Theme Thursday - Summer Wedding Inspiration

It is still cold here in Wisconsin, but I know summer has to be getting here soon.  Pinks, Greens, Oranges, Yellows, and Browns.  Here are some colorful and sunny inspiration boards for your outdoor summer wedding.

Wediquette Wednesday - Outdoor Wedding Etiquette

You and your finacee are an outdoorsy couple so it just makes sense that you would celebrate the beginning of your new life together outside.  Outdoor weddings are fantastic and can be as simple or as formal as you want, but there are some simple etiquette rules that you need to keep in mind when planning your outdoor wedding.




Inform Your Guests
You must make sure to include the information of an outdoor wedding on your wedding invitations, along with the formality of your celebration.  This will give your guests enough time to purchase the appropriate attire for the wedding day. 

Accomadate Your Guests
It is totally up to the hosts (you and your fiancee) to offer items to your guests for comfort purposes.  Water bottles, umbrellas, fans, or flip-flops if you like, are all great things to hand out to your guests to keep them comfortable.  Also, depending on where you live and the time of the day, sunscreen and bugspray might be appropriate.  You might want to have your attendants hand out extra tissues to those that might need to cover a sneeze due to allergies.

The Backup Plan
You should always have a "Plan B" when you are planning an outside wedding.  Renting an indoor site at the same place the celebration is being held is optimal, but renting tents or making sure your church is available on that day are also very appropriate.

The Sound System
You should arrange for microphones for yourselves and your officiant to guarantee all guests will hear every wonderful word being said.  You can ususally work something out with your band or DJ, but many wedding rental companies will have a system available to rent.

Decor
I am all about the simple wedding decor (the less is more rule), and when you will be getting married outside, even less is needed.  Keep the colors complimentary to the surroundings.  Let your colors and the simple decor enhance the beauty of the place you chose to exchange your vows. 

Enjoy!!

Tip of the week - Summer Weddings

Well, it has been a couple of weeks since I've been able to do this blog, but I am finally back!

My tip for all of you wonderful blushing brides this week is about summer weddings - mainly outdoor summer weddings.

Most weddings take place in the summer, and a large percentage of those take place outdoors.  This is great, but, unfortunately, you can't always rely on Mother Nature to comply to your wishes SO...my number one tip is - Always have a back-up plan!!!

So many brides and grooms are adamant about having their wedding take place outside.  But, if it is thundering, raining, or worse yet...hailing outside, you will not enjoy saying your vows in that and your grandparents will not enjoy sitting in that.  Though the wedding is about you, you are also a host and it is your responsibility to make sure your guests are comfortable, and safe. 

As far as your back-up plans, you could set up a tent, rent a barn, use a museum, reserve a building at the park, reserve the day at your church, or, if your wedding is small, you could set it up in your parents home or a Bed and Breakfast.  There are many options, so you should ABSOLUTELY have one set up.

Here are a couple of ideas for favors, programs and little extras to help you and your guests enjoy the day if you are outside and it is the beautiful sunny day you've dreamed it would be.

1. Umbrellas/ Parasols.  They are cute and can be used in your wedding party also.  You can get them in your colors or with a monogram or personalized note.

2. Fans.  You can also use these for your programs.  Very easy DIY item!

3. Water Bottles.  Set up a bucket with ice and fill it with personalized water bottles for your guests to grab before going down the aisle to their seats.