http://www.weddingpartyhelp.com/Articles en-us http://www.weddingpartyhelp.com/Articles N/A dan@weddingpartyhelp.com Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:16:04 -0300 20 http://www.weddingpartyhelp.com/Articles/articles/134/1/Six-Unique-Wedding-Centerpiece-Ideas.html A lot of planning goes into creating the wedding of your dreams. A large part of your budget and time will be dedicated to your wedding reception. The menu, entertainment, decorations and wedding favors you choose are all important parts of your big day. Wedding centerpieces can play a large part in helping to set the theme and tone of your reception. You want your wedding to be memorable, and the centerpieces you choose can help set your wedding apart from all the others. Wedding guests often times don’t notice or remember the small details of weddings. However, one of the few things that guests often remember are the wedding centerpieces you choose. They will be looking at them for four or five hours during your reception, so why not do something unique and different? Usually when most people think of wedding centerpieces the first thing that comes to mind is flowers. While most wedding centerpieces have at least some flowers in them, choosing a unique wedding centerpiece idea allows you to stand out from the crowd. Here are six unique wedding centerpiece ideas: - Even if you do choose a flower-based centerpiece, you can still add some uniqueness to your reception tables by choosing unique vases or containers to hold the flowers. Ideas include square vases, vases with a design or color and even a unique shape like the Eiffel tower. - Simply adding things to your flower vases can make your centerpieces unique. For example, add color by adding a few drops of dye to match your wedding colors, or add pearls to the bottom of the vases. - Add other things like fruit, stones or candles to your flower wedding centerpieces. Fruit like lemons, limes and oranges are perfect for spring and summer weddings. Candles come in many shapes and sizes, and they can really help to set the mood of your reception. - Use your wedding theme for unique wedding centerpiece ideas. For example, in the fall add pumpkins, leaves or apples to your centerpiece to help finish off a fall-themed wedding. For a beach-themed wedding add items like shells and sand. - Combine your wedding centerpieces with your wedding favors. Have small potted plants in the center which can double as favors. Or, have frames with different photos in each displayed in the center of the table. - Cake wedding centerpieces can also be fun. Have small or mini individual wedding cakes in the center of each table as your centerpiece. Each table can have a uniquely decorated cake for your guests to enjoy. Don't be afraid to use your creativity to come up with your own unique wedding centerpiece idea.For more information visit Wedding Centerpiece Idea. weddingideasguide@yahoo.com (Stephen Badiali) Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0300 http://www.weddingpartyhelp.com/Articles/articles/133/1/The-Wedding-Seating-Chart.html Do I need a Seating Chart?If you have a small, informal reception, you may not feel you need a plan. However for larger numbers, or a sit down meal, both you and your guests may benefit from a seating chart. Guests are saved from a mad panic of trying to find a seat on a table with their friends/family and you can place people where they'll be happiest! The wedding meal may last for 2-3 hours and is a significant part of the day. If your guests are sitting with people they get along with, it will make a big difference to their overall enjoyment of the day.There are a number of options for the seating plan:No plan at all - best for stand up buffets or small and informal events.Assign guests to tables - you allocate guests to tables but the choice of seat is theirs.Assign guests to seats - you specify the seats at which each guest will sit.If you remember only one thing...Do what you think would make you and your guests most comfortable.The Head Table DilemmaWhile the traditional head table (Bride and Groom seated at a long table flanked by the wedding party) is still favored by most, alternatives are often being used. The traditional layout is as follows:There are alternative arrangements such as including parents/godparents or clergy on the table. Or you might want to include partners of the bridal party. Alternatively, you may want to avoid the top table altogether and have a romantic table for two.Top Tips for Other Tables1. Seating tables with just one family group will let them relax, but won't do much to encourage mingling. However, a table where no one knows anyone else might be a bit daunting for most people! Try and arrange a mix on each table so everyone knows a few people. By thinking about guests' ages and interests you can make sure that each table is likely to get on and have fun!2. Where to sit singles can also create a dilemma. On one hand you might want to try out a little matchmaking, but on the other, this could be rather uncomfortable and awkward for your guests (it might be very obvious too!). Certainly avoid a 'singles' table but generally do whatever you feel is best for your guests.3. If you are using round tables, the general etiquette is to seat males and females alternately around the table. If you are using long tables, seat couples opposite one another