10 Guest Book Ideas! (to be continued)

If you want to make your wedding stand out, leave guests with something worth talking about, and have a great memory to last a lifetime- something great to focus on is your guest book!

1. Polaroid Scrapbook

Make sure the Polaroid camera has plenty of film.
Wedding guest can strike a pose then leave their photo on the guest book!
Maybe leave some pens so they can write a cute message, too.

2. Guest Book Puzzle

You can do this two ways. You can have a blank puzzle that guests sign on top, or another great way is to feature a portrait photo chosen by the bride and groom and have the back side for the wedding guest's personal comments. Put the pieces inside a glass container at the wedding venue, together with a message requesting guest to autograph the incomplete back side.

3. Wedding Caricature Sign-in Board

Bring life to your party celebration. You may wanna try hiring a caricature artist to draw the portrait of the bride and groom and let the wedding guest sign on it as they arrive. Wedding caricatures can be drawn up in full color or black and white.

4. Fingerprint Guest Book

Design your guest book as a work of art. Just let your guest press their thumb to create leaves in which they will place their signature or message for the bride and groom.

5. Typewriter Guest Book

Vintage themed wedding? How about arranging an old-fashioned typewriter together with long pieces of paper for guests to type their good wishes.

6. Wishing Stones 

Coming from an Irish wedding tradition, people have their wedding guests write their best wishes on smooth stones. Put together a wedding guest book table with plenty of pebbles and a glass vase filled up with water. After the guest signed with a permanent marker, they can put the stones inside the vase. This represent and bring back the tradition of throwing stones into a river or pool.

7. Wedding Mad Lib Guest Book

Receive some marvelous and crazy feedback with these creative mad libs-inspired guest book.

8. Chalkboard Message and/or Photo Booth

Cut-out bubble shapes and coat it with chalkboard paint. Place them by your photo booth and let your guest write a short message before having their hilarious pose in front of the camera. Or you can just have people bring in any props to the photo booth and make their memory as they so please!

9. Wine Bottle Guest Book

Let your guests sign a bottle of wine with a glass marker and leave a note for the couple. Then let the wine be stored and kept in your new family home and be opened up during wedding anniversaries. Or you can even do it with an empty bottle and turn into a decoration for your future home.

10. Vinyl Record Guest Book Alternative 

If you are a music junkie, it’s more fun to use the vinyl record as a guest book instead. Use it on a table at the wedding reception with silver or gold marker pens and encourage your guests to have their autographs.

Thank you Notes!

So your big day is over, gifts are unwrapped, you're back from your honeymoon and all the craziness is over. So many people contributed to your beautiful day and you want to thank them. Remember, not all your work is done after the wedding - making sure to thank your guests for all they have done is the very last step! A snail mail thank you note will put a smile on your guests' face. Set aside a few hours to concentrate in a quiet, relaxing space. Don't expect to get them all done in one sitting - pace yourself but don't wait until the last minute! 

Curious as to what is appropriate and what is expected? Here are a few tips:

1.    1-  Yes, this is an extremely busy time in your life, but your wedding guests made your day as wonderful as it was! It is recommended to send a thank you letter to each and every one of your guests within a maximum 3 months after your wedding. And that's a maximum. Much sooner than that - about 2-4 weeks after you're home from your honeymoon- is preferred. 

2.    2-  Handwritten thank yous are a must! Never, ever, ever write a preprinted thank you note. A beautiful penned letter from you and your husband is a priceless, thoughtful touch that will make your guests smile. Make sure you mention the specific gift you received, as to make it personal and thoughtful.

3.     3- Put your current return address on the envelopes. This saves your guests a step in trying to figure out your old or new address. Plus, it may be the first time you and your hubby share a return address :) 

4.    4-  Naturally, different types of gifts will be received at your wedding. For specific gifts, mention the item and when you intend to use it or why you love it. For a monetary gift,  something like this is appropriate: 

Dearest Uncle Phil, John and I want to thank you so much for the check you sent for our wedding.  We have been saving for a down payment on our first home and have added your gift to our special account.   It was so thoughtful of you.   Someday soon, we will be inviting you to our housewarming! Can't wait to see you again. Love, Jenna

5.    5-  Blue or black ink, only! Keep it classy and readable.

