Even though it’s an honor to be asked to be part of the bridal party, the bridal party certainly earns their keep. It’s exhausting work, so it’s a nice gesture on the part of the bride and groom to thank their bridal party for their unwavering support and dedication throughout the entire process. Bridal gifts are a thoughtful way to acknowledge the bridal party’s contribution to such a wonderful occasion. The gifts can also be a lasting memento of the shared experience. It can be difficult to pick out the perfect gift, but just as with wedding gifts and favors, it’s the thought that counts more than the price tag.

Ideas for the bridesmaids:

• A framed photo of the bride with the bridesmaid provides a touching souvenir of the time they spent together and the rollercoaster of emotions they rode together. The bride can request her photographer to take individual photos with each of the bridesmaids during the bridal shoot, or find an old photo of the bridesmaids together as children. A wonderful idea is to combine a favorite photo of the bride and bridesmaid together and a photo of the two at the wedding.
• A day at the spa. After all those hours of tying bows, fixing hair, and just being there for the bride, a relaxing massage or manicure/pedicure would really hit the spot.
• A yoga or Pilates class, along with a yoga mat
• Monogrammed jewelry or a handbag
• Tickets for a wine tasting

Ideas for the groomsmen:

• A day on the shooting or golf range
• For the outdoorsy groomsmen, a gift certificate to a sporting goods store, like REI
• Tickets for a sporting event or concert
• Tickets to tour a brewery or a pack of craft beer
• Gift certificate to a restaurant

Ideas for the ring bearer and flower girl:

• Movie tickets
• A favorite toy or a new outfit
• A day at the swimming pool or an amusement park

The size of the carving is 40 inches tall by 20 inches wide. The ice is place in a tray that lights the piece and drains the water into a bucket under the table.

The carvings, when in doors, will last easily 8 hours. Outdoors the ice must not be in direct sun, usually under a tent or full shade. And will not last quite as long, sun and wind are the enemies. Even outdoors ice will typically last up to 5 hours before integrity and shape become compromised.

Planning a Bridal Shower

For Idaho brides getting married this summer, April showers bring more than May flowers—spring bridal showers being held all across Idaho are also ushering in wedding season. A bridal shower, generally held anytime between six months to a week before the wedding, is a time-honored tradition of celebrating the bride-to-be as she ushers in her new life with her love. Bridal showers vary as much as each individual bride, so they offer a memorable way to showcase the bride’s personality and an opportunity for the bride to share an important rite of passage with the women she is closest to. Less traditional is including the male groom-to-be in the shower, but the aim of any shower is the same: to honor and celebrate the upcoming occasion.

A bride should never plan on hosting her own bridal shower—as much as she might want to dictate the entire wedding planning process, it’s customary for the maid of honor or the bridesmaids to host the bridal shower. However, it really comes down to who wants to throw the bride a shower. Perhaps relatives or close friends want to throw one. Anyone but the bride. By the time the wedding shower rolls around, the bride will likely be knee-deep in wedding plans, so the bride should just sit back and enjoy the day. Planning a celebration for the stressed out bride is an honor for her friends and family—she should treat it like one. That’s not to say she can’t try to funnel suggestions through a bridesmaid, but ultimately a bride needs to trust her maid of honor. That’s why the bride chose her in the first place. For successful bridal shower planning, some of these following tips will be helpful:

