Not Just Any Other Wedding Token

September 22, 2012 by

When my husband and I were preparing for our wedding, one of those that we took time to think about was what to give our guests as wedding favors.  Ceramic angels, decorated glasses, and other small tokens were the usual items we received on other weddings we attended.  Though dainty and elaborately adorned, these items almost always found their way to the trash bin mainly because they served no other purpose other than for display. And, well, in our apartment, there’s just no space for any fancy display case.

In one of the weddings my husband attended several years back, the couple veered away from tradition and gave their guests a very useful wedding favor – an ice cream scooper with a marble handle engraved with the couple’s names and wedding date.  To this day, that ice cream scooper is still very useful.  This is also what inspired hubby to consider giving out something more than a display item on our wedding day.

Ours was a garden-themed wedding held during the summer.  To match our theme, instead of giving out tiny figurines or sculpted glass to show our appreciation to our guests, we gave them White Angel plants in small pots. The white angel flowers are similar to our national flower, the Sampaguita, and are quite easy to grow.  You don’t need a green thumb to take care of the plant and are assured of blooms all year round.  It has been five years since we got married and most of our guests still have their white angels abloom.

If you are planning a wedding or any other celebration for that matter, do consider gifting your guests with practical wedding favors.  Items used in the kitchen, such as can openers, whisks, coasters, or even pot holders,  would certainly be of use.  Luggage tags, purse hooks, and key chains would be greatly appreciated by those who love to travel.  Bookmarks, notepads and pens – there are really plenty of practical tokens you could give away and that would fit your budget perfectly.  Believe me, your guests would appreciate a party favor that they could actually put to use.

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Wedding Rings and Happily-Ever-Afters

June 15, 2012 by

It’s wedding month again and we’ve been seeing plenty of couples exchanging vows and looking forward to their happily-ever-afters. As couples vow to love one another til them do them part, they exchange rings to signify their union as husband and wife. Since wedding rings are worn throughout the married life, choosing these rings are given utmost importance. Which is why it’s a good idea to make sure that you get the right one for you. There are plenty of places for you to pick your ring from, such as these mens diamond rings at Joseph George. Take your time and pick the right one for you!

There are many different types of wedding rings and some can be adorned with gemstones. Diamonds are a popular wedding choice but there have been a growing number of concerns with how exactly these gems are sourced. In fact, many people are now looking into alternatives that have been sustainably and ethically sourced like the kind you can find from Gema & CO. Of course it’s all dependent on the couple’s preference and gemstones aren’t the only discussion they will need to have.

Wedding rings can also be made of different metals, and can be designed according to the preference of the couple. A friend of mine opted for titanium ones while hubby and I settled for bands made of yellow and white gold. If you want rings made from Cobalt or Sterling Silver, Scott Kay Men’s bridal collection and Manly Bands’ unique ring collection have a great number of designs you can choose from.

The difference between sterling silver and cobalt can be quite drastic depending on the price range you’re looking at. As with most things, the more you spend, the better quality you’ll usually get. A friend of mine was recommended to look into a company similar to elegantgems.ie, who provide a number of services for the big day- from bespoke wedding rings, gifts, ring repairs and more. It was good to find an alternative way of purchasing a ring and something you should look into if it is of interest.

Whatever metal or design you choose and whether you have them adorned with diamonds and other gems, what’s most important is for the couple to always remember what the wedding rings signify. Staying true to your vows is the secret to a lasting marriage.

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Wedding Preparations on a Busy December

December 8, 2011 by

Exactly four years ago, this very same month, we started to plan for our wedding. We had intended to have it in October of the following year but wanted to have a venue booked early. On top of the Christmas bustle, December then was made even busier with our wedding preparations.

If you are planning a wedding, your own or somebody else’s, here are some tips, based on our experience, that you may want to follow:

  • Whilst you can’t plan the weather, you can choose the season. This will make it easier to predict the conditions you might be able to expect, helping you to plan the venue, decor and outfits. If you’re having a summer wedding, for example, you can expect sunshine and heat. This will allow you to look at outdoor wedding venues Virginia as you’ll know it’ll be warm enough to celebrate in the open air. You can also wear light clothing and use summer flowers, but maybe skip the high heels if you’re going to be in a field. If you’re having a winter wedding, on the other hand, you’ll want to look at indoor venues to protect everyone from the snow and rain. High heels are a-ok as you’ll be on hard floors, but you’ll need extra layers to stay warm and you’ll need to use winter foliage as there will be no flowers to decorate with.
  • Booking your venue should be first on your list. Surf the internet for possible choices and make a shortlist. Set a day or two to personally visit the venues on top of your list before you make your final decision. Do ask around for feedback from friends who are familiar with the venues you are considering. If you’re not planning on using a traditional venue, you could use a wedding tent rentals az service and create your own venue wherever you like. It’s important that the venue meets all of your needs and you have one big enough to cater to all of your guests.
  • Next on the list is finding a couturier for your wedding gown. Visit their dress shops so you can see firsthand the quality of their creations and their design style. Also talk to the couturier and see if you have rapport as it is important that you be comfortable talking about the design you have in mind. For the gowns of your entourage, you may opt to find matching outfits and have them fitted to size. Find the best wedding outfits for guests and proud parents at Gray & Osbourn. What we did for our entourage was to ask for their dress sizes, then we purchased the same outfit for the bridesmaids and another design for the sponsors.
  • The wedding feast is another important component of your wedding. Some people may not remember how your gown looked or how the ceremony progressed but would certainly remember how the food tasted. Always choose a well-known caterer or someone you can personally vouch for. Do not skip the taste-test so you can choose the best food combination.
  • Other things you need to prepare early are wedding invitations, wedding souvenirs, and the programme. Inform those who will be part of the entourage months before the wedding day so they can block off their schedule and, for those who live far, make travel arrangements.

These are just some of the many things you need to prepare for to make your wedding day memorable. There’s so much more that goes into planning a wedding. From something as simple as hiring a photographer for the day, looking at stag ideas in Prague for the stag do to budgeting and hiring a planner (if necessary), to achieve the wedding you’ve always wanted, you have to be willing to put in the time and effort. Doing them at the earliest time possible would ensure that you are stress-free and worry-free come wedding day.

Lastly, do enjoy getting ready for your wedding. Take this as an opportunity to plan and to work together as a couple. Make if your very first “project” in the many other projects you’d be undertaking as spouses.

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