Finally, make a list of all the letters you have to write and check them off when they are signed, sealed and delivered. This is a huge accomplishment and great feeling. Plus, you don't want to send two of the same letters!

Happy writing!

xox,

Sierra

Bridesmaid's Gifts

He’s popped the question, now it’s your turn! How are you going to ask and honor those ladies who are closest to you, you ask? Well look no further! Deciding whom you want in your bridal party is a very daunting task. How many is too many? Will Great Aunt Susie’s daughter have her feelings hurt if she is not asked to stand up there beside you?

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Before you let all the what if’s take over, step back and remember one thing. It’s YOUR day. Not your sisters, not your mom’s, not your aunt’s, cousin’s, grandma’s, best friend’s, etc. You, and only you can decide upon those most important ladies. There is no such thing, as too many bridesmaids so it’s perfectly fine if you only want 1 and its perfectly acceptable if you want 10. Whatever will make you happy on your big day!

Another important part about choosing your bridal party will come towards the end of all the hectic planning, when it comes time to purchase bridal party gifts. Traditionally, the bride and groom will buy little gifts, or tokens of their appreciation for those who have stood by them during the whole planning process and who have accepted their offer to stand up there beside them on the most important day of their lives. What kinds of gifts should I get you ask? Well again, look no further!

There are plenty of options and ways to show your appreciation to those you have decided matter most. Anything from simple jewelry, to a weekend getaway has been done. Therefore the sky is the limit! Just remember to keep it within the budget J

After spending some time on Pinterest, I have found some cute ideas that could potentially be of interest. After being a bridesmaid myself, I know that these little tokens of appreciation really do go a long way, and are a fantastic way for the bride to once again thank the girls for everything they have done in the months leading up to the wedding and to let them know how much help they have truly been.

So remember! It does not matter how many you decide you want in your bridal party, its whatever makes you feel comfortable. And when it comes to deciding what gifts to buy those special individuals the sky is the limit (as long as its within the budget!) So take a look at some of the ideas I found and get those creative juices flowing!

xox Lauren

Let's Hear It For The Boys!

Like what Angela pointed out in an earlier posting, the grooms should not be forgotten in the wedding process. It is not purely the bride's day, it is also the groom's! So I was thinking about ideas to somehow incorporate the groom into my newest blog post and I came up with an idea that some brides get stumped on, the groom's gift. 

It is customary for an exchange of gifts between the bride and groom. While it is easier to shop for a bride, seeing how diamonds are a girl's best friend ;) it is not as simple when it comes to the grooms. So I figured it would be helpful to you bride-to-be's for me to give you some ideas!

Here are some ideas!

A Hobby-Related Wedding Gift- A gift to a groom that enjoys a particular hobby. For example, a new set of golf clubs for the golf enthusiast or a fresh set of high quality running shoes for the avid runner are both obvious and thoughtful choices

A Sporting Event or Concert Wedding Present- Most brides out there are engaged to a man who enjoys going to see a sporting event or a concert. Getting the groom tickets from Ticketmaster.com or Stubhub.com.

A Trip for the Travel Enthusiast- For the groom who has everything, a bride should consider planning a trip together as a wedding gift.

A Sentimental Wedding Gift for the Groom- Pocket watches, cuff links and money clips are some good examples of traditional groom's wedding gifts. A great option of a place to help with customizations would be Things Remembered.

Happy Planning!
Emily

Addressing Etiquette

Ever been curious how to address your envelopes for your big day? Ever know how to address a guest that is living with someone but unmarried? Did you even know there was a particular "etiquette" involved in the addressing? Well don't worry, I'm here to save any concerns you may have.
Follow these steps, and you'll be sure to not insult anyone and definitely impress!
(Feel free to use these for any other formal event you may have, too.)

