Wedding Planning

May

16

5 Unique Guest Book Alternatives

Reposted from Weddingstar.com and thought these were some unique ideas for alternative to the Traditional Guest book, as many of our couples choose to do a photo sign in book or Calender.

If the idea of a traditional guest book has you yawning in disinterest then a more unique guest book alternative is exactly what you need!

These can be anything from a chic keepsake box to a certificate to hang on your wall, but all are equally original and memorable. Here are five of my fave Weddingstar guest book alternatives. Enjoy!
memorybox2 5 Unique Guest Book Alternatives

A memory box is such a great way to keep your well wishes safe for years after the wedding. And I think this chic, personalized wooden memory note box and personalized note cards are just so special.

Have you guests write out their well wishes or words of advice so you can enjoy them right after the wedding or choose the anniversary stationery and save the messages to read every year all the way to the big 5-0.

Check out this video to learn more:

Signature Certificate

Simple yet so meaningful. Signature certificates make reminiscing about your special day so easy. Stick with the fabulous Balloon Hearts Personalized Certificate (shown above) or choose from six other fabulous designs HERE.

Recipe Box

This adorable recipe box is such a unique take on the traditional wedding wishing well. Send the recipe cards to your guests in your invitations and ask them to write their fave recipes on them. Then they can bring them on the day of your wedding and place them in the box.

Your guests will love the originality of the idea and you will have an entire box full of yummy recipes to make. It’s a win-win!

“The Story of Us”

“The Story of Us” is a particularly special guest book alternative because it’s not only something you will be able to keep forever, but your guests will enjoy hearing all about your incredible love story. Where you first met, your first kiss, how he proposed…your guests will love it and you’ll have a blast filling in the pages and reminiscing about your adventures of love.

Also, blank signature pages and a secret compartment in the back ensure no part of your big day will ever be forgotten.

Mailbox and Letters

Who doesn’t love getting letters in the mail? This antique style letter box and coordinating stationery are just too sweet for words! Use it as a conventional wishing well at your wedding or — and this is so much more exciting — ask your guests to write a special note on the stationery and seal it up. They will then bring them to the wedding and drop them in the mailbox.

At the end of the night, a designated family member or close friend will take the letters home — you take the mailbox — and periodically over the next year or so, that person will send you the letters in the mail. Every time you receive a letter you will get a special reminder of your big day — I just love this idea!

But hey, if you’re a traditionalist at heart and love more conventional style guest books, we have those too! Check out our guest books HERE and wishing wells HERE.

Happy weddings!

allison name3 5 Unique Guest Book Alternatives

Jan

26

Amanda and TJ’s Wedding January 20, 2012

bergen county new jersey / bride to be / Bridesmaids / couple / david eric photograpy / engagement / groom / venetian / wedding day / wedding photographers / Wedding Planning / wedding reception Posted by jrizzo / 0 comments

What an awesome day we had with Amanda and T.J. The Bride wore a dress from Jahee Bridal and the Grooms Tux for Ton’y Tuxedo’s.

New+Jersey+wedding+Photographer 1 Amanda and TJs Wedding January 20, 2012

The Bride arrived to her Nuptial Mass At St Anthony’s Church Hawthorne by Danaro Limo and was officiated by Father Paul Houlis friends of the bride and groom who was just ordained a Priest early Last year.

Even though it was January we did our photographs at Lambert s Castle and the continued on to The Venetian for some more amazing Photographs.

At the Venetian the bride and groom Held their reception in the Palazzo Room where they danced to snow falling from the sky.

New+Jersey+wedding+Photographer 10 Amanda and TJs Wedding January 20, 2012

New+Jersey+wedding+Photographer 6 Amanda and TJs Wedding January 20, 2012

New+Jersey+wedding+Photographer 7 Amanda and TJs Wedding January 20, 2012

New+Jersey+wedding+Photographer 8 Amanda and TJs Wedding January 20, 2012

New+Jersey+wedding+Photographer 2 Amanda and TJs Wedding January 20, 2012

New+Jersey+wedding+Photographer 4 Amanda and TJs Wedding January 20, 2012

New+Jersey+wedding+Photographer 9 Amanda and TJs Wedding January 20, 2012

May

25

PERSONALIZE YOUR CEREMONY

bride to be / couple / engagement / Wedding Planning Posted by jrizzo / 0 comments

PERSONALIZE YOUR CEREMONY

Reposted from WeddingSolutions.com

Regardless of your religious affiliation, there are numerous ways in which you can personalize your wedding ceremony to add a more creative touch. If you’re planning a religious ceremony at a church or temple, be sure to discuss all ideas with your officiant.

