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Programs & Signage

What Should Be in Your Wedding Program?

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A wedding program is the perfect way to remember your day, thank people who made it possible, and to let out-of-town guests know who’s who. While you won’t find wedding etiquette books declaring a wedding program a must-do, there are certain ceremony instances where wedding programs are more important than others.

If you have a large wedding, a traditional ceremony, or a long wedding ceremony ahead, a wedding program can be a courteous way of letting guests know what to expect. Here are the essentials to make your wedding program a wonderful souvenir for your guests and personal keepsake for you.

Part One: The Wedding Program Cover

The cover of your program can be as elaborate or as simple as you want. The most important details on this page are going to be the date and the couple’s names. Including the place of the ceremony and a picture of the couple are additional tidbits of information that can personalize your program. If you have a theme in your wedding this is the perfect place to add that vintage seashell detail or an image of a cowboy boot.

Part Two: The Wedding Program Inside Cover

For brides who want to keep their program cover sleek and minimal, it’s best to choose a monogram or a simple initial detail. You can then reserve space on the inside cover of the program for all of the wedding day details. If you chose not to include the date, time, names, and location of the ceremony on the front cover, this information should be visible above the order of events.

When it comes to mapping out your order of events, be sure to include the following details:

- Processional Music
-The Officiate’s Greeting
- Special Readings
- Prayers
- Exchanging of Vows
- Ring Ceremony
- Communion, Lighting of the Unity Candle, or Special Song
- Pronouncement of Marriage
- Recessional Music

Part Three: The Wedding Party Page

When you bring two families together, there will be plenty of guests who don’t know each other. Including a list of the bridal party and their relation to the bride and groom will make the reception an easier transition for all guests. It is also a way to thank those hand-picked people personally for choosing to be a part of your special day. Here is an example of how your wedding party section should look:

Officiate: Pastor Timothy Wainwright
Parents of the Bride: Lucas and Mary Moore
Parents of the Groom: Paul and Patty Smith
Maid of Honor: Sarah Nintman
Best Man: Greg Howard
Bridesmaids: Lanae Johnson, Jessica Oster
Groomsmen: John Hill, Mark Webb

If you would like to include grandparents or step-parents, this is the place to honor them as well. Also, after the wedding party is listed, it is not uncommon for the bride and groom to include a couple of sentences as a thank you to all of the family and guests who participated in their wedding. You can make your program full of personal details or very streamlined and traditional. The choice is entirely up to you.

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What Theme Should You Use for a Couple’s Shower?

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For the bride and groom that like to do everything together, couples’ shower themes are all the rage. No tea parties or negligees to be found, the couple’s shower is the modern-day evolution of the true meaning of marriage: blending your separate lives into one. If you are a couple that has a lot of interests, the hardest part about throwing a couple’s shower may be trying to pick just one theme for your party.

From rock climbing to re-living your high school prom, there are many ways to thematically tie your love story together into one giant soiree. Here are a few crowd favorites that are sure to help you celebrate your life-to be in true-to-you fashion.  

Garden Party Co-ed Style

Ditch the Hawaiian tablecloths and rum punch. Instead, take your garden party’s class quotient up a few notches by choosing to host it in the early evening amidst lit candles. Hundreds of tea lights and soft music can make for a dreamy pre-nuptial night. For added flair, tie in the garden party theme by asking your guests to bring their favorite seeds to plant in your garden. Have little plots already staked out with twine; each labeled with personalized moments from your own life. For instance, your oldest friends can choose to plant their seeds in the “young love” plot, whereas your family members can choose to dedicate their seeds to the “family tree” patch.

All Hail the Honeymoon

A couple’s shower that honors your honeymoon destination can be an exciting way to involve your guests in your anticipation for jet setting. This works best for those that have a unique destination spot. For instance, if you are booked to taste wine in Argentina (Malbec lovers unite!), you can host a wine tasting event that only highlights Argentine varietals. The food can be just as authentic with grilled asada and Chorizo to boot. Be sure that the music matches the cadence of the destination as well. Acapulco? Consider hiring a mariachi band and making fresh margaritas.

A honeymoon-themed couple’s shower is the perfect idea for those couples that registered for their honeymoon instead of traditional gifts. Showing your guests how amazing your destination is can get people excited about buying you excursions and pitching in for your hotel stay.

