0 Thanksgiving at your wedding: Showing gratitude to your guests

Thanksgiving at your wedding: Ways to show gratitude to your guests.

Though Thanksgiving only comes around once a year here in the US, remembering the holiday year-round when planning your wedding is a good way to make sure your guests feel your gratitude. We often forget the effort and expense it takes many wedding guests to celebrate with you at your wedding. You invited them to your wedding for a reason, so take a cue from Thanksgiving and remember to be thankful. A sweet note, yummy treats, fun favors, a big ole' sign...here are some little ways you can show gratitude to your guests at your wedding.

 

0 Bonding with your in laws at Thanksgiving

4 Tips for Bonding With Your Future In-Laws at Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving -- one of the most family-centric holidays -- is often the time when you realize your engagement isn't just a shiny diamond ring and a good-looking fiancé. While those things are nice, it is much more than that -- it's a time to prepare for the joining of two families and communities.

The Norman Rockwell version of Thanksgiving conjures up images of a glistening roasted turkey, beautiful side dishes, and a perfectly set table. But underneath the yummy food and lovely table settings are family dynamics that can be wonderful...or can be rather difficult to handle. Here are some tips to help newly-engaged couples navigate their first family holiday together and help set the stage for their upcoming wedding.

1. Be positive.

Arriving at your in-laws' home for Thanksgiving with a smile on your face really sets the tone for the day. People tend to respond better to others who are positive and loving. It's important to let your future in-laws know that you're really happy to be spending the holiday with them and to become a member of their family.

2. Be patient.

Not everyone has good social skills or knows how to tactfully introduce himself or herself. If people are awkward or struggling to make conversation, try to have empathy for them and be as gracious as possible. 

3. Get involved!

Offer to make something to bring to the meal -- perhaps a side dish or dessert. Your future in-laws will be thrilled to see you pitching in. You could also help by clearing the table or doing the dishes. On the other hand, don't go overboard trying to do so much that it makes them feel uncomfortable. Others in the family will want to contribute as well.

4. Try to learn about the dynamics of the family in advance.

That way, you'll better understand what's really going on and who has an underlying agenda. It's best not to get involved in heated debates or discussions, even if this is typical for your fiancé's family. A good rule of thumb for the holidays (or for any dinner party for that matter) is to keep the discussion friendly, light, and pleasant. And always try to remain civil even if some sparks fly. Basically, if someone acts up or says something provocative, don't take the bait and engage.

What are your best tips for surviving your first holiday with your future in-laws?

0 Thanksgiving Week Pt 1

Creating a Thanksgiving Inspired Wedding

With the stunning fall colors and delicious cooking, Thanksgiving is without a doubt one of the most remarkable times of the year! From the beautiful hues of browns, reds, yellows and oranges to those mouthwatering dishes of turkey, savory mashed potatoes and delectable desserts, creating a Thanksgiving inspired wedding is a great and unique way to incorporate this amazing time of the year into your very own nuptials. We, at WeddingBlvd, have a few fun ideas on how you can transform your Thanksgiving favorites into a gorgeous wedding theme everyone will love!

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

The Wedding Attire

With a Thanksgiving inspired wedding it’s essential to showcase autumn colored attire! For the bridal gown, choose a soft ivory or off-white dress adorned with a brown, beige or orange belt to incorporate that autumn look.

For the bridal party, the guys can dress in tan or chocolate brown suits wearing with a variety of seasonal colored ties, such as blood orange, golden yellow and merlot red. For the bridesmaids, outfit them in the same shades as the guys’ ties for a stunning display of autumn colors!

And for the flowers, think of dark red dahlias, golden black-eyed Susans, yellow and orange calla lilies, yellow sunflowers and orange roses. Then, you can incorporate that Thanksgiving touch by adding details, such as acorns, green berry sprays, sprigs of seeded eucalyptus, or clusters of hypericum berries.

 

The Wedding Menu

Thanksgiving is certainly one tastiest meals of the year! Transform your favorite dishes into a wedding-worthy menu with these delicious ideas!

 

Cocktail Hour

• In place of green bean casserole, serve crispy fried green beans in mini cups or paper cones.
•  How about the sweet potatoes? Dish up sweet potato fries or tater tots in paper cones. You can also create sweet mashed potatoes shooters topped with marshmallows, pecans and cinnamon. Yum!
• With a Thanksgiving menu you must have turkey, right? Include passed mini-turkey sliders or turkey and cranberry finger sandwiches. 