The following list incorporates some ideas to personalize your wedding ceremony:

• Invite the bride’s mother to be part of the processional. Have her walk down the aisle with you and your father. (This is the traditional Jewish processional).

• Invite the groom’s parents to be part of the processional also.

• Ask friends and family members to perform special readings.

• Ask a friend or family member with musical talent to perform at the ceremony.

• Incorporate poetry and/or literature into your readings.

• Change places with the officiant and face your guests during the ceremony.

• Light a unity candle to symbolize your two lives joining together as one.

• Drink wine from a shared “loving” cup to symbolize bonding with each other.

• Hand a rose to each of your mothers as you pass by them during the recessional.

• Release white doves into the air after being pronounced “husband and wife.”

• If the ceremony is held outside on a grassy area, have your guests toss grass or flower seeds over you instead of rice.

• Publicly express gratitude for all that your parents have done for you.

• Use a canopy to designate an altar for a non-church setting. Decorate it in ways that are symbolic or meaningful to you.

• Burn incense to give the ceremony an exotic feeling.

May

12

I’m Engaged; What do I do next?

bride to be / couple / engagement / Wedding Planning Posted by jrizzo / 0 comments

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! This is a very exciting time for you, your fiancé and your respective family and friends. For hundreds of newly engaged couples, once the excitement of the engagement has subsided, they are unprepared for what follows and ask, “What do I do next?”

There is a wealth of information about planning your wedding that can be found at your local library, bookstores, bridal magazines, bridal seminars, as well as the Internet where there are numerous websites that cater to the bridal industry. Absorbing all of these details, in addition to getting advice from family and friends who will tell you what is best for you, how much money you should spend, where you should purchase your dress, how much you should pay for it, how many people to invite, who to invite, what type of photographer you will need, etc. can be quite overwhelming. Although you may want to take the advice of your loved ones, the most important point is to have a wedding that represents you as an individual and as a couple by having a wedding that is designed especially for you.

After you have announced your engagement, I encourage you and your fiancé to dedicate much needed time to sit down and determine what your top five priorities are for your wedding. Some of the more important items to consider are the ceremony itself, the venue for your ceremony and reception, your wedding dress, exchanging of vows, the menu, and the pictures and/or video. Once you have ranked your priorities, you will know what is important to you and your fiancé and you can begin to plan your budget accordingly.

Your budget should take into consideration all forms of contributions, such as funds from you, your fiancé, parents, godparents, family members and in-kind services. As you determine your budget, you can project how much you want to spend for flowers, decorations, music and entertainment, catering, venue for ceremony and reception, etc. Please remember that these figures will constantly change until you have made your final decision.

While working on your budget, you and your fiancé can start contemplating the answers to the following questions: (a) What type of wedding do you want to have, a formal or semi-formal wedding or a combination thereof?; (b) do you want to have an intimate wedding or a lavish wedding or something in between?; (c) do you want an indoor or outdoor wedding?; (d) what time of the year do you want to get married?; (e) do you want to have a sit-down dinner, buffet dinner and/or cocktail reception with passed hors d’oeuvres or food stations?; and (f) do you want to have your reception at your favorite restaurant or do you want to the have the ceremony and the reception at the same venue?

Once you have answered these questions and have determined your budget for what is important, you should then select a venue for your ceremony and reception. Location of the ceremony and reception site will set the tone for your entire event. You should select a venue that represents who you are individually and as a couple. It may take you a significant amount of time to find a venue that meets your specifications, but when you do find the venue that you want to be part of your special day, you will know it. Always check the venue out thoroughly before contracting with them by ensuring that that are licensed and fully insured. When booking a venue, time is of the essence. If the ceremony and reception are not being held at the same place, you should always book the venues simultaneously. Remember that most venues are booked well in advance and if you find a venue that meets your expectations, don’t delay in booking it!

If you establish your priorities, outline your budget and select a venue for your ceremony and reception, everything else should fall into place. Follow your instincts and know what is important to you and your fiancé, you should be able to plan a wedding that is designed especially for you.

repost from: Ms. Tye Robertson, a Certified Wedding Specialist, is the owner of Especially For You Planners, LLC, a party, wedding and event planning company