Archive for the ‘Wedding Party’ Category
The Roles And Responsibilities Of Your Wedding Party
The wedding attendant role is fun yet also carries a large amount of responsibility, which is why the bride and groom should choose persons they are close to and trust to handle important details before, during and after the ceremony.
Maid (unmarried)/Matron (married) of Honor Checklist
? Share the bride’s excitement and joy of the wedding
? Help choose dresses at the brides request (and pay for her own attire including dress, shoes, jewelry and other accessories)
? Throw a bridal shower and bachelorette party (if the bride desires one) for the bride
? Help with any other details of planning and preparing for the wedding (as required by the bride)
? Purchase shower gift
? Attend all pre-wedding parties (per invitation)
? Help bride with any last minute details
? Purchase wedding gift
? Stay by the bride’s side at the ceremony site to assist with any preparation details
? Precede the bride down the aisle during the ceremony, hold the groom’s ring, the bride’s bouquet, fold back the bride’s veil and straighten the train as needed.
? Stand in the receiving line next to the groom immediately following the ceremony. Sign the marriage license as an official witness
? Sit to the groom’s left during dinner at the reception. Attend to any details to help the bride, accompanying her to the washroom, bustling the train and taking part in special dances with the bridal party
? Attend gift opening party
Checklist For A Bridesmaid
? Share the brides excitement and joy of the wedding
? Help choose bridesmaids dresses if the bride requests and be fitted once the choice is made by the bride (and pay for her own attire including dress, shoes, jewelry and other accessories)
? Help with any other details of planning and preparing for the wedding (as required by the bride)
? Assist the maid of honor in throwing a bridal shower/bachelorette party for the bride
? Purchase shower gift
? Attend all pre-wedding parties (per invitation)
? Purchase wedding gift
? Help bride with any last minute details
? During the ceremony, lead the procession down the aisle, usually return down the aisle after the ceremony escorted by a groomsman
? Following the ceremony, stand in the receiving line next to the maid of honor
? At the reception, sit at the head table during dinner in an alternating pattern with the groomsmen. Attend to any details to help the bride. Take part in special dances for the bridal party
? Attend gift opening party
Checklist for A Personal Attendant
While this may be the least glamorous of all positions, it can be the most important in helping the bride relax and enjoy her wedding day, knowing this trusted friend/relative is there to help. The bride should make a list of tasks up ahead of time for which the personal attendant will be responsible for, these duties may include:
? Assist the bride in getting dressed and ready
? Pin on the corsages and boutonnieres
? Prepare the bride to walk down the aisle, last minute touch-ups, fluffing the train
? Gather people for pictures
? Make sure the wedding party has their belongings after the ceremony
? Keep track of the toss bouquet until it’s needed
? Oversee transportation of the gifts to the gift opening site or the couple’s home
? Attend the gift opening party and keep a record of gifts
Checklist for the Best Man
? Be measured for formal wear (pay for rental of his own formal wear including shoes and accessories)
? Organize the bachelor party
? Buy wedding gift
? Be sure the groom arrives at the wedding site on time
? Carry the bride’s ring
? Stand by the groom’s side at ceremony
? Sign the marriage license as an official witness. Give clergy member payment (provided by groom)
? At the reception, sit to the bride’s left during dinner. Offer the first “toast” to the bride and groom
? The day after the wedding may gather all rented clothing from the groom’s wedding party and return it to the formal wear store
Groomsman Checklist
? Be measured for formal wear (pay for rental of his own formal wear including shoes and accessories)
? Assist the best man in organizing the bachelor party
? Buy wedding gift
? Stand by the best man during the ceremony
? Escort bridesmaid down the aisle
? Decorate the wedding couple’s “getaway” car (as guests file through the receiving line)
? At the reception, sit at the head table during dinner in an alternating pattern with the bridesmaids. Take part in special dances for the bridal party.