Envelopes: 

Inner Envelope: includes the title and last name of the specific people invited. This allows the host to be very clear about who is invited, and by omission, who is not invited. If both adults and children are invited, list the couple's name and below it, the name of the child (separate lines).

Outer Envelope:
Names: Addressed conventionally using titles, first and last names. Titles and suffixes can be abbreviated (i.e. Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc.)
Addresses: Words such as "Street" or "Boulevard" should be spelled out! State names may be written in full or use the two-letter postal code abbreviation.

RSVP Envelope:
Write out all words here, too. House numbers and zip codes should be written in numeral form except for "one," which is spelled out. The return address is typically printed on the outer envelope's back flap.

Guests:

Married couple: Invitations are allowed addressed to both members of a married couple, even though the bride may know only one or knows that only one will attend.
Informal: You can include the first names of both husband and wife after their titles. The inner envelope can address the couple by their first names.
Different last names: In all cases, the wife's name is traditionally written first. This does not change if they have different last names!

Un-married Couple: Connecting the couple's names by the word "and" implies marriage. For an un-married couple that lives together, names should be written on separate lines without the word "and." On the inner envelope, both are addressed by their titles and respective last names.

Family with children:
Formal: The outer envelope would be the same as a couple without children. The inner envelope can specify the children by name that are invited. Boys under age 13 are addressed as Master and girls under age 18 are addressed as Miss.
Informal: The outer envelope would have both parents names written. The inner envelope can state the parents' and children's first names without titles and using the word "and" is acceptable to link the children's names.

Single Guest: For a single woman, either "Ms." or "Miss" is appropriate. The guest's name is the only one that appears on the outer envelope. The inner envelope can include the guest's name followed by "and Guest." If you know who their guest would be, it's more personal to include that person's name on a separate line.  

Honeymoon Destinations

It seems that recently I have a major case of wanderlust. I find myself daydreaming about all kinds of various exciting places and wanting to be anywhere but here. Therefore I thought it might be the perfect opportunity to discuss the oh so looked forward to trip after months of stressful planning (or not if you higher the right planner like those here at Paisley Events J). Planning a honeymoon getaway is the perfect way to start off your new life as a married couple!

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The first step is deciding what kind of honeymoon is best suited to you and your new spouse’s interests. Are you the type of couple who love adventures and a week of sightseeing and exploring is right up your alley? Or are you two the type who would just want to spend a week laying on the beach, soaking up the rays and drinking piña coladas? Either way, know that there is a fabulous honeymoon destination for you.

Here is a list of some of the most popular destinations just to get your creative juices flowing. However, if none of these places seem like the right fit and you feel like being spontaneous, you can always grab a globe, spin it, close your eyes and pick a random place!

Mexico

With places like Acapulco, Cozumel, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Riviera Maya, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is a great honeymoon destination for couples of all types! Whether you want to relax on the beach with the sand between your toes or enjoy in exploration of Mexico’s vibrant nightlife, there are endless possibilities when you choose to go across the border.

Las Vegas

Maybe you chose to elope in Vegas, maybe you didn’t, but no one said you can’t celebrate your first vacation as a married couple in Sin City. With all the exciting and action-packed events available it definitely makes this location a top destination. Whether you want fun in the sun, world-class spa services, once in a lifetime shows or even a nightlife like no other, Las Vegas has it all!

Canada

If the sun and sand are not your thing, do not fret! The wide array of vacation possibilities available in Canada can guarantee that everyone has the vacation of a lifetime. Whether you want to explore the ski slopes, go horseback riding, whitewater rafting, hiking, or just take in the romantic, idyllic lakes, Canada is definitely an ideal location.

Walt Disney resorts

What better way to begin your new life with your prince charming than at one of the famous Walt Disney resorts. With a variety of packages available to newlyweds, you can be sure that there is something to fit all of your desires. Remember Disney is the most magical place on earth!

Europe

Oh the possibilities! Whether you’ve dreamed about romantic strolls through Paris, sipping wine in Italy, exploring Spanish architecture, having crumpets and tea in London or touring the tulips in Amsterdam, Europe is your place. With so much to see and so much to do, the only problem with deciding on Europe as your ideal honeymoon destination is where to go?

