If you’re looking for a DIY, FREE save-the-date idea, check this one out from The Inspired Bride. You can download it for free in blue and brown or pink and brown. It’s a postcard - which means no envelopes! It’s just plain adorable.
Image from The Inspired Bride
You don’t have to have a “book” for your guest book. Think outside the box. For instance, this large glass container surrounded by colorful cards and envelopes that match the color palette is a fun idea. The couple can make a scrapbook with the cards after the wedding or use them in scrapboxes.
Image from Martha Stewart Weddings
Image from flickr
I was sifting through the hundreds of blogs that I subscribe to and came across today’s tip of the day from The Wedzilla Blog. They posted about having a box filled with postcards as your guest book and I think it’s a great idea, especially for the couple who loves to travel. They even suggest that the maid-of-honor collect the post cards at the end of the wedding and send them to the couple throughout the year. Read more about this idea at The Wedzilla Blog.
Image from the knot {photography by James Christianson Photographers}
Grace’s Question: My best friend from college just got engaged, and she asked me to be her maid-of-honor. The only problem is that we live a plane ride away. She lives in New York and I live in Florida. I’ve been a bridesmaid and maid-of-honor before but never for someone who lives so far away. I want to be her maid-of-honor but I can’t afford to go to NY to help her dress shop or throw her a bridal shower. She already asked me to come to her engagement party and give a toast. I can go to it, but that’s the only time I can fly there until the wedding. I can fly up there a few days before the wedding, but that’s the best I can do. What do I tell her?
April’s Answer: The bride asked you to be her maid-of-honor for a reason. You’re a great friend. Hopefully, she already realizes that you won’t be able to be a part of the planning process as much as you’d like to be, but I would gently remind her of that by saying something like, “I’m so excited you asked me to be your maid-of-honor but I bummed that I won’t be able to do the “maid-of-honor” type things like throw you a bridal shower and go dress shopping.” Let her know that if she wants to reconsider and give that title to another bridesmaid, you would totally understand. If she says that she wants you to be the maid-of-honor and all that other stuff doesn’t matter, then it doesn’t matter.
Be honest with the bride. Let her know that you can only come into town two weekends. One time before the wedding and the other time for the wedding. See if she wants the first time to be for the engagement party. If so, see if she can plan to do other things that weekend as well. For instance, you might be able to hit up a bridal shop and go bridesmaid dress shopping at the same time. Tell her that you want to be involved with as much as possible and work together to squeeze in as much as you can that weekend.
You can still help out and be a part of the planning process from Florida. If you know the other bridesmaids, contact them as soon as possible. If you don’t know them, get to know them. Ask the bride for their phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Let them know where you live and the issues you have. Ask another bridesmaid to take over the duty of planning of the bridal shower or see if they’ll do it together.
Use the methods of communication that you have. Call the bride on a regular basis to check in. You might not be able to go to the stationer to help her choose the invitations, but you can listen to her and be supportive. If you can’t be there for the dress shopping, have the bride send you pictures of dresses she likes through email. There are plenty of wedding planning websites and blogs {such as mine} that you can get inspiration from. She’ll know that you care if you send her pictures of bouquets that are made with her favorite flowers or wedding cakes matching her color palette.
On the day of the wedding, be the best wedding attendant possible. This will make up for any lack of involvement before the big day.
BTW, all of my bridesmaids lived in other locations while I was planning my wedding and it worked out just fine. I loved the three ladies that I asked, and I really just wanted them to be a special part of my wedding day. I bet your bride feels the same way.
Want me to answer your event-related questions? Send them my way stylisheventsblog@gmail.com, and I’ll do my best to answer!
Being a sports fan myself (and planning my wedding around a college football game), I fell in love with this idea when I saw the picture below. If you’re a couple that loves to watch sports together and has a favorite team or favorite player, consider having your guests sign a jersey or some other sports memorabilia. To decorate the “guest book” table, put a couple framed pictures of you and your fiance at sporting events. If you decide on a jersey, frame it and hang up in your house after the wedding.
Image from the knot
If you still have no idea what you’re wearing for Valentine’s Day, I’ve found a romantic, budget-friendly option. This top only $22.29 and will look great on almost all body types.
Image from Charlotte Russe
A scrapbook guest book decorated any way you want – what a great idea! Creative brides can let their imaginations run wild with this idea. Find a scrapbook that matches your color palette or cover one with fabric matching your color palette. You could also add fabric flowers or other embellishments to the front.
Image from the knot {photography by Ryan Stockinger}
Images from Beau-coup
How cute are these bridal favors? They’re all available at Beau-coup along with bridal shower games and decorations. You can easily plan your friend or family member’s bridal shower with an all encompassing website like Beau-coup. I’m sure that the bride will absolutely love bridal shower favors and décor from this lovely company. They also make for long-lasting, fun pictures.
Having a beach or summer wedding, consider having your guests sign a pair Adironback chair for you and your husband to sit in for years on your porch. I love this creative idea.
Image from Brides
Even though my wedding is over, I can’t help myself when I see new articles on hairstyle inspiration. Brides has some amazing, recent celebrity red carpet hairstyles that you should definitely check out if you’re still looking for your perfect wedding day hairstyle. I like this one from the 2010 Golden Globes – it would look beautiful on bride who was having a formal wedding. It’s not too formal for my liking and it’s still super sexy.
Image from Brides
If you’re having a modern wedding or a wedding with a small guest list, I think this guest book idea is fun and creative. Take a large canvas and divide it into small squares. Go to your local craft store and pick up paints and paint brushes. Invite guests to paint one square. This is something you could hang in your house forever.
Image from the knot {photography by Erin De Jauregui}
Image from PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com
Who doesn’t want to win a free honeymoon, especially in this economy? One of my brilliant advertisers, PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, is holding a honeymoon giveaway for a 6 day/5 night Caribbean honeymoon. If you’re engaged, you and your future spouse should each fill out the simple entry form found on this webpage once a day. It will take you less than 2 minutes to fill out the entry form. Do it while you sip your coffee in the morning – no excuses!
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