Looking for a Love Song: Try These

Credit: vowtodance.com

If you are looking for a new and unrecognizable song to capture a moment during your reception, check out these new singles. Any of these could be used for your first dance, cake cutting song, or music to be played behind your wedding photo montage or video.

Christina Perri: A Thousand Years

 

Colbie Colliat: I Do

Francesca Battistelli: 100 More Years

Runner Runner: I Can’t Wait

 

Tyler Ward: Falling with You

Planning Your Ceremony

Credit: wedding-s.com

I have never coordinated two weddings that are the same. There are several different components that can be included in your wedding to make it personal to the relationship you have with your fiance. I have put together the traditional order of events for a Christian or non-denominational wedding. By no means do you need to stick with this order, feel free to switch it up and add little touches here and there to make it even more special.

Prelude music- plays while honored guests are seated

• Officiant enters
• Groom’s grandparents are seated
• Bride’s grandparents are seated
• Groom’s parents are seated
• Bride’s mother is seated

Processional music- plays while attendants are walking down the aisle

• Best man enters from the side
• Grooms enters from the side
• Groomsmen and bridesmaids come down the aisle
• Maid of honor comes down the aisle
• Ring bearer comes down the aisle, then takes a seat or stands by best man
• Flower girl comes down the aisle, then takes a seat or stand by maid of honor

Bridal Processional

• Bride and her father come down the aisle (Father can be substituted by brother, family member, or friend)

Officiant’s Opening Remarks

Vows

Exchange of Rings

Other Unity Customs

Pronouncement

The Kiss
Recessional

• Bride and Groom exit first
• Flower girl and ring bearer exit together
• Maid of honor and best man exit together
• Remaining attendants pair up and exit together
• Guests file out, starting with the front row

Wedding Program

Credit: ghldesign.com

A program is presented to guests as they arrive to the ceremony. Typically, the program is handed out by a guest book attendant (cousin or niece). Programs are not required, but provide guests names of those in the wedding party, readings, and any details needed for the reception. The bride and groom usually write a letter to be published within the program that expresses their thanks to those that helped make everything possible.
Items to be included within Program:

• Order of Events
• Names of people with roles in the ceremony
• Music that will be played
• Meaning behind special rituals taking place during the ceremony
• Note from the bride and groom
• Optional: Favorite quote of the bride and the groom, name of a deceased relative or friend

A Special Bridal Shower

Credit: hostessblog.com

The purpose of the bridal shower is to celebrate and help the bride prepare for her new home. The bridal shower is typically held two to three months before the wedding. Traditionally, the maid-of-honor hosts the party; however, other bridesmaids and the mother of the bride have become popular leaders for organizing the event. The role of the bride is to provide the guest list, provide input when asked, enjoy the party, and write thank you notes for gifts.
Having a theme for a bridal shower adds a new element for the guests to participate in. Think about a few of these ideas and see if you think it will make the party a fun treat for all!

1. Alphabet Shower- each guest is assigned a letter and is asked to bring a gift that begins with that letter.
2. Around-the-House Shower- each guest is assigned a room in the house and is asked to bring a gift that is associated with that room.
3. Kitchen Shower- guests are asked to bring an item that might help out the bride in the kitchen. This can be a fun idea for the inexperienced cook.
4. Lingerie Shower- guests are asked to bring lingerie or item that will promote bedroom action. Bride will have to provide sizes prior to the shower. (This type of shower is often held as a separate shower for the bride and her close family and friends).
5. Recipe Shower- guests are asked to bring a recipe and the items needed to make the dish.
6. Stock-the-Bar Shower- guests are asked to bring alcoholic drinks, mixers, and bar items as gifts. (This type of shower is popular with coed showers).

Formal vs. Informal Wedding

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It is important to inform your guests what attire is suitable for your wedding and reception. It is not rude to request a guest to dress appropriately if you provide enough time for them to select an outfit.

White-tie: Tails for the men and full-length gowns for the women.