Mini Turkey Sliders

Main Course

• To incorporate butternut squash, try a savory and healthy quinoa and squash salad. Or, if you want something a little warmer, serve fresh butternut squash soup in a squash rind bowl. It’s not only a tasty dish, but it also adds that extra Thanksgiving harvest theme.
• Love mashed potatoes? Set up a spud bar with different toppings, such as cheese, bacon bits, sour cream and chives. Serve the mashed potatoes in a martini glass for an upscale “mash-tini!”
• More turkey! For your main course, serve roasted turkey with an orange zest cranberry sauce, corn bread stuffing and pumpkin ravioli. Delish!

 

"Mash-Tini"

Desserts

• Who needs a wedding cake when you have pie? Dish up a variety of pies flavors, such as pecan, blueberry, peach, strawberry and cherry. You can also give out the extra pie filling as a wedding favor!
• What’s Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? Set up a dessert bar with pumpkin pie shooters, cake pops and cheesecake bites to incorporate this Thanksgiving favorite.
• Love apple pie? You can also consider serving apple pie shooters, mini apple crisps and apple pie cake pops.

Pumpkin Pie Shooters

Cocktails

• Cranberries anyone? Have a cranberry fizz cocktail with vodka, ginger beer and fresh cranberries as your signature drink. For something a little sweeter, try cranberry-spice cocktail with fresh cranberries, crystallized ginger, Aperol, hard cider and Cranberry-Anise Bitters.
• Want more pumpkin? Serve a pumpkin martini, pumpkin spiced punch or a pumpkin ale.
• And for the vino lovers out there, include spiced wine with ginger and cinnamon or spiced apple sangria with Spanish red wine, spiced apple cider, orange juice and brandy. Cheers!

Cranberry-Spice Cocktail. Photo by Johnny Valiant

0 wedding shoe trends

Wedding shoes have an enchanting history that continues to influence the look of the footwear 

that today’s brides choose for their stroll down the aisle.

Famous Footsteps

Cinderella, the most famous princess bride, married her prince wearing sparkling glass slippers. 

Catherine de Medici, one of the first brides in history to walk down the aisle in high heels, inspired a fashion trend that continues today. Anglo-Saxon brides tossed shoes rather than bouquets to bridesmaids who hoped to be the next to marry. Brides in merry old England followed the directive that they wear “something old, something new,

something borrowed, something blue — and a sixpence in her shoe” by tucking coins into their wedding slippers.

Queen Victoria inspired millions of modern-day brides by choosing a white gown and white shoes for her wedding in 1840.Until then, blue was the color of choice for bridal ensembles. Princess Diana, a statuesque 5 feet 10 inches tall, chose low-heeled, pearl-encrusted, ivory silk flats for her wedding, so as not to tower over Prince Charles.

Contemporary Styles in Wedding Shoes

Today’s brides make the journey from once upon a time to happily ever after in all manner of magic slippers — high heels, low heels, sandals, pumps and even bejeweled flip-flops, says Anna Pezik, senior editor at Brides.com.

“These days, wedding shoes make a real fashion statement. No one wants a cookie-cutter look,” says Pezik. “Brides are choosing their gowns and their accessories to reflect their own individual style. They’re taking bridal shoes a step further than the traditional white satin pump.”

In response, designers such as Vera Wang, Jimmy Choo, Stuart Weitzman, Kenneth Cole and Manolo Blahnik

have filled shelves with wedding pumps, slingbacks, sandals and ballet flats in bronze, silver, gold

and pewter metallic shades and soft pastels, as well as ivory and white. Detailing includes bows, beading, 

embroidery and lace. Heel heights and silhouettes range from flat to stiletto. Toes can be open, closed, pointed, rounded or squared.

“Are you planning a romantic wedding? A glamorous event? Bohemian rhapsody? Beach casual?

A destination wedding?” Pezil asks.

“Your gown and your shoe choice will help create the atmosphere. Wedding shoes are so gorgeous that no one wants to wear them for just one day and then put them in the closet,” Pezik says. “Brides are choosing shoes that they can wear again.”

Brides planning beach weddings have stylish choices that go beyond the humble rubber flip-flop.

“Stuart Weitzman makes an adorable jelly sandal with crystal accents and kitten heels,” Pezik says. “You can also find bridal beach footwear with wedge heels and platform heels.”

Even for the trendiest brides, tradition still plays a role. Several designers, including Fifi, line bridal footwear with azure-colored fabric to meet the “something blue” requirement.

