While there’s always discussion on whether or not children will or won’t be attending certain weddings, there’s not a single doubt in my mind when they do make the “A List,” they’ll have nothing but love for these creative, autumnal creations!
*Candy Apple Creation Stations
Feel free to set up a table and cover it with stick sturdy apples, warmed caramel, melted chocolate and all the crushed candy toppings you can find, and let your guests enjoying making their own treat to eat or take with them when they leave! It’s a great way to involve your guests as well as keep the kiddies occupied. (And no worries about hyping them up on too much sugar… they’re not going home with you! Haha!)
photo courtesy of recycledlovelies.com
photo courtesy of inspiredoccasions.blogspot.com
*Pumpkin Carving Campgrounds
photo courtesy of reverseshot.com
Okay, you don’t really need campgrounds, but the name just rolls off the tongue; so, I went with it :) Anyhoot, this is something – when done under adult supervision – can be a really great way to create lasting memories, as well as super fun photographs for your album. Hit up your local pumpkin patch, buy in bulk and let the fun begin! Feel free to accompany this reception section with pumpkin carvers, gloves and aprons… and if you’re worried that the carving may cause too much stress, use acrylic paints instead! And let the kiddies paint on their favorite face!
*Coloring Book Bonanza!
There’s no question that kids love to color. Whether you choose to man your coloring book station with fairy tale / dream-come-true images or Marvel comics finest character pages, there’s no doubt that kids of all ages will love gettin’ their color on during your big reception!
photo courtesy of weddingcustomcoloringbooks.com
*Disposable Glam Cams for Kids
And even more so than coloring, kids love feeling like grownups; so, why not arm your mini attendants with disposable glam cams for their very own “I feel soooo biiiig!” photography debut? They can get goofy pics of each other while trying their best to capture the day as they see it. And trust me on this one… some of their finds will be priceless :)
photo courtesy of greatexpectationsky.com
*Face-painting, Magic Tricks and Balloons… Oh My!
Pending your budget, sometimes the most well received children stations are the most over-the-top ones! So, bring in a magician, a balloon animating clown or even a face painting wizard to really let the kids get “wild” at your wedding! Of course, it never fails, sometimes these sections become even more populated by adults. I mean, come on, who doesn’t love a butterfly painted face or giraffes made out of rubber? Uhhh, no one! Duh :)
Nowadays, everyone is on a budget; so, when it comes to your wedding, it’s important to get the most bang for your buck. One way you can do this is by having centerpieces that double as favors!
One of my favorite dueling decorations is potted or replant able centerpieces that your guests can take home and enjoy long after the disco lights dim and the dances are done. By using dual purposed décor, you’ll not only create a standout look for your reception, but a standout memory for all your guests.
Everything from fragrant herbs and superb spices to vibrant blossoms and tall grasses can all be arranged to your liking and sent home with your guests for theirs. It’s a win / win for everyone!
And depending on your budget, you can easily make homemade plant boxes for super cheap, simply by using wood, nails and a stain of your choice… or leave the wood as is for an even cheaper, more rustic solution! As always, it’s really up to you. Get as over the top or under the radar as you want… just be sure to have fun and stay happy :)
Here are some of my faves:
photos courtesy of theknot.com and marthastewartweddings.com
As if the schmillion other posts I’ve previously done on this topic weren’t evidence enough, let it be known to all – men, women and children alike… I la’louvre Photo Booths! (For those of you who don’t speak Mary: la’louvre = deep rooted levels of paramount love, which hover somewhere between “pushing the limit” and “you’ve gone too far” – hehe.)
Which is why I am through the roof with excitement to present our latest line to enter the realm of awesomeness – aka Marilyn’s Keepsakes :) – Personalized Photo Booth Backdrops! With reception photo booths becoming one of 2010′s biggest wedding trends, it’s no wonder we wanted to be first in line to give brides-to-be something to make them even more amped to use them on their big day!
Available in 6 designs, 13 of today’s hottest wedding colors and personalized absolutely free of charge, these are the kind of products dreams are made of! Okay, okay, maybe dreams is taking it too far, but at the very least, there have to have some sort of rainbows, candy coated shells or pot’o'gold magic somewhere in their formula, because they are all kinds of fab(to the)ulous and create a great way to inspire interaction and entertainment among your guests!
