11. Waiting till after the wedding to pack for the honeymoon. If you are leaving for your honeymoon the day after the wedding, pack two or three days before the wedding. If you rush around at the last minute, you will forget something, and you sure don’t want to be doing laundry on your wedding day.

12. Planning to be your own wedding coordinator. On the wedding day you will be so focused on being where you need to be (hair appointment, photos, ceremony, reception) that you won’t have time to find out if the cake was delivered, the DJ has arrived and is set up, the centerpieces are set out, candles are lighted, and all the myriad details a wedding coordinator will handle. Don’t expect your mom to act as the coordinator. She will be busy too and she will want to enjoy spending time with the guests. Hiring a day-of coordinator is one of the best investments you can make.

13. Not considering transportation needs of your guests. It is a courtesy to consider the needs of your out of town family and friends and how they will get to and from the wedding. Check with the hotel where you blocked rooms to see if their shuttle van might be available for a fee to take guests to the ceremony and pick them up afterwards. Alternatively, you might rent a trolley or ask your wedding coordinator to have the phone number of a taxi service available for those who need it.

14. Using an iPod or laptop for your music. This works only if you carefully plan your play list and you have an experienced person to operate the iPod or laptop. You can’t hand it off to someone who doesn’t know how to operate it or who doesn’t know what to play when. A beautifully planned wedding can be ruined by problems with the music. If you are not totally confident in the ability of a designated person to handle everything smoothly, hire a professional and don’t risk ruining your ceremony or reception.

15. Making a seating chart the night before the wedding. Seating charts are a major headache. You need one only if you are having a sit-down dinner with multiple entree choices. If it is a sit-down dinner with only one entree or a buffet, have your caterer or coordinator reserve tables for the wedding party and parents, then allow the other guests to sit where they want.

16. Asking for gifts. It is socially taboo to indicate to your guests that a gift is expected and what it should be. An invitation to a wedding is a request for family and friends to join you in celebrating a joyous occasion in your life. It isn’t about gifts. If you register, and it is helpful if you do, registry information should not appear in your wedding invitation. (A shower hostess may mention it, however.) And it is never okay to ask for money in a wedding invitation. If you prefer money, then don’t register and when people ask, verbally tell them you prefer money, but don’t be surprised if some still bring gifts. If you live in another area, encourage guests to choose gifts from your registry and have them shipped to your home rather than bringing them to the wedding.

Forget about having a money tree; your guests are not obligated to help pay for the wedding or honeymoon. The same is true with money dances. Unless it is part of your culture, you may offend more people than participate.

17. Having a cash bar. This is frowned on in many areas of the country. In Idaho we have a host liability law which makes the event host liable for the actions of guests. Therefore, it is common in this area to host beer and wine or a champagne toast and allow guests to pay for other alcohol if they choose to imbibe. Alternatively, don’t make alcohol other than beer and wine available at all. It is also appropriate, and budget-friendly, not to serve alcohol at all.

18. Not having a hair or make-up trial. Plan to have your hair done about a month before the wedding. Take your veil with you and also take a camera to record the style you like. The hairdresser won’t remember every detail, so the photos will be helpful.

19. Not creating a day-of itinerary. You and your wedding coordinator should create a plan for the day, then she should share it with your photographer, DJ and officiant, so they can work together to make the day flow smoothly just the way you want. If you don’t have a coordinator, you will need to create your own plan before the rehearsal. Nothing frustrates officiants more than being unexpectedly placed in charge of an unplanned or poorly planned rehearsal. With a plan, you should be able to run through your rehearsal twice in less than 45 minutes. Without one, your rehearsal can easily take two hours or more.

20. Becoming stressed out and not enjoying your day. Don’t let all the details get to you. During the months leading up to the wedding, take some time away from the wedding planning; get enough sleep before the wedding; be sure to eat on the wedding day. Your guests don’t know what you planned, so don’t stress the details. Remember, it is the marriage that counts, not what happens on the wedding day. With a bit of pre-planning, you can have a wonderful day free from any major glitches.

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman; all rights reserved

• How clear is the ice and how do you get it that way?

Typically, ice carvers will use large blocks that are frozen with water circulating during the process. Each block may take anywhere from 2 – 5 days to freeze. Ask your potential sculpture artist what form of freezing they use and ask how the clarity of their ice compares to the competition.

• How long does an ice sculpture usually last?

Depending on the design of your ice sculpture, you can typically expect it to look good for approximately 5 to 7 hours, when in a controlled 70 degree environment. If your wedding will be an outdoor event, exposure to the elements will reduce the lasting time of your ice sculpture to less than 5 hours. Work with your designer to come up with a design that will stand up to the environment of your wedding.

• How long does it take to carve an ice sculpture?

