• Colour Scheme, Mood/Theme, Location/Setting


• Available Space, Time of Year, Family Traditions


• Number of Guests, Time of Day Budget

Consider decorations for these areas:

• Head Table, Backdrops, Gift/Cake Tables


• Food/Cake, Wall/Doors, Table Centerpieces, Banisters, Table Sitting Plan, DJ Table


• Bathrooms, Ceiling, Church Entry, Signing Area, Chair Covers, Entrance Ways, Picture Area, Aisles/Pews, Gift Area

Plan to buy:

• Guest Book/Pen, Garters, Favours
• Wedding Toasting Glasses, Gifts for your Attendants, Vehicle Decorations
• Unity Candle, Cake Cutting Set, Flower Girl Basket
• Ring Bearer Pillow

Remember that locations that are already very festive or decorative (like beautiful chandeliers) may require less or even no decorating at all. To save money, have friends or relatives transport your ceremony decorations such as flowers, pew bows or candelabras to your reception site. Ask your decorator which items can be transported safely.

With a little imagination, you’ll be amazed at how easy and affordable it is to create a unique day that you and your guests will remember for a lifetime.

Aisles, Pews & Chairs

• Swag the tulle to each or every other pew/chair starting at the front and working down the aisles (both sides) to the back of the church or last row of chairs. At each pew, gather the tulle and tie it with a small rubber band. Add flowers & ribbon as desired.
• Use an aisle runner in a white or ivory colour. Even a light taupe color works well as it goes with all colours.
• Have your flower girls sprinkle rose petals down the aisle as she walks.
• Instead of pew bows, place beautiful potted plants on the floor at the end of each pew or aisle chair. Make sure there is ample aisle space for the bride and her escort if selecting this option.
• Use our aisle runner stands to create an entrance for an outdoor wedding. These are decorated with tulle and flowers. Aisle runners are placed behind the last row of chairs.
• Candelabras can also make a statement up the aisle of the church. Remember that you need ample room to walk up the aisle so some churches might not have enough room.

Cake Table

• Instead of buying a large wedding cake, have small individual cakes (feed 8 to 10 people) made for each guest table and the head table. Place them on cake stands and decorate around them with candles and ivy. They not only become your table centerpieces, they are also dessert. What a great way to save money.
• Your cake table is usually placed beside your head table, or in view of your head table. Always decorate your cake table in the same theme as your head table. It is important to make everything flow together.
• Some brides like to give their cake table that little extra style, by adding a backdrop, candelabras, lights and centerpieces to this area. Use a lighted arch to frame your cake to make it a focal point at your wedding. This will also draw your guests to actually come up a view your cake.

DJ Table

• Most halls will at least put linen on this table and skirt it as well. You can keep it simple and save costs. Even adding a little bit of greenery in front or beside this area will give it a little more warmth.
• Some brides want this area decorated as well. So again use a backdrop and decorate the table with lights and garland or flowers. Make it match the other table and room décor. Once the dancing starts, this area will become the focal point, so go ahead and add some life to this area with lights, etc.
• If your budget is a concern, then just add lights and garland to the table so it will be romantic and will match with your room décor.

Entrance Areas

• Place the guest book, signing pen and beautiful fresh flowers, candle arrangement on a small table. You can also incorporate the same table centerpiece you are using for your guest tables as well.
• Creating a backdrop behind your signing table is also very welcoming to your guests. Most brides forget about decorating this area, but it is an easy area to add a little drama and ambiance.
• Also think about using your flowers from the wedding party for the signing table. One placed on this table can add some colour and saves money at the same time.
• Arches framing doorways are also a nice way to make a statement. Most of our arches also come with greenery and lights, so they create a romantic area later in the evening when the lights go down.
• Put a large framed engagement picture or other picture of the two of you on an easel. Guests can sign the matting instead of a guest book.
• Are you getting married at Christmas time? Instead of a guest book, ask your guest to sign a Christmas Tree skirt that you can keep and use year after year.
• Rent torches to place at the entrance. This idea is best for outdoor weddings held in the evening and adds wonderful drama.
• Decorate tree branches with small white lights, especially if you are hosting an evening reception.
• If you have steps leading up to the site, place inexpensive pots of flowers to the sides of each (or every other) step.
• If you are using a theme, find a large item that fits with your theme to place at the entrance. This gives your guests an idea of what is ahead.
• Have your immediate family (who are not in the wedding party) stand at the entrance and welcome each guest as they arrive.
• Place potted trees (real or silk) on either side of the entrance. Decorate each one with small white lights.
• Arches framing your entrance doorways create a welcoming effect. If the arches are decorated with floral, greenery and lights it is even better.
• Decorate any banisters, railings or columns with ivy garlands, swags of flowers, tulle and/or white lights.

