I was recently hired by a bride to take portraits of her guests while the couple and bridal party were with the wedding photographer.  The portraits were wedding gifts for the guests rather than a cute favour.

The location was the library of the stately Paletta Mansion in Burlington, Ontario Canada.  The library, a rather formal mid-size room provided a perfect backdrop for classic portraits.  The portraits were printed, slipped into a presentation folio which was signed by the couple in advance, and delivered to the guests 2 hours later after dinner.

This was the first time I’ve heard of such a wedding gift and judging by the feedback the guests were thrilled to receive such a unique and thoughtful gift from the couple.  If you’re struggling deciding on your wedding favours consider hiring a second photographer to take portraits of your guests while you’re busy with the wedding photographer.  I’m sure your guests will appreciate a professional portrait of their family.

Here’s a selection of the portraits.

7 Highly Effective Habits For The Wedding Planning Process

7 Highly Effective Habits For The Wedding Planning Process

Posh Girls Tying The Knot~ Inside secrets to sane wedding planning!

yes, these habits are also about how to help you keep close tabs on your wedding dollars! Without proper planning and communication, you could easily find yourself stuck spending more than you wanted to. Make these 7 Effective Habits part of your Wedding Planning Process and the outcome is sure to be exactly what you wanted your wedding day to be!

1. Don’t Procrastinate

We certainly can’t stress this morsel of wisdom enough. You’ll enjoy your wedding far more if you’re not cramming everything into the last two months. It’s a tad bit difficult to write romantic wedding vows when you’ve waited until the night before the wedding to put pen to paper.

2. Find the right Wedding Planning Guide Book

Being organized is key, not only to getting things done but to saving money, and there is just too many parts to the planning of a wedding that it wouldn’t be smart or cost effective to try to think of all the the various details you need to handle by yourself. I highly recommend finding a Wedding Planning Guide Book to walk you through this! There are many good guides out there, but two specifically have passed our test of being a true value. Please see the review of our Top 2 Wedding Planning Guides at our online magazine YourWeddingDollars.com that we recommend to help you with this endeavor. Both these guides cover everything that needs to be planned and organized including timelines and budgets and they help you with ways to find the best deals.

3. Schedule Planning Time

Be sure to schedule meeting times with each other to discuss the details of the wedding: the schedule, the budget, the vendors, etc. Be diligent about keeping these appointments with each other. This is the beginning of another important marriage building skill-shared decision-making.

4. Communicate & Compromise

You’ll definitely have the opportunity to familiarize yourselves with the delicate arts of communication and compromise. You’re designing a wedding that suits the two of you, while taking into account the needs of your families and guests. Through this process of planning and compromise you will learn new ways of communicating with each other, as well as discover areas where it is difficult for you to express yourselves.

Establish a daily ritual to discuss your feelings and share your thoughts. Even if you only have time for a five-minute chat. It is the consistency, not the quantity of conversation that counts.

5. Share the Tasks & Delegate

Long gone are the days when the groom took a back seat and let his rosy-cheeked bride make all the decisions. Welcome to the 21st century. Couples are now splitting the list in half. Brides rejoice! Two people dividing the lengthy task list will not only reduce stress for you, it allows the groom, traditionally the most ignored person in the entire affair, to participate in his own wedding. A novel concept, we know.

Above and beyond the professional help you hire, create a wedding support network for yourself. Make a list with your fiancé of the various friends and family who might want to be involved with your wedding. Give each of them a task, stated as clearly and specifically as possible. Call them regularly to give them your appreciation and to check on how their project is coming along.

6. Be Assertive

Communicate your wishes clearly and tactfully to wedding professionals, friends and family members. Practice saying “no” and using phrases like, “we have discussed this and we feel that” It’s your wedding and don’t you forget it.

7. Take Care of Yourself

Pay attention to the essentials of good health. Avoid caffeine, sugar, alcohol and nicotine, which put unnecessary strain on both body and mind. Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fish. Get a full night’s sleep to revitalize. Dreaming releases the accumulated stress of the day and stabilizes the brain waves. Exercise is the best source of stress reduction known to man. The endorphins released in even a moderate amount of aerobic exercise can fight depression and elevate the mood.

Maggie Haines

Posh Girls ~Tying The Knot~
Offices Nationwide
Office: 919.816.2379
Web: Poshgirls-tying-the-knot.com
Email: poshgirlsweddings@gmail.com
Maggie Haines/919.816.2379

…as seen in Wedding Channel, Martha Stewart Weddings.com, One Wed,Bridal Tweet.com,The Knot.com, Brides.com and many more websites~

*Become a fan of “Posh Girls Tying the The Knot -Weddings” on Facebook.

