www.weddingwebsite.com - Your Wedding Website

Have you established your wedding website and are wondering what you should put on it?

You probably have a personal site, are on Facebook, Snap Chat and a variety of other Social Media accounts and you have realised that information about your wedding does not really belong on those sites.  A wedding is a special time in your life and your wedding website should contain information that is not just important to you as a couple, but information that is necessary for those persons invited to witness your wedding at the ceremony and celebrate with you at the reception.  It is not for general consumption.

If you have had friends with wedding web pages, you are familiar with them.  You will see what they have posted there and decide if that piece is something that fits for you.  In my years working with brides, I have seen some of the best components for a wedding web site.  Here are some of them.
Many sites begin with the story of the couple's courtship.  It details how they met, how the groom proposed and the date of the wedding.  You may wish to include some details about your plans.  But be careful not to list every single tiny detail.  An overview is surely sufficient.

The site is a good way to introduce and profile your attendants chosen for the wedding.  Be sure you include both the bride's attendants and the groom's.  Pictures of them are a nice touch.  If you feel comfortable sharing the information, include why this person was chosen and their relationship to you.

You may wish to include photos of the church and the reception site.  

Some brides include info on the destination of the honeymoon if it's not a secret.
This is the pefect spot to include bridal registry information and hotel accommodation information for out of town guests.

The world of electronic communications can be speedy, timely and convenient.  However, there are a few things NOT to place on the website.

1.  Do not ask guests to reply to the invitation via email.  Send R.S.V.P. cards with the invitation.
2.  Do not send thank you notes to guests at showers or the wedding via the web site.
3.  Likewise - do not send your wedding invitations via the webpage.  You don't know who may respond, or who may never look at the site and end up missing the event.  

In spite of the electronic world we all inhabit, some things are still done in the traditional way.

The Role of Today's Groom

Unlike grooms from previous generations, today’s grooms  tend to have a more active role in the wedding planning process.  In many cases they are older than in previous generations and have clearly defined tastes and preferences.  They are interested in the planning process of selecting a theme, choosing ceremony and reception sites, expressing color preferences and choosing the music for the church as well as the reception.  He is no doubt involved in gift registry selections and he keeps his parents informed regarding wedding plans and vendor interviews.  A critical job for the groom is to compile his share of the guest list and make sure that his parents provide their guest list in a timely manner.

In addition, the groom's list includes:  Selecting the engagement ring - although today's bride is also likely to be involved in the decision, as well as choosing his best man and groomsmen for his part of the wedding party.

The groom works with the bride in choosing his attire and that of the men in the wedding party.  It is usual that the bride's gown choice sets the degree of formality of a wedding, but the groom frequently feels strongly about the look and feel of the formal wear chosen for his attendants.

He selects thank you gifts for members of his wedding party as well as selecting his gift to his bride.  The couple will likely choose the wedding bands together.  It is his traditional job to acquire the marriage license and to arrange for transportation from the ceremony to the reception site.

If there is a receiving line at the reception, he is expected to stand there and greet  the  reception guests.  He dances his first dance with the bride and  also dances with his mother. He may also dance with the bride's mother as well as the maid/matron of honor.  He is also required to make appropriate toasts at both the rehearsal dinner and the reception.

For more ideas call (868) 628-9333 or email info@triniweddings.com

The Guest List

Deciding who to invite and how many to invite are major decisions that will impact much of your wedding planning effort.  But before that decision of who and how many is made, you must do some serious thinking.  You and your finance need to consider what kind of wedding you want.  Have you dreamt of a huge wedding with nearly everyone you know in attendance or do you prefer a more intimate gathering of your closest family and friends?  What is your budget?  Does that mean that you have a few guests for an elegant sit down dinner or a big gathering at a buffet?  Once you have a handle on the likely size of the wedding, you can begin to gather guest names.

There are a few traditional ways to assemble the guest list.  The simplest is to divide between the bride's family and the groom's family - 1/2 each.  Or you can divide the list in thirds - 1/3 to the couple, 1/3 to the bride's family or 1/3 to the groom's family.  Remember to be flexible and try not to hurt anyone's feelings.  Know that there is some flexibility in the numbers.  Most wedding planners would suggest that as many as 20% of those invited will be unable to attend for a variety of reasons.  This can vary by time of year and area of the country, but it is a good general rule to keep in the back of your mind.

