Wedding Toast Activities

 

Giving a toast is a responsibility that puts fear in the speaking hearts of most members of a wedding party. While it's not usually something that is particularly long or involved, it's public speaking (which doesn't sit well with many people) and really puts people on the spot.

If you are planning a wedding and know that most members of this wedding party are hams who won't mind the whole "public speaking" thing, then by all means keep the toasts traditional with dad, the best man and others taking their expected turns at the microphone.

But if you're looking for something different, either because you want to save putting people on the spot, or you simply want to do something different and fun, read on.

First, you can certainly take the whole toast thing off the agenda if you wish. There are no rules requiring a toast at any wedding. Weddings should be unique events and reflect the personalities of the bride and groom.

But if you want to do something a little different, there are options. You can go the video route, which asks people to essentially make a toast on camera and then the video is given to the bride and groom later. This isn't a particularly unique idea, but it does solve the issue of not wanting to put people on the spot and still gives everyone a chance to say something special to the bride and groom.

If your guest list includes many outgoing people then consider "pass the microphone". This can work in several ways. You can either be silly with it, or deadly serious. Most people like silly. Say dad takes the microphone first. His last name ends with T (so, let's say dad's last name is Smith). He must find someone whose first name begins with a T (Tom? Tony? Tina? Theresa?) and pass the microphone to that person, who then gives a toast.

This method of giving toasts does put people on the spot (certainly before the fun begins you can warn them so if they are really uncomfortable, they can escape to the restroom or bar) but it can also be a lot of fun. Getting people when they least expect it and then asking them to remember something funny or meaningful about the bride and groom can result in interesting, funny and truthful results.

You might also decide that one person at each table be required to give a toast. Number the tables and at various intervals, have the MC or DJ call a number, which will require guests at that table to decide amongst themselves who will give the toast at that table. Certainly, more than one person can if they like, but there will likely be at least one ham at each table who will enjoy standing up and toasting the newlyweds.

Say you have plenty of public speakers in the group, and finding willing toast participants won't be a problem. But you think the subject matter might be. There's an easy solution to this problem. You can provide open-ended topics for the toast speakers. Say you are providing an "open mike" toast arrangement, where anyone can request the microphone and offer a toast. The DJ, MC or someone else in the wedding party (perhaps the maid of honor or best man) can offer the speaker a surprise topic, which might be pulled from a champagne flute or drawn out of the floral arrangement on the head table. There might be slips of paper to choose, or just one sheet of paper with several ideas.

The speaker might choose to finish this sentence, "I remember when (groom's name here) was a little boy, he always ..." or answer this question, "When was (insert bride's name here) at her silliest? Tell us the story". You might have to give each speaker a minute or two to collect their thoughts, but you're sure to have some interesting stories, some unique anecdotes and some different perspectives on the bride and groom.

Getting Married? Beauty Preparations You Need to Make

Have you recently been engaged? If you have, have you started planning your wedding yet? If you haven’t, you will want to get started with the planning soon. Even if you have already started planning your wedding, have you made all of your beauty preparations yet? Beauty preparation are an important part of planning a wedding, if not the most important part. For that reason, you will want to start making your beauty arrangements right away.

When it comes to beauty preparations for your wedding, you will find that are a number of different steps that you will need to take. First off all, you may want to decide how you would like your hair and makeup to be done. If you are also interested in having your bridesmaids’ hair be all the same, you may want to think about planning out their hair styles as well. If you find yourself having a difficult time doing so, you may want to think about hiring the services of a beauty consultant or making “testing,” appointments at your local beauty or hair salon. 

Speaking of a beauty or hair salon, if you need to make appointments for you and the rest of your wedding party to get your hair done, you will want to make your appointments in advance. If your wedding is scheduled for “wedding season,” you will want to make your appointments as soon as possible, especially if you have your heart set on getting your hair done at a particular salon. Smaller salons can only handle one wedding party at a time.