*Follow me on twitter! www.twitter.com/poshgirlswed

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Wedding Dresses, Wedding Cakes, Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings, Wedding Invitations, Wedding Favors, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Hairstyles, Wedding Songs, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Planner, Wedding Bouquets, Wedding Music, Wedding Programs, Wedding Gifts, Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Updos, Wedding Ideas, Wedding Toasts, Wedding Registry, Wedding Save-the-Dates, Wedding Colors, Wedding Readings, Wedding Websites, Real Wedding Pictures, Bridesmaid Dresses, Wedding Budget, Wedding Vows

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Ramai yang bertanya harga pakej2 yang ditawarkan di HANNAN GALLERY…. So, di sini saya uploadkan basic pakej yang ada.

but as a wedding planner, saya bole providekan all types of services yang u all nak..

just let me know apa yang u all nak such as cateringand canopy, photographer,

kompang, mc etc then i’ll provide u the price list….

and also for those who need my service as ur wedding planner,

anda dialu-alukan…. i’ll try my best to make sure ur wedding will be the greatest one!!!

kepada yang berminat mendapatkan khidmat HANNAN GALLERY, ingin dapatkan quotation, temujanji atau sebagainya

pls sms or call me at 019-3419702

atau

email me at hannan_enterprise@yahoo.com atau nejosejr@yahoo.com

Mana-mana pihak yang ingin bekerjasama dengan HANNAN GALLERY, anda turut dialu-alukan…… 

 Hantarkan kepada saya pakej2 serta harga yang anda tawarkan ya!

 After our failed registry attempt, Macy’s made good by rescheduling us for a scan-a-thon. Once I got that little gun in my hands, it was like giving a kid a roll of quarters and turnin’ em loose in a candy shop.  I’m normally so frugal that it was hard to scan $100 place setting china sets, but I had to keep reminding myself that this is a WEDDING, and most guests will give you a little more than an $8.99 melon baller.  Speaking of china, our biggest debate of the evening was:  Do we go with fancy, formal “adult” china, or get the ever-so-cute and whimsical “Chirp” china by Lenox – that would be more practical for everyday and special use? After some hemming and hawing, and seeing how Matt wrinkled his nose up ever so slightly at the “adult like” china, I decided that we’d go for the more fun and funky. It’s just more us!

Matthew rocks the Kitchenaid Stand Mixers

I think the thing we were most excited about to register for was the classic KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer. That thing just screams “function”, and the handy “sausage stuffing” attachment prompted a few chuckles  from the fresh-faced fiance. Unfortunately, the Martha Stewart Robin Egg Blue mixer was out of stock, but we settled on a simple brushed silver color. Did you know they sell those mixers in outrageous colors like Tangerine, Melted Butter and Tart Apple? I really liked the wine colored Boysenberry but I couldn’t convince Matt that burgundy kitchen appliances weren’t just for ladies. 

Warm N Fluffy Towels!

We registered for some nice fluffy towels, nice knives (that strategically disappeared off the registry last night – how?!), cute retro-ish sheets, some serving sets, and a few kitchen appliances. It was so much fun! Luckily, the fun isn’t over yet, as on  Feb. 7 we’re going to the Crate and Barrel “Sip and Scan” event, where we get free food and drinks and the store is open only to couples registering. Pretty cool! That will bring us to a grand total of the three registries – Macy’s Target, and Crate and Barrel. How many stores did you register for, and do you have any must-know registry tips?

All registered out!

As our fans on Facebook will already know, we were overjoyed to learn that Buy Our Honeymoon was one of only three finalists for Best Gift List in the Wedding Ideas Awards 2010.

The Wedding Ideas Awards are determined solely from the votes of real couples across the UK, so we simply can’t thank all our wonderful customers enough for your amazing support in getting us nominated alongside John Lewis and Debenhams — household names here in the UK, and the two largest department store chains in the country.

We’re not normally in competition with the high street — if you’re setting up home together for the first time as a married couple, the traditional department store registry of kitchenware and linens is a natural and appropriate choice. Instead, we believe we offer a romantic, meaningful alternative for couples who already have all the household items they may need, and who would actively prefer a different kind of wedding gift.

So it was truly incredible to find ourselves pitted against two 800lb gorillas of the industry. That’s 1600lbs of gorilla!

As the nation’s most popular gift list service, it was only right that the award itself went to John Lewis, leaving us and Debenhams both Highly Commended. It’s a cliché, of course, but it’s true: it really was an honour to be nominated.

We’re still a very new business, and to be recognised like this at such a prestigious event in the wedding calendar is simply awesome. Just like Wedding Ideas Magazine itself, we’re small, independent and completely dedicated to providing the best service we possibly can.

To have been voted ahead of so many other popular and well-known companies — both traditional and alternative — is phenomenal. We’re very, very grateful to our fabulous customers and supporters for all your votes and kind words — and we’ll do everything we can to make sure we deserve your support next year, too.

Pick up  copy of Blissful Brides’s latest issue, cut out the 10% coupon and present it when you shop at KOOSHI at Mandarin Gallery mall to enjoy the promotion.

salam to all,

new wedding gift is arrived… it is a mini tepak sirih, dalam dia bole letak mcm2 choc, sweets, telur etc or bole bg macam tu je dengan hiasan yang menarik.. sangat cantik, menampilkan ciri-ciri warisan melayu.. saiz +- 10cm(L), 6cm(W), 7cm(H)..