When you are assembling your lists, keep in mind that not only the names on the lists get invitations, but also the groom's immediate family, the wedding officiant, all members of the bridal party as well as their spouses or dates.

Once the potential list is assembled from all parties, you may find that some cuts will have to be made.

Deciding whom to cut or how many to cut is tough.  Maybe everyone has to cut a set number from their list.  Or the person with the longest list should make the cuts.  Or you can set criteria for certain categories of people like business associates or casual acquaintances or friends you haven't seen for years.  Maybe some of the names submitted are not likely to attend and would be better served by an announcement.  Maybe the wedding should not/could not include children.  Leave the parents on the guest list but omit the children's names when the invitation is addressed.  Whatever method is chosen, try to be fair and equitable.

RSVP's (Guest Replies)

When selecting items for one’s paper trousseau,  brides should remember to order reply cards and envelopes. These have become “essentials” when attempting to calculate the number of guests to
expect at the reception.

Even though they are sent with the invitation package, there will always be a number of guests who
never bother to reply. Your choice is to go with some industry average that calculates that up to 10% of invited guests won’t attend and won’t let you know they aren’t coming. Plan accordingly therefore and contact those “silent” guests directly and ask if they are planning to attend.

Some brides elect to make the calls themselves, others involve their mothers and the groom's mother to contact the guests who have not replied. As Martha Stewart says, “Once the R.S.V.P. deadline printed on the reply card has come and gone, you are well within bounds to start reaching out to tardy invitees.” When you do call, keep the message short and sweet. Martha suggests these words: “I wanted to be sure you got our wedding invitation. I need to get the final numbers to my caterer this week, and we’d love to know whether we’ll be seeing you there.”

We know that some brides-to-be are considering a “B-list” of invited guests. We don’t condone
that practice but are well aware that it happens. If you are planning to use this approach, we offer these considerations: Most people will figure out they are “second-tier” guests when the invitation comes to them two weeks before the wedding date. If you are determined to use a second round of invitations, at least be strategic about it

. Send your first round of invitations out up to 10 weeks in advance and set the R.S.V.P. to at least 5 weeks before the wedding date. Once regrets start coming in, you can still get a few invitations out to names on the B-List if you are determined to do so.

For more ideas phone (868) 628- 9333 or email  mwilt@triniweddings.com

Budget Ideas

We know that if a bride isn’t careful, the budget for her wedding can be blown in an afternoon.

At TriniWeddings we are experts at helping brides create the wedding of their dreams without the nightmares that come with being over-budget. Here are some practical ideas that we know can help avoid the budget crunch.
The guest list. Look at your wedding realistically. You are inviting friends and relatives to help you celebrate this important day in your lives. Others on the list are likely to be friends of both sets of parents. A conversation with each of them about the number of guests is necessary unless you and/or your parents can afford to pay for everything and everyone.
Big floral arrangements (as seen on TV portrayals of "must have" accessories) are likely to be beyond your budget and are certainly not necessary. Take a good look at the church and see if you really need all those flowers. Most churches do not. Instead of floral overloads, we suggest that you rent some greenery if you have large places to fill. Use the money to enliven your reception spaces if necessary.
If you have a friend or relative who was recently married, it may be possible to borrow some things – gloves, shoes, veils or headpieces, jewelry. It will not only save you money but satisfy your need for "something borrowed".
When you place your order for wedding invitations, order all your wedding stationery needs at one time (including a few more than you think you will need) and do not forget your thank you cards. Set up charges for a few extras later can be very expensive.
While today’s invitations offer a wide variety of paper style, colors, fonts and trims. The current trend toward memorable and unique invitations may be exactly what you want. However this is costly and you may have to spend a significant portion of your budget on this. Try instead to make a simple elegant statement using ivory vellum and choosing an interesting font. For more invisible budget ideas, or answers to questions, phone us at 628-WEDD or email info@triniweddings.com

SOME GENTLE REMINDERS OF THINGS NOT TO DO!!!!

 

With all of the advice available to a bride on “What to do about…”, there are also a few “don’ts” to keep in mind.

