the aisle with rose petals. For the reception dress each table with rose tea-light holders. The simple DIY project begins by removing the rose stem, then open the bloom to remove several center petals to accommodate space for your candle.

COCKTAIL HOUR Serve crimson-hued cocktails and give them Valentine-themed names like “Cupid’s Kiss," and "Be My Valentine.”

MENU Fan the sparks among your guests by including some aphrodisiacs on the menu by including an oyster bar, almond-crusted salmon rolls, or chicken with mole (a Mexican chocolate sauce). Surprise guests with an all-red dessert lounge of chocolate-covered strawberries, a raspberry tart, and even red velvet cupcakes.

FAVORS Gift your friends and family with heart-shaped boxes of candy or macaroons and a note attached saying “Thank you for being our Valentine!”

SPECIAL TOUCHES Rather than table numbers, why not name each for a famous couple (real or fictional). Antony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet, Napolean and Josephine, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor come to mind.

   

By Patricia Canole

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