Selain daripada itu, kami juga ada yang berbentuk kotak. saiznye lebih kecil +-6cm x 6cm x 6cm…. rekaan ukirannya menambahkan keserian pada kotak tersebut…..

Untuk sebarang pertanyaan, just leave a comment or contact me at 019-3419702….

Talkingtulips.com continues to grow as a preferred online destination for ordering flowers and Gifts in India. This growth in customer base comes from the simple fact that talkingtulips.com is meeting the clients expectations of providing good quality products and timely delivery of products displayed on the website. The recent growth in business comes from the increased number of customers and the increased frequency of ordering online on this website. The company has always promised high quality of flowers and gifts and timely delivery of the same and this is a promise which we can say that they are surely keeping.

With the growing popularity there are not only new customers coming in but several florists all across the country are lining up to be a part of this chain. With an ever growing extensive network of florists all across the country the company therefore is improving its capacity to deliver anywhere in the country and this is surely the strong foundation on which the company is growing. There are a lot of florists all across the country that are famous locally but not on a national level. Big flower brands do not make use of such florists but instead create new florists through the franchisee system luring businessmen and seeking high investment and loyalty fees. The problem here is that this new franchisee is “new” to the industry and therefore is no match to the professional florists who have been in the business for years. The franchisees therefore are not able to make enough profit locally and are solely dependent on the parent company for the business. The parent company who own these franchisees then provide them orders on their own terms and conditions and on low rates. The franchisee accepts the order however to earn a profit he compromises on the quality of flowers. And this is why customers feel cheated most of the time when they order online though big brands.

All this was observed during the formation of talkingtulips and that is why only reputed florists who have at least 5-10 years of experience in flowers are added to the network. Reputed florists do a good job with flowers and they never compromise on the quality of flowers as they will never put their years of reputation at stake. There are numerous other advantages of working with professionals florists and it is only after keeping all this in mind did talkingtulips adopt this policy.

The company has completed 2 years and within this short period of time made itself know to the world wide web. Considered to be among the top 10 floral websites, the company has potential to grow as a leader and be a major player in the coming years. We all know that a customer is the reason of business and at talkingtulips it is this realization that is making them grow leaps and bounds. The company is also geared up to face the extremely high volume of business during Valentine 2010 and according to staff employed at talkingtulips this event will bring about a major change in the economics and the operations and will give them the boost that every new company requires.

Ranked as 15,094 the company aims to be in the top 5 e commerce floral websites/ portals by the end of 2010. The way at they are growing this seems quite possible. With a lot of internet users all over the world looking out for honest flower/gifting websites and portals we can say that talkingtulips.com is nothing but a blessing and we pray and hope that they continue to maintain the high quality standards and grow successfully as a company.

Talkingtulips is a Online Gift & Flower store in India to Send Flowers in India, Anniversary & Birthday Flowers in India, Valentine Gifts to India at affordable price.

Contact us to Send Flowers to India for any occasion.

For our wedding gift, my sister gave Scott and I a painting.  A painting that she painted.  And it is beautiful. 

It hangs in our family room above our “kitchen table” (when you see the pic below you will understand and yes, that is where we eat We love it! We were so moved by her thoughtfulness and talent.  It is such a wonderful piece to look at everyday and be reminded of all the love in our life.

So, today I want to give a little a little shout out to my amazingly talented sister, Lindsey.  Love you Nugget! Thanks so much!

I introduce you to “Unicylce Chirp”…..

Holla!

Happy Friday!

Finally the unique technology of Tasty Image printing on chocolate is here! Now you have an opportunity to order our original chocolate masterpieces with any image, picture or text you want printed on them! Tasty Image CD’s, Greeting Cards, Heart Boxes, Lollipops and much more made of pure chocolate and with your unique custom design on them are perfect as birthday gifts, wedding gifts or for any other event, celebration or corporate occasion you can imagine! And it is 100% edible! Just think about it – how excited your special someone, friends and family members are going to be when they see their own picture miraculously printed on this amazing confectionery! This is a truly memorable way to say “Happy Birthday”,  ”Happy Valentine’s Day” or anything else!

EXPLORE YOUR CHOCOLATE WORLD NOW!

One of the most fun things about planning your wedding is registering for gifts. It can be a little tiring but there is always something fun about running around a store, scanning items that appear on a list for people to choose from and wrap in pretty wrapping paper. From the flatware to the stemware to the bedroom set to a Dyson vacuum cleaner, you can add anything to this list.

However, things can go awry when your guests do not know how to use a registry. You spend however many hours choosing gifts from places like Macy’s & Bed, Bath & Beyond only to end up with NINE toasters on the day of your wedding. Since it is not proper etiquette to “ASK” for gifts, be sure to have your parents and your maid of honor well versed in the places you are registered and even more so in how to PURCHASE from the said registries.