Below are the current designs we’re offering – as modeled by yours truly, three of my work cohorts and a bucket full of ridiculousness :) Of course, I’m using the word “modeled” here very loosely – haha, but we’re workin’ it nonetheless! So, without further adieu, I give thee Photo Booth Backdrops, as presented by Marilyn’s Keepsakes:
YOWZAS! Talk about making a statement from floor to ceiling… floating or hanging wedding décor is one way to get more bang for your buck! Because they offer a means to create more levels of dimension throughout your entire reception hall, you’ll easily streeeetch your real estate dollar to its fullest potential by filling in areas that otherwise would be lost… And who doesn’t love that??
After perusing through several images on BeautifulBlooms.com, I couldn’t help but be inspired by these float-tastic furnishings and immediately set off on a journey to discover more. (Of course by “journey,” I mean manic mouse clicking and by “discover,” I mean whatever Google Images wanted to show me… but alas, I digress.) I went absolutely Lady GaGa for the one of a kind, optical illusions they create and fell even deeper in love when I realized their practicality.
Not only do these suspended superstars create an allstar look, but they also offer brides and grooms a way to decorate their tables without blocking the view of their guests. Because big, bold centerpieces can create such big, bold WOW factors, so many brides are drawn to them… but they don’t always create the most rational way for your guests – seated in between and across from them – to communicate to others or worse yet… see you! Blasphemy!
Hence, only furthering the appeal of hovering centerpieces! By cutting out the middle “man” altogether and suspending the décor, you can be as big and bold as you want without blocking the view of your guests! It’s a win / win for everyone!
Just be sure to go over things with your venue. Since some of these will more than likely need more planning to accomplish, you should definitely work with your reception hall vendor and / or coordinator to make sure they go off without a hitch!
And if you’ve found yourself already booked to venue that doesn’t allow or have a means to hang things, there are still several options for you to create this look. One, consider using super tall, thin vases and placing floral or “pom pom” styled arrangements on the tops only. This will ensure you’ll get the height you want with minimal to no distractions of your guests… Or I like the idea of using large, elevated glass cylinders. You can fill them to the top with water, creating the illusion of “clear” space, and crowning them with your favorite flower buds, floating candles or fiber optics.
Thanks to celebrity power couples like Tom and Katie, Eva and Tony and Victoria and David, castle weddings are becoming all the rage for brides the world over. Providing the best in dream-come-true- appeal and over the top glam-ocity, it’s easy to see why a castle would make an idyllic setting for the princess bride in all of us.
… But what happens when there’s a trim budget to take into consideration? Is a Castle Wedding still possible? Well, according to Jessica Patterson and Matt McCullough, it sure the heck is!
Recently featured in the Tennessean, Patterson and McCullough tied the night this Valentine’s day (2.14.2010) at their favorite castle during the wedding ceremony of their dreams. Under a very tight budget and the unmistakable glow of fluorescent lighting, the couple said “I do” front of all their family and friends inside of one the world’s most famous (and delicious) castles ever… White Castle.
That’s right. Home of the world famous sliders and Patterson’s job for the last four years, the Murfreesboro White Castle provided the perfect setting for their newlywed nuptial love to shine, and it did it all without breaking their bank.
With the help of her co-workers, family and friends, Patterson was able to pull off the day she has now dubbed “the happiest day ever” and was quick to credit all those who assisted in getting the plans together. “I’m just tickled it turned out so nice,” she said. <Siiiighhhh> Young love :)
So, without further adieu, can I just say that I love this? I’m all about couples making their wedding day their own, and this, my dear friends, is making it your own. To me, Patterson and McCullough knew the “who” on a wedding day is a schmillion times more important than the “what, where, when, why and how’s.” Consider yourselves, Marilyn’s Keepsakes approved, Julie and Matt and cheers to many years of happiness!
…
P.S. Feel free to send any of the leftover reception treats to me. Goodness knows, I’m always down to get my onion petal / chicken ring / slider munch on!