#1 – An important reminder comes from the brazen actions of one or more pretend guests who – according to recent newscasts- walked into three different wedding receptions and walked out with the gift boxes that contained cash and cards.  Wedding planners continue to remind brides to make sure that someone (close to her or a security guard hired for the occasion) must be in charge of the gift table.  Don’t believe that just because you are having your reception in a church or well known club your gifts are safe.  Always make sure that someone you trust will be in charge of the gifts.  It is ideal if all gifts are sent to the bride’s home before the ceremony, or be collected from the store after the wedding, but we all know that most of the gift cards/cash are brought to the reception.  The table for gifts and the box for cards should never be out of surveillance.  And once all of the guests have arrived at the reception, the gifts should be either locked away in a room provided by the venue or entrusted to a family member for transport and or safe keeping.

#2 – It is never correct to enclose gift registration information with your wedding invitations.  Some stores may offer to give you enclosure cards for that purpose, but politely decline.  Wedding guests have always found out where a bride was registered by asking a friend or relative.  Today  the bride’s web page politely provides that information .  Likewise, do not include in your invitations the corner copy that reads “Cash Gifts Preferred” or “Cash Gifts Invited”.  Really tasteless!!!!

 #3- Don’t have a cash bar.  Having one is like inviting guests to dinner and then charging them for the food.  If your budget won’t cover the beverages of your choice, then pick other beverages.  Offer beer and wine.  Offer a special cocktail created for your reception.  Offer punch.  Have waiters pass champagne.  There are lots of creative options.

 #4 – Never seek sponsors to donate things like liquor or wine for a mention or advertisement in your program.  That is so NOT DONE.

For advice on potential other “don’ts”, call TriniWeddings at 868 628 (WEDD) or email info@triniweddings.com

Wedding Trends for the 21st Century

 Emilypost.com lists the following trends as increasing in importance for  weddings which are currently being planned.

• Personalized weddings are increasing.  Brides may follow traditional guidelines for the ceremony and reception, but they also want their day to have elements that are unique for the couple and which make the event memorable.  Creating a monogram that is used throughout the process or adopting a signature color or theme are ways to put an  individual stamp on the event.  Invitations may be the first indicator of a couple’s intention to individualize their wedding.
   
• Cost sharing is common.  At one time the bride’s family funded the event, but with couples being older and both employed, wedding costs can be shared or even funded solely by the bride and groom.  What has not changed is the need to have clarity around who is paying for what.
   
   
• High Tech influence is clear.  The internet plays a growing role in registries, vendor research and selection and information sharing related to the wedding.  Maps, instructions and even invitation design are possible with the help of electronics.
   
• Color is appearing in more and more bridal gowns.  Color themes are increasing in popularity and are influencing all aspects of the wedding –flowers, invitations, attendants  attire, reception décor and even food, beverage and cake display.
• Grooms are more actively involved in wedding planning and choices.  Couples often take mutual responsibility for all aspects of wedding decision making – guest list, financing and even writing thank you notes.
  Call us at 868 628-WEDD or email us @mwilt@triniweddings.com to help you incorporate your ideas for a flawless wedding.

Wedding Myths Dispelled

MYTH 1 – IT’S MY DAY!

We spend a lot of time talking about how special the wedding day is but the  need to put it in perspective is important.  Most brides are sensible and know that just because they are being married on one day, the world does not stop spinning on its axis.  The goal is to provide balance to the event. Subtle reminders that life goes on before and after the wedding  can help stop some types of behavior which is  sometimes displayed.  Bridezillas need to be carefully grounded in the reality that life does not stop for the rest of the planet.

MYTH 2 – IT COSTS A LOT OF $$ TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING

Absolutely not!  A beautiful wedding depends on the love of the couple and their families and does not depend on the amount of money they spent.  Beautiful weddings happen at all price ranges.

MYTH 3 – THE WEDDING INDUSTRY IS FULL OF “PROS” OUT TO CHEAT YOU

 There may be an occasional unscrupulous  wedding planner who makes the news. There may be  a florist, photographer or caterer who  fails to follow through. However, they are vastly outnumbered by reputable, experienced professionals whose livelihood depends on their sterling reputation for honesty, integrity and reliability. The client should check out the reputation of a vendor under consideration and before a particular vendor or service is booked, it is worthwhile to ask for references.

MYTH 4 – WE HAVE A YEAR TO GIVE OUT OUR THANK YOU NOTES

Whoever started that myth was dreaming.  The rule on thank you notes is simple – write them ASAP.  Keep up with them throughout the period of showers, parties and gifts sent to the bride’s home.  If a guest has thought enough to send a gift to celebrate the wedding, he or she deserves a thoughtful response which expresses timely and sincere thanks.  If there is a legitimate reason for a delay in writing personal thank you notes, then gift acknowledgment cards are to be sent immediately and followed up by a personal thank you at a somewhat later date – but NEVER A YEAR.