Guests can look up your registries online at each store’s website by typing in your names and your location or they can do the same in the actual store. In the store, the guest can have the registry printed out so they can scour the store to find the perfect item or items to purchase. BE SURE that when you are checking out, paying for your items, that you have the cashier scan your registry barcode so that those purchased items are removed from the list. This eliminates duplicate gifts.

Believe me, the nine toaster thing hits a little too close to home. I can hear you laughing … haha!

TOP WEDDING REGISTRIES

www.macys.com

www.bedbathandbeyond.com

www.target.com

www.potterybarn.com

www.williams-sonoma.com

www.crateandbarrel.com

www.bloomingdales.com

I strongly believe that wedding favours should represent either the theme of your wedding or what is important to you as a couple.

If you support a charity then give to that charity in lieu of favours, I would suggest a card on the table explaining “in lieu of wedding favours we have made a donation to ……”

I hope the photo above will inspire you, take the time and really think about your gift to your guests, it will probably save you time and money.

Above:

Smores all packaged up, great for a backyard or beach themed wedding

Fresh fruit or veggies, leave burlap bags or small wood veggie crates (available at craft stores) for your guests to fill

Potted plants and ready to plant seedlings are always a hit at green weddings

Bottles of wine, coasters and I’ve shown DIY corkscrew keychains for how to:  http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/06/recycled_wine_cork_keychain_fa.html

Maracca’s instead of rice, confetti or bubbles (look at your local Dollar Store or online)

Whatever you choose make sure it’s thoughtful and well presented and your guests will be wowed by generosity no matter how little or how much you’ve spent!

I created this table to show one of our brides what her vintage gift table will look like.  Sometimes it’s hard to imagine what your ceremony or reception will look like, so often I will create something for our clients so that they have an idea of the concept that I am trying to create.  This table eventually will be used as a gift table for a couple that we have getting married in Banff later this year.  Instead of having favours on the tables, I created the idea of the couple having a gift table that is both fun and interactive for their guests.  A vintage wedding concept fits so well into the Banff area.  It’s both rustic and elegant out here in the mountains and it’s a style that I have called mountain chic.  I would like to thank the Banff LUSH store for lending me the soap until our bride purchases it!  I would also like to thank Julie Williams www.juliewilliamsphotography.ca for coming and taking these photos.  Go ahead and get creative with your wedding!  Your guests will never forget it!

Viva Direct

C&G Medicare are very proud to announce having the pleasure of working with the prestigious Viva catalogue, order your copy of Viva today, via www.vivadirect.co.uk or 0844 482 1616, for a fantastic range of top quality lifestyle products.

Viva Direct is Britain’s favorite health and wellbeing catalogue and website, and the winner of the Business Excellence Award for 2009.  Full of clever and unusual ideas to help you live life to the full, it offers not only health and fitness products plus all kinds of innovations that make life easier.

Order now at http://www.vivadirect.co.uk/

Wedding flowers for spring

Our favorite blooms for your spring wedding If you’re planning a spring wedding, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to flowers.

Before you set your heart on having armfuls of daffodils or peonies, check with your florist that they will be available on your chosen date. Some flowers are only in season for a very short time and checking will mean that you’re not disappointed. It also helps if you have an idea of the look you’d like to create –traditional or contemporary? Country style or more contemporary?Colors such as yellows and greens are popular for spring weddings, but don’t discount other shades before you’ve done your homework.

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Amaryllis Large, flamboyant starry trumpets in white, red, peach and even striped varieties.

Perfect for: Larger bouquets and centerpieces where you need height. Can also look great as the focus of a bouquet.

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Daffodil The archetypal spring flower. Creates natural-looking arrangements.Available in 50 varieties, ranging from tiny to large yellow or white flowers with single or double blooms.

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Perfect for: Displaying en mass for inexpensive table centers.

Peony Loved by brides for its large, fragrant blooms. Colors include white, pink and the palest peach.

Perfect for: A simple bridal bouquet. Peonies are also available in November so are popular for winter weddings too.

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Lily of the Valley Tiny,bell-shaped white flowers with a wonderful sweet fragrance and fresh green foliage. Incredibly expensive so you’ll probably need to find other flowers for table centers.

Perfect for: Small, delicate bridal posies. It looks wonderful on it’s own or as an addition to a larger bouquet.

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Anemone Available in more than 100 varieties. The brilliant pinks, purples and reds are popular for weddings.

Perfect for: Trendy posies full of bright colors. The new oversize variety looks lovely displayed on its own.

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Freesia Small, highly scented flowers in bright colours. One of the prettiest varieties is ‘Ballerina’.

Perfect for: Headdresses, bouquets and buttonholes. Particularly good in posies for younger bridesmaids.

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Ranunculus A buttercup-like flower available in a variety of colors and a popular choice for brides.

Perfect for: Adding to single-color bouquets and simple table decorations at the reception venue.