Black-tie: Tuxedos for the men and formal gowns of any length for the women.

Black-tie optional; Black-tie invited; Formal attire: indicates the bridal party will be in formal dress, and it is optional for the rest of the guests. Dark suits or tuxedos for men and dresses or formal evening pants for women.

Cocktail Dress- suits or sports jackets for men dresses or dressy pants for women

Invitation Etiquette

Credit: wedding-ross.com

Your wedding invitation is the first formal approach to set the mood for the wedding and reception. It is important to recognize the formalities and etiquette prior to sending the invite to your guests. The slightest mishap can alter the impression you are trying to set for your big day, so make sure to dot your I’s and cross your T’s with this Do’s and Don’ts checklist.

Do’s

• Do use the third person for formal invitations
• Do use the phrase “request the honor of your presence” for a ceremony in a church
• Do use the phrase “request the pleasure of your company” for an off-site ceremony
• Do spell out numbers in the date and the year. (twenty-fifth of September)
• Do spell out numerals in times. (five after five o’clock)
• Do capitalize the first word of the invitation and all proper nouns.
• Do name titles for medical doctors, doctor should be spelled out.

Don’ts

• Don’t use commas or periods at the end of a line, line breaks serve as punctuation.
• Don’t include any reference to gifts or the registry.
• Don’t hint that you are not allowing children. Have this information conveyed by family, bridesmaids, and other friends.
• Don’t include information about post-wedding events on the invitation itself. Rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and day-after brunch deserve their own invitation.

Setting Your Reception Tables

Favors: Favors are a nice way of thanking guests for attending such a memorable occasion in your life. The idea behind offering favors is that they are special from the bride and groom. While this is a nice gesture, guests do not expect to receive a favor. Favors should not be too expensive and should not consume too much time. Favors are either placed at the top of the place setting or on the guest table. A modern favor is to provide each guest a small bag that they may fill with their favorite candies.

Table Numbers/Names: Each table number or name can be displayed as a simple tent card or designed to complement the event theme. Get creative with the table names you select: places you traveled together, streets you have lived on, favorite movies, etc.

Menu: Each place setting can have menu cards folded within the napkins to educate guests about the meal. You may also include the receptions events to inform guests of what the evening is to hold.
Place Cards: Each guests name is printed on a card and is placed at a particular place setting. Place cards can be pre-placed or guests can pick up their card when entering the event. If you would like for the guests to pick-up their card, make sure you have a table reserved and in the appropriate place for them as they walk in.

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Bridal and Bridemaids Bouquets

 Bridal Bouquets

When selecting the size of your bridal bouquet, keep in mind the style of your dress. If your dress is simple, it is best to have a more simple bouquet to mirror the dress. If your dress has a lot of design, lace, and beading, a simple bouquet will not be able stand out next tothe design on the dress; therefore you will want a more elaborate bouquet. You will also want to add more color so that it will stand apart from the dress. Height also factors into the size of the bouquet. The shorter the bride, the smaller of bouquet she should carry, and vice versa. A florist will ask you for any details that you would like to include within your bouquet. Keep in mind, your bouquet should be the most beautiful arrangement.

Bridesmaid Bouquets

Bridesmaid bouquets should be a small reflection of an element from within the bridal bouquet (color, shape, or type of flower). The bouquet should also compliment the color of the bridesmaid dresses. The easiest way to coordinate colors is to provide your florist a swatch of the dress color. Typically, bridesmaid bouquets look similar, but you can switch it up by having different types of flowers in similar colors. You can also have the maid of honor’s bouquet be a little more elaborate than the others.

Wedding Envelopes

Addressing the Envelope

You can hand address or screen print the envelope, but make sure that you address each guest properly. The outside of the envelope is their first impression, and you don’t want to seem impersonal. One of the easiest ways to address invitations is to print labels; however, this often lacks a personal touch that is admired by guests. Put yourself in the guests’ shoes when addressing the envelope- have that personal touch be the first thing they see.