Let’s get real here. Finding true *louvre* is no easy feat, and once it’s found, it’s not always smooth sailing. Like all the best things in life, love needs three T’s: Time, Talent and Treasure (yes, treasure.) While you might think money is no matter to love, I would beg to differ. In the words of Madonna, “We are living in a material world, and (while you might think you’re one and above it all, I bet you still love flowers, nights out and a place to live; so, it’s time to sing it with her…) I am a material girl.”
All joking aside, though, when it comes to wedding planning, many couples are left feeling “rich in love” but “poor in wallet.” Few of us have bottomless bank accounts when it comes to budgeting our nuptials. So, it helps to think about the big picture. You need to allot enough money for the things which matter the most to you. Cut corners and trim the budget on all the extra, less important items. Below are the Top 10 Ways to Save on Your Wedding:
Avoid Saturday. By choosing an off day, you will avoid paying a premium for services. You might also be able to afford your dream photographer, ideal wedding location or perfect caterer by choosing an “off” day when most aren’t booked.
Trim Your List. The amount of people in attendance will quickly make your budget boom. Trim your guest list by moving your wedding elsewhere – such as a destination wedding - or politely explain the wedding is only for close family.
Repurpose + Restructure. Think of ways to get more bang for your buck. Have your bridesmaid’s place their bouquets on the reception tables as centerpieces or order mini wedding cakes, allowing the confections to act as both a decoration and dessert.
Surf the Web. Go online for everything from RSVPs to bargain shopping. There are many cost saving applications and purchases to be found online, and it only requires time.
Redeem Your IOUs. Call in favors from friends and family. Ask if anyone can do calligraphy, spin the turn tables or dabble like to moonlight as aspiring photographers or florists.
Cut the Fat. Remove the some of the trimmings from your food choices. Instead of offering hors d’oeuvres, a sit down meal and an open bar, schedule your wedding between meals. Offer only cake and drinks or simply, lighten up on the food, eliminating some of the higher priced items.
Turn Down the Volume. Cut a chunk of costs by forgoing the traditional wedding band or DJ. Create your own wedding soundtrack by choosing music together and burning it on a CD. Then, have a friend be your Master of Ceremonies by emceeing and changing the disks.
Become a DIY Diva. Creating your own wedding invitations, wedding favors or wedding programs is a simple way to save a lot of money. With today’s high quality DIY kits, all you need is a quality printer and time to create a professional look without a professional price.
Beg, Borrow + Steal. Okay, don’t steal, but try borrowing items that are generally bought or rented. Consider using family heirlooms such as candlesticks, wedding accessories or serving ware instead of renting or buying. It also adds a nice personal touch.
Elope! The easiest way to save a lot of money on your wedding is to elope. You can still throw a killer party, letting your friends and family celebrate with you but you avoid over half of the fees related to a formal wedding.
The key to saving money on your wedding is to choose to forgo items which aren’t important to you in the long run. Decide on what you can’t live without and scrutinize everything else. And cheers, to many MANY years of happiness!
Traditionally speaking, there are several moments everyone can expect to take place during any given wedding reception. You can generally always count on a cake being cut, a bouquet being tossed and a garter being flung. There will inevitably be a mother + son, father + daughter and bride +groom spin on the dance floor, followed by toasts and cheers and almost unavoidably a family member embarrassing him/herself… Yep, gotta love “those” people showing up for all our special occasion needs.
With that said, it’s easy to see why many brides and grooms have a hard time narrowing down what songs should be played at what events. Whether there’s a lack of passion or too much passion behind the music, many couples either have too many song selections to pick from or not enough.
