Wedding Guests: Do's and Don'ts

I miss doing Wedding Wednesday posts so much! Planning our wedding was my hobby the majority of last year and I loved it. I meant to write a post on etiquette for wedding guests a long time ago but never did! These are all things that I personally experienced, or thought would be useful to someone going to a wedding soon.

DO:

RSVP on time! This was a huge pain for me. We of course pay for these RSVP's with the paid postage for a reason, so please send them back. Don't text the bride that you'll be there, she has enough going on that it's better just to see it in writing. Plus, then she will know if you are bringing a guest and your food option.

Show up on time. This was a huge problem for our wedding day. We were ready to start the ceremony when someone ran in and told us we had to wait because someone had to run somewhere but they will be right back. Needless to say, I was't pleased. Show up early and find a spot; the bride and groom will be thankful.

Stay for the reception. It was sad to see how many people came to our wedding and only managed to stay for dinner before any of the fun parts of our reception. The newlyweds and their families have put a lot of time and effort into the reception, so stay to celebrate and enjoy it!

Pay attention to the dress code if there is one. It's just polite. I didn't mind what people wore as long as it wasn't flip flops, tank tops, and jeans. People still showed up in them anyway, and I didn't care much, but it's just nice to follow the bride's lead.

Use the hashtag! I had so much fun looking through our hashtag after our wedding, it helped me get get through until we had our professional photos back.

Don't:

Bring a date if it wasn't specified on your RSVP to do so. If anything, I would say ask the bride if it is important to you but never just assume and show up with someone.

Text the bride a few days before her wedding canceling on her. I had a "friend" text me to say that they couldn't make it to my wedding a couple of days prior because of work. The food was paid for, the seating chart was finished, and it was hurtful that my friend didn't request this day off months ago.

Use your phone during the ceremony, especially if the couple specifically requests not to do so. I can't imagine who you would need to text in the middle of a ceremony that couldn't wait until after so just don't do it!

I'm sure I missed something, but these are things that really stand out to me. What are some of your rules for weddings?

Bishop Wedding Part 5: The Reception

After all of our pictures were finished Joe and I entered the reception. In between the ceremony and reception our guests were able to make their way up to the reception area, grab a drink, and relax. Before we started dinner and the other festivities, we went around to every table to hug all of our friends and family and thank them for coming. We had around fifty people and it felt so special that we were able to talk to every one of our guests. 

I cannot believe that we do not have a single photo of our dinner! When I went through the thousands of pictures, I was sure I would find even just one, and I didn't. Salad was served first, then for the main course we had chicken cordon bleu, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and dinner rolls. I was especially sad we didn't get a photo of the dinner because the chef decorated hearts from spices all around our dinner plates. 

When we did our tasting I knew right away that the chicken cordon bleu had to be served. I am still kicking myself for not eating more of that dinner. I should have had someone box it up for us but I was a little side tracked, just being married and all.

As dinner was finishing up, it was time for speeches.

First up was Joe's best man Anthony, his speech was funny, but still very sweet. He gave us all a big laugh by asking me to place my hand on the table, then asking Joe to place his hand on top of mine and then making the joke that this would be the last time he would have the upper hand.

Then it was my sister Connie's turn. She had to go and give a seriously sweet toast that made me tear up. She quoted Pablo Neruda: “I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close.”  
I had this quote put into our wedding album, it will always make me think of this day. 

Our first dance was to "Dancing Away With My Heart" by Lady Antebellum

After more dancing it was time for the bouquet toss. We played "All The Single Ladies" Duh.
I know my sister was gunning for that thing. But it was the youngest of the bunch, my cousin Jamie who caught it. I guess that's bad news for the rest of the girls because there is still at least ten years before she can get married.

We knew that we wanted a small cake, and then different flavored cupcakes. We opted for the main cake to be red velvet and the cupcakes were: spice, oreo, and champagne. They were so delicious. Instead of keeping the top tier of the wedding cake for our one year anniversary, we kept one cupcake to freeze. 