Credit: 2bsquaredesign.blogspot.com

Guidelines:

• Spell out avenue, street, apartment, state names, and doctor.
• Names of married couples should be addressed on the same line. Names of unmarried couples should go on two separate lines with the name of the person you know first. If you know both, put the woman’s name first. Same rule applies to gay couples, alphabetically order names.
• Family invites- write the parents name on the outside envelope and address the parents and children on the inside envelope. If you are not using an inside envelop, state parents names and “and family” on the outside envelope.
• If someone is bringing a guest to the wedding, try your hardest to find out their name and address both names on the envelope.
• Place the return address on the back flap of the envelope.
• Use titles and full names for formal invitations.
• Use titles for doctors, judges, government, officials, clergy members, and military officers.

Closing the Envelope

• The invitation fold should be in the bottom of the envelope, facing so a right handed person can remove the invitation and begin reading.
• Enclosure cards are stacked on top of the invitation. The largest enclosure should be the closest to the invitation, continue in decreasing size.
• Place a stamp on the front that will not be a distraction

Wedding Flowers by Season

Credit: decorplusllc.com

Flowers can easily make or break an events look. Roses tend to be the all-around wedding flower, but there are many other options to view before sticking with the traditional look. You want the flowers to enhance the dresses and tables, not cause a distraction.
Flower arrangement costs can quickly increase, so look at flowers that are within season to dramatically decrease price.

Flowers by Season

Spring	Summer	Fall	Winter
Cosmos	Anemone	Aster	Amaryllis
Flowering Branches	Aster	Calla Lily	Camellia
Hyacinth	Calla Lily	Chocolate Cosmos	Flowering Branches
Hydrangea	Casablanca Lily	Chrysanthemum	Fressia
Jasmine	Cornflower	Dahila	Heather
Lilac	Dahlia	Fuchsia	Holly
Lily of the Valley	Daisy	Hydrangea	Ivy
Mimosa	Delphinium	Lavender	Lisianthus
Muscari	Garden Rose	Marigold	Mimosa
Peony	Gerbera Daisy	Parrot Tulip	Narcissus
Poppy	Hydrangea	Snowberry	Paperwhite
Sweet Pea	Larkspur	Statice	Poinsettia
Tulip	Lavender	Sunflower	Ranunculus
Viburnum	Marigold	Sweet William	Viburnum
Violet	Sunflower	Zinnia	Violets, Winterberry

Year Round Flowers
Anemone	Bachelor’s Button	Carnation	Iris
Asiatic Lilies	Bells of Ireland	Gardenia	Orchid
Baby’s Breath	Calla Lily	Hypericum Berry	Rose

Bridal Party Gifts

Find at: personalizationmall.com

Find at: favorstudio.com

Gifts for your wedding party are a nice way to say “thank you” for all of the work they have done throughout your planning process. It also gives them a small trinket to remember from your special day. Wedding party gifts are most commonly exchanged at the rehearsal dinner.
Feeling stumped on gift ideas? Here are a few ideas that might stem a personalized gift.
Bridesmaids

• Engraved silver picture frames holding a photo of the bride and attendant
• Jewelry
• Monogrammed makeup bag and goodies
• Monogrammed robe
• Personalized stationery
• Spa day for all of the attendants followed by lunch or dinner
• Wedding day hair and make-up

Groomsmen

Find at: gift.com
• Cigars in an engraved holder
• Cuff links
• Dopp kit
• Monogrammed flask
• Tie for wedding day
• Watch

Ushers and Other Helpers

• Cosmetics pouch
• Gift cards
• Manicure
• Personalized luggage tags
• Special fragrance or scented candle or soaps

Hosts

Find at: aspencountry.com
• Coffee table book geared to their interests
• Spectacular vase
• Subscription to a gourmet fruit service
• Throw for the sofa
• His-and-hers robes
• Personalized stationery

Ring Bearers

• Binoculars
• Comic books
• Lego or building set
• New came for his video-game player
• Small remote-control car