In addition to getting your hair done on your wedding day, you may also be interested in getting your nails done or having your makeup professionally applied. If you are interested in getting your makeup professionally applied, you will likely have your makeup done right after your hair is. As for your nails, you may be required to make an appointment in the days leading up to the wedding. If you or your bridesmaids need nail touch ups, they can be done at the last minute.

Although you hope that everything will go well on your wedding day, you will want to prepare for the unexpected. In terms of beauty and fashion, the unexpected may include a tear in your dress or the dress one of your bridesmaids, a stain, or too much sweating. For that reason, you may want to think about having an emergency beauty bag on hand and with you at all times during your wedding, particularly before the ceremony takes place. Many times, the maid of honour will be responsible for coming up with such a bag, but you still may want to make sure that it is done.

As for the items that should go inside an emergency beauty bag, you may want to stock it full of anything that you think you or your bridesmaids may need. Items that you will definitely want to include in an emergency beauty bag include makeup, deodorant, hand lotion, hairspray or hair gel, a brush, a comb, extra bobby pins, a small sewing kit, and emergency stain removing chemicals. Having these types of items and more inside an emergency beauty bag will reduce the number of unexpected events that may end up hampering your wedding day.

The above mentioned beauty preparation tips are just a few of the many that you will want to make. In fact, beauty preparation tips are just a few of the plans and arrangements that you will have to make. For instance, you will need to choose a venue for your wedding reception, a band or a DJ, a wedding cake, and so forth. With all of the preparations and arrangements that need to be made, you may want to think about hiring the services of a professional wedding planner or at least buying a wedding planning guide, which will hopefully include a detailed checklist for you.

Wedding Etiquette: Cash Bar Wedding Parties

Open bar wedding party has been gaining popularity these days because more and more couples have been celebrating an evening wedding. With open bar, guests are free to order any brand of drink to their liking without limit as to how many shots or glasses they should order.

However, some couples with limited budget see cash bar as the best option for them.  As opposed to open bar, guests must pay for every drink that they order in a cash bar wedding party. The newly weds won't be held liable for a guest's non-payment of a drink ordered. Guests should leave a bill for a drink the way a customer does when he ordered a drink in a local bar.

If you, a groom or bride-to-be, are concerned with wedding etiquette, wedding etiquette specialists will tell you not to go for a cash bar. If you would be graded for a wedding etiquette examination, saying yes to a cash bar has a grade of zero

For specialists on wedding etiquette, cash bar is not an option even for couples who are tight on a budget.  Since cash bar violates wedding etiquette, wedding etiquette specialists say that you should expect snide remarks from your guests if you pursue a cash bar wedding party. You might even hear them saying things like, the newly wed do not know wedding etiquette, or if they couldn't afford an open bar, they shouldn't have hosted a cocktail party at all and they should have stayed with a sit down dinner.

Guests who would make such a remark obviously are unaware of wedding etiquette too. But just the same, we cannot silence them for making such remarks.

Some wedding etiquette books even say that if you are thinking of a cash bar night party, make a pass for a night party; it's better not to have a night party at all if it would be a cash bar.

Solution to Cash Bar

There is a solution though to cash bar. According to books on wedding etiquette, you can implement the semi-open bar. With this strategy, you won't worry about violating wedding etiquette through cash bar and you won't need a big budget to throw an open bar wedding party.

Wedding etiquette specialists would recommend you to open bar the first two drinks to your wedding guests and cash bar the ordered drinks thereafter.

Two drinks are considered socially acceptable standards for social drinking. In implementing the semi open, semi cash bar wedding party, you have satisfied the needs of guests expecting you to practice wedding etiquette while at the same time you have satisfied yourself for not spending too much.

Many couples who are not limited on a budget implement the two-drink open bar and cash bar afterwards cocktail or evening wedding party. This is to avoid excessive drinking from wedding guests, and for wedding guests to maintain social composure.