That's my "Don't you dare get this cake all over my face" look. He's a smart guy, and knew to get that cake fully in my mouth.

We danced, we mingled, we drank champagne. It was a blast being around so many of our closest family and friends. It went by so fast, it was truly the best night.

Bishop Wedding Part 2: The Ceremony

We really could not have asked for a more beautiful day to get married. It was sunny and 75 outside which was really just perfect. When we were searching for our venue, we found this one because it's actually right down the road from where I work. We ended up choosing it because we wanted outdoor/indoor space. I liked that we could do the ceremony and reception there and it was beautiful for pictures as well.

As for decorations at the ceremony site, we kept it simple with pink and white rose petals scattered down the isle and I had an obsession with curly willow (you'll see it incorporated in our centerpieces), so we had it added on the arch with fresh flowers on top.

I did my bridal portraits and pictures with my sisters and mom before the ceremony (which I will share in another post) so there wasn't so much waiting time after the ceremony for our guests. As time came close for the ceremony to start, I was hidden away to not be seen until 5pm. Then it was time to get married! 

My mom walked me down the isle, it was the best decision for me. She's my best friend, the one who raised me, and I couldn't imagine anyone else doing it. I walked down the isle to "A Thousand Years"

This was the first time Joe and I were seeing each other, and I was so happy we waited until that very moment to see each other. 

The ceremony itself was very quick, but perfect. Our officiant read the most beautiful prayer at the opening of the ceremony that put an ease in my mind because I was very nervous.

I had no idea how fast the ceremony would feel, it goes by so fast. The only part I didn't love... for about half the ceremony there was a bee on Joe's boutonniere. If anyone knows me, they know that I freak out if I am anywhere near a bee. So it was really hard to just stand still and keep focused, not to mention my soon to be husband is allergic to said bee. Thankfully it flew away and left us alone after that. Just the things you get with an outdoor wedding. The rest of the ceremony was so perfect. All of the worries about everything being set up or all of the little details didn't matter at this point. 

Finally, we exchanged rings and were announced as husband and wife!

I'll be back next week to share more about our big day - bridal party / bride and groom pictures!

Previous wedding day posts:

Part one: Getting Ready

Bishop Wedding: Part 1 Getting Ready

It has been way too long since I have posted a wedding related post. I emailed my photographer a couple weeks ago and she said it usually takes around eight weeks to get them back. Since we weren't able to have my photographer there while I was actually getting ready for the wedding, I thought I would start with this post since it will be Iphone pictures anyway. 

Getting ready - 

The day before: If you read my previous post, you would remember that I had a pretty bad night before the wedding. I spent the night at my moms with my sisters, and we had a day of last minute errands and of course - getting pedicures. Mine was actually the pedicure from hell, he cut the skin all under my toe, and it burned the entire time but that's okay. I just kind of rolled with it. After the pedicure, that's really when everything went wrong. Since I have no desire to harp on that awful night, I will say that joy really does come in the morning, because I was ready to take on the day when I woke up.

I was just so excited to see Joe and make it until five o'clock. 

My mom made coffee and french toast, because it's my favorite and she's the best. We all had some time before we had to go set up at the venue so we ate, and all had time to shower. I know a lot of brides choose to relax the morning of their wedding, but I just wanted to go be busy and set up the reception. It kept my mind busy, and I loved being able to make everything just the way I wanted it.

It was truly, a beautiful day to get married.

My sisters strung blush pink lanterns along the exposed beams in the reception area that took a couple hours. I cannot tell you how amazing they looked. My family was a life saver setting everything up. 

A couple of hours later, it was time to go get hair and makeup done. It seemed like the morning flew by, and everything was moving so fast. My normal hair dresser was not available the day of the wedding, so I had to find someone a few months prior. Although I did a trial with this lady, I will say that I wish I would have been able to find someone I knew better to do the hair and makeup. She didn't quite listen to what I wanted. Thankfully though, it turned out really great!