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Tulip A classic favorite available in a wide variety of different colors. Can also look very contemporary.

Perfect for: Unfussy bouquets simply bound with ribbon. The frilly-edged parrot tulip is ideal for table arrangements.

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Posh Girls Tying The Knot

Serving brides nationally through our preferred local wedding vendor programs

Office:919-816.2379

Web: poshgirlstyingtheknot.com

Email: poshgirlsweddings@gmail.com

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This afternoon I met with one of our exhibitors.  As our event is an interactive affair we have Allevia Chair Massage offering complimentary massage samplings for our guests.  As a good business woman, I went to have a sampling myself so that I can make sure I would recommend Allevia’s service. 

Well, I am very impressed with Allevia on many levels.  As I was receiving my massage I couldn’t help but think about all the lovely things I was going to report on…. I kept telling myself to turn the brain off, but that is not always easy.  Then, those lovely sore spots were prodded on my back and I melted into the chair.

What I really liked about Mako’s massage today.

1. She was very respectful about the amount of pressure to offer.  I like a lot of pressure and I often find with massages that the pressure is lacking.  Mako checked in with me a few times to see if she was giving too much or too little. 

2. Allevia operates without harmful chemicals in cleaning their equipment, but instead uses all natural, yet highly effective, antiseptics.  I am very sensitive about what chemicals I expose myself too.  Mako also washes and reuses her face towels, again with natural and highly effective cleaners so that her waste impact is dramatically lower.

3. Because Allevia does not use oils I was able to meet with her in the afternoon and continue on my day without having to worry about oily hair and skin.  I love a full table massage, but I often do not have the time to take a day off with pure indulgence on my mind.  To take time out of my day, have a very well needed massage, and be able to slip back in to work mode feeling refreshed and less tense, was amazing!

Mako and I discussed how her business fit into the wedding industry.  A lot of showers consist of pampering parties.  She even suggested bridal massages on the day of a wedding!  As a photographer and witnessing the chaos of those early mornings preparing, everyone in the bridal party could use a moment of resetting.  The massage is a pressure based treatment and targets key areas of tension.  It leaves one feeling refreshed and without the need to fully recover from full one hour massage and again, without the use of oils, it is easy to return to getting ready without any makeup and hair tragedies.  Mako will come to your hotel room or to your home…wherever the bridal party is readying themselves.

Personally, I think this is a unique and most excellent idea!

A word from Mako of Allevia Chair Massage:

About Allevia Chair Massage

A wedding can be one of the most important events in your life; at the same time, it can be the most stressful and nerve wrecking occasions that can leave you feeling utterly exhausted.

Allevia provides effective and convenient on-site chair massages to promote maximum relaxation within a very short period of time. Focused on high-tension areas such as the back, neck and shoulders, you will feel relaxed, clear-headed and more mindful. Let us help you feel your best so that you can enjoy every moment of your special day.

Our flexible on-site service can be seamlessly incorporated into many different occasions throughout your celebration: Wedding showers, Stag/Staggette, the Wedding Day, or at the gift-opening or post-wedding reception.

At the Grassroots Wedding Fair, try out our complimentary massage services to reboot your day and discover a new way to relax you and your bridal party.

Posh Girls ~Tying The Knot ~Offers Pearls of Wisdom… On WEDDING ETIQUETTE for the newly engaged~

Who does what and when…

we have answers for the 15 questions we get asked most often

1. Who pays for the wedding?

Traditionally,the bride’s parents paid for most of the wedding, but many couples fund their big day themselves these days, or split the cost between both families. Though no one really likes to bring up the subject, it’s important to speak to both sets of parents and find out what – if anything – they’d like to contribute early on.

2. Where do I start with my guest list?

Draw up a list of everyone you’d like to invite in an ideal world and sor tthem into four categories.

a) People who must be invited at all costs – parents, siblings, best friends.

b) Friends that you still see or keep in contact with regularly – work colleagues (if you’ve been there a while) and long-term friendships from uni,football etc.

c) People you recently met, who may be part of your life but haven’t been around long, such as new work colleagues.

d) Friends you haven’t seen in a long time and don’t keep in contact with,and family members that you don’t have a relationship with.

Nowyour priorities should be clear,“1s and 2s should get an invitation to the whole event; 3s could come to the evening do; and 4sshouldn’t be invited at all – there are reasons you don’t keep in touch, so be true to yourself.”

3. Who do we invite if we’re getting married abroad?

Most couples stick to close family and friends only and then hold apost-wedding party when they get back. If you are marrying in Europe and the costs involved aren’t such an issue as for, say, a Caribbean or Mauritius wedding, then give your friends the option of coming alongbut make it very clear that you won’t be offended if they cannot join you.

4. Who sends the invitations and when?

Traditional invites come from the bride’s parents, though sometimes the groom’s name is followed by “son of (his parents’ names).” These days many couples send their own. “Order them four months before the wedding and mail them eight to 10 weeks before,” says Wedding Bible author Sarah Haywood. “Include a reply card and a pre-addressed envelope to speed things up.”