Find at: diecastcars.tv

• Sports memorabilia

Flower Girls

Find at: wearmeoutkids.com
• Doll
• Flower-girl-themed picture book
• Id bracelet
• Set of fairy wings
• Simple jewelry-making kit

Rehearsal Dinner

The purpose of the rehearsal dinner is to kickoff all wedding festivities. Traditionally, the parents of the groom host and coordinate the rehearsal dinner; however, as the guest list rises, other family and friends are able to help offset costs. If the groom’s parents are from out of town, they may appreciate help from the bride’s parents and wedding party to find a location.

Credit: gigmasters.com

Sending out invitations is the best way to control the guest count for the rehearsal dinner. Make sure to include guests that will be flying in from out of town, they have gone the extra mile to make arrangements to attend your wedding, the least you can do is invite them to dinner. If there will be out of town guests attending the rehearsal dinner, send out invitations two to three months prior to the date. If all guests are local, send out invitations a month prior.

The perfect Rehearsal Dinner:

• Choose a unique venue or restaurant that will provide an environment separate from the reception venue.
• Do not repeat the type of food, dessert, or colors that will be represented at the reception.
• If you are unable to show a video at the reception, have a video play at the rehearsal dinner of your love story.
• Offer drinks for toasts. Close family and friends can offer the best toasts, advice, and stories. Typically, the groom’s father begins the toasts.
• Bride and groom thank everyone that helped with the planning process of the wedding and reception. Gifts can be offered to the bridal party at this time.
• End the dinner early to make sure everyone has the opportunity to get beauty rest before the wedding.

Wedding Budgeting- Who Pays for What?

Credit: promobiledj.com

Determining a budget for your wedding is crucial! Without a budget, loose ends will run wild and you will begin accumulating expenses where you found least likely. When you sit down with your fiance to discuss money, have an open mind to the reality of how much a wedding cost and who you are asking to assist you in creating the wedding of your dreams.
As a planner, I have noticed that every family structure is unique and typically customizes their “Who Pays for What”. As a starting point, here is a list of the traditional costs those involved with your wedding.

Ceremony

• Bride and family pay for church or synagogue, sexton, organist, etc.
• Groom and family pay for marriage license and officiant’s fee.

Clothes

• Bride and family pay for bride’s dress, veil, accessories, and trousseau (read: lingerie and honeymoon clothes).
• Groom and family pay for groom’s outfit.
• All attendants pay for their own clothing (including shoes).

Flowers

• Bride and family pay for arrangements for church (including huppah if a Jewish ceremony) and reception, plus bouquets and corsages for bridesmaids and flower girls.
• Groom and family pay for bride’s bouquet and going-away corsage, boutonnieres for men, and corsages for mothers and grandmothers.

Honeymoon

• Groom and family pay for complete honeymoon.

Photography

• Bride and family pay for all wedding photos and video.

Pre-wedding Parties

• Bride or groom’s family plans and hosts engagement party; if there is more than one, bride’s family hosts the first one.
• Groom’s family plans and hosts the rehearsal dinner.
• Bride plans and hosts bridesmaids’ luncheon.
• Groom hosts and plans bachelors’ dinner.
• Maid of honor and bridesmaids host shower.
• Best man and ushers host bachelor party.
• Friends may throw additional engagement parties or showers.

Reception

• Bride and family pay for all professional services, including food, drink, decorations, and music.

Rings

• Bride and/or her family pay for groom’s ring.
• Groom and/or his family pay for both of the bride’s rings.

Stationery

• Bride and family pay for invitations, announcements, and wedding programs.

Transportation

• Bride and family pay for transportation of bridal party to and from ceremony and reception.

Wedding Day Transportation

Credit: Pech Limos

Transportation is a key component for the bride and groom, bridal party, and guests. Typically the bride and groom have transportation to the wedding and reception venue and then also have the vehicle pick them up at the end of the evening to take them to their final destination. If the wedding party is small, they are usually asked to join the bride and groom. If the wedding party is large, they typically arrive separately. Out of town guests desperately depend on reserved transportation or family assistance.