Outdoor Extravaganza

For the adventurous types, an outdoorsy couple’s shower may be the perfect fit. However, since some of your friends and family may not be as stoked as you are to summit the nearest cliff-face, there are some pedestrian ways to incorporate your guts-and-glory approach to life. Consider indoor skydiving. With several facilities around the nation, this option can appeal to any and all types of people – even those who never consider skydiving to be on their bucket list. If you are more of the hiking or camping type, ask a land-rich friend or rent a field in a nearby town. Bring in several different tents with lanterns inside for atmosphere and fire up a bonfire for s’mores. Hire a guitar aficionado to prepare some fireside sing-along-songs, and give each attendee a pair of carabineers with each of your initials on it as a parting gift.  

It doesn’t matter what your couple style is, a Jack and Jill shower is the best way to throw the party of your dreams and having everyone able to attend. The trick is to be as creative and crazy as you both are and let the true essence of your couple personality shine.

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Throw a Couple’s Shower for Your Friends

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Brides who are getting hitched in this era of non-conformism have the luxury of literally throwing any kind of couple’s shower they choose. Tradition has now become more of a theme during eve-of-wedding parties and less of an absolute. This shift has thrown the doors wide open for friends and family to gather in an all-inclusive, co-ed environment. The tricky part about throwing a successful Jack-and-Jill shower is to shatter the stigma surrounding the oft-times lace and ruffle shrouded bridal shower. Here are a few tips for how to throw an amazing couple’s shower that the ladies and gents will equally enjoy!

Get the Boys Involved: Party Ideas to Get Things Cooking

In order for a co-ed wedding shower to be a huge hit, you must include the boys as equally as the girls. This rules out common wedding shower games like wedding bingo or an arts & crafts hour, but there are ways to incorporate game play that will entertain both. If you throw a backyard BBQ or a beachside wedding brunch, you could host a volleyball tournament or a badminton showdown. If you want to go out for your couple’s shower, consider buying a big block of tickets to a sporting event or renting a private room to watch the big game. The competitiveness combined with great food and drink is the perfect way to please the guys and the gals.

Wine Time: A Co-ed “Stock the Bar” Party Winner

If you want to host the party yourself, then size matters. For a large shower crowd, an evening of wine tasting and rating is an interactive, yet less expensive party plan. Ask each couple to bring two bottles of wine to the party. The first bottle is to “stock the bar,” and the other is a bottle to share for the tasting. Make your own tasting and rating cards where guests can give a high score for the wine they like best. When the tally is completed, the couple who brought the winning wine receives a gift certificate to a restaurant or a fancy wine aerator. Anything that mixes wine and friends is sure to be a great night.

The Wedding Registry: How to Pick the Right Balance of His & Hers

One of the most fun aspects of the couple’s shower should be gift opening; however, if the registry leans toward the lady, you will quickly lose the men in the room. All-female bridal showers are usually heavy on the fancy lingerie, but most guests will side-step the lingerie menagerie in lieu of co-ed friendly “house-warming” items.

So when you have a co-ed shower, be sure to register for gifts that the groom-to-be will want as much as the bride. This may mean that you register at an electronics or home improvement store as well as Bed, Bath & Beyond. You want the men in the room to enjoy the gift-opening process as much as the women, so make your registry balanced. Boys just don’t get why a Cuisinart is so life changing, so throw in a grill master or fishing pole for good measure.

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Sponsored Post: Chinese Laundry Helps You Find the Shoe That Fits

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There are many exciting moments between getting engaged and walking down the aisle and you need shoes for every occasion! Whether it’s a themed wedding, your bachelorette party or the day of, Chinese Laundry has the shoe for your every occasion.

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Traditional: For more of a classic look try the Willy. The delicate straps lie perfectly over your freshly polished toes and encase the back of your heel while the buckled strap keeps your foot perfectly in place. Standing at 3 ½” you will be able to float down the aisle and dance the night away with ease. Available in an array of colors, you will find a color for every occasion.

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Countryside: As you make your way through an aisle of wildflowers and a backdrop of the rolling hills do so in the Backstreet. This suede, stone-colored boot will look great with your high-low wedding dress in cream. The studded and ringed golden harness adorns the upper allowing it to marry with your gold jewelry. The side zipper allows for easy wear and the wood stacked heel will keep your feet comfortable all night.