And while there may be no perfect solution to finding the balance, here are some suggestions to get you started:
Top 10 Introduction / Wedding Party Entrance Songs
I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Forever by Chris Brown
We Are Family by Sister Sledge
Bring ‘Em Out by T.I. featuring Jay-Z
Sexyback by Justin Timberlake
Celebration by Kool & the Gang
Crazy in Love by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z
Get Ready for This by 2 Unlimited
Walk This Way by Aerosmith featuring Run DMC
Top 10 Bride + Groom Dance Songs
At Last by Etta James
God Blass the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley
I’m Yours by Jason Mraz
When You Say Nothing at All by Alison Kraus
Better Together by Jack Johnson
I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith
The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra
Everything by Michael Buble
Top 10 Father + Daughter Dance Songs
I Loved Her First by Heartland
My Little Girl by Tim McGraw
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
My Wish by Rascal Flatts
Unforgettable by Natalie and Nat King Cole
Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
My Girl by the Temptations
Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman
In My Life by the Beatles
There You’ll Be by Faith Hill
Top 10 Mother + Son Dance Songs
I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack
You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
Forever Young by Rod Stewart
Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
Through the Years by Kenny Chesney
Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
You’re Gonna Miss This by Trace Adkins
A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men
The Dance by Garth Brooks
Top 10 Cake Cutting Songs
Sugar, Sugar by Archies
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) by James Taylor
Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard
Sweetest Thing by U2
Lucky by Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
Love & Marriage by Frank Sinatra
That’s Amore by Dean Martin
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) by the Four Tops
(In a haughty French waiter tone) “Dinner is served.”
And to our delight (fingers crossed) it will be followed almost immediately with alcoholic beverages and giant dance circles! While a marriage may be based on the love of two people, their wedding day is often based on everyone else’s love to celebrate it… so, when a wedding reception goes from late afternoon to an even LATER evening, guests are often times in need of some refueling.
Enter: the Midnight Snack.
Bringing out treats for your guests after a long night of dinner, drinks and dancing will be just what the doctor ordered and could totally restock the sizzle in all of them.
Delightful Midnight Dishes: Pizza, White Castle Burgers (more affectionately known as “Sliders”), Cheese ‘ n’ Cracker Trays, Fourth Meal (aka Taco Bell), Krispy Kreme Doughnuts or Cold Cut Sandwiches.
***Extra*** if doing a buffet style meal, check with your caterers to see the possibility of reheating leftovers. It’s a general rule of thumb for caterers to make 10% more food than they expect will be eaten… making the possibilities of leftovers great!
“Dumpy economy. Schmumpy economy.” Not even an economic crisis can prevent this dual dress, wedding trend from booming. With a growing number of brides saying “Yes!” to not one, but two (sometimes even three) dresses, it seems as though future Mrs. everywhere deserve a pat on the back for causing the most fashionable, most fabulous, economic stimulus ever!
But who’s to thank for this diva-riffic duality?? You guessed it… celebutantes. Like so many trends, we have our famed sisters to thank for trickling this treat down to the rest of us. Everyone from Britney and Christina to Avril and most recently, Khloe Kardashian-Odom pulled the showed off but they aren’t the only ones. This trend can be seen everywhere!
And it didn’t begin, nor will it end with celebrities. In fact, it’s been a part of many bridal cultures for centuries. Having multiple dresses has been associated with a number of different cultures and ethnic groups around the world. Especially enriched in East Indian and Asian cultures, many brides of certain heritages will wear traditional garb during the ceremony and switch it up at the reception to really let loose… which I consider the main reason behind any girl’s decision to bait ‘n’ switch.
It’s about being young and having fun! While many wedding ceremonies are viewed as traditional and sacred, their accompanying receptions are a time to PARRRTAAAY! Hence why so many wardrobe changing brides tend to wear more formal, fairy tale or traditional gowns during the ceremony, and jazz it up at the reception!
While this wasn’t in my budget, I soooo encourage any bride-to-be who can afford it, to be like Nike and “just do it!” I mean seriously, it’s like having the most fun dress up day… twice!
And finally, for your viewing pleasure… by merging photos from Google Images, I’m proud to present some of my favorite celebrity, wedding wardrobe switches!
From Vera to Velour, Khloe Kardashian was all kinds of FaBuLoUs!!
Christina Aguilera transformed from "Oh Wow!" to "Ow Ow!" on her wedding day!
Even though she didn't find her "happily ever after," Britney still rocked out both her wedding dresses!
Our favorite Bachelorette, Trista, also pulled the 'ole switch-a-roo!
Avril went from glowing bride to ready to rock'n'roll!