When researching a transportation company, make sure to know the number of guests that will need a ride. After you know this number, you will be able to search through local companies that provide vehicles with your seating needs. Here is a list of standard seating for each of the following means of transportation:

Bus- seats 45-60 guests

Double-decker bus- seats 65
Limo bus,/limo coach/party bus- seats 18-28
Limousine- seats 6
Lincoln town car/luxury sedan- seats 2-4
Passenger shuttle- seats 15-33
Stretch Hummer/Navigator/Escalade- seats 12-14
Stretch limousine- seats 12 to 14
SUV- seats 5 to 7
Trolley- seats 22 to 30
Van- seats 12 to 15

Before signing a contract, schedule a site visit to view the company’s fleet; you will want to be completely satisfied with the upkeep and presentation of the vehicle before signing and placing a deposit. Don’t forget to specify which color you would you like to prevent any day-of surprises.

Kansas City Weather Patterns

Credit: weddingsalon.com

Weather can always be a determining factor of whether to have an outdoor or indoor ceremony and reception. Check out Kansas City weather patterns below to determine if you should reserve that back-up tent. Chart information provided by Weather.com
The following chart illustrates the monthly averages for Kansas City, Missouri:

	Average High	Average Low	Average Percip.
January	38F	21F	1.13
February	44F	26F	1.02
March	56F	36F	2.38
April	67F	46F	3.27
May	76F	57F	4.55
June	86F	67F	4.73
July	90F	72F	3.61
August	89F	70F	3.62
September	80F	61F	4.17
October	69F	49F	3.28
November	53F	36F	2.30
December	42F	25F	1.45

Sending Thank You Notes

Writing thank you notes is the largest task for the bride and groom to complete throughout the engagement and wedding process. Start keeping track of gifts early to prevent confusion on who gifted what. Also remember to write thank you notes to people that helped host showers, parties, and organize details. To prevent getting overwhelmed with the number of cards you need to write, set aside time each week to complete a handful.

Thank you Deadlines:

Engagement Gifts                     3 Weeks
Bridal Shower                            3 Weeks
Wedding Gifts                       3 Months from the arrival of the gift

After all gifts have been received, and you begin writing your thank you notes, the message can start sounding repetitive. Use the following outline to properly show appreciation.

1. Thank the person for the gift.
2. Describe how you will use the gift.
3. State how lovely it was to see them at the wedding festivities if they were able to attend. If they were present make a compliment on their attire or dancing ability. If they were unable to attend, express how sorry you were that they weren’t able to be there.
4. Reference a future visit or get-together.

Thank you Etiquette:

• If you will be sending thank you cards out prior to the wedding, your new name should not be used. Wait until after the wedding to formally sign your new last name.

• Always hand write the thank you notes and envelopes. That person took time out of their life to get you a gift, take a little time out of your to show appreciation for their gesture.

• Do not complete your thank you notes while on your honeymoon, your guests will willingly wait a few more weeks.

Wedding Websites

Wedding websites have become increasingly popular within the past few years. Since most guests have access to the web, wedding details can easily be discussed through updates and on blogs. Knowing which host and template that will work best is difficult, so I have broke down the four main types of wedding websites along with their advantages and general pricing.

Information to Include on Your Website:

• Your love story, proposal story, the story about how you met
• A few photos of the happy couple
• Links to your registries
• Registration for an e-mail when information is updated
• Weather patterns for wedding and reception city
• Detailed itinerary
• Travel information- guest accommodations, flight, and transportation details
• RSVP list, providing guests can RSVP for events online
• Directions to your ceremony and reception venue(s)
• A guest book for visitors to sign