If you are not sure about some wedding do’s and don’ts contact TriniWeddings at 868 628-WEDD (9333) or email info@triniweddings.com. We would be happy to help you sort yourself out!

Some Memorable Quotes

The following are some quotes on friendship, love and marriage which can be incorporated on your Wedding webpage or any other memorabilia.

“Men always want to be a woman’s first love and women want to be a man’s last romance.”  Oscar Wilde

“If a man really loves a woman, of course he wouldn’t marry her for the world if he were not absolutely sure that he was the best person she could possibly marry.”  Geoffrey Chaucer

“A successful marriage is an edifice that must be rebuilt every day.”  Andre Maurois

“To love anyone deeply gives you strength.  Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.” Lao Tzu

“If you would love, love and be lovable.”  Benjamin Franklin

“Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.”   Rose Kennedy

“If you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you haven’t really learned anything.”  Muhammad Ali

“Familiar acts are beautiful through love.”  Percy Bysshe Shelley

 “I chose my wife, as she did her wedding gown, not for a fine glossy surface, but such qualities as would wear well.” Oliver Goldsmith

Source:  The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, 3^rd Edition

Wedding Trends for 2013

According to several sources, including emilypost.com , brides this year can expect to see weddings that reflect the following changes and influences.

·         Personalized Weddings continue to be important to couples who are looking to include elements that have personal meaning to them. Ceremonies and receptions can reflect multi –cultural and/or inter-faith statements.  Monograms remain important and reflect the couple’s first names.

·         The Internet continues to play an important role in wedding planning.  High tech access is used in vendor selection, gift registries, information sharing, guest information sources and communication with members of the wedding party.  Note:  Emailing invitations and thank you notes is still not considered correct or classy.

·         The importance of color continues in bridal apparel.  While white and ivory remain favorites, wedding gowns are showing color touches, shoes are colorful (with blue the odds on favorite) and floral decorations carry the color theme throughout the wedding plans.

·         The role of grooms in wedding planning continues to grow.  There are more and more joint decisions being made by the couple (who tend to be older and funding their own weddings).

·         While the formal structured wording of the wedding invitation is still customary, more couples are choosing to individualize their invitations with colorful papers, ribbon trims and unique wording.  It is important to note that even if the format of the invitation is unique, it should still contain all the information guests need plus be grammatically correct.

Brides need to remember that no mention of gifts, even “no gifts, please” is ever made on a wedding invitation.  It is acceptable to mention a website on an enclosure card and that website can contain information about gift registry options.  The phrase “black tie” may appear on the reception invitation, but is not printed on a wedding invitation.

For more ideas about making your wedding plans unique, contact us at 868 624 4015  or email  mwilt@triniweddings.com.

Themed Weddings?

While it is useful to get ideas from themes which have been used before, it is important that the bride and groom have a wedding which is true to their taste and vision.  The theme that is selected should have some personal relevance and meaning to them as a couple.  Themes provide a sense of continuity for all the wedding elements - from the gowns to the flowers to the decor and the menu.

Decisions are much easier once the theme has been established.  Whether it is a color or a location or a time period or event, there is the focus to ensure that this  life changing celebration is memorable for participants and guests alike.

Here are some examples:-

·        History lovers can choose a “Roaring Twenties” theme.  Art Deco can be the design focus.  Jazz was king at the time and short gowns were worn.  Bling was everywhere. Most of the candy popular today, hit the markets in the 1920’s.   This can be a perfect reason to set up a sweets table for the likes of Milk Duds and Baby Ruth bars.

·        World travelers – or dreamers – will find a wonderful theme in exotic locations.  Tropical isles, far Eastern spots or The Scottish highlands all provide a structure for food, décor, dress and paper products.

·        Bright colors against neutral backgrounds can be very effective.  Instead of carrying out a color theme in the bridesmaid dresses, have the maids in a basic shade like platinum and carry out the color theme in the flowers and reception décor.

·        The ceremony and/or reception location can provide the theme for a wedding.  If a museum is chosen as the venue, art and sculpture become the theme.  If a garden or beach or ranch is chosen as the site, the theme becomes clear.

·        Medieval accents combined with fairy tale touches work well in historic buildings or even modern renovations which retain the original stone walls and structures.