1. Those planning the bridal shower could ask the bride what kind of bridal shower she wants, if it’s not a surprise. That might also take some of the stress off of the bride if she’s not inclined toward surprises. If you do want it to be a surprise, make sure to take her interests and personality into account: Don’t plan the bridal shower of your own dreams. If she enjoys a night on the town, hosting a bartender to mix up specialty drinks would be a better idea than hosting a tea party. She won’t need an invitation, as it’s assumed she’s coming, but giving her one as a keepsake for a wedding album would be a thoughtful touch.
2. Do communicate costs of the shower up front—all the bridesmaids should contribute to the bridal shower even if you are hosting it. Scale back your plans if they get too pricy—there are a lot of creative ways to save money rather than ponying up a lot of money. For example, playing croquet or lawn games outdoor in lieu of holding an expensive luncheon at a restaurant is a fun—and inexpensive—alternative. Idaho has beautiful weather during the late spring and early summer—take advantage of it.
3. Make sure to send out invitations plenty in advance, especially if the wedding shower is held somewhere that requires travel for many of the guests. A lot of girls want to have their bridal showers in their hometown, even if it means inconvenient travel. Again, this is about the bride’s wishes: not what is most convenient for you. Work with locals if you’re trying to plan a bridal shower out of town—planning an event thousands of miles away isn’t easy. Have your guests RSVP to a single person to keep plans organized.
4. Make sure all guests invited to the bridal shower are, in fact, invited to the wedding. Again, keeping one person in charge of names can eliminate the potential for a very embarrassing situation.
5. Make a plan for opening gifts. Doing this in assembly-line fashion will save time and confusion. Make sure that one bridesmaid keeps track of who gave what gift using a list—the bride may not remember every gift in detail.
6. Brides should thank the hostess, either with a handwritten thank-you note or a small hostess gift.
7. Get creative—there are so many options available to bridal shower planners than in years past. Numerous wedding blogs, Etsy, and Pinterest have opened up the world of bridal shower planning. Instead of tiny cucumber sandwiches, think fondue party. Instead of plastic cups, think cups with creative labels and personalized stir sticks. Instead of cupcakes, think fresh juice bar. If you plan the bridal shower around a theme, that will make planning the entire shower much easier and will make the shower that much more memorable.

1. Don’t use the toast as an opportunity to roast the bride. Bringing up embarrassing childhood memories or regrettable decisions she made in college has no place in a wedding. The bride and groom are pursuing a new life together and don’t want to be reminded of past errors in judgment in front of their grandparents and in-laws. These sorts of stories are better saved for the bachelor and bachelorette parties.
2. Do introduce yourself. Not everyone in the audience will know who you are, so this gives them a basis for understanding the funny, touching story you are about to tell.
3. Toast does not mean toasted. Even though it’s nerve-wracking to speak in front of potentially hundreds of guests, consuming copious quantities of alcohol in order to quell the butterflies generally doesn’t end up well for anyone. You would be better served to stick to one drink to ease your jangled nerves and hold a glass of champagne for the toast.
4. Don’t declare your love for one of the betrothed. Not the time or place.
5. Keep the toasts short. The toast can be a very touching and humorous moment, but it’s only a moment. The other guests would rather eat than be regaled with an entire chronicle of your memories of the couple.  Lincoln’s Gettysburg address was only a few minutes long, as is the guests’ attention spans.
6. Open with a joke, but preferably an all-audiences joke and one that is not made at the expense of the brideSpeak from the heart. Don’t read from a prepared speech—you aren’t being graded. Genuine words, even if you’re obviously nervous, are far more impactful.  If you absolutely must have something to read from, use a cocktail napkin to write notes on. The speech will seem more spontaneous and heartfelt. If you are absolutely terrified of speaking in front of people, think about attending a Toastmasters class to build your confidence.

Wedding food options for your Idaho Wedding

Even after a bride has spent months thoughtfully selecting the menu for her wedding, the butterflies in her stomach during those last few minutes before vows are exchanged can chase away any thoughts about dinner. But the guests, many of whom may drive several hours to make it to the ceremony, work up an appetite as they patiently observe the ceremony. The excitement of the day piques appetites, so sharing a delicious meal with friends and loved ones can make the experience all the more memorable for those in attendance. Though catering can be a large chunk of the bride’s budget, there are plenty of creative ways to cut catering costs.

For a Boise bride, there are plenty of catering options, so it’s easy to shop around for a caterer whose menu fits her budget and taste preferences. Beyond catering companies, a bride’s favorite restaurant may also do catering. But for brides in more rural areas, the choices may be limited. And for brides on a budget, a traditional catering company might not be the most economical option.

The easiest way to slim down the catering budget is by eliminating alcohol, but unless your group of family and friends is used to dry events, skipping the booze can be the death knell of a good party. If you do opt to serve alcohol, make sure you ask your caterer ahead of time if they bartend and communicate those costs up front. Idaho has pretty stringent liquor laws, so be sure that you research them ahead of time and find out what licenses your venue requires. Serving beer and wine will be far cheaper than hosting an open bar, but for a bride who wants to share a favorite drink with her guests, signature cocktails are a fun and relatively inexpensive choice. A bride can have a lot of fun with the cocktail—she can match the cocktail to the season or her wedding’s theme, and drink toppers offer a chance for her to showcase her creativity. Picking out a signature cocktail can even be turned into a fun girl’s night out with a bride and her bridesmaids.