Wedding Gift Ideas

A wedding is a red letter day for anyone. Just being invited to one can really bring about excitement. It is always a pleasure to see someone walk down the aisle with the promise of true love and life long happiness. Picking out wedding gifts can be a lot of fun too. There are thousands of gifts ideas that you can purchase online or on retail stores. Personalized gifts have been a common trend in weddings presents. Customized gifts bring out your creativity because you can dictate the style, design and message you want to be printed on them. Items range from photo frames, mugs and clocks, among others.

In buying gifts, always keep in mind your budget and be sure to get the look you want to achieve on your purchased items. Here are some gift ideas that would surely be a hit:

Photo Frames Keep your memorable pictures in unique photo frames. You can add on sweet messages like 'sweethearts forever" or "perfect couple". Sweet lines from songs or poems are greatly recommended too. You can choose from the different frames available like natural wood, quality plastic, or metal steel. Personal messages are mostly laser engraved or wood cut-outs. The couple would love putting there favorite wedding photos to keep them reminded of the bliss of their special day.

T-shirts - If you are part of the bridal party, then think about ideas for the wedding clothing for before the wedding whilst getting ready.   Waffle robes and hoodies are a great idea with mens trunks and socks for the guys.

Mugs are very functional. They make a great gift for the wedding couple.   Mr & Mrs mugs or, customising their mug or wineglass would surely be appreciated. Be sure to choose mugs that exude manly elegance. Black or brown mugs would definitely look nice and  personal messages would be a real stand out.

Looking for wedding gifts can be enjoyable. Personalising your gifts would add a special touch to each present. No matter what the value of the gift is, remember that it is always the pure intention of giving that matters most.

Bridal Accessories Include The Cake Knife

When brides plan their weddings and plan for the cake and the guests and the wedding favours, they sometimes forget the obvious, the cake knife. Although the cake knife is a small part of the wedding reception, it still needs to look elegant. After all, you will be cutting the cake and having pictures taken as you do. You want a cake knife that matches your type of wedding. If you have a themed wedding, you might choose a different cake knife than what a bride who has a fancy gala for her wedding. You have many styles and designs to choose from for a wedding cake knife.

The wedding cake knife usually comes in a set with a server as well. You might choose a plain pearl handle cake knife and server or a cake knife and server with silver, beads and crystals in a bow type ornament on the handle. You can choose the wedding cake knife and server that displays a cross or the set that has an acrylic handle that looks like crystal. There are so many styles to choose from when you are planning your bridal accessories list. You might even find that browsing the Internet will give you some great ideas.

The bride and groom will use the cake knife to join hands and cut the first piece of cake as husband and wife. This event is usually the highlight of the reception and you want a knife and server that is elegant and will fit your wedding. Pictures will be taken during this time and want something that will not take away from your hands or the cake itself. These are the pictures, which everyone seems to forget about when choosing the cake knife and server set.

Bridal accessories are sometimes overlooked until the last minute. In many cases, the cake knife and server are the last minute thing. You can usually find great deals on cake cutting sets at a local retailer or a bridal shop. If you have time to wait for shipping, you can find beautifully designed sets online for affordable prices. Some brides like the idea of something beautiful and something old, therefore, many use cake knifes and servers passed down through the family. This is also a nice idea for a family tradition. The idea of the server is for serving the cake.

The proper way to serve a piece of wedding cake is with the cake server. Many people think that the knife is sufficient, but proper etiquette is to serve the slice of cake with a cake server. You will also use the server to give other a small piece of cake for the traditional cake feeding to each other. These pictures are sometimes very funny or very serious depending on the couple and the type of wedding. After you decide the type of cake, you might want to take care of the cake set so it is completed well before the wedding day arrives. 

 

Flower Girl Baskets and Ring Cushions - Delightful Accessories That Are Too Cute

Flower girl baskets and ring cushions have been long in the traditions of weddings. Everybody loves watching the procession of the bridal part at the wedding.   The suspense of how the bride will be looking and seeing the rest of the guests dressed expensively is exciting to watch. The guests are all awaiting for the arrival of the couple and start with their wedding wows, but someone might steal the show – ‘the flower girls’. The flower girls holding their flower baskets play an important role in any wedding celebration. The flower girls are a great way to incorporate the young generation into the wedding party.