If you are confused about how to execute a themed wedding or want to avoid overdoing it, call Triniweddings at 868 624 4015 or email mwilt@triniweddings.com . Make an appointment for a consultation.We have years of experience in helping brides create the wedding of their dreams.

WEDDING PLANNING TIPS

We know that it takes a happy combination of events and planning to produce a “perfect” wedding.  Here are a few tips from TriniWeddings.

·         If you are concerned about a guest list that has gotten out of hand and is too long for your taste or budget, assemble an unedited list of names (potential guests) and ask everyone involved to rank the names from most to least important. If when you check   the “most important” names,    it falls within your budget or is close, thank everyone and settle the list.  If the numbers are still off, then ask people to cut a designated percentage from their lists.  Take stock of the new total and see if the process needs to be repeated.

·         Some people make an “A” List of Guests and then a “B” List. After someone from the “A” List declines, they then invite someone from the “B” list. Please do not consider doing this because it ends up being an after thought. Your invitations have been out there, have been discussed and the person who is receiving their own after everyone knows that they were not originally invited. It is very “Kardashian”! and shows poor taste!

·         To determine the size of the site you’ll need for your reception, be sure to investigate the  parking  facilities and the rest rooms as well as the size of the hall. The rule of thumb for toilets is that there should be at least one for every 25 guests.  The parking lot should accommodate one parking space for every two guests.

·         Always have at least one attendant assigned to your gift table at the reception even if you are not planning to open and display the gifts there.  You would be surprised at how many gifts go missing.  Money gifts should be kept in special receptacles and secured.  When I am leaving a wedding I always make sure to hand the money gifts to the Mother of the Bride or another person designated by the couple. People seem always to forget to make transport arrangements for the gifts and the cake and at the end of the wedding there is a mad scramble to ask people to help with transportation.

·         If parents and stepparents are contributing money for your reception, it is much better to pool the money in advance.  Then no contributor will demand to take control of how the money is spent.  If someone feels strongly about “sponsoring” a particular wedding expense, it is far better to know that up front so that you can work with that person to accommodate preferences.

For more helpful advice, call 868 624 4015 or email   info@triniweddings.com  for answers to your most perplexing situations.

Etiquette on a Budget

Quiet elegance is always in style.

Consider a few white lilies for the bridal bouquet instead of an elaborate arrangement.

An afternoon tea or garden luncheon can be as charming as a 5 course sit down dinner.

Select fewer attendants. The larger the wedding and number of attendants, the greater the expense.

But no matter how limited the budget, the rules of etiquette still apply.

Having a reception which serves only punch and cake is acceptable. Asking guests to buy their own dinners is not.

Having an alcohol free reception is fine. Having a cash bar isn’t.

Registering for things the couple would like and need is fine. Asking for money instead of gifts isn’t.

Sending email invitations instead of printed or handwritten ones for a small intimate wedding isn’t OK.

Neglecting to send thank you notes within an acceptable time frame is not appropriate.

Every part of a wedding, even one done on a very limited budget, should be done with style and good taste. An affordable wedding can be just as memorable as a lavish one. Guests will remember the beautiful personal touches, not how much was spent on the wedding.

If you have questions about any aspect of wedding etiquette do stop in a talk with us at TriniWeddingd. We are here to help you have the wedding you want.

　

The Role of the Wedding Planner

If the bride and her family would like a stress free wedding, the best solution is to hire a wedding planner.  If the wedding is to be at an out of town/destination wedding, then dependence on a planner at the venue to which the wedding party will be traveling is a must.  If the bride and groom are planning a small intimate wedding and reception but the couple both have jobs that demand huge time commitments, a wedding planner can take the couple’s wishes and instructions and produce exactly the event they envision.

The term planner can cover a wide range of services.  In general the term refers to services provided by an individual, selected by the bride or her mother, to assist with some or all of the details involved in the planning and implementing of an error-free, stress free rehearsal, ceremony and reception.   A plus feature in hiring a wedding planner or coordinator is that the bride can decide the level of service she desires and pay only for those services.

Brides-to-be should determine the credentials of the planner they are considering.  They should check the training/certification that the planner has earned.  They should ask for references from two or three brides the planner has served and decide on the level of involvement they will require.  Maybe an initial consultation to help identify choices and set preliminary plans and schedules is enough for one couple.  Others may want a comprehensive package, which covers time and advice on all aspects of the wedding plus vendor and site negotiations.