Depending on the design, some ice sculptures can be carved in 2-3 hours while more intricate and large scale designs can take up to 2-3 days. Different sculptures utilize different carving techniques. Ask your potential ice designer what techniques they use and ask to see examples.

If you’re going to make an investment of an ice sculpture at your wedding, consider where and how long your reception will be and what style of design will support your wedding best. Also consider incorporating the ice sculpture into a major centerpiece for your guests to appreciate – and maybe even include your ice sculpture into your drink service. Something interactive and fun will allow your guests to appreciate your investment and have fun at the same time!

Tips on deciding what to wear when attending a wedding

So you go to the mailbox and receive a wedding invitation. As you open it up, one of the first things you think of is “What am I going to wear to this?” It used to be that traditional wedding attire worked for just about any wedding, but now days there are much more casual weddings and even theme weddings, so wearing what is expected will help you feel more comfortable and appropriate when attending.

The first place to look for clues to the proper attire is in the wedding invitation. Does the invitation actually list “casual wedding attire” or “formal attire” or something else of that nature? If so, this is your easiest bet.  If an “attire clue” doesn’t exist in the invitation, take your cue from other details:

• Is the wedding being held in a backyard or in a fancy hotel? Obviously, you’ll want to dress more formally for the wedding at the hotel.
• Is the wedding happening during the day or evening? Evening weddings tend to be more formal.

If you still don’t feel comfortable in your determination of proper wedding attire from clues in the invitation, it is appropriate to call the mother of the bride or the mother of the groom. Asking what the appropriate attire is will ensure that both you and the wedding party are comfortable through the entire ceremony and reception.

Wearing black is generally considered acceptable in any culture. Wearing white or red is not appropriate in many cultures, and can sometimes draw additional unwanted attention towards yourself.

Consider budgeting for a bridal portrait session before your wedding

In case you’re not familiar with the term, a bridal portrait session is one that is of the bride only. This session is typically done one month before the wedding, although some brides choose to do it on the wedding day or the day after. These photos are typically displayed at the wedding.

One main advantage of doing a bridal portrait session is that you get to see what the whole ensemble looks like before your wedding day. Since your portraits will be done with everything – dress, veil, jewelry, etc. you will get a chance to see how everything works together before your actual wedding. If you decide that you don’t like the way your earrings go with your necklace, you can change it out. Nobody will notice from the pictures if you’re changing minor details. Wearing your dress for a photo session before your wedding will also help you to determine logistical items for the big day, such as comfort of your undergarments and the easiest way to sit down, get through doors, and even use the facilities… hey – it’s going to happen anyway, might as well know the best way to work it!

The second main advantage to doing a bridal portrait session is by doing it on a different day than your wedding – is that you will look relaxed and happy. The stress from your wedding day will not show through in your portraits and you’ll have the opportunity to look your absolute best. You won’t be worrying about if you talked to everyone and if the cake is on time and if the seating chart will work – because you’re avoiding so many of these stresses bridal portraits are often considered much better than wedding day photos, and the difference will show. Just be sure to include the cost of this session in your budgeting.

Bridal portraits are typically taken somewhere other than the reception location. Sometimes brides will choose to have the session done the same place as engagement photos were taken. Ask your photographer if there is a location he/she would recommend and if they charge extra for a different location. Make sure that you choose a location that will show off your personal style as well as the beauty of your wedding gown and accessories. Ask your wedding photographer if they offer a package deal to include your bridal portrait session. If your wedding photographer won’t give you a good deal on your session, don’t hesitate to look for a different photographer. You might also want a photographer with a different style that better suits your personal style as well. Either way, make sure that you spend as much time choosing your bridal portrait photographer as you do your wedding day photographer.

Budgeting and planning for a bridal portrait session will leave you with beautiful portraits commemorating your wedding, for the rest of your life. Treat yourself to a photo session showing off you, relaxed and excited about your big wedding day.

Tips for who to invite to your Idaho Wedding

One of the main factors in planning your wedding is how many people are you going to have? Will your wedding and reception venues allow as many people as your list contains? Does your budget allow for catering for as many people as you’re planning? Do your parents or your soon-to-be inlaws have a different idea about who and how many people should be at your wedding? Here are some things to consider when creating your invitation list.

Remember that when you’re creating your invitation list, the number of invitations won’t necessarily match the number of guests. Be sure to keep track of +1 guests, spouses and children that may be attending from each invitation you are planning.

A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t seen or spoken to someone for more than five years, you probably don’t need to worry about inviting them to your wedding.

Be prepared to say no up front. If your mom wants to invite her hairdresser and you already know that you’re getting tight on your list, be ready to say no in the beginning rather than having to make a large cut list later.

Be sure to invite those family members that will be insulted if they’re not in attendance.