Gift Table (Gift Area)

• Your gifts will probably add plenty of color to this table. Stack them up to add extra height.
• Use our decorated heart or trunk for collecting cards, or our mailbox, or birdcages.
• Place large flowering plants or potted ferns in front or beside the gift table.
• Let us install lighting under the skirting to create a romantic effect.
• The gift table does not have to be a table at all. For a more formal affair, use a large upholstered chair or lounger and create a "Gift Area". Or use one of our benches, with greenery and lights. Place gifts on and around the chair and add colorful potted plants. This makes the gift area a decoration statement all it’s own!

Guest Tables

• Guest Tables should be decorated to keep with your theme or style that you have planned.
• Keep is simple or go for the gusto is really up to you and your budget.
• Centerpieces come in all sizes and shapes. You can add floral, ivy and candles to the centerpieces of your guest tables. Tip – all candles must be enclosed in a glass container.
• For a round table you must use a centerpiece that is big enough, as you don’t want the centerpiece to get lost on the table.
• Centerpieces are where you add colour and life to a guest table. It can include a personal touch like individual photos of the bride and groom, to handmade centerpieces that will be given to some of your guests later in the evening. Tip – if you are renting your centerpieces remember to announce to your guests not to take them.
• Add colour with overlays and napkins as well as a beautiful centerpiece. As for ideas from your decorator.
• Renting your centerpiece is usually cheaper than buying all the pieces yourself and assembling. Many brides think they have to purchase all their own centerpieces, but there are many options for rental and it can save you money, time and a few headaches.
• Place an individual packages of Alka Selser at each place setting. If you have a party crowd, help them out – plus it’s a good conversation starter. Be creative (tasteful) and have fun if adding a personal item to your tables.

Head Table

The main focal point of the room is the head table. When your guests arrive to the reception you want to create a "Wow" effect for your guests. A carefully chosen backdrop and appropriate décor on the head table with lots of lights create such a romantic setting. This area should be something that you enjoy as well.
Always consider what is behind you as you sit at this table. Remember pictures (many of them) will be taken while the bride and groom are sitting at this table. So backdrops should be centered and your decorator should always have this in mind when they suggest backdrop set-ups.
This area is your personal space and there are so many ideas that you need to see pictures and discuss it with your decorator.

Other Ideas

• Make colourful wedding programs explaining what will take place during your wedding ceremony. Present them to guests as they arrive. You may also include things like words of thanks, bridal party participants, love poem, a story of how the two of you met, and pictures, etc. A map to the reception site may also be included to aid the out of town guests.
• Write your own vows. If traditional vows or slightly altered vows don’t say enough, perhaps you and your groom should consider writing a few words of your own which either of you may repeat to each other or ask the minister or official to say.
• Keep your wedding party, family and friends informed of wedding news. Create a web site which they can visit to catch up on any changes, schedule announcements, meal menu, maps and directions and even let them send in their replies via email. Have your wedding party set up on a distribution list and send them regular updates, meetings, or even fun stuff so they keep on track with what is going on. It also helps keep everyone involved and makes them feel they are an important part of your day.
• On the wedding day ask your guests to complete a small personal note for you. Supply note cards and pens at each guest table. Ask each guest to write something noteworthy either about the bride or groom, or request the guest give their advice for a long-lasting, successful marriage. Ask guests to drop them in a basket that is on the sign-in table. Paste your notes into your wedding album later for some sage advice to turn to later.
• On the wedding day, don’t forget to continue the color and theme of the event into the restrooms, if possible. Colourful linens, soaps and floral arrangements will help create consistency. Add a bowl of mints in the ladies room and flavoured toothpicks to the men’s room. You can also provide emergency baskets (nicely decorated) in both the restrooms as well. Include spare pantyhose(ladies only), small packages of Tylenol, bandages, breath mints, gum or whatever you think your guest might need.
• If children are attending your wedding and reception, create a kid’s corner with games and activities to keep them busy while parents relax. Or if a child’s area isn’t easily created, choose a small gift bag of treats, small toys, puzzles, colouring book and crayons and games to keep them busy while seated at the reception.
• At the reception create an ongoing slideshow or video that can be played back to back in a corner of the reception hall or in the corner of a walled tent. The video or slideshow should include photos from the bride and groom’s childhood and clips from their college life, dating life and snippets of adventures with friends and family. Also, nice to include are events leading up the big day, such as parties, fittings, trying on wedding dresses, and anything else you would like to share.

Picture Area

Create a "Picture Area" where all your guests can go during the evening to have their pictures taken. Everyone is already dressed up, so why not get your photographer to take pictures of your guests – it is a nice keepsake for you and you can always send your guest a copy of the picture in their thank you note. It makes a nice personal touch.

Sitting Area

• Create a "Sitting Area" in your hall. Some reception halls are large enough to create an area where your guests can leave their main tables and mingle with other guests. Large couches, or large wing back chairs with a portable fireplace against the wall can create an inviting are for guests to sit, relax and chat.
• Create a "Mingle Area" in your tent or outside your tent. Again this can be done by adding some tall cocktail tables by the bar area, or outside the tent if it is a nice evening. Sometimes people like to stand and talk with other guests. Create an area that invites your guests to mingle and talk.