Do make an appointment with a TriniWeddings consultant. This can make a valuable and beautiful difference in YOUR wedding.

Wedding Etiquette - A Few Things You Should Not Do

As society changes, so do the social amenities that prevailed. But class is class and some things we see done in the name of the “princess bride’s wishes” remain in poor taste.

A bride once asked how she could let her guests know that she wanted all of them to dress in black or white or a combination of both. Her wedding theme was that of a black and white ball and she did not want it ruined by someone in a blue suit or a colorful print dress. The advice was– “You Can’t”! One does not tell people what to wear anymore than one would tell a hostess what kind of food to serve. The bride can control the dress of the wedding party, but that is all. She had heard the phrase, “It’s the bride’s day”, but had to learn that it did not mean everyone must bow to her wishes. Friends can spread the word but no demands must be made.

Then there was a bride who wanted 250 guests to attend her wedding ceremony but she planned to walk away from the ceremony and to save money, meet 45 of her favorite guests for a sit down diner at a restaurant. The advice to her was Don’t Do It! She was advised that it would be far better to serve light refreshments to all guests following the ceremony. This would give everyone a chance to extend their best wishes to the couple and socialize with others in attendance. If she wished to celebrate with a special group of friends, she should do it after the official reception. The guiding principle here is that a couple should never do anything to show preferences for one guest over another.

The same advice holds for brides who insist on adding corner copy to their wedding invitation that reads: Cash Gifts Preferred. Granted, more and more couples would prefer cash as a help for a down payment on a house for instance, but that does not mean it is ok to include on the invitation to the ceremony. That kind of news needs to be spread by word of mouth by the bride’s family and friends, or may be included in the website if one has been created. This kind of request is known in some circles as doing a “Kardashian”.

Let our experienced TriniWeddings consultants help you solve puzzles and questions as they arise in the course of your planning needs.

Sharing the News of Your Pending Marriage

            

Inviting friends and family members to share your happiness over your pending marriage is a wonderful and exciting part of being engaged.  And one of the most important decisions you’ll make is the selection of all parts of your paper trousseau.  Our experienced consultants are your best source for ideas, information and advice on these key decisions.

• You should plan to order all of the items you’ll need at one time to insure that all pieces coordinate.  TriniWeddings consultants can help you develop the list of various paper items you will need, so make an appointment to talk with our specialists about those needs as you begin the search for the perfect wedding papers.

• If you are planning to invite out of town guests or if your wedding is planned for a holiday weekend, it is very wise to send Save the Date cards.  These are usually sent out four – six months prior to the wedding date.  But a word of caution:  Be sure that those guests who receive Save the Date cards remain on your invitation list.   That means that you must have the number of guests planned for the wedding and reception firmly in mind when you place the invitation order.

• Because invitations offer guests a preview of the formality and tone of the wedding, a great deal of thought should go into their selection.  Formal wording should be used for formal weddings.  Individuality can be expressed by choosing unique sizes, textures, colors, overlays and/or ribbon trims

• Programs, while optional, are very nice to have for guests as they describe the ceremony and the identity of the participants.

• Thank you notes should be ordered at this time as well.  There are several options for incorporating the names of the couple on these notes.

• Plan to send your invitations six – twelve weeks before the event.

TriniWeddings will be delighted to assist with advice and guidance in all your paper trousseau selections.

Invitation Tips

Because the invitations reflect the tone of your wedding they should be considered early on in your planning activities.  Once you have developed your guest list, selected your ceremony and reception venues and decided on the degree of formality you wish to express throughout your wedding, you can comfortably begin to search for your invitations and other printed materials. Do not be overwhelmed by the myriad of choices that are available for you.  At one time, there were few options in paper and print styles.  Today’s bride has a wide range of both from which to select. 

Consider these points as you shop for your paper trousseau.

• Take your business to a store that specializes in wedding papers.  The staff there will have the expertise and experience to help you with paper selections and correct wordings.  Their advice can end up saving you time and often money as well.
• You will likely be ordering more than just invitations so consider these other items as well:

Save the date cards, insert cards (directions or other information) RSVP cards, place cards and table assignment charts, menus, thank you cards, programs and of course the invitations.  Figure in all of the options as you look at pricing.