You may also want to consider having your wedding and reception on different days and having a different guest list for each, suited to fit your budget.

Be sure that you consult your parents and your fiance’s parents. They should each come up with a list of who they would like to invite. You’ll know who to ultimately include by people you recognize as having spent time with yourself. Have your fiance review the list from his parents as well. Then, you’ll want to communicate your ultimate decision with the parents. This will allow them to either talk you into including someone or will eliminate the embarrassment of them talking to a potential guest who has been cut from the list.

And finally, remember that ultimately it is your wedding. If you feel uncomfortable inviting someone, you probably shouldn’t. Likewise, if you feel drawn to invite someone who you haven’t seen in over five years or that contradicts the other guidelines above, do so. On your most memorable day you’ll want to be surrounded by a hand picked list of people with whom you feel comfortable enough to share your intimate feelings and with whom you want to celebrate.

Choosing your Wedding Cake

Now that you’ve found the man of your dreams, booked your reception, ordered your dress, and selected your flowers….how about designing your wedding cake? Your wedding cake will be the most important cake you ever pick out, so make it a fantastic one! Wedding cakes are no longer just 3 tiers of white cake with a bride and groom on the top. They are expressions of who you are as a couple, be it a traditional tiered cake, topsy turvy masterpiece, or sculpted work of art. Most importantly, it needs to taste just as good as it looks, so here are some tips to help you select the cake of your dreams………

Start thinking of what you would like your cake to look like well before you meet with the baker. Even if you don’t have an exact idea drawn out, it will help them design a cake for you if you have an idea of what you are envisioning.  Bring anything that might help inspire creativity along with you to the meeting. Color swatches, pictures from a magazine, a pattern off of your dress,or pieces of jewelry are always helpful.

Bring your sweet tooth along with you for this meeting! After you are done talking about design, it’s time to sample some cake. Most cake makers will have plenty of choices for you to enjoy. Ask what their most popular flavors are, and also feel free to ask for special requests. Most cake makers will allow you to make each tier a different flavor free of charge. This is a great thing because you can make sure all of your guests have a flavor option they will enjoy. This is one of the best parts of wedding planning, so enjoy some yummy cake!

Submitted by:

Aimee Wyatt, Amaru Confections
Owner/Chef
(208) 991-CAKE

Indoor Wedding Venue Ideas

You have dreamed of your wedding day since you were a little girl, and now your engaged and trying to put together your dream wedding. There are so many decisions to make and one of those tough decisions is whether or not to hold the wedding at an indoor or outdoor wedding venue. This decision affects many other decisions during your planning process. The venue can help you decide the wedding date, your wedding theme, to include decorations, wedding party attire, guest favors and more.

There are pro’s and con’s to choosing both options, and really it comes down to risk tolerance and personal preference. Holding your wedding at an indoor venue ensures that you and your guests are comfortable. You have air conditioning, even flooring, and comfortable seating for all of your guests. You’re protected from inclement weather and you have easy access to rooms dedicated to the bridal party for freshening up. High heels won’t dig into the dirt or the sand, and guests won’t sweat or get rained on. Plus, there are no bugs or critters to worry about. Allergies wouldn’t be a problem, and neither would sunscreen or bug repellant. Lighting would be continuous and even so your wedding photographer won’t have to keep adjusting his lens based on available light, and he won’t have to race the clock so that he doesn’t lose precious sunlight. This is a safe bet and if you don’t want the stress of risking everything there is to battle with the elements then having your wedding at an indoor venue.

If you love the look of an outdoor wedding, but don’t want the stress of possible rain, you can create the outdoor look inside as well. Lighting is a great way of creating ambiance at a wedding and indoor venues allow you to maximize its effect, creating the perfect mood and allowing you to have the exact lighting you desire. Indoor weddings also mean better climate control. The advantages of having your wedding indoors is the year-round aspect. Whether your wedding is during the winter, spring, summer, or fall, there is no issue with weather. There are so many options for an indoor wedding, from historic buildings, stunning hotel banquet rooms, luxurious reception halls to indoor greenhouses, just to name a few. The opportunity of having an “off-season” wedding in an indoor venue is also a plus, as hosting a wedding when venues are not busy may save you some money by the discounts that these venues can offer during their quiet season. Golf clubs, for example, welcome events with open arms and sometimes reduce their rental rates and offer special wedding packages to bring in some business during their off-season.

Submitted by: Dawn Rising — Delicate Designs — www.delicatedesigns-coord.com

Idaho Outdoor Weddings - things to consider

Outdoor Wedding Venue tips

Having an outdoor wedding is a trend we see more and more from Wineries, Inns and retreats to large city parks and gardens.  We are lucky here in Idaho, to have such amazing locations and natural scenery.  An outdoor wedding venue provides bridal couples the freedom to customize a design that is completely their own, with little to no limitations of an indoor venue.