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Beach: Feel the sand through your toes with the Vespera. This gold t-strap sandal will look great peeking through your silk sheath dress. The Vespera’s gold beaded detailing on top of the strap will glimmer in the sun and pick up the gold in your ring. The 1” raised heel will help keep the dress elevated as you say your “I Do’s.”

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Retro: Pin-up your hair and “keep it real” with these towering Mary Jane’s. The Keep it Real will be the perfect match to your tea length wedding gown and circle veil. The 2” platform is the perfect companion to the 5” heel for alluring height and all day wear.   The buckled strap will keep your feet secure as you take your final steps down the aisle. Available in black or a pearl white these shoes will have a special place in your heart and shoedrobe.

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Garden: Play with the colors of the flowers you find as you walk down the aisle with the Whistle. While the Whistle is a classic patent platform pump; the multitude of colors it is offered in will take your look to a different level. Whether you choose the forest green to mimic the ivy that covers the archway or the dark teal to be your something blue, the Whistle will be that pop of color that every dress needs.

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Vintage Inspired: The Baldwin plays with the vintage theme with this satin platform heel.  The knotted detail at the toe and jeweled buckle at the ankle are reminiscent of the styles found in the early 80’s. The perfect heel height and 1” platform make the Baldwin a shoe that will be comfortable for a full day of wedding festivities.

Other wedding festivities:

Bridal shower: For a day full of gifts, games, giggles and girlfriends your feet will need the Mash Up. The blush-colored overlapping straps and zip back heel will keep your foot comfortable and secure while you wear them for a day of celebration. “Mash up” your wardrobe with this every occasion wedge.

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Bachelorette Party: This night is all about you so step out and look “hot hot.” Your LWD (little white dress) demands the sparkle of the Hot Hot, these open-toe pumps. The ¾” platform keeps you dancing the night away, while the 5” heel keeps all eyes on you. Available in light-gold, blush or black; this pump is sure to keep all the attention on you.

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The Day of: Mani’s and pedi’s and hair appointments…oh my! The day of the wedding requires a lot of running around, which in turn calls for a great pair of comfortable sandals. Make every appointment in the Magic Garden. The Magic Garden takes jellies to a new level of sophistication with the delicate flower lying on top of the t-strap. Get them in pearl white for yourself and in blush for your bridesmaids for a morning of pampering.

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Guest Blogger: Intimate Weddings on The Backyard Wedding

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Photography by Anna Kuperberg – see more at www.kuperberg.com

As wedding budgets retract, and guest lists shrink, the backyard has become the wedding venue of choice for many savvy couples. But backyard weddings are not for everyone.

Are you a perfectionist? Do you make yourself and others around you crazy in an attempt to make everything ‘just so?’ If your answer is yes, you might want to cross a backyard wedding off your list. Unless, of course, you want to drive yourself and your significant other looney – but in the end have the most wonderful wedding possible. Kind of like what I did.

Perfectionists and at-home weddings can be a volatile combo. There are so many extra details involved with planning a backyard wedding at home that it can be overwhelming for anyone – but especially those who have a penchant for perfection. Not only will you be trying to eliminate everything on your wedding day to-do list, you’ll also want to make your home extra special for your big day.

If you’re like me you’ll be re-decorating the interior, power washing the exterior and landscaping the heck out of your yard. Of course, not all couples planning an at-home wedding spend months fixing up their place. Some people don’t lift a finger on home improvements. If that’s the case, planning can be a whole lot easier.

However, there are still things to keep in mind if you are planning a backyard wedding.