I didn't wear a veil, instead I wore a really pretty headband and it matched my bridesmaids dresses. 

Joe and I opted not to see each other before the wedding. I knew it would have been easier to take pictures before, but I also knew since the beginning that I wanted to wait and see Joe as I was walking down the aisle. Stick to what you want, ladies.

After we we're done getting ready, it was time to head back to the venue and get married!

The Wedding Party

I feel like every single week I am going to repeat the words "I can't believe how close we are" and I mean it. I am shocked every time I look at the date and realize that in just a couple of months I get to marry my best friends in front of our closest friends and family. 

If you didn't already know, we're having a pretty small wedding compared to others.When you move away from your hometown where we live currently for seven years, lets just say you don't stay in touch with too many people. Neither Joe or I have big families, but honestly that's okay with me. I don't personally want 200 people that don't know us or make an attempt to be more than acquaintances attending our wedding. We have friends and family from out of state that may not be able to make it, and that's the sad part for me. 

Since our wedding will be around 50-60 guests we are keeping our wedding party very small. We both agreed on two people each. My bridesmaids will be my two sisters who just so happen to be two of my best friends as well. 

Another thing that we are doing in our wedding that may be different is that I plan on having my mom walk me down the isle. I know it's typical for the father to do this, but I feel like it should be whoever you feel in your heart to do this part. The person who raised me my entire life and who has been my best friend since day one is my mom.  

P.S The next wedding post will be all about our invitations! Since they are finally sent out, I cannot wait to share. 

Did you do anything different on your wedding day,if so how did it turn out?

Wedding Wednesday - Who's gonna marry us?

It's officially been over a week since my last post, and I'm glad to be back for wedding Wednesday. Unfortunately this post has no pretty pictures or any great ideas, but it's a true story and I wanted to share. 

Who's going to marry us? Well that's a good question considering we only have five months until our wedding. I've been a little picky about our officiant and here's why..

Have you ever went into a business with the money in your account ready to put down a deposit, and then get totally let down? Well that's what happened to us last night..

A few weeks ago when I attended a bridal show with my mom I received a business card from a very nice lady who is a wedding officiant. Her booth was set up very nicely and she seemed like a good fit. Since we aren't members of a church at the moment I thought I would set up an appointment to talk about our vision for our ceremony and go over the details. I email the women and we set the appointment. Joe and I are always a little early so we showed up about 30 minutes early thinking we could just look around before our appointment. When we arrived the door was locked, the lights were off, and all that you could identify that we were even in the correct place was a little paper sign with the name of the business on it.. So we waited. 

I don't mind waiting, but when I wait for a doctors appointment usually I'm indoors and in a chair waiting. Not here. We were waiting outside in 99 degree weather - and I wish I were exaggerating. Our appointment time came and went so I decide to email the women to make sure she was coming. No response. 

Finally a lady shows up that is not the same person I met at the bridal show, and this lady seems rushed. It takes her trying about ten different keys before she can figure out how to open the door. Mind you, we still didn't receive an apology for being late. She lets us in the doorway and I see that the business is very filthy. I'm talking dust bunnies - buy a swiffer or something! She doesn't even ask us to sit down and talk, we just stand in the doorway. Finally she asks why we were here....at this point I am ready to leave. I mean really?? She literally just stood there and asked absolutely no questions regarding our wedding before I asked if she had a brochure of prices and details - guess what? They didn't have any. I politely told this women that we are not interested and we are leaving, and she didn't seem to care one bit. 

Rant over. 

Moral of the story is, make sure you check out everyone you use for your wedding - and be picky!! Don't settle for people who aren't passionate about what they are doing or don't seem to care about your special day. Some people I have emailed don't even want to meet in person before the wedding, no way I'm falling for that. 

I will definitely be meeting personally from now on before signing any contracts or putting down any type of deposit. Customer service is everything! We're meeting with a photographer this Friday, so cross your fingers!

Any brides out there have problems with vendors or people involved in your wedding?