5. Should I set a dress code?

“Traditionally,a formal engraved invitation meant that guests were expected to wear morning dress – without it being stated on the invite,” says weddingplanner Sophie Lillingston. “Nowadays dress codes can be quite varied and it’s fine to specify what you want – just keep the wording simple and clear.”

6. What time should the bride and groom get to the ceremony?

The groom and best man should arrive at the venue at least 30 minutes before the bride. It’s the bride’s prerogative to be the last to arrive, but don’t overdo the lateness or your groom may be a bundle o fnerves by the time you make it up the aisle!

7. Do my bridesmaids enter before or after me?

Some brides like to have a flower girl enter first, the the bridesmaids enter then its your moment to shine! but there’s no set rule.

8. What duties do the best man and ushers have?

Before the wedding, the best man is responsible for the stag do and getting your fiancé home safely afterwards!  And on the day, he briefs the ushers, oversee the buttonholes and make sure all the guests have go thome safely at the end of the evening. Not to mention  the speech,obviously. Ushers direct guests to their seats during the ceremony, and gather guests for photos afterwards.

9. Can my pet dog be part of my wedding?

“The presence of a dog at a wedding ceremony does not affect its legality,  “You just need permission from the owner of the building where the wedding is taking place and you need to consult the registrar for a civil ceremony or the relevant celebrant for a religious ceremony.” If you want your pooch to be present, bring it to rehearsals. “Let it sniff around the venue,” says Mark Johnston,veterinary surgeon . “If there’ll be loud organ music, get a tape recording to play at home, gradually increasing the volume so that your pet gets used to it.”

10. Do we have to have favors?

No,you don’t, especially if you’re on a tight budget. However, you may besurprised at some of the inexpensive favors out there – for instance,you can get a box of 100 ‘Just Married’ Love Hearts  “Or have lots o flittle cupcakes instead of a wedding cake, and these could double up as favours,” says  Style Editor Vanessa Gore.

11. Do we need  a receiving line?

In an ideal world you’d speak to all the guests individually, but this is time consuming and you won’t be able to say much more than a hello to each person. “A good compromise is to go round with your groom to every table and chat to the table collectively,” says wedding planner Mark Niemierko.

12. Should we offer a choice of food, or stick with a set menu?

If you are having a sit-down meal, it is simpler (and usually cheaper) to stick to a set menu with provision for vegetarians. If you want to offer more choices it is probably a better option to have a buffet where guests can choose from a selection of meat, fish and vegetarian options. Your guests know they are coming to a wedding and not a restaurant and as long as you choose a fairly simple menu they should be happy.

13. When are the speeches and what order should they go?

Traditionally,the speeches are made as coffee is served and the bride’s father speaks first, followed by the groom and best man. However, you could have thes peeches before the meal so that the speakers can relax and enjoy theirfood, or hold them later on when your evening guests are also present.

Although it’s not traditional, it’s becoming more common for brides to say a few words. But don’t launch into an over-emotional ramble. If in doubt,keep it simple, and go first if you’re nervous, or last for maximum impact!

14. When should we register our gift list?

Sooner is better than later, especially if you’re planning to use one of the popular department stores. Some will let you register online early, but otherwise 12 weeks is about standard. If you’re sending your invites out eight to 10 weeks before, you can include information about your gift list with them.

15. Can we ask for money instead of presents?

Although it’s more acceptable now, some guests may still prefer to buy you a present. A compromise could be to set up a small wedding list and suggest that vouchers for a variety of retailers would be just as useful.

Also, some travel companies offer honeymoon gift-listservices, so guests can contribute towards the tailor-made trip of your dreams. However if you make it known that cash would be welcome, most people are happy to oblige!

““

Posh Girls Tyng The Knot

Maggie Haines

Office:919-816.2379

Email: poshgirlsweddings@gmail.com

* Serving brides nationally through our local  preferred vendor programs

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Giving gifts to family and friends who are getting married isn’t getting any easier, especially if the person getting married “has everything.” What do you give to someone who is financially better off than you?

If you’re a computer geek, you can give something not many others can afford to give- a wedding website for your friend. Yes you read it right, a wedding website. Sounds like a great idea? It IS a great idea!

The website can serve many purposes.  It can be used to store photos, poetry and other stuff. It can be a wedding homepage where friends from other places can see updates of the preparations, the main event and the pictures after the ceremony. If the couple want to, it can be used as their blog too.

So I have been to lots of weddings – some near, some far.  There have been a few weddings where I have not taken a gift.  Why?  Well there are different reasons. 

• If I sing at someone’s wedding and I do not charge them to sing, then I consider that as my gift to the couple.
• If I am in the bridal party then I consider my participation in their wedding as my gift to the couple.  After all, you’ve already spent money on the dress/tux, hair and nails.  Not to mention you have probably spend money on the gift for the shower and/or bachelorette party expenses.
• If I have traveled a long way to the wedding and spent lots of money in car rental, hotel room, food, etc. then I consider my presence as my gift to the couple.