and then alternate male/females along the table.4. The tables closest to the Bride and Groom should be reserved for the closest friends and family.5. Give each table a name or number. Table names could be themed - for example people, objects or places that are relevant to you as a couple. Names also remove the perceived hierarchy of tables. You should create a name card for each table (your venue may do this for you) so that guests can easily find their table.6. If you are assigning guests to specific seats you should create name place cards. These could also show menu choices (if you are offering them) or indicate vegetarians. The waiting staff will really appreciate this and it will allow them to give a more seamless service. You should also give a paper copy of your plan to the venue so that they can see where people are seated.Creating the ChartStart arranging your seating plan early. You can start doing this before all your RSVPs have come in as most of your close friends and family will probably be definitely attending, even if they haven't formally replied yet.To begin creating your arrangement, get a general idea from your venue how tables will be arranged in the room, determine whether you'll be using round or long tables or a mixture of both, and work out how many people you can sit at each table.Arranging the chart can take a long time and might involve numerous revisions. Many people cut up pieces of paper for each guest and table and use these to try out different layouts. Thankfully, over the last few years software (web-based, for download or even Excel spreadsheets) has become available to make the task simpler. It can save you not only hours of your time but also reduce the stress in the lead up to the big day by simplifying last minute changes.Article written by Adam Leyton of toptableplanner.com adam@leytonweb.com (Adam Leyton) Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0300 http://www.weddingpartyhelp.com/Articles/articles/5/1/Decorations--Wedding-Decor.html Selecting the appropriate décor for a wedding can be a fun project. The bride typically selects the wedding colors, which are the base by which the bridal party's attire and accessories are chosen. In addition, the bridal bouquet often coordinates with the wedding colors whenever possible.Flowers are a large part of the décor for any wedding. They are beautiful, romantic and add a touch of happiness whenever present. Flowers are found in the bouquet, as dinner table accessories, on the wedding cake and everywhere possible. Some ceremonies feature fresh flowers while others are done in silk, which are crafted so beautifully to look exactly like the real thing.Additional wedding décor is found in the selection of dinnerware. An elegant setting is often chosen with classic silverware. Tablecloths and napkins, napkin rings and place cards are among the many other considerations that a bride and groom must choose for their reception.It's customary that the bride and groom cut the wedding cake together before sharing a bite. There are a variety of elegant cutters, which include special custom-made products with the newlywed's names or wedding date engraved. Wine glasses are often used and labeled 'Bride' and 'Groom' for the happy couple, as well.Wedding décor would never be complete without ribbons. They are everywhere from the flowers to the cake and even at the dinner table. Ribbons are used to compliment flowers, to add pizzazz to wedding favors, on church seating and in some hair styles. They add a touch of elegance and take an otherwise simplistic design and give it life.Balloons are an important part of wedding décor, as well. They are used on the dance floor, on the newlywed's car and can be used in a variety of other decorations. Because balloons come in all sizes, shapes and colors, there is never a problem finding the perfect design for any wedding.The selection of décor can be fun, but it takes some work. There will be catalog flipping to endure, shop browsing and a lot of planning. In order to find the perfect décor, a wedding theme must first be chosen. Will the ceremony be traditional or otherwise? Is it formal or more of a casual affair? Will the ceremony be indoors or an outdoor event? The answers to these questions will have a large influence in the decision of the décor. From wedding colors to music, everything must coordinate and come together to form the perfect day. If you are having trouble selecting the décor, a wedding coordinator may be able to discuss several options that you may have never even considered. They are skilled to know which designs and colors work with one another. In addition, they know where to source accessories and decorations. If the task of selecting the theme or décor becomes overwhelming, browse the local yellow pages or do some research on the internet. Find out what is currently popular among weddings and start from there. The most important thing is to choose decorations that reflect both the bride and groom. From that point on, the rest will be a piece of cake  Article by Cynthia - Wedding Party Help This Wedding Article can be reprinted in whole. Copy and paste using the Authors name and link. Centerpieces, Decorations, Life-Size Cutouts, Plant Rentals, Props & Scenery, Signs, Flags & Banners, dan@weddingpartyhelp.com (Cynthia M.) Mon, 06 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0300