It Is An Etiquette

Having a flower girl and a ring bearer is all about calling tradition etiquette. Whom you are choosing for these roles is up to you and how you are dressing them up with all required accessories is to be decided. However, kids aging six and under are suggested for these pretty roles.

You can make your ring bearer and flower girl look the prettiest and feel special by helping them with something exclusive to hold than just routine. So, how would you start?

Flower Girl Baskets

Your pretty little flower girl will not just be stealing the show, but she’ll certainly be something in your wedding that your guests will remember for days. To avoid making her look overload you need to see:

• That the baskets are girly and whimsical, so that your flower girl feels like a princess.
• Give her the basket that is appropriate to her size and matching to her dress as well.
• Make sure to practice with your flower girl before the wedding

Ring Cushions

Traditionally, the ring bearers carry satin white cushion with the wedding rings placed on the top. The cushion has threads on it, wherein the wedding rings are tied to avoid slipping. Now with the changing of time and trend, these cushions have changed their appearance and available in most fashionable design and style. Most importantly to make sure that the cushion you choose is not too big. There are lots of designs, patterns and shapes to choose from. Also, know that it is matching as per the wedding theme. You can also have some antique cushion that serves the purpose or order it online.

Depending on the wedding theme, everything has to be in sync right from the décor to the table decoration to the wedding dress and finally the flower girl baskets and ring cushions. If you are hiring a wedding planner, let him/her know about your ideas and that way you can have your kind of imagination turning into reality.

Bridal Headwear – That Makes You Stand Out In The Crowd

Close your eyes and imagine yourself as a bride. However, every girl will be seeing herself dressed

up in some rich elegant dress, or will imagine having and holding an exotic bouquet, but there are too few who imagine about using hair accessories like tiaras, hair slides, hair pins/clips, hair combs etc.

They are ultimate bridal headwear accessories that enhances your entire look on your wedding day. Even if you are wearing your casual clothing and if you put any of these hair accessories in, you will look different, rich and elegant so obviously it would be more than this when it is your wedding.

Today’s bride has marvellous options when it comes to bridal headwear.  Just like a lovely wedding wow, your bridal headwear adds the last touch. It is your bridal headwear that reflects your personal taste and styling.

Not Knowing What To Do

Mistakes can be avoided with some careful planning. In today’s date, bridal headwear runs the scope from glittering jewelled tiara to the traditional hair combs. While trying different headpieces, make sure to have your wedding dress together. Also, it is important to know what kind of hairdo you are planning to do. The headwear you are choosing should gel with the entire thing and not just the wedding dress.

Not Comfortable With Glitters

There are many would be brides that would prefer having simple bridal headwear than the trendiest one. Well, nothing wrong in that. Also, if you are not comfortable wearing all those glittery in your hair you can try having a designed veil that sits on the bridal mane with no flowers, no poufs and no beads just an exquisite veil that covers the face.

 

Jewelled Headwear

Want to have more sparkles? Today, you will find lots of designers working on shiny metals, rhinestones and crystals. Sparkling headwear is in fact the most recent trends for today’s bride. So, if you’re wedding dress allows you to sparkle, why not wear one of those exquisite headwear pieces to have in your hair to enchant the occasion.

Headpieces

Tiaras are the most common and popular headwear when it comes to a wedding. Tiaras still rule and seem to be the hottest trend when it comes to bridal headwear.  They are simply elegant, tastefully beaded and delightfully light weighted. Majority of the bridal headwear designers agree that tiaras are going to stay for years.

Every girl has a different vision of how beautiful they are going to look at their wedding. There is no such rule or compulsion to follow when it comes to a wedding. Therefore, choose the kind of bridal headwear you like, as you are going to be the princess on your special day.  Get a crown that your heart desires.