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Thursday, November 11, 2010

Bridesmaids Duties

THE BRIDESMAIDS - these are the girls who have given it all up, through good times and bad. The ones who will be the support services for the Bride on her wedding day.

Becoming a fantastic Bridesmaid takes more than a just pretty dress. It takes the term friendship to an all new level with skill and savoir faire.
n order for you to get comfortable in your new role as the Bridesmaid, we have creative ideas for bridal showers and bachelorette parties, as well as tips for giving the Bride the support she deserves.
Being a Bridesmaid is about finding creative ways to celebrate your friendship - I'll drink to that!

Are you ready to accept the responsibilities of a Bridesmaid?

It is a great honor to be asked to be a bridesmaid and one that should not be taken lightly. Before you accept the role of a bridesmaid, be honest with yourself, am I able to fulfill these obligations and can I afford it?
Who pays for what is a gray area that should be clarified right from the start, with no surprises, this is the one area that causes the most hard feelings, if you value your friendship, be very clear about the expectations!

the bridesmaidsWhat the Bride will expect from the Bridesmaids;

  • The Bridesmaids are a collection of the most important women in the Brides life. You do not have to like them all, but you do have to get along. Leave all pettiness at home, be gracious - even if it kills you.
  • The Bridesmaids will accompany the bride when she goes shopping for her dress, if the wedding party is large, only the Maid of Honor should accompany the Bride, too many opinions make it difficult for everyone.
  • The Bride and the Bridesmaids will choose the bridesmaids dresses, accessories, shoes and jewelry. This may be a time consuming and expensive shopping trip. Who pays for what will be a big question, each situation is unique. Be sure that everyone is aware of the expectations before committing.
  • Hair and make up expenses are usually paid by the Bridesmaids, if the Bride wants everyone to be made up together, then the Bride should cover part or all of the costs.
  • Help address the invitations.
  • Assist in creating the wedding favors.
  • The Maid of Honor with the Bridesmaids will plan a bridal shower and a bachelorette party.
  • Help to spread the word about where the couple are registered, this is not mentioned in the wedding invitation - ever.
  • Help coordinate the out of town guests, arrange transportation and accommodation, and prepare a welcome basket for the out of towners.
  • Collect the gifts and envelopes at the reception and make sure they are safe.
  • Help direct guests to their seats, making them feel comfortable and generally overseeing the reception.
  • They will need to be trusted friends, and good listeners, carry lots of tissue and do some hand holding.
  • They will make sure you have something to eat, get plenty of rest, and take over where Mom left off.

What the Bridesmaids should expect from the Bride;

  • The Bridesmaids will need to be kept up-to-date on all the wedding day plans.
  • A checklist of what will be required of them is a good idea, and a great way to clarify every ones expectations.
  • Kindness - not only will this be trying on every ones patience, but it will be hard on the pocket book too. Be nice and try to be accommodating!

http://www.a-bridesmaid.com/bridesmaids.html

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Personalised Flip Flops

You don't have to be a beach bride to love these!  Guests will love slipping into these after a night of dancing.  Personalise these flip flops with your names and wedding date.


Now available from http://www.sparklingbride.co.za/

R70 each - please note there is a minimum order of 50 pairs and a lead time of up to 4 months.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Wedding Planner Timeline

This handy wedding planner timeline will help you to schedule all the details of your wedding accordingly, helping to reduce some of that wedding related stress.