Wedding etiquette says that you have a year to give a gift to the couple.  But what do you think?  Are there times when it’s perfectly okay to skip the gift?

(Photo Courtesy of Zazzle.com)

You can forget all that “to be, or not to be” high jinx Shakespeare rambled on about… because this is the true question, people!  In recent years, regifting has made its way to the forefront of etiquette questions loitering around the wedding water cooler.  In part, because many people have a hard time looking past the tacky “white elephant” nature of it all to see the fabulous side regifting has to offer.  (That’s right.  I said fabulous.)

Tragically, the regift phenomenon tends to be shown in a negative light.  While regifting has probably been poppin’ off since the beginning of time, it wasn’t until a 1995 episode of Seinfeld, when the term “regift” was coined.  Thus creating a worldwide buzz about the authenticity and originality of gifts.

Who can forget the scene in Old School, when Frank (played by Will Ferrell) is caught not once, but TWICE trying to regift the exact same bread maker he had just received as a wedding present?  Unfortunately for Frank, he broke two of regifting’s cardinal rules.  First, he tried giving it back to the person who gave it to him.  Fail.  Then, he tried to schmooze it in at a child’s birthday party in front of the same cats who saw him muck it up the first time.  Double Fail.

Clearly what Frank didn’t realize is that while people will always regift, they need to do it both tastefully and tactfully.  I mean, let’s just call a spade a spade.  People can argue the tact of this trend all they want, and while the appropriateness level will always be debatable the use of it is undeniable.  So, if you ever find yourself in a state of “to re-gift or not to re-gift” (don’t act like you haven’t already), there are certain things you should keep in mind if you want to remain fabulous…

1. Don’t regift to the original gift giver.  The tact on this is not debatable whatsoever.  It’s painfully obvious and heinously rude.
2. (An extension of rule # 1)  Don’t even regift in front of the original gift giver.  If there’s a chance they’ll be present when the gift is (re)opened, don’t even think about it.
3. Be mindful of the person receiving the regift.  This is the most important rule of all!  For example, don’t try to give a six year old a bread maker.  (Frank!)  While one man’s trash may be another man’s treasure, some things are just plain trash.  If you truly want to give something nice, I can guarantee, you won’t find it rummaging through your tattered Goodwill bags.
4. Don’t use the gift prior to regifting.  This also has “Tack City!” written all over it.
5. There are courtesy options available for the nervous regifters.  You could call before regifting.  For instance, “Hey Hannah, I know you were really hoping for a crock pot, and we actually received three… would you be alright if we gave you one of ours?”
6. If you prefer to remain an incognito mosquito regifter, be sure to cover your tracks.  Rewrap the gift with love and make sure any remnants, name tags or gift receipts are removed… ’cause this, my friends, is a dead giveaway.
7. (An extension of rule # 6)  Do NOT regift anything that was personalized for you.  I highly doubt Bob & Susan will ever want “Jim & Becca” hand towels.
8. If you’re the receiver of a regift – even when it’s totally obvious – be kind and gracious to the person who gave it.  You never know the circumstances (hello?!?  plummeting economy, much!) or the chances you’ll end up in their shoes. 
9. ***In the event of a WHITE ELEPHANT EXCHANGE*** Ignore all these rules.  In fact, reverse them all.  The more deplorable a gift… the better.  

Regardless of your stance is on the remixed question of Shakespeare’s classic, the truth is… regifting happens.  Heck, there’s a Web site (regiftable.com) dedicated to this notion alone, and the U.S. has even recognized December 18 as National Regifting Day!  So, if people are doing it, why not make the best of it?  Instead of running away from the cliché, give others the insight to these tactful regifting rules, and hopefully **fingers crossed*** we can make the world will be a better place… one (re)gift at a time. 

And please don’t be afraid to leave me your opinions or perhaps your additional rules!  It’s always great to hear what other people think!

Back in July, we showcased some of the most exciting ways you’d all customised your wedding list pages using our design themes.  We’re so proud to have such creative and talented customers, we thought it might be fun to take a look at another ten of the very best.

Our new Vintage theme has been incredibly popular already, and seems to lend itself very well to being adapted with your own photos, as Tahnee and Matt’s honeymoon registry shows:

We love the gorgeous “just married” car, and having the photo in black-and-white works brilliantly with the subdued colour scheme of the design.

Speaking of cars, Iain and Jo have adapted Parchment and Lace with a stunning vintage car for their honeymoon in Cuba:

The sepia treatment of the image complements the tones of the theme, and very successfully turns a design intended for European antiquity into a design that works perfectly for the colonial elegance of Havana.

Hannah and Nigel took a very different approach for their own Cuban honeymoon adventure!

Same destination, same classic car, completely different result. Here, the vivid colours of the illustration combine with our Road Trip theme to evoke the latin passion and spice of the region!