Hawaii/ Caribbean

Beaches galore! This is definitely not a place for those who don’t love the sound of the ocean and the salty kisses. With almost year-round picture perfect weather Hawaii/ the Caribbean is a hard place to pass up. Whether you want to curl up on the beach with that book you know you’ve been dying to read, swim and snorkel with hundreds of exotic fish, or even take a romantic horseback ride along the ocean there are so many ways to enjoy all that is Hawaii as well as the Caribbean.

Just one last thing to remember! The honeymoon is meant to be a fun and exciting way to begin your new journey together, so make sure it is something that you both will enjoy and cherish for the rest of your lives!

xox Lauren 

13 Things Your Wedding Planner Won’t Tell You!

My bride, Evie, sent me this article from the Readers Digest! It is perfect! I felt the need to immediately re-post it! Happy readying!

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13 Things Your Wedding Planner Won’t Tell You

Wedding planners and pros from across the country reveal the messy side of making your wedding day unforgettable. Here's what they wish brides knew.

By Amy Zerello

1. I keep secrets.
At one wedding I planned, the cake went missing after the bride and groom cut it. The bride soon asked where the cake was. Turns out the servers had taken it upon themselves to eat it! We cut the pieces smaller and the bride never knew. Keeping things quiet is the secret behind making the bride think the wedding was flawless.

2. It stresses me out...
when the mother of the groom (it’s always the mother of the groom) steps in at the rehearsal to take over and change the plans. And it’s always the mother of the groom who hasn’t contributed a dime or offered even an hour of her time prior to the wedding who acts in this manner

3. I hate feeling devalued. When a potential client begins to nickel and dime me, I know they do not understand what it is I will be doing for them.

4. Don't forget the tax and service charge. Many couples overlook the “plus plus” when planning a menu. Everything has a tax and service charge, and it really adds up, trust me!



















5. I still cry at weddings. Being part of the family for that short amount of time is truly rewarding. It’s when I’m sent baby photos that I know I had a real impact on a couple.

6. Your parents are paying?
I hope you understand you may not get what you want!

7. I'll go to great lengths to make sure your wedding is perfect.
Your wedding is my job and I’ll do everything I can to make it memorable, including walking miles to a florist in Jamaica to correct the $700 bouquet that arrived to you spray-painted purple.

8. We don't wear headsets and heels.
We know the importance of comfortable shoes. People envision The Wedding Planner and think this job is all about glitz and glamour. We’re not Jennifer Lopez.

9. Just because you planned your own destination wedding...
doesn’t mean you can do my job better than I can. Yes, you may have found lower rates on Orbitz, but you don’t have access to the contract and package perks that I’m able to offer to my brides.

10. You’ve only known each other for 4 months?!
Can I get 100% upfront?















11. I do manual labor and other dreadful tasks.
I cannot even tell you how many times I’ve been on my hands and knees, sweating. I sometimes have to count the napkins and linens before they go back to the rental company. I’m talking dirty, smelly napkins, with food, gum and whatever else is on them. Talk about gross!

12. Flowers cost a great deal of money.
For the most part, they are flown around the world to their end user. Their prices are affected by jet fuel costs, inclement weather and by the fact that they’re living things that are not manufactured by machines and simply “cranked out.” Likewise, they don’t jump into their vases!















13. You can always elope!It's never too late to run away and have a relaxing wedding. You'll have great memories to share with your friends and family once you're home. 









xoxo,

Katherine Jacox

Our Newest Wedding: Alexis and Joe!

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Well, we've done it again ladies and gentlemen! 

Saturday, June 9, 2012 marked the stunning wedding day of Alexis and Joe that Paisley Events were so fortunate to be a part of. The couple called Paisley with a last minute "day of" assistance, one of our most popular packages, and we could not be happier that we were there. Talk about a couple that fully encompasses love- that was Alexis and Joe! Both Alexis and Joe are music and theatrical guru’s so we knew that this wedding would not only be beautiful, but also fun!