A bride may even choose to forgo dinner in favor of a dessert and cocktail hour—a classy, budget-friendly way to celebrate the occasion. However, unless you plan on ending the celebration early or allow guests time to go somewhere to eat, goodwill can quickly sour into grumpiness after a long night with no food, and that’s not how you want your guests to remember your wedding. If you simply can’t stomach the thought of skipping dinner, think about asking friends and family to help prepare dishes for the wedding. Chances are that someone will be delighted to lend their talents to a happy occasion. The feasibility of this certainly depends on the number of guests you plan on inviting, but preparing your own menu also offers you the flexibility to prepare your favorite foods. Another money-saving option is to host a potluck, depending on how casual your wedding is. Potlucks don’t fit every bride’s vision for her wedding, but for an outdoor wedding in a backyard or a park, a potluck is a wonderful idea. They offer guests the chance to contribute to the occasion, as well as variety beyond typical wedding fare.

The camaraderie we share as we dine together is fundamental to human experience. From graduation picnics to birthday dinners to weddings, we mark our most poignant occasions by extending our table to those we love. Whether a bride chooses to have a potluck or a seven-course feast, guests will return home with a full belly and fond remembrance of the happy day.

Wedding Favors for Your Idaho Wedding

While wedding gifts are a way for guests to honor a marriage and contribute to the beginning of the new couple’s life together, it is also customary for the bride and groom to offer wedding favors to guests to thank them for sharing their special day. The tradition of giving wedding favors began long ago when European aristocrats gave their guests a small gift box called a bonbonniere. The boxes were made of metal, precious stones, or even crystal, but the real treat was the candy inside. At a time when sugar was extremely expensive, the bonbonniere was a status symbol for the newly married bride and groom. Once sugar became less expensive, the custom of giving gifts to guests became commonplace. Today, wedding favors are much more affordable. Whether the gifts are lavish or homemade, they each offer guests a touching memento by which to remember the celebration. A bride—on a budget or not—shouldn’t worry about whether or not she can afford wedding favors; a homemade wedding favor shows the bride’s thoughtfulness.

Favors are also a great way to complement the theme or season of a wedding. Classic favors include candy, sugared almonds, or candles, though more practical wedding favors are currently popular. Small frames or photo magnets offer guests a long-lasting memento of the ceremony. For Idaho brides, a unique twist on the classic tradition of a sweet wedding favor is to give guests small jars of homemade jam. This is a great way to commemorate both the season and offer guests something personal. It’s also a fun way to bring friends and family together to contribute to making the wedding favors. For brides getting married outdoors this summer, a personalized fan doubles as a unique memento and a great way to keep guests cool.

Guests don’t come to the wedding for the wedding favor; they’re simply there to celebrate the happy occasion. Wedding favors are a way to remember the day, so a bride should offer a wedding favor that best fits the theme of her wedding, her personality, and her budget. Even though planning a wedding can be time-consuming and stressful for a bride, sharing a thoughtful gift with her guests is a wonderful way to top off her big day.

Choosing your wedding music for Idaho Weddings

With the peak of wedding season just a few short months away, women all across Idaho are busy nailing down the details of their weddings. Brides getting married this summer are sending out invitations and arranging final fittings of their dresses, anxiously awaiting the culmination of months of planning when they finally get to walk down the aisle to meet their husbands. Some brides have dreamed of this moment since they were little girls and have spent many hours walking down a makeshift aisle in oversized heels and a bouquet of dandelions, humming the “Bridal Chorus”. When a bride’s big day finally arrives, even though all eyes will be on her dress, all ears will be tuned to the music that announces the bride’s entrance. The moment that all guests rise and turn toward the bride at the sound of the first note is an extremely poignant moment for all in attendance. The music the bride chooses to accompany her walk down the aisle plays an indispensable role in shaping her wedding day.