  • It’s a smart idea to call your local town hall to find out if construction is planned for your area around the time of your wedding. The last thing you want is a muddy, noisy, messy road on the day of your wedding.
  • A week before your wedding, it’s wise to let your neighbors know what you are planning, and warn them of potential noise, and traffic. Also, if you are having an outdoor ceremony, let your neighbors know what time it will take place, so they won’t be out with their leaf blowers and lawn mowers during your ‘I do’s.’ Once neighbors know of your plans, they might offer up parking space, or lend a hand.
  • Unless you are having a teeny, tiny wedding, you’ll need to rent tables and chairs. You may also have to rent linens, glassware, and dinnerware.
  • It’s probably the least romantic thing about your wedding, but it’s probably one of the most important: toilets. No matter where you decide to have your wedding, you’re going to need at least one. If you are having your wedding at home, you might decide that guests can use the washrooms in your home, but after giving it some serious thought, you might change your mind. Do you really want your guests traipsing in and out of your home? Can your plumbing system take the wear and tear? Is it possible that your septic system will be overstressed, causing a plumbing nightmare on the biggest day of your life? (Ever see Meet the Parents?)
  • If you are having a backyard wedding, it makes sense to use protection against the elements. I’ve heard horror stories of daring couples whose decision to marry out in the open left them, and their guests, all wet. And rain is not your only concern. A hot sun blazing down on you and your guests will not only cause discomfort; it can cause sunburn and heatstroke. If you’re a risk-taker and don’t want to bother with a tent, make sure you have some sort of back-up plan in case the weather doesn’t co-operate.
  • Another tip for an at-home wedding is to invite your caterer over before the big day so s/he can scope out your kitchen. S/he’ll need to know how much space there is to work in – as well as fridge and stove details.
  • Although the words wedding and home can be a match made in heaven for many, they are not for everyone. Depending on how elaborate the wedding is, they can be more costly and stressful than a wedding elsewhere.

For us it was all worth it. Will it be worth it for you?

– Christina Friedrichsen | Intimate Weddings

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Wedding Planner Expert with What to Wear to a Wedding

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Question:
Can you please categorize the different attire formalities and what each one of those mean for guests?

Wedding Planner Expert, Jessica Adler of JA Special Events and Weddings answers this:
Knowing what to wear to a wedding or special event can be pretty confusing nowadays. Based on the time of year, time of day, and part of the country, as well as the style of the venue, appropriate attire can really vary. It can really be helpful to look online and learn about the town and location for the wedding in order to really select your outfit. In general, I recommend guests be dressed similarly to the bridal party and immediate family or one step down if it is a more formal, traditional wedding. For example, if the wedding party is in full-length gowns and tuxedos, a guest could wear a nice, dark suit and a shorter cocktail dress.

Black tie – This is the most formal affair. Traditionally, men would wear a tuxedo, although sometimes a dark suit and tie may suffice. Ladies can wear a floor-length gown or cocktail dress.

Semi-formal – A small step down from the full-length gown and tuxedo. A full-length dress is appropriate for women though a shorter length is acceptable. Men should be wearing a suit and tie.

Dressy casual or Informal – The emphasis is truly on the “dressy” and not the “casual”. Jeans and shorts are not really options, more slacks and a buttoned or polo shirt for men and a pant suit or cocktail or dressier sundress for ladies.

Casual – Unless the event is truly at a ranch or farm and more likely the rehearsal or welcome dinner, even casual really doesn’t mean jeans and shorts. This is similar to what you might consider “business casual” at your office. With the right accessories for a less formal event, women can wear a great pair of darker jeans or slacks or a more casual skirt and top. You still want to look dressed up and ready to go out, but not too formal. Men can wear slacks and a nice shirt (should be collared), not a T-shirt.

Fun or themed attire – Some couples throw theme weddings where they want their guests to come in costume. In this case, a themed outfit or certain colors is appropriate. You definitely will want to make sure that what you plan to wear is what the bride and groom have envisioned.

Daytime affair – Again, your attire here would be similar to business casual, but focus on wearing lighter and brighter colors, particularly in the summer season. A sportscoat and no tie for men or just a tie and without a jacket are appropriate. Women can wear a more fun sundress or skirt and top or nice blouse and slacks. The darker, more formal suits and dresses are less common.

Wearing white – Simply put, this wedding planner does not suggest that any women wear a white or ivory dress or pantsuit or really even a white or ivory top or skirt to a wedding. A pattern or print that includes white or ivory is perfectly acceptable.

Wearing the wedding colors – While you don’t want to look just like a bridesmaid or like the mother of the bride or groom, it can be fun and flattering for the bride who likely spent much time and effort selecting her color palette to have guests arrive wearing some of the wedding colors whether that be with accessories or your actual dress or outfit.

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