0 Creating a registry

In addition to the wedding and reception, many couples will also have a bridal shower. If not, many guests will bring gifts to the wedding itself. However, it is not always easy for guests to choose gifts for the happy couple, nor is it always easy for couples to come right out and ask for specific items. That is when creating a bridal registry is a good idea. Bridal registries allow the couple to ask for specific items that they will need when starting out their new life together, while giving guests options to choose from based on their personal budgets or wishes for the couple. Many larger department stores will offer bridal registry services, as well as local boutique shops.

What do you have already?
The first thing to do is go through what you and your fiancé already own before creating your bridal registry. Take a look at the items that you already have that are still in good condition, as well as items you will need.

What do you need?
If you are not living together prior to the wedding, then your living situation will definitely change once you get married. Even if you are living together, you may decide to purchase a home or move to a larger apartment once the union has become “official.” Take into consideration the items that you will need to live comfortably together. For instance, you both probably already own dishes, but a new set big enough for both to share, as well as guests, can be a useful item to add to your bridal registry. Pots, pans, and cookware are other common wedding registry items. Do not forget about the smaller things that you may need, even if they seem nonessential. If you really need a vacuum cleaner, add it to the list. Often this will give your guests a better price range for options so they do not have to feel pressured to spend more than they can afford.

What do you want?
Once the needs are out of the way, you can also add on things that you will like to have. This is one of the few times in your life where you can go all out and put big items on their wish list. Some family members or friends may choose to go in together on a gift, or decide to go a little over the top to help the new couple celebrate.

Some couples creating their wedding registry find that this is easiest to do while walking around the store they have chosen to register at, giving them ideas that they might not have thought of otherwise. Consider something fun for the two of you – like a new entertainment center, camping gear for two, or another activity that the two of you enjoy. You can also add items to the bridal registry that are just for the bride or the groom. For instance, if he wants a new set of power tools and she wants designer linens, you can add both to the list.

Make the registry
Many department stores will have an easy way for you to create your  bridal registry. Often, this will involve carrying around a hand held scanner or sitting at a kiosk to input items. The store may also have a checklist of “must have” items to get you started if you have not created your own list. If you are too busy or pressed for time to stop in the store and do the bridal registry in person, many of the larger stores will also allow you to create or edit bridal registries on line at their website.

Tell your guests about the registry
Tell your bridal shower host or hostess where you are registered. Many stores will also give you cards to stick in with the invitations to tell your wedding guests where your bridal registry is set up.

Creating your bridal registry is a fun experience! You get to shop, while all of the presents arrive at your wedding. Enjoy the wonderful time, which lasts from the shopping and planning throughout years of your married life together.

0 Outfitting the groom

While many brides will spend hours searching for the perfect gown, many do not pay as strict attention to the details of their groom’s attire. Wedding attire ranges from casual to super-formal, giving the groom a wide variety of tuxedos – ensuring that he looks his best for the special day.

The tuxedo is often the traditional men’s attire for weddings and other formal occasions. Besides the groom, the groomsmen, father of the bride, father of the groom, and other important male figures in the wedding may also choose to wear a tuxedo.  Depending on your wedding style, the groom’s tuxedo may match the attendants or stand out.  If wearing matching tuxedos, a detail often distinguishes the groom – such as a special handkerchief or boutonnière. Many couple also choose to coordinate the colors of the bridesmaids’ and bride’s dresses to the men’s tuxedos.

The Rainbow of Tuxedo Colors

traditionally the tuxedo is black, but there are more and more couples choosing to spice up the attire and go with a white or a colored tuxedo.

For an outdoor setting, a white tuxedo is completely appropriate. Spring, summer, informal, morning, and afternoon weddings are also socially acceptable occasions to wear a white tuxedo.

Some grooms like to take it a step further and go with a colored tuxedo. For instance, you could choose a color that compliments the bridesmaids’ dresses or the bride’s dress if she is going with something other than white or with a colored accent on her dress. If you are choosing a themed wedding, the groom and the bride may choose a colored tuxedo that goes along with the theme they have chosen.

For the most part, black tuxedos are still the norm for formal and evening weddings.

Sporting the Special Jacket Style

Beyond the color, there are other decisions that must be made on the tuxedo.  First of all, you must choose the jacket style. There are three basic styles to choose from: the single breasted, the double breasted, and the full dress or tail coat. Unless you are having a highly formal wedding, the single or double breasted is usually appropriate.