A Few Free Wedding Websites:
www.ewedding.com
www.mywedding.com
www.onewed.com

Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Types of Websites

Type of Site	Advantages	Disadvantages
Free Site	Price Easy to Use- even for the technology challenged!	Awkward Domain Name Less Space for Photos Ads Displayed
Paid Site	Professional Design Get More Photo Space Better Domain Name	Medium Price
Website Designer	Fully Expresses Your Wedding Style	High Price Additional Charge for Updates
Do-It-Yourself	Ability to Design the Site per Your Specific Preferences	You might not have all of the knowledge needed to build a site Time for Design and Upkeep

What to Include with Your Invitations

When mailing your invitations, you may need to provide guests with more than just a reply card. You don’t want your guests to feel as they have just received a mass mailing, so evaluate how important each piece of information is to their plans. Minor details can be provided through a different mean of communication, such as the wedding website.

Credit: psbrooklyn.com

Optional Invitation Enclosures

Map & Directions: Out-of-Town guests appreciate directions to the ceremony and reception. It helps them make arrangements for hotels and transportation. The Cotillion can provide you with a high resolution map for your invitations.


Accommodation Cards: Out-of-town guests would enjoy staying at a hotel where other members of the family will be staying as well. This will help coordinate transportation and convenience. Blocking off rooms and providing reservation contact information and a special rate greatly help. The Cotillion has preferred rates at venues throughout the Kansas City area.


Transportation Cards: Makes guests aware if you are providing transportation for them on the day of the wedding.


Pew Cards: Lets relatives and close friends know that they will have a reserved pew at the ceremony. Selected guests will provide this card to the usher to be seated in the reserved section.


Website Address: Creating a wedding website is a cost effective way to inform guests about wedding festivity details.


Ceremony Cards: Informs guests if they are invited to the ceremony in addition to the reception. This card is used for small ceremonies with a large reception.


At Home Address: Provides guests of the new address of the couple.


Bridal Shower, Parties, & Rehearsal Dinner: Separate invitation should be mailed.

Invitation Wording

Looking for the right words to put on your invitations… fear not! I have put together a fool proof guide to generate the perfect wording for your wedding invitations. The invitation is the first formal approach to set the mood for the wedding and reception. For example, black and white formal written invitations gives guests the impression that the event is going to be very classy, whereas invitations with artistic design and bright colors give guests the impression that the event is going to be more informal.

Formal Invitation Wording

1^st Line: tells who is extending the invitation

2^nd Line: tells the guests what they are being invited to

3^rd Line: the brides name goes first

4^th Line: “to” for traditional Christian wedding

5^th Line: grooms name

6^th Line: Date and time

7^th Line: Address

8^th Line: Attire (Black Tie)

Bride’s parents are hosting the wedding:

Mr. and Mrs. Danny Robert Beach

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their daughter

Christina Lynn Beach

to

Christopher Eric Hopkins

Bride’s parents are hosting but you want to recognize the groom’s parents too:

Mr. and Mrs. Danny Robert Beach

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their daughter

Christina Lynn Beach

to

Christopher Eric Hopkins

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Hopkins

If the groom’s parents are hosting the wedding:

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Ross Hopkins

Request the honor of your presence

At the marriage of their son

Christopher Eric Hopkins

To

Christina Lynn Beach

If the couple is hosting the wedding:

Christina Lynn Beach and Christopher Eric Hopkins

request the pleasure of your company

at their marriage

on Saturday, the sixteenth of October

two thousand and ten.

If the couple is hosting but wants to include their parents:

Together with their families

Christina Lynn Beach and Christopher Eric Hopkins

request the pleasure of your company

at their marriage.

If parents are divorced and not remarried or are hosting without their spouses:

Mrs. Martha Beach / Mr. Danny Beach

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their daughter.

If parents are divorced and remarried:

Mrs. Martha Travis and Mr. Damon Travis

and

Mr. Danny Beach

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their daughter.

Reception Only Wording

Just Married!