Wedding Planner Timeline: Two Years to Twelve Months before the Wedding



  • Set a Date
  • Determine and go over your budget with all involved
  • Shop for and choose reception location
  • Shop for and choose wedding ceremony location
  • Determine the need for a wedding planning professional

Wedding Planner Timeline: Twelve Months to Nine Months before the Wedding


  • Select wedding attendants
  • Select wedding officiant
  • Determine wedding colors and themes
  • Shop for and choose wedding dress and accessories
  • Shop for and choose bridal party dresses and accessories
  • Determine guest list
  • Choose professionals such as photographer, videographer, disc jockey, caterer, musicians and florist

Wedding Planner Timeline: Six to Nine Months before the Wedding


  • Select flowers for wedding bouquets, centerpieces, altar displays, corsages and other areas in which flowers will be necessary
  • Reserve wedding day transportation
  • Make honeymoon travel accommodations
  • Reserve accommodations for out of town wedding guests
  • Register for wedding gifts

Wedding Planner Timeline: Four to Six Months before the Wedding

  • Select tuxedos for groom, groomsmen and fathers of the bride and groom
  • Select wedding cake if not already included in catering or reception package
  • Purchase wedding rings
  • Choose and order invitations
  • Choose and order all printed materials such as favor ribbons and napkins
  • Advise places of employment of impending nuptials and schedule vacation time accordingly

Wedding Planner Timeline: Two to Four Months before the Wedding



  • Select reception accessories such as wedding favors, toasting flutes, garter, guest books and other items
  • Write out and mail invitations (two months in advance)
  • Purchase wedding attendant gifts

Have a good plan to say I Do!
  • Write wedding vows or meet with officiant to go over ceremony
  • Make bar or beverage arrangements for reception

One Month before the Wedding


  • Final fittings for all wedding attire
  • Confirm all reservations
  • Make appointments for massage, hair, makeup, and manicure
  • Obtain all legal documents and apply for marriage license

One Week before the Wedding


  • Confirm head count with catering hall
  • Begin packing for wedding day and honeymoon

Night before the Wedding


  • Rehearsal dinner
  • Give out wedding attendant gifts
  • Lay out wedding attire in preparation for the next day
  • Retire early, you’ll need a good night’s sleep!
http://weddings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Wedding_Planner_Timeline

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Gorgeous Wedding Favours

Here's a teeny, tiny taster of the most gorgeous wedding gifts, bombonierre and wedding favours in South Africa - please visit our website for more gorgeousness than you can imagine:

http://www.sparklingbride.co.za/
















MC Duties

The Wedding MC’s Duties
It’s a huge honor to be asked to be the Wedding MC.
As Wedding MC you’ll have a number of responsibilities.
Here is a small sampling of the duties you’ll be required to perform at the wedding reception.
You’ll...
1. Welcome the wedding guests to the reception
2. Introduce yourself to the wedding guests as the Master of Ceremonies
3. Introduce the bride and groom’s parents
4. Introduce the bridal party
5. Announce (with much fanfare) the entrance of the bride and groom
6. Ask the wedding guests to stand for grace and introduce the person saying grace prior to the meal
being served
7. Introduce those making speeches and toasts
8. Read congratulatory messages from those who were unable to attend the wedding. This can also include some humorous “fictitious” telegrams
9. Announce the cake cutting ceremony
10. Announce the throwing of the bouquet and garter
11. Announce when the dancing or entertainment will begin
12. Invite the bride and groom to dance first
13. Announce the bride and groom’s departure
14. Formally end the wedding reception and thank the guests for attending
The Wedding MC might also be required to make a wedding speech or toast to the bride and groom.
As Wedding MC you’ll wear many hats - you’ll be an advisor, co-ordinator, speaker, and entertainer.
Each of these duties will require thorough preparation to ensure the reception runs smoothly and the bride and groom are left with a wonderful memory for years to come.

Free Customisable Wedding Goodies

This is just too good not to share, I stumbled across this gorgeous site and they have the most amazing templates to share for free!
Choose from invitations, monograms, save the dates, table numbers, candy wrappers, placecards, templates, wedding timeline, menu's and more:

http://www.weddingchicks.com/freebies/custom-goodies/

http://www.weddingchicks.com/category/wedding-chicks/diy-templates/do-it-yourself-projects/

http://www.weddingchicks.com/category/wedding-chicks/diy-templates/templates/

More Mood Boards

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From Kate Aspen