Though the “Bridal Chorus” from Lohengrin by Richard Wagner is the most iconic piece for the processional, other beautiful pieces for brides who want a traditional wedding are Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” and the Bach cello suites. For a bride who wants to incorporate her faith into her choice of wedding music, a favorite hymn is an option. For a bride who chooses to veer from a traditional choice, an instrumental version of a favorite song is a memorable way to walk down the aisle. After the newly married couple and the wedding party make their exit, the “Wedding March” by Felix Mendelssohn is often played, though using an upbeat song as the recessional is a popular trend. This is a great way to kick off the reception if it will be held in the same location as the wedding.

After the bride chooses which music she would like for the wedding ceremony, she needs to pick musicians. It’s a good idea to have musicians lined up at least six months in advance to make sure they are available, though this date can vary depending on what kind of musicians the bride wants. Hiring a wedding band will require more coordination and planning than hiring a single pianist. The best way to find a reputable musician is to ask around—other brides will be happy to share their opinions and experiences. Another good resource to ask about musicians is local music teachers—there are often very talented music students who would love the chance to add to their resume and make some extra cash.  There may be some risk involved with hiring a student, but they are also very eager to please and hard-working.

If the bride does end up choosing a wedding band, she should ask if the band can also play music for the reception in addition to the wedding ceremony. This will save money and coordination if the bride would rather not use a DJ. However, a bride needs to take the size of the crowd into consideration when choosing music for the reception. For a large crowd that intends to dance, a DJ may be a better choice than a wedding band without sufficient amplification, but keep in mind that not all venues allow amplification. However, for a low-key, smaller crowd, the intimacy of a wedding band is ideal. One popular—and money-saving—trend is to put together wedding playlists on an iPod and hook the iPod up to a speaker system. With all the possible technical difficulties in using this method, however, those that aren’t very savvy with technology should consider paying a DJ. As many summer weddings in Idaho are outdoors, brides should also consider the difficulties with music that may arise if the weather chooses not to cooperate.

After many stressful months of planning, the bride should choose whatever music best suits her personality so she can enjoy the day just as much as the rest of her guests. The only mistake she can make is not to include music. Shakespeare aptly wrote that “if music be the food of love, play on.” Music transforms a wedding from a pleasant event into an unforgettable experience for all in attendance.

Choosing a bridesmaid can be a delicate process, but being asked to be a bridesmaid is a touching honor for the woman chosen. Bridesmaids play a crucial role in supporting the bride throughout the wedding planning process, and the dresses should likewise support the vision the bride has for her wedding day. The dresses may be casual, themed, or elegant, but they ultimately reflect the bride’s wishes. When choosing a dress, the bride should think ahead to how the photo of the wedding party will look. The bridesmaids frame the bride, so the bride shouldn’t choose a bridesmaid dress that will draw too much from her own dress.  The dresses should all match—having a variety of dresses can be distracting. Mixing long and short dresses, even if they are of a similar style, is particularly distracting. As the party walks down the aisle, the bridesmaids should be a prelude to the bride, rather than a fashion show. Bridesmaids should not expect that the dress is something they should be able to wear again; rather, the dress should be seen as a memento of an experience the bridesmaid will treasure for the rest of her life.

However, as the bridesmaids are traditionally the one who must pay for the dress, the bride should be very conscientious and pick an affordable dress. The process of trying to find bridesmaid dresses that fit both the bride’s taste and the bridesmaid’s budget can be time-intensive, so the bride should plan accordingly and communicate the cost clearly with her bridesmaids. Financial difficulties can cause tension between the bride and her bridesmaids, so open communication from the start will help solve this issue. It is also important to leave plenty of time for alterations, especially if any of the bridesmaids are out of state. Each woman needs to have her measurements taken professionally at a bridal store, where there is usually a size chart for each designer. It’s important for the bridesmaid to choose the size based on the biggest part of her body, because a dress that is too tight can be extremely uncomfortable. Many women don’t like going up a size, but wearing a dress that fits well will pay off. Bridesmaids must often stand for hours, sometimes in very hot or humid locations, and often will not get rest until after the wedding is over. It’s also far easier for a tailor to take in a dress that’s too big in some areas than to take out a dress that is too small in other areas.

Choosing a bridesmaid dress can be difficult and require very close coordination with the bridesmaids, but by choosing the right bridesmaid dress, the bride has the opportunity to enhance the beauty of her wedding and share a very special experience with the women who already play such an important role in her life.