Many couples use our customisable themes to include a photo of themselves in their design, which is a great idea and really helps to make your wedding list all your own.  We thought Michelle and Ewan’s photo was just outstanding!

The energy of the photo works so well with the quirkiness of the Flowerpower design, and adds real personality to their wedding registry.

Similarly, in one of the very first customisations made of our new Vintage theme, Chris and Sarah chose the perfect photo to upload!

This theme introduces a slight vignette effect to the photos you upload, which adds just a little extra romance to what’s already a wonderfully romantic shot of the happy couple.

Now, if you were planning a honeymoon to the Canadian rockies, you’d use our Misty Peaks theme, right? Well, Lucy and Graham had the fantastic idea of customising our Paradise theme with this fabulous image, exchanging palm trees and golden sands for crisp mountaintops and glacial lakes.

We’ve always thought that uploading fresh images into a theme could allow a design originally built for one kind of honeymoon to work just as well for another — but we didn’t expect that our tropical beach design could be so successfully transformed!

Of course, that’s not to say that Misty Peaks can’t be adapted beautifully.

Sarah and Ed have chosen a breathtaking photo to customise their wedding list for a honeymoon to Rejkavik, Iceland, with the sumptous green of the valley floor contrasting wonderfully with the dusky mauves of the theme background.

In the last of our picks using the Vintage theme, Stephanie and Evan have chosen to highlight the romantic White Gate Inn, where they’ll be staying for their honeymoon in North Carolina.

Their design emphasises the history and charm of Asheville, and is a great way of bringing to life an offbeat honeymoon destination. The more your guests can engage with your honeymoon plans, the more they’ll enjoy using your registry.

Our Scrapbook theme has always been one of our most popular and versatile designs, and we were really pleased to see it being used so well for a honeymoon in Maui!

Nige and Nic have chosen a lovely, slightly retro, watercolour image that looks like it’s always belonged with the leafy background of this theme, and is another great example of taking a design we put together with one kind of honeymoon in mind, and adapting it perfectly for a completely different destination.

Finally, Andrew and Sarah chose Parchment and Lace for their multi-centre trip to New York and Barcelona, and found an image that worked brilliantly for both, pulling together the deep history of Broadway, and the Gothic charm of Catalonia.

Even the subtlest of changes can really personalise and enliven the design you choose for your honeymoon gift list.

That’s ten of the best designs we’ve seen, out of the hundreds you’ve created in these past few months alone.  It’s been hard to pick only ten — we love seeing the creativity and personality that shines through from every wishlist on the site!

If you have any queries about customising our themes, or using any of the other great features of our honeymoon gift list service, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.  We’ll be very happy to help in any way we can.

A reader of the MyWedding.com etiquette blog recently proposed the following question:

Question:
What kind of registry do you make for a Bridal Party/Luncheon, It will be for my families older women?
I’m guessing to give out my wedding registry but I don’t want to seem greedy and make that family member feel they have to buy things off my wedding registry.

Claudia Says…….

The bridesmaid luncheon or party is a perfect opportunity to thank your bridesmaids for taking part in your wedding. This is your chance to exchange gifts of appreciation with your attendants; it is not customarily an event for the bride to receive gifts or register for this occasion.

The Luncheon/party is customarily hosted by the bridesmaids, with the Maid or Matron of Honor spearheading the details, though the mother of the bride or the bride herself may also do the honors. This optional revelry is often held a day or two before, or even the day of the wedding (if it’s a tea or Luncheon).

The guest list should include the bride, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, bridal attendants, the flower girl, and her mother. Though it is not dictated by traditional etiquette, in the interest of family dynamics, consider extending the invitation to any sisters of the bride or groom and their grandmothers.

A Themed Bridal Shower is a convenient alternative to a bridesmaid luncheon. Some popular examples include kitchen, bath, house wares, or lingerie showers. For such an occasion, you may choose to register separately from your master wedding registry.

The shower’s theme may be noted on the invitation. Include the registry information as well as color preferences or sizes, listed on a separate insert sent with the shower invitation, not on the invitation itself.

Remember, it is imperative that anyone invited to any type of shower must be invited to your wedding; otherwise it appears as though it is just a ploy for gifts. The one and only exception to this rule is when co-workers or club members wish to give a shower as a way of offering their congratulations.

How many of you will be having a Bridesmaid Luncheon, Tea or Party? Will you use thisopportunity to present your ladies with a token of appreciation? Let me know!

A Washington couple is planning to pay for their July 31 wedding with aluminum cans. The couple is planning to recycle 400,000 cans to help pay for their wedding, which they budgeted to $3,800. They have collected 20,000 cans so far, and are asking for help via their website.

“We don’t want anything huge or extravagant… really,” the couple explain on their website. “We’re planning a potluck, DIY decorations, and getting the help from friends and family for flowers, pictures, the sword-fighting battle, home brew beer, even the cake.”

The couple is asking for people to help out by sending them their used aluminum cans. People have donated 27,727 cans to the couple so far.

Engagement 101

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