The Best Wedding Seating Arrangments

If you are like me, you know that there is a certain need for seating arrangements, but you just don't know where to begin or even if this is a challenge that you want to take on. Many people are familiar with the seating arrangements for the actual wedding ceremony, so for this entry we will focus on the seating arrangements for the reception only. If you are interested in seating for the actual wedding ceremony please visit www.doityourself.com/stry/wedding-seating-arrangement.


Below you will find an exert from the article written by Amy Hicks.

"While the bride’s table and the parents’ table will have place cards, they are optional for the other guests. For a seated dinner, you may choose to create seating arrangements for your guests. This is best done by giving each table a number or a name, and letting each guest know ahead of time which table they will be sitting at. If you choose to have place cards for your guests, they should be handwritten and match your wedding invitations. The best way to organize your guests’ seating is to:

* Put couples beside each other
* Put children under 7 with their parents
* Create a children’s table for those between 7 and 14 years of age
* Seat guests with disabilities near bathrooms, beverage stations, etc.
* Arrange guests by common interests (like seating coworkers together)

You should always be sensitive to your guests’ likes and dislikes. Don’t put divorced couples at the same table, nor should you seat same-sex couples with people likely to insult them. Traditionally, your closest relatives and friends should be seated close to the bride’s table, but you may choose to seat your guests however you like. For buffet dinners, you may have a seating arrangement, but it is usually best to allow guests to choose their own seats.

Traditional seating arrangements are designed to honor your close family and friends and make sure that they have the best view of your ceremony. Also, seating arrangements allow your other guests to identify your family members. Your overall goal in seating your guests during the reception is to make them as comfortable as possible, so that they will have a good time. Since you know your friends and family best, it is up to you to decide whether or not to have a seating arrangement outside of the parent’s and bride’s tables."



After reading this article, I think that I will suggest that we pass on creating escort cards, table numbers and place/seating cards although she will be having a seated dinner. That is, unless she wants to champion this aspect of the reception.



What do you think??? I know that it adds an element of sophistication and personalization {is that a word?}, but is it worth the headache?

You Can't See the Forest for those Beautiful Wedding Trees...

I really love the idea of the crystal wedding trees. I think that are very versatile and yet they exude beauty and class {if they are done correctly}. Due to my background in the pageant area, I have always had a passion for anything with bling {when it is tastefully done, that is}. Let's take a look at this beauties shall we?

I really like this one, but it needs a little more bling...Just a little... LOL!



I like the bling on this one, but the color... not so much!



If the prices for the trees get too costly, I thought about alternating them with something like this minus the fake floral arrangements....



And if all else fails we will keep with the Italian theme and adorned the tables with Eiffel tower vases and beautiful floral arrangements like the one seen here... We may even add in a few strings of bling for the heck of it!!!! Lovely!



What do you think??? Does anyone know where I can get some quality bling for less cha'ching???

Make it Personal...

Weddings are very personal occassions and every bride wants to add that special touch... Let's look at some options to make it a little more personal...

Cake Toppers (these can be found on www.topperswithglitz.com)



What about aisle runners??






and other wedding accents and essentials....

Save the Date Invitations

Save the date cards have become so popular over the past few years. I have always been the type to want to know the proper way that things should be done. After a little research I found the following viewpoint on aisledash.com.

----------------------------Save the Date by Meg Massie------------------------------

Save the date (STD) cards are an optional way to notify your guests of your wedding date before sending out invitations. You are not required to send them out and if you do, you are not required to send them to everyone on your guest list. You can save money by sending them only to out of town guests and people who will have to make arrangements well in advance, with more time than the invitation allows.

If you send them and to whom is up to you, but there is one very important rule of etiquette that you must not break. I'm really not even sure why this is a question at all, but here it is: Do not send a save-the-date card to someone unless you are definitely inviting them to the wedding! You are telling them to set aside this date, so if you end up not inviting them, you see how this would be a huge slap in the face. Those who get save-the-dates expect invitations as well, and rightfully so. As far as save-the-dates are concerned, this is the only steadfast rule of etiquette. Those who break it will be immediately labeled with bride- and groomzilla branding irons.
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Thanks Meg! I like the idea of sending out STD invites to the individuals out of town, so with that being said let's take at look at some fabuluos save the date hopefuls...

Say "Yes" to this Dress

My friend has this beautiful brand new gown in her closet that she did not use {tags are still tact}. It is a size 6 from David's Bridal.... She is willing to part with it and all accessories for a very...very......very...very reasonable price....... Please email me at mshontasmith@hotmail.com for questions or comments...


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You are Invited...

There are so many options out there for wedding invitations. My friend really doesn't have any specifications other than she wants them to be clean, classy and simple. I have been shopping around a little and here's what I found:
I love the way that this one folds....

I love anything that you can truly do yourself!

A little Tiffany blue....

A little economical....

And a little flair....

Any suggestions???? Come on...you're invited!

Always a Bridesmaid....I have finally been promoted!

I have always been somewhat interested in event planning. This year has really given me several opportunities to dabble it in a bit.... Okay, I have done a few baby and bridal showers... But that count doesn't it???

Well...... I have some veeery exciting news!!! My best friend got engaged on Thanksgiving weekend (more on that later) and she can care less about the details of planning the wedding.. So,,,,,, she has left that task up to her mother and I and I could not be happier!!!!

So let's start from the beginning shall we? The colors are tiffany blue, silver and white. Here is a little inspiration:



A little more:



And a little more:


Also, as I surfed the web I came across this blog: http://www.jessicaralph.blogspot.com/. I think that this is a must read for all brides to be... I love how she pays attention to every-little-detail.... that creates a purr-fect day!

Okay, on to more planning!!! Don't you love it when you get a promotion!!!