Thank You's

Send the perfect thank you!
-Any pre-wedding festivities inculding gifts should be noted. Who gave what?
-Begin writing your thank you's as soon as you start getting gifts! It's much less work then doing them all at once
-If you don't have time to presonalize every note, create a greeting that will share your gratitute to your friends.
-Don't wait until months after your shower or wedding to send the cards! How offended would you be if a bride never thanked you for something you gave them? They should be sent out within a month of the event :)

Out Of Town Guests

Most couples can't please everyone that they are inviting to their wedding. Remember, some guests will be travelling to celebrate with you! Here are a few tips to remember :)

1) Send a Save the Date! Travel arrangements need to be made ASAP so the sooner, the better!
2)Ensure they have a place to stay! Include hotel information with their invitation.
3)Have a welcome basket ready! Some travel from far away, and likely will be hungry when they arrive! Maybe include a pamphlet with neat places they would like to visit while they are there!

Invite Etiquette!

There are 3 common mistakes when couples begin sending out invitations for their big day.
NO BOXED GIFTS - It is common for couples to already have lived together therefore having the 'basics' when it comes to wedding gifts. A git of any kind is exactly that - a gift! Be grateful for what you receive, even if it is 3 frying pans! Most gifts can be returned, and if the gift giver remembers, come with a gift receipt. Registry information should be kept OFF of invitations (yes, even for showers!). The gift information, whether it be money, or sharing where the couple is registered, should be shared by word of mouth!
NO CHILDREN - if you have decided this will be an 18 + event, you have to get the wording correct. Only those whose names on the invite are actually invited. You can even fill out the names on the RSVP cards to avoid total confusion.
FAMILY AFFAIR - remember, everyone over 18 should get their own invitation!

Secret pen :)

I have to thank a fellow planner Sandra Aaron for this wonderful idea! Brides - a new gadget that you would NEVER think of when sending out invites. I hated getting RSVP's back that were only half filled out, or if my husband checked the mail, opened the envelope and threw it away. Now, to keep track of those annoying unfilled out RSVP's use this cool 'secret' pen to number the backs and voila - use the blacklight when follow up is needed! I know some wonder when they receive invites "Why was # __ on the back of my card. What does the number mean!?" So, save some confusion and some cash www.dealxtreme.com/details.dx/sku.88

Happy Shopping ;)

Diamond in the RUFF??

A Golden Retriever swallows a 3 karat diamond from his owner's Washington jewellery store. The big rock was being examined when the jeweler dropped it on the floor and Soli, the retriever helped himself.

Could you imagine losing a 3 karat diamond to a dog?! Needless to say, the dog eventually passed the diamond 3 days later and it was recovered in one piece! I hope they learned their lesson to teach their dog the 'drop it' command!!!

Hands down - BRIDEZILLA in Michigan!

I absolutely LOVED shopping for my wedding dress. I made it evident, I would try on as many dresses as I needed to to find the ONE! Although I found my dress after about 30 dresses, no bride should EVER get to this point! As a wedding planner... boy am I sure glad she wasn't my bride!!!
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/offbeat/bride-trashes-wedding-dress-shop-030910
The video says enough about this 'bride'!

Why have a certified planner??

http://wpic.typepad.com/wpic/2010/03/is-your-wedding-coordinator-wpic-certified-.html

Fake Bridal Show?!

The wedding world has been blindsided by the largest wedding show scam. Boston 411 was created, inviting brides to be as well as numerous others to a Spring Home & Bridal Show this past weekend. Approximately 900 vendors and brides were tricked into registering on the fake website to be a part of the 'extravagent' New England show, promising to be one of the best shows in the area. When registering for tickets ranging from $10 - $15 attendees were promised a goodie bag and their name to be entered into a draw for various big ticket prizes. Things got a bit fishy when investigators heard of vendors calling and emailing, requesting their 'set up time' from the venue, only to hear from the Convention Centre that "no such show was scheduled". Boston 411 covered all of the basics, even setting up a fake phone number to answer any questions potential visitors might have. The timing of this scam was perfect... Capturing the excited brides to be right after the big Valentine's Day proposals.
Police and FBI Cyber Crime units are still investigating.

**A LESSON FOR ALL BRIDES**
If it's too good to be true, it just might be! Do your research!!!!

Wedding Bliss Fundraiser

On Sunday April 11th 2010, New Beginnings will host it's 4th annual wedding fundraiser.
New Beginnings is a support program to help women and children in need, and what a great way to share the excitment of a wedding by giving them an opportunity to get a dream dress.
Over 300 dream dresses will be available to try on and purchase from $99 - $350 - what a deal!!!
This fundraiser will be broadcasted by CTV & CITY TV

Ramada Plaza Toronto Hotel
300 Jarvis Street
10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Alteration specialists will be available on site
Visit www.newbeginningsprogram.ca/WeddingBliss10.htm

Flower Colour Meanings

RED - of course represents love. The darker the red, the deeper the meaning. Dark reds show a charitable love, while brighter reds represent passion.
PINK - innocent happiness. Pink is red's youthful counterpart.
ORANGE - mixes the passion of red, and the happiness of yellow. Pride, energy & confidence are words used to describe this colour. Orange flowers are vibrant and add a great touch to bouquets.
PEACH - offers freindship
YELLOW - represents happiness and new life.
GREEN - ties with nature and health. Green is optimistic, alive and refreshing.
BLUE - cools anxiety. Blue represents calm and tranquility. (I wonder if this has meaning to me since my bouquet was mainly blue...) :)
PURPLE - one word - royalty! Deep respect & admiration
WHITE - purity.