Eventful Tips

• Be true to yourself and your style when planning your wedding. Your invitations are the first glimpse your guests have of your wedding design let your personality shine through.

 

• Color is key. Whether you choose your favorite color, seasonal shades or a hue that reflects a destination — colors can be an easy way to coordinate all the elements of your day. From dresses, to invitations, to flowers and even the cake; using varying shades of the same color can add depth and drama to the overall scheme.

 

• Themes can be a reflection of you as a couple, but be careful not to take it too far. You don’t want to overwhelm your guests. Varying elements that complement each other make theme weddings fun but not “cheesy.”

 

• When taking a non-traditional approach to invitations beware of additional postage costs. You may want a circular invitation, or a heavily embellished pocket envelope to promote your big day, so take a sample of your completed invitation to the post office prior to mailing the entire lot to ensure that you have accounted for the correct postage. While you are there, purchase stamps and ask about “hand-cancelling” which involves hand sorting and helps avoid having your invites damaged in their machinery.

 

• Trust your designer and/or wedding planner. Remember that you hired professionals to alleviate stress and help you focus on your special day. They make their living by providing you with the best possible service.

 

• Proofread! Proofread! Proofread! — Better yet, have someone else proofread for you; your mother, sister, brother-in-law. Those not directly involved with the planning will see invitations, programs, etc. with a fresh set of eyes and are likely to catch errors or omissions you could miss. What is the church’s address? When is the ceremony? Are the meal choices on the RSVP card?

 

• Determining the guest list can be a nightmare for engaged couples. Regardless of who is paying for the wedding, ultimately, the bride and groom have the final vote on who should and should not be there to share in their nuptials.

Birthdays, Young and Not-So-Young:

• When planning your child’s birthday party, be sure it is age appropriate. 3-year-olds (and their parents) are more likely to enjoy a princess/pirate themed get together than a pool party.

 

• Be sure there are enough parents in attendance to chaperone the number of children.

 

• Hiring a party planner is not as expensive as you may think and it allows you to enjoy the event rather than stressing over all the details. Some planners will provide everything from the invitations to the cake. Talk to friends and family, they may already have a contact.

 

• Milestone birthdays, whether age 10 or 100 are exciting and often challenging at the same time. No matter the age of the guest of honor, be sure to choose a theme that reflects them and their personality. “Over the Hill” may seem perfect for your friend’s 30th Surprise Party, but the recipient may not find the humor in it that you do.