Also to be considered in the jacket style is the lapel. Here the choice is up to you and the style that you prefer. The most common styles are notch lapels, which make a V shape, peak lapels, and shawl lapels, which are rounded.

The Perfect Shirt

Beneath the jacket is your tuxedo shirt. It is customary for the tuxedo shirt to match the bride’s gown – for instance, if she chooses a white dress, the shirt should be white, and if she goes with ivory, the shirt should be ivory. Most tuxedo shirts feature a wing or a lay down collar. Wing collars are most often worn with a bow tie, while a lay down collar can be worn with a standard necktie.

Cummerbunds and Vests

The other crucial piece to your tuxedo is the vest or cummerbund. Most often these will be chosen to coordinate with the bridesmaids’ dresses to give your wedding party a uniform look.

Other Attire Considerations

When choosing your tuxedo you will need to decide whether to rent or to buy. If you normally attend formal functions where a tuxedo is appropriate, then buying may be the most affordable option. If your wedding is the one and only time that you will wear a tuxedo, then renting is usually preferred.

While you do not need to register for the tuxedo immediately, you should still do so at least three months prior to the wedding date. This allows the retailer to order your choices and make any alterations necessary.

If you hate shopping, consider checking out tuxedo styles before heading off to the store. That way, you and your bride can decide ahead of time the style you are looking for, minimizing the time needed to try on and consider different styles.

Some formal wear locations will offer special discounts if the entire bridal party orders their tuxedos at the same time. This will not only make the process more affordable for you, but allow you to ensure that the entire party is coordinated and fitted properly.

0 How to choose a stunning wedding cake!

For those who love dessert, there is no greater decision than coming up with the perfect wedding cake! And with designs, styles, and flavors, which range from the traditional to the fanciful, this is no small task. In fact, it is often akin to choosing the right piece of baked art for your special day.

Reserve your designer – the sooner, the better 
Whether you go with the local bakery down the street or a more commercialized wedding cake designer, this is a decision that should be made sooner in wedding plans rather than later. Allow for four to six months prior to needing your wedding cake to make sure that the designer you want is available. If you are not familiar with wedding cake designers, you can often see and taste their wares at local bridal fairs. Many wedding reception facilities and caterers will also either offer wedding cake services or can recommend a wedding cake designer to you.

However, there is more to buying a wedding cake than walking into your local bakery. As with anything else in your wedding, style should be considered as well. You can ask for photographs of a wedding cake designer’s latest creations.Talk to previous customers to find out how well they liked the service. And of course, you will want to have a taste or two of your favorites – since that is usually equally important as the look.

Choose a style with great taste
Each wedding cake designer will have his or her own specialties. Before you go in for a consultation, you may want to think about some of the elements that you are looking for in your wedding cake.

Your style
Do you want a traditional white cake, a brightly colored one, or one flowing with real flowers? Consider taking in pictures from weddings, bridal fairs, or magazines of design elements that you like.

Your guests
How many people do you have attending? This will often affect the number of tiers that your cake will need. Some brides will also choose to have multiple cakes – one for pictures and the ceremonial cake cutting, and then large sheet cakes to use to feed the guests.

Your frosting
Traditionally, you have three options in frosting for your cake – butter cream, fondant, and royal icing. Certain styles can only be done in certain types of frosting, and certain frostings go better with certain cake flavors.

Your flavor
Do you want a traditional white cake or are you in love with chocolate? Maybe you want each tier to be a different flavor? Some couples also like cakes to be filled. Make sure that you taste a sample of the different flavors to see which ones you really like.

Your design
Do you want the entire design done in frosting or do you want other accents? You will need to talk to your wedding cake designer about gum paste or edible flowers, edible beading, and other accents.

To top it off
Does your ideal cake include the traditional bride and groom at the top, or do you have another design element in mind? Your wedding cake designer can help you come up with the perfect look – even utilizing crystals in the shape of your initials.

Your price
If you have a wedding budget, you will need to consider the price of the cake, as well as any delivery and set-up fees.Also, different design elements, cake flavors, or frosting styles may cost more.

Other concerns
If someone in your wedding has food allergies, you may inquire about the ingredients in the cake, frosting, and design elements. You can see if any of these are able to be substituted if necessary.

Remember, your wedding cake should be a part of your wedding style and theme. And since it will likely be the last thing your guests will eat before they leave for the night, you want it to taste as good as it looks. Other than that, only your imagination will limit your design options.