Ushers Checklist
? Be measured for formal wear (pay for rental of his own formal wear including shoes and accessories)
? Buy wedding gift
? Attend the rehearsal, practice lighting and extinguishing the candles, familiarize himself with entrance, exit and bathroom locations for the guests’ comfort and learn seating arrangements
? Arrive at the wedding site an hour before to get boutonnieres, ready the programs and help with any last-minute details
? If guests of the bride and groom are to be seated in separate sections, ascertain the guests’ relationship to the couple. Once this is established the right arm is offered to the lady, who is then escorted to the open pew closest to the front of the church. The farthest-forward pews are traditionally reserved for immediate family members
? Usher in the mother of the groom then the mother of the bride last, and then unroll the aisle runner. Stay in the back of the church during the ceremony, directing late guests to back or side seats
? Immediately after the wedding party has walked down the aisle, escort out the mothers of the bride and groom, and sometimes direct the departure of guests in an orderly manner
? Decorate the wedding couple’s “getaway” car (as guests file through the receiving line)
? At the reception, sit at the head table and enjoy the rest of the reception as a guest
Ring Bearer, Flower Girls, Junior Bridesmaids, Miniature Brides, etc.
Children assume these roles which differ from wedding to wedding, largely depending on the bride and groom’s desires and the maturity and capability of each child. Feel free to incorporate children into your ceremony and celebrations as desired, or elect to let the children enjoy themselves as guests.
Attendants’ Gifts
After the bride and groom have chosen their attendants, they have yet another decision to make: buying the attendants’ gifts.
Tradition dictates that bridesmaids should receive similar gifts, as should the groomsmen, although special gifts are sometimes given to the best man and maid of honor. Similar need not mean exact, however. Local gift shops offer gift baskets or boxes which can be filled with an assortment of treasures, such as soaps, perfumes, lotions, bath oil beads, powders, shower gels, candles, cheeses, crackers, or liqueurs, just to name some of the choices. Baskets and boxes can be decorated with lace, linens, dried flowers or bows. Each basket or box can thus be personalized to fit the recipient without giving “different” gifts.
Other, more traditional, selections abound. Consider wallets, pen and pencil sets, belt buckles, pewter mugs and silver key rings for men; chains, necklaces, disc charms and silver bangle bracelets for women.
More contemporary gifts might include exotic plants, recreational accessories or handmade (preferably by the bride or groom) crafts. Some couples prefer to pay for the rental or purchase of all clothing and related items their attendants will wear.
A gift is a meaningful token of appreciation. It says “thank you” for sharing, celebrating and attending the most jo
yous ceremony a man and woman will ever plan together. After many years have passed, the responsible attendants can look back at the wedding and smile, proudly remembering the contributions that helped make the wedding a success.
Wedding Anniversary Party Planning – 8 Unique Ideas and Themes For Your Celebration
Not every couple dreams of a formal, sit-down, catered affair for their wedding anniversary party. In fact, they may not even want a fancy social reception at all. If you’re looking for something a little different, here are eight unique anniversary party ideas to consider.
1. Luau or Tropical Flair – Did they go to Hawaii or the Caribbean on their honeymoon? Do they love to vacation in the islands? Or do they dream of going one day? Create a celebration with an island atmosphere. Tiki torches, seashells, and fake palm trees add to the decor. Play music from the tropics. Serve up coconut based drinks. Don’t forget the flower leis for the celebrating couple.
2. Big Family Barbecue – You can fire up the grill and do this in your backyard. Or, you can go all out, rent a big tent, hire professional grill-masters and a country music band. Whether your party is low-key or over the top, it will be casual fun that friends and relatives of all ages will enjoy.
3. Romantic Dinner Cruise – If you live near a river, lake, ocean or just about any body of water, there is bound to be boats available for your celebration. They usually include a meal, music and dancing. It has all the trappings of a typical anniversary party, but with a seaworthy twist.