The day began with Paisley Events members divided between the bride and groom's hotels in charge of waking up, providing coffee and breakfast, and making sure that everyone was on schedule. With everything running smoothly, we found a minor hiccup with the men- some buttons were MIA, including the groom's! The joy of having a wedding planner at your side! A Paisley member called the company, and buttons were sent over to the hotel just in time for the party to get into the limo.

Then came the ceremony at St. Peter's Church in Danbury, CT. The bride was beaming in her white, sweetheart neckline lace gown as she came down the aisle, escorted by her father, only to be greeted by her touched husband-to-be holding back the tears.

The color scheme of the bridal party was bridesmaids wore full-length light green dresses, and the younger girls wore a light purple. The men’s grey/tan suits, purple boutonnieres, and green bow ties and vests perfectly complimented the women’s colors. After the ceremony and some fun pictures (see collage below), the wedding made its way to the reception at the quaint Lounsbury House in Ridgefield, CT.

The couple added something out of the ordinary to their reception that I would love to share. As the bridal party was called, the youngest girls brought down an eloquently decorated broom while the singer of the band explained its tradition. “Jumping the broom” is an African tradition that the couple decided to incorporate into their wedding. As they were called down for the first time as husband and wife, they jumped over the broom, symbolically representing the couple sweeping away the old and welcoming the new. Adding special traditions like this to your wedding really add a great personal touch for everyone to enjoy :) 

After the two’s touching first dance, the 112 guests met and sat in the beautifully decorated rooms of the house.  The delicious buffet arranged in the “dining room” really added to the homey feel that the reception house presented. With the sound of Joe’s friend’s band playing in the next room, guests were allowed to sit and enjoy each other’s presence or join on the dance floor. I can assure you that by the end, this lively wedding was all on the dance floor enjoying each other’s company.

This fun was only to be interrupted by a surprise from the bride to the groom. Curious what happened? With a short background, the bride explained her and Joe’s moment they once shared singing “1000 Years” by Christina Perri. Well, Alexis took the microphone and decided to sing the song to Joe, singing with absolute perfection (even with some tears in the end).
Can they be any cuter?! 

The day ended as sweet as it began with a delicious and darling dessert table—complete with candy bar, cupcake tiers, and a quaint wedding cake. Take a look at the picture- and note the decorations around the table. Believe it or not, those were the bows tied onto the church pews during the ceremony- guests would never have noticed and it’s a GREAT money saver!

We are so happy that we were able to celebrate and help with the couple as they celebrated each other’s love.

Paisley Events wishes Alexis and Joe a lifetime of happiness!!  

Dessert Table (with bows)

Royal Wedding Effect

With all the excitement and press coverage of not only the Queens Diamond Jubilee, but also the London summer Olympics this year; one cannot help to look at the English Royal family, who is an ever-reigning symbol of elegance, class, and tradition. However, within the past couple of years the royal family has seen a bit of a youthful rejuvenation. According to many this is because of two words. Kate Middleton. A woman not only embodying all that the royal family stands for, but also providing it with a fresh face and relevance to the younger generations. Millions of viewers set their alarm clocks early that morning of April 29^th 2011 (myself included) to watch this everyday girl marry her prince charming (literally).

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Now you are all probably wondering what on earth does Kate Middleton and the royal wedding have to do with my own wedding planning or special day? Well the effects of that historic morning can be seen in many great recent trends. Everything from the lace, to the use of trees in the ceremony, to even the resurface of white bridesmaids dresses can be tied back to that particular day in what I am going to call – the royal wedding effect.

Lace has always been a classic, go-to material when planning a wedding. However, it seems that within the past year lace and all the ways it can be incorporated have skyrocketed. Everything from the gown, to the invitations, to even the slightest décor detail lace seems to have found a place. Personally, I love the lace wedding gown trend. I find it to be the perfect combination of class and elegance, all the while maintaining a fashionable and girly sense. So many more lace gowns have gained popularity and it can be pinpointed back to the one woman who has graced the pages of so many of the best-dressed lists.