Receiving Line Area

If your location is large enough you can add a "Receiving Line" area complete with backdrop and other decorations to match your theme. If the area is created in the right manner is can also be used as a sitting area or picture area as explained above. Get two uses out of the area that you create.

Wedding Planning Tips To Get You Organized

A wedding is the biggest event most people will ever plan, or enjoy. Never underestimate how much you will have to spend, and how far ahead of the date you should start planning.

• Your wedding is a show. Your obligation is to put on a show that impresses the women. Forget about the fathers, the brothers, and the uncles and plan your wedding specifically for the women planned to be in attendance. Give the women a good show and your wedding will be a success, guaranteed.
• There is no specific dollar range that ensures success. You can spend thousands of dollars and still have a disaster. On the other hand, you don’t have to worry about every dollar you spend either. These days having both families’ help absorb the cost is acceptable.
• Lack of planning will guarantee failure. Plan ahead and plan every detail and put it neatly into a binder or book by categories such as: decorating, hall, food, cake, dress, etc. You get the picture.
• The more time you have to plan, to more options and choices you will have for everything. Sometimes halls, churches, D.J.’s and photographers are book more than a year in advance.
• When planning your date, consider the following:
  • The weather
  • Whether the most important people have scheduled commitments for that day that they cannot change.
  
  
  • Whether some huge event in your town may interfere with traffic patterns around your wedding location or reception.
  
  
  • Whether a close by holiday may make air travel or transportation problematic for your out of town guests.
• If a number of relatives and friends are having to fly in, check with some local hotels or motels for group rates for your date and let your guests know right away.
• Get specific contracts with your vendors – band, D.J., florist, caterer, bakery, decorator or rental company. Get everything in writing and ask for additional costs that could be charged to you such as traveling, over time, sales tax. Insist on all the details in the contract and be suspicious if your vendor doesn’t work like this.
• When negotiating on a wedding photography package, specify to your photographer that you want to stick to your picture-taking schedule. Also stress to your wedding party and family that they must stick to the picture schedule as your guest and caterer are counting on you to keep to the schedule. Type up the schedule and locations where pictures are going to be taken and who will be in the shots. Work with your photographer to develop your picture schedule and make copies for your wedding party and family who will be in your main shots.
• Try and keep your speeches to a minimum and also the number of people who will get up to speak. Nothing puts your guests to sleep faster after a great meal than long, boring speeches. Keep them light and short.
• Weigh the cuteness factor versus the unpredictability factor when thinking about using children in the ceremony under the age of five. Young children have a small attention span, so choose wisely.
• Make sure the groom has some involvement in the planning process. This is his day too and he needs to feel apart of it.
• Tactfully make sure the mothers understand that this is Your wedding. Where possible give in on some details if it would make you happier to see your mother’s joy rather than just getting your own way. But, if it is something that you absolutely have your mind set on (or against), we encourage you to cry uncontrollably until you get your own way!
• Always, always pack an emergency kit for the bride. This is a must. Please refer to our "Maid of Honor Checklist" which list what should be included in the emergency kit.
• Don’t plan to leave for your honeymoon immediately. Wait a few days, open gifts, sleep in late, and visit with out of town guests. Slow down and rest before you pack and take off for your honeymoon.
• Plan, plan and write it down. Get details; divide the work with others so you enjoy the process. Never assume anything, check and double check to avoid concerns later and plan for all contingencies and possible snags and emergencies. Plan how you will cope and overcome these if they should happen, or should I say when they happen.

Wedding Questionnaire

We have attached a basic wedding questionnaire that you can print off, complete and take with you to your decorator. It will provide some basic information that will assist your decorator in planning your day. This document is in Word Format. (Download now!)

Maid of Honor Checklist

One of the most important tasks that a Maid of Honor must accomplish is to keep organized and have a list of items and tasks that need to be checked of to make sure nothing is forgotten on the wedding day! We have created a checklist below to help get you started. Just add any items that are specific to your event.

• Dress
• Bobby Pins
• Make-up
• Perfume
• Jewelry for the Bride and yourself
• Wedding Dress shoes and a casual pair for after
• Undergarments for the wedding dress
• Needle, thread (white and color of bridesmaid dresses) and scissors
• Contact solution/rewetting drops or glasses
• Breathmints
• Pantyhose/Nylons (at least 2 pair)
• Change of clothing for after
• Phone numbers of all the important vendors
• Watch
• Any prescription medication the bride or groom is taking
• Plane tickets and luggage if the newlyweds are going on their honeymoon straight from the wedding
• Flowers (unless brought by the vendor)
• Extra money (just in case of emergency)
• A friend to stand by for back up in case the car has a flat tire or engine problems
• Your speech
• Card to give the bride
• 2 Garters (1 keep and 1 to toss)
• Grooms Ring
• Tylenol for a headache
• Bandages for small cuts
• All important family cell phone #’s
• Cell phone (ensure it is fully charged)