The Four Hour Seated Dinner

Whether you have two, three or four hours to party, here’s your rip-out guide for how it should flow…

8:00pm-Guests head from the cocktail hour into the reception and find their seats.

8:15pm-Your emcee begins introducing the wedding party, starting with your parents.

8:20pm-The first dance

8:25pm-A welcome speech or a blessing from your parents. If you’re not having either, begin the toasts now—best man followed by maid of honor.

8:30-Dinner is served. The emcee asks guests to take their seats. Music should be low enough so guests can talk at their tables.

9:00pm-The music volume starts to increase gradually to get people who finished their meals out onto the dance floor.

9:30pm-The father-daughter dance, which is followed by the mother-son dance.

9:35-A dance set begins with more upbeat songs to entice most guests out of their seats.

9:45-A combination of slow songs and more upbeat songs play to keep your guests on the dance floor.

”Play lighter songs that appeal to the older crowd during dinner this way, they won’t care if the dancing is mostly to newer songs”

10:00pm-The cake cutting

10:35pm-Some mid-space songs play as cake is served so guests can dance if they want.

10:45pm-Guests are seated for cake

11:00pm-The bouquet toss, followed by the garter toss, if you’re doing them.

11:10pm-The final dance set. Time to play those songs you felt funny playing while all the elderly guests were still there!

11:55pm- the last dance, followed by your grand exit if you’re making one!

Inspiration Boards

I know, I know,is being a while since the last time...But before this day is over I want to share some of my favorites inspiration boards.

Place Cards

If you’re looking for a unique way to add some personality to your reception table think about adding place cards to them. Place cards tell your guests where they should sit at the table he or she is assigned to.

Since many of your guests are coming in pairs it won’t be too difficult to place them at the table. And if you’re looking to play matchmaker at the single’s table you can ensure that your friend sits next to the guy you always thought she should meet.

Place cards will add money to your stationery budget. Talk to your stationer about using a design that matches your wedding invitation exactly or something less expensive that compliments it. Another way to save money is to combine that place card with another item on the table, such as a menu card or favor.

The Story Keeper

All I can say is wow!

Yes, I couldn’t resist to blog about the talented Jay & Renee from The Story Keeper in CA. These two photographers know how to capture every single detail with their camera, no wonder “The Story Keeper truly moves people with their artistic expression…

Wedding Favors Ideas!

Obviously there are a million ideas out there for wedding favors — from books to photos to plants. But sometimes it’s helpful to see the famous top ten. Here, my friends are some great ideas for favors.

1. Seeds. Give out seeds for a plant or flowers. You can order personalized seed packets or stickers with your names & the date on them so people will remember where they got them from!

2. Tea. At one wedding I went to, they had cute little boxes of tea. They’re really cute, have a sticker with the couples’ names on it, and it’s useful (and tasty!)

3. Boxes of chocolate. A box of chocolate can range from a little box with a single truffle to a little handmade packet with M&Ms in it. Obviously the type of chocolate can depend on your price range — and your taste buds!

4. Donations. I think donating is a great way to give back to your community, so why not do it as a favor for your wedding? You can either print a card for the table that says something like “In lieu of favors, we donated to….” or have the DJ make the announcement. Or just break tradition and don’t say anything, knowing that you did a good thing.

5. Eco-friendly grocery bags. Help the environment AND help your friends get their groceries. You can print your names and the date or put a silly picture on it.

6. Bottles of booze. Ok, I don’t literally mean that you should buy your pals a fifth of vodka, but something like that. Two friends of mine gave out bottles of limoncello… but not just any limoncello! They MADE it themselves, bottled it in adorable bottles, corked ‘em and then put tags on the bottles so that they served as the placecards too. (In other words, each tag said someone’s name and their table number)

7. Candles. How about getting a lovely scented candle? Or perhaps a candle in a candle holder with your name on it? It’s small, useable, and creates ambiance. And it’s different.

8. Mints. You can get little boxes of mints!

9. Coasters. There are a lot of different kinds of coasters out there that you could give out. Nice ones with your names and the date, or a photo coaster, or a class one, or a styrofoam one. You can also buy either plain ones or frame ones yourself and write or place stickers on them to personalize them.

10. Photo / Picture frame. You can give out a photo of you and your significant other in a frame — or just the frame itself! People can put a photo of themselves at your wedding in the frame! You can also give out one per couple if you want to.

What to wear to a Wedding!

You've been invited to a special event and now you're wondering what to wear. Here's where to find out more about what to wear to a wedding, black tie, cocktail and other special event dressing.

Wedding Style for Him

· Informal Daytime: Dress shirt and pants, preferably a sports jacket.

· Informal Evening: Suit

· Semi-Formal Daytime: Suit

· Semi-Formal Evening: Dark suit

· Formal Daytime: Dark suit and tie

· Formal Evening: Tuxedo (if invitation states "black tie") or dark suits if women wear short dresses.

· Ultra-formal Evening or White Tie: White tie, vest and shirt.

Wedding Guest Style for Her

· Informal Daytime: Short dress or suit (business attire OK for morning weddings)

· Informal Evening: Cocktail dress

· Semi-Formal Daytime: Short dress or suit

· Semi-formal Evening: Cocktail dress

· Formal Daytime: Short dress or suit. Hats and gloves optional.

· Formal Evening or Black-Tie: Long or dressy short cocktail (beading, glam accessories, wrap)

· Ultra-formal or White Tie: Long gown, extra glitz (furs, diamonds, etc.)

Never wear white or anything almost all white, because it competes with the bride. Don’t worry about wearing the same colors as the bridesmaids or mothers. You can’t possibly coordinate with everyone in the wedding party.

Never wear jeans or anything too sexy or revealing to a wedding. It’s rude and uncalled for!

Obviously there are exceptions to everything but this is a good idea deciding how to dress for a wedding.

Day of Coordination Savings $$$

Save $200. off on our Day of Coordination...If you book with us by May 31, 2010 we will offer you a Day of Coordination for only $350.00 This is an amazing deal, since that this package starts at $550!

Don’t miss out this great offer!

Please contact us for your complementary consultation at 407-925-1270 or email us back to find out the many ways we can help you with your planning process. Our service packages range from Full Service Planning, Day-of-Coordination or Partial Planning.

Have a great day!