• When you place your order, be sure to order extras of every item.  Make sure that you send one of everything to yourself when the rest go out so you can monitor the delivery dates.
• Be sure that you allow enough time to order, address and send the invitation packages.  Double check with your print specialist on the time frame required for satisfactory order completion.  Most experts agree that invitations should go out 6-8 weeks prior to the ceremony.
• Consider purchasing special issue postage stamps rather than just ordinary stamps.  Check with your local postal service for the options that may work for you.  Be sure to check on delivery times if you select a personalized stamp pattern.  Always take a sample of your fully “loaded” invitation package to the post office to verify the amount of postage to put on each.  How embarrassing to have it arrive at your guest’s home with “postage due”.
• Always, always double-check the proofs of the invitation copy.  Have someone else double check you as well.  It is easy to skip over and not notice errors in copy with which you are so familiar.  A misspelled name can cause unnecessary delays and expense.
• If children are being invited to the wedding and reception, their names are usually included on the envelope, clearly letting the parents know that the children are invited.  If children are not to be included, just the invited guest’s names are on the invitation.  This lets the parents know exactly for whom the invitation is intended.  If children are not being invited to attend – for whatever reason, plan how you will handle requests from guests who wish to bring their children.  Have alternative plans in place in case this becomes an issue.

When you are ready to begin the selection of your invitations and paper trousseau, be sure to book an appointment at TriniWeddings so that you can make sure you have a perfect invitation for your perfect wedding.

What Should a Bride do when........?

Here atTriniweddings we gladly help our brides with awkward situations that do not necessarily make their way into etiquette books. In spite of all the advice available from so many resources, brides like to have an experienced specialist - a knowledgeable consultant - a certified wedding planner - available for face-to-face problem solving. We are available for your unexpected problems and issues. Every wedding is unique and so can the problems presented by the people factor. This is a question we are repeatedly asked.
“How do I handle guests who have responded to our invitations and state on their RSVPs that the number of guests planning to attend is larger than the number invited?”
If your count and budget can handle the number of “extras” indicated, chalk it up to bad manners of those guests and just greet them with as much grace as you can muster.
If your count is already pushing you over the budget and you truly cannot absorb the extras, we suggest that you turn to your maid of honor, tactful bridesmaid or family member who knows the offending guest well. Ask this person to call the guests in questions and explain that the bride would love to be able to expand her guest list, but unfortunately it is not possible. The reason? Budget, or space concerns! If the person makes it known that they are offended - and trust me, some will - they are not your true friends and are clearly overstepping etiquette boundaries.
Often, the ‘extras” are uninvited children. You can keep this from happening if the invitation reads, “Adult only reception”. Or you can choose for the children to be at a “separate” reception somewhere at the same venue. You can provide a number of “sitters”, a giant screen TV, movies, lots of craft items and separate menu handled by family members.

Invitation Etiquette

We at Triniweddings have invitation specialists to help brides choose the wedding invitations which set the tone for the wedding. It is an early indicator for the guests as to the type of celebration to which they are invited. We are knowledgeable about the various paper styles, font types and wording variations that brides are seeking. We are also asked about the appropriateness of certain wording choices. We know that more and more brides are making selections that blend the historically formal with the contemporary feel of today’s preferences. However the rule of good taste does still have punch and invitation specialists are being asked if it is ok to ask for gifts of money on the wedding invitation. The answer is a clear and consistent NO!
There is no socially acceptable or tactful way to include in an invitation the fact that the couple would prefer cash in place of gifts.
The situation is more likely to occur with a couple in their late 20s or early 30s who have been living together for some time prior to the wedding. They tend to have all household necessities and are not inclined to establish a traditional gift registry. They may be planning to buy a house and would prefer cash gifts. This is a worthy preference but the invitation is not the place to spread the word. For that they need to rely on word of mouth. the couple needs to tell their parents, friends, and members of the wedding that when asked about gift preferences, cash is the couple’s preference. But as Emily post reminds us, “there is no dictating to guests what they must give; it’s their prerogative to choose.
As wedding specialists, we recommend that if you are asked directly what you want for a wedding gift, be polite and say, “We’re saving for a down payment on a house, so if you’d like to give a cheque, that’s how we would use it. But whatever you decide will be appreciated. Thank you for asking”.
Not everyone is comfortable giving cash. Some people prefer a tangible gift and because there are guests with this preference, we suggest that brides also set up a traditional gift registry to accommodate these guests.