Please celebrate our marriage

Cocktails, Dinner, and Dancing

Saturday, the fifteenth of October

At six o’clock in the evening

The Cotillion

1717 Burdett Crossing

Blue Springs, MO 64015

Incorporating A Theme

This past weekend, I hosted a carnival themed wedding at The Cotillion. The bride had hired a wedding planner to help her execute the event, but did most of the decorations herself. This reception was, by far, a guest favorite; overflowing with games, prizes, candy bar, and photo booth!
This reception was a great representation of two large obstacles every bride encounters while planning her wedding: designing a theme and knowing when to ask for help.

Selecting a theme for your wedding can be helpful when designing invitations, centerpieces, and decor. A few examples of a wedding theme are: Beach, Carnival (seen below), and Starry Night. Choosing colors or a color combination (pink, blank, and white) is not a theme in itself, but is rather just a portion of an overall vision. One of the most common mistakes that I see brides make after selecting a theme is failing to incorporate the look throughout the entire wedding. The colors, decor, and look of the selected theme should remain in contact through invitations, programs, ceremony, transportation, reception, food, beverages, thank you cards, etc.

This brings me to the second obstacle that brides encounter: knowing when to ask for help. A wedding is hard work, and no one is expecting you to pull it off on your own. This weekends’ bride did all of the hard work (creating the decor) and then hired a planner for Day-Of Coordination. If you are a creative person and want to DIY, the least you can do is hire a coordinator for the wedding day to ensure that the event flows seamlessly. If you are not a creative person, a planner can help you incorporate your theme throughout each aspect of the day. Remember: Frazzled is not Fabulous! Most planners in the Kansas City area customize their client’s package to reflect their specific needs.

Save-the-Dates

Credit: makemerryevents.com

Save-the-Date cards are a helpful way to announce your wedding date and location to guests. You want to allow guests to have plenty of time to ask off work and make travel arrangements for your big day. Save-the-Dates are informal and typically feature an engagement photo. They also can have a style of their own that is separate than you wedding colors or theme. There are many printers, both online and in the Kansas City area, that can design and print your Save-the-Dates, or you can elect to make them yourself and add your own personal touches.

When to send:
The best time to send Save-the-Date cards is six months prior to the wedding.

Do not send out Save-the-Date cards any later than four months prior to the wedding.

Credit: carlhouse.com

 Information to Include:

• Name of the Couple
• Date of Wedding
• General Location
• Note if it is a Morning, Afternoon, or Evening Event
• Wedding Website URL (may not be applicable)

Fun Idea for Your Photo Booth

Credit: cirquedusweet.com

Smitten Sticks are the perfect accessory for your photo booth. These cute and comical mustaches and sure to generate laughs at the reception and years to come. Simply allow your guests to pick their favorite stick and let their imagination flourish from there!

Schedule an appointment with your photo booth company prior to the wedding so you and your fiance can take some funny photos of your own. Have the photos displayed at the  reception to encourage guests to step outside their box.

Credit: kellycannonevents.blogspot.com

You can get these cheesy faces from Le Papier Studio for your upcoming wedding.

Inviting an Ex to Your Wedding

 While searching through your stack of wedding planning books, you won’t find a lengthy etiquette section on inviting an ex to your wedding. Sometimes it can be crystal clear that they will not be invited; however, other times it can be a difficult question to answer.

If you invite a former flame, make sure that they are completely in the “ex” category of your love life. Picture your officiant announcing, “…Speak now or forever hold your peace.” – The next image should not be of him/her running down the aisle to object. This is not something to leave to chance, your ex will come to the realization that they are going to lose you for good; if there is even a doubt in your mind that they might stop the wedding, do not send an invite!

When inviting an ex:

• Treat him/her like any other attendee by allowing them to bring a guest
• Seat your ex with people they know and can converse with
• Limit the length of time with your ex to the receiving line and brief conversation
• When introducing your ex to others, refer to them as your “Old Friend”
• Under no circumstance should you dance with your ex

Not that you would act any differently; but be over-cautious and conservative when speaking with an ex on your wedding day. You don’t want to potentially upset your husband on the first day.