There are a few things that are a must when using an outdoor wedding venue and a check list is very important to making sure every detail is accounted for, so your special day go according to plan.

Outdoor Wedding venue location:

Selecting a venue can be challenging, due to a lot more thing you as a couple needs to consider when visiting each location.  Below are a few items to consider:

• Size and terms: Larger enough accommodate your wedding guests, yet still able to provide an intimate atmosphere.  If on government land, what paper work and permits are needed, along with any special codes and rules?
• Level ground:  The perfect location will have plenty of level surfaces for a dance floor and tents.  Size up the level areas, not be to at a bottom of a hill, incase of rain before, during or after your reception, it may be muddy or very soft.
• Tents/Gazebo: This is a fantastic back up plan, to your outdoor venue. Even though the open-air concept is amazing, the weather; be it heat or rain, can be unpredictable. Make sure to do this well in advance, to get the best quality for the lowest price.
• Table/Chairs/Linens and other items: Some outdoor wedding venues may supply tables and chairs, but linens, tableware (plates, silverware, napkins and glassware) are all extras through a rental company. Renting and setting them up your self will cave cost, yet time consuming. Note: Average wedding reception table seats 8 people, so arrange table accordingly).
• Time: It is critical to visit the outdoor venue you’ve selected a few times, approximately the same time as you wedding and reception is scheduled, so you know how the venue will appear to your guests, photographer and many be where you will place the tents for shade.

Submitted by:

Diane Estey  —  Delicate Designs –  www.delicatedesigns-coord.com

Choosing the perfect wedding gift

Here we are in the middle of June – the most popular month for weddings, especially here in Idaho. Chances are that you or someone you know will be attending a wedding this summer – so how do you tackle the choosing of the perfect wedding gift?

Gift Registry

Some people don’t like choosing gifts from the registry for a variety of different reasons. Maybe you feel that your creativity is being hampered, or that you are concerned that the bride and groom will know how much you spent. Keep in mind that the bride and groom have taken the time to go together to a location and pick out gifts that mean something to them. They don’t care who gets items from their registry or how much each person spends. They’re simply going to be thrilled to have items they asked for. If you feel you’d still like to add a personal touch to a registry gift, add an accent gift. For instance – if you’re buying a bread machine, add a cookbook. When buying from a registry, take advantage of wrapping and delivery services. Having your gift delivered before the wedding shows forethought and makes it easier on you for not having to transport your gift to the reception.

Personal Gift

A personal gift is always a great idea – as long as you know the bride and groom well. Be sure that what you are planning is something you know they will appreciate – maybe check with their friends and family to help prevent duplicates. Consider also giving an event – maybe a prepaid weekend getaway that the couple can use 6 months or a year down the road when they need a break.

Money

As the saying goes – everyone accepts cash. Money may seem impersonal, but is always welcome. Chances are the new couple will be going on a honeymoon and can always use spending cash, or maybe they’ve even set up a honeymoon fund and are asking for gifts to help them pay for their excursion. So how much do you give? If you are family or very close friends, you probably already have an idea as to what is appropriate. A good rule of thumb is to give the same amount of money the bride and groom are spending on food and alcohol at the wedding reception. If you’re giving money, bring a card to the reception with the money or check enclosed. Checks should be written to the bride and groom together.

When choosing the perfect wedding gift, you have a large variety of options. Be smart, plan ahead and don’t worry – anything you do will be appreciated and is sure to help the new couple out in their future.

Do It Yourself Weddings and Favors can be fun and budget savers

Modern Choices:

A contemporary, modern wedding is still big in 2011.  Brides can opt for non-traditional dress choices, such as: beautiful hues instead of usual white or ivory; shoulder instead of strapless; and short cocktail dresses instead of a long gown.  The modern trend can also continue through the décor of your wedding as well, couples can steer away from the customary 10-person round table and opting to mix table shapes and sizes. Couples can also incorporate bright and bold colors, cool lounge setting and after parties; choosing cupcakes instead of a wedding cake and having the bridesmaids choose different styles of dresses in the same color or souvenir photo booth picture strips instead of traditional wedding favor trinkets.

DIY weddings:

“Do it yourself” is a big trend continuing into 2011.  Personalized touches and little details are very important; couples can incorporate their favorite interests, hobbies, places and even sports. It’s a great idea for a couple to plan every detail of their entire wedding. Then on the wedding day assign a trustworthy relative, friend or wedding coordinator, to help with the details so the bride and groom can relax and enjoy their big day.

Contributed by:
Dawn Rising   – Delicate Designs – www.delicatedesigns-coord.com