4. Year We Got Married – Did the happy couple get married in the 1950′s? Then plan a doo-wop sock hop. If their marriage took place in the 60′s, load up on tie-dye, peace signs, lava lamps and rock and roll. If they took the plunge in the 70′s, then go all out disco. Build the party around the decade of their wedding, including music, fashion, headlines, even popular foods.
5. Fiesta – If you’re planning a wedding anniversary party for a couple that still has a lot of spice in their relationship, then how about a fiery south of the border theme? Hire a mariachi band, serve spicy food and decorate with pinatas.
6. Hollywood Love Story – Roll out the red carpet (literally!) for your own version of Tracy and Hepburn. Decorate with life-size cardboard cutouts of movie stars, clapboards, awards, stars and twinkle lights. Select invitations featuring tickets. Play soundtracks from blockbuster films.
7. Interesting Location – If the couple is still wild about each other after all these years, consider throwing their anniversary party in your local zoological park. Most zoos have facilities you can rent, even after hours, and your guests can enjoy some of the animal exhibits.
How about having your celebration at the botanical gardens? Can you imagine a more beautiful location? You might also want to investigate to see if the restaurant the couple went to on their first date is still open and have the party there. What other location might be of particular sentimental value to the them? Find out if it’s available for parties.
8. Destination Anniversary – Choose several close friends and family members and plan a weekend trip to an exotic location to celebrate the couple’s milestone. Destination weddings are all the rage, so why not adapt this trend to your celebration? This may sound extravagant, but it can be cheaper than planning a elegant formal dinner for a hundred people. The guests are usually only responsible for paying their air fare or other transportation costs. That means that you’ll be picking up the tab for hotel and meals. But think of the memories!
Traditional celebrations can be wonderful. But if you’re planning a wedding anniversary party for a unique couple who would enjoy something a little different, don’t settle for an ordinary event. You don’t need to be limited to conventional ideas. Just use your imagination, maybe borrow one of these suggestions, and you’ll create an anniversary to remember.
Great Ideas For 10-Year Wedding Anniversary Party Favors
If you can not decide what to prepare for your 10-year wedding anniversary party favors, know that you are not alone in that dilemma. A lot of people are in a similar situation. For how can one really pinpoint the best item to symbolize 10 years of togetherness?
There are a lot of memories and meaningful things that a couple of 10 years have shared. Picking out the best to symbolize those years of partnership is pretty tough. To start that decision-making process, read the following tips on how to choose 10-year wedding anniversary party favors.
10-Year Wedding Anniversary Party Favors Need Not Be Expensive
Party favors are given in appreciation of the guest’s presence to share a special occasion. Your 10-year wedding anniversary party favors should show recognition of your guests’ effort to be there. At the same time, these should reflect the theme of the party and should be somewhat memorable or special to you and your spouse.
These items need not be costly at all. Traditionally, the 10th year is symbolized by tin or aluminum but the more modern symbolism goes for diamonds. You might want to opt for any item with these elements but of course, you know the cost implications if you go for the modern symbol.
A safe option is to give out an item that you and your spouse find significant for your 10th year like a shared hobby that you recently took up. You can also have a miniature/replica of your gifts for each other made to order to give away as your 10-year wedding anniversary party favors.
10-Year Wedding Anniversary Party Favors That Can Be Used By Guests
A practical approach is to think of something that the guests can bring home and actually use later on like wine glasses or coffee mugs with your names engraved on them. You can actually engrave anything you want on them – a message, a thank-you note or a meaningful poem. If you have the time and are resourceful enough, you can actually make your 10-year wedding anniversary party favors like embroidered items or baked goodies in romantic likeness like hearts or cupids.
Imagination is all you need to settle for the best 10-year wedding anniversary party favors to give away. And if you were able to last that long in a relationship and is still in a party mood, you must be an imaginative and resourceful person.
At a time when there are as many divorce cases as there are weddings, 10 years of marriage is already a feat. So go ahead, celebrate and give away 10-year wedding anniversary party favors that will make your guests believe in marriage again.