As a general rule, tip only employees not business owners (though owners can be tipped for exceptional service). Thank you notes are always appreciated by any vendor – add them to your list

Here’s our Wedding Tipping Cheat Sheet: 

11. Waiting till after the wedding to pack for the honeymoon. If you are leaving for your honeymoon the day after the wedding, pack two or three days before the wedding. If you rush around at the last minute, you will forget something, and you sure don’t want to be doing laundry on your wedding day.

12. Planning to be your own wedding coordinator. On the wedding day you will be so focused on being where you need to be (hair appointment, photos, ceremony, reception) that you won’t have time to find out if the cake was delivered, the DJ has arrived and is set up, the centerpieces are set out, candles are lighted, and all the myriad details a wedding coordinator will handle. Don’t expect your mom to act as the coordinator. She will be busy too and she will want to enjoy spending time with the guests. Hiring a day-of coordinator is one of the best investments you can make.

13. Not considering transportation needs of your guests. It is a courtesy to consider the needs of your out of town family and friends and how they will get to and from the wedding. Check with the hotel where you blocked rooms to see if their shuttle van might be available for a fee to take guests to the ceremony and pick them up afterwards. Alternatively, you might rent a trolley or ask your wedding coordinator to have the phone number of a taxi service available for those who need it.

14. Using an iPod or laptop for your music. This works only if you carefully plan your play list and you have an experienced person to operate the iPod or laptop. You can’t hand it off to someone who doesn’t know how to operate it or who doesn’t know what to play when. A beautifully planned wedding can be ruined by problems with the music. If you are not totally confident in the ability of a designated person to handle everything smoothly, hire a professional and don’t risk ruining your ceremony or reception.

15. Making a seating chart the night before the wedding. Seating charts are a major headache. You need one only if you are having a sit-down dinner with multiple entree choices. If it is a sit-down dinner with only one entree or a buffet, have your caterer or coordinator reserve tables for the wedding party and parents, then allow the other guests to sit where they want.

16. Asking for gifts. It is socially taboo to indicate to your guests that a gift is expected and what it should be. An invitation to a wedding is a request for family and friends to join you in celebrating a joyous occasion in your life. It isn’t about gifts. If you register, and it is helpful if you do, registry information should not appear in your wedding invitation. (A shower hostess may mention it, however.) And it is never okay to ask for money in a wedding invitation. If you prefer money, then don’t register and when people ask, verbally tell them you prefer money, but don’t be surprised if some still bring gifts. If you live in another area, encourage guests to choose gifts from your registry and have them shipped to your home rather than bringing them to the wedding.

Forget about having a money tree; your guests are not obligated to help pay for the wedding or honeymoon. The same is true with money dances. Unless it is part of your culture, you may offend more people than participate.

17. Having a cash bar. This is frowned on in many areas of the country. In Idaho we have a host liability law which makes the event host liable for the actions of guests. Therefore, it is common in this area to host beer and wine or a champagne toast and allow guests to pay for other alcohol if they choose to imbibe. Alternatively, don’t make alcohol other than beer and wine available at all. It is also appropriate, and budget-friendly, not to serve alcohol at all.

18. Not having a hair or make-up trial. Plan to have your hair done about a month before the wedding. Take your veil with you and also take a camera to record the style you like. The hairdresser won’t remember every detail, so the photos will be helpful.

19. Not creating a day-of itinerary. You and your wedding coordinator should create a plan for the day, then she should share it with your photographer, DJ and officiant, so they can work together to make the day flow smoothly just the way you want. If you don’t have a coordinator, you will need to create your own plan before the rehearsal. Nothing frustrates officiants more than being unexpectedly placed in charge of an unplanned or poorly planned rehearsal. With a plan, you should be able to run through your rehearsal twice in less than 45 minutes. Without one, your rehearsal can easily take two hours or more.

20. Becoming stressed out and not enjoying your day. Don’t let all the details get to you. During the months leading up to the wedding, take some time away from the wedding planning; get enough sleep before the wedding; be sure to eat on the wedding day. Your guests don’t know what you planned, so don’t stress the details. Remember, it is the marriage that counts, not what happens on the wedding day. With a bit of pre-planning, you can have a wonderful day free from any major glitches.

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman; all rights reserved