wedding announcements etiquette

Getting married is an exciting day in your life. The only one that comes close is the day you get engaged. Celebrating that major milestone is definitely a good idea