Another trend is the tree lined wedding ceremony and the use of lily of the valley flowers. Again, brought in to popularity from the royal wedding, it has become an excellent way to bring the outdoors inside. Want to have your ceremony in a church or another place of worship but still want to have fresh and outdoorsy elements? No worries, with the incorporation of trees indoors and a lily of the valley bouquet it allows for all your dreams to come true!

Although an ancient British tradition, white bridesmaids dresses are gaining popularity here in America now too all thanks to Pippa Middleton. Although we are seeing the trends in various different styles and designs, there is no denying that the white bridesmaid dress trend is definitely alive and well among American brides nowadays.

Long veils and tiaras have always been a favorite among brides. Ever since the bride was a little girl she has been dreaming about her wedding day, hoping to for one day feel like a princess. There is no better way to do that and have that princess-like feeling than wearing a sparkling jeweled tiara and a long and elegant veil. It is an extremely elegant trend that again is one of my favorites.

Finally, and maybe the most interesting trend that has resulted as part of the royal wedding effect, the increase in the usage of the horse and carriage. Again, playing in to the fantasy that all girls have of the princess for a day, the horse and carriage ride with their “prince charming” is a must. Not only is it a very romantic way to begin your new lives together, it is also the perfect princess-like ending to your fairytale wedding. It is interesting however because Kate Middleton did not even arrive to her own fairytale affair in a horse and carriage, instead opting for an arrival at Westminster in Queen Elizabeth’s Rolls Royce Phantom. Although arguably just as nice, American brides are opting for the wedding related horse and carriage rentals to create the finishing touch to their perfect day.

What do you think of all the royal wedding inspired trends? Did you wake up early to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton say “I Do”? Would you incorporate any of these ideas in to your own fairy tale wedding?

xoxo Lauren 

Asked to be the Maid of Honor, Now What??

Are you the Maid of Honor in a friend of family member's wedding? Congratulations, it's a huge honor!

Lucky for the bride, they tend to have a big support system to help plan and make sure their special day goes off without a hitch. While she may have present and future family members by her side to help her, her number one person is her Maid or Matron of Honor. If this is your pleasurable duty in someone's wedding, there are many tasks that you need to be ready to deal with. While it may seem like a lot of duties, you will never realize how important your help is and how thankful the bride is that you are there for her. The duties that you as the Maid of Honor will have will be for both pre-wedding activities and wedding day activities.

Pre-wedding Duties:

• Scout wedding locations.
• Select invitations and help with invitation prep.
• Explore floral options and other decorative choices.
• Help the bride shop for her wedding dress and choose bridesmaids' dresses.
• Oversee delivery of the dresses, monitor fittings and assist with other wardrobe functions.
• Encourage the bride to register for gifts, spread the word about where the bride is registered and answer any gift questions that may arise.
• Help with honeymoon planning.
• Help with seating chart details.
• Attend the cake tasting and make recommendations.
• Attend the catering meetings or tastings and make recommendations.
• Host the bridal shower.
• Host the bachelorette party.
• Maintain timetables and be of general assistance to keep things moving forward.
• Attend the rehearsal dinner.
• Keep a list of gifts received.

Day of Wedding Duties:

• Help the bride dress and deal with her hair, jewelry and the unavoidable wedding day jitters.
• Check the last minute details, like instructions for the photographer and deliveries to the hall.
• Act as a messenger between the bride and groom (and various and sundry family members).
• Handle dress and veil issues. Maneuverability could be important here, even in the restroom, so this is an important and sometimes unexpected duty involving lifting, fluffing, arranging and rearranging.
• Hold and protect the groom's ring.
• Hold the bride's bouquet for the duration of the wedding ceremony.
• Witness the marriage license signing.
• Be part of the receiving line at the reception or act as a greeter.
• Toast the bride and groom.
• Participate in the first dance at a formal reception (partnered with the best man). 

Even if the bride turns into a bit of a bridezilla on her wedding day, it is your job to be the level-headed support systems she will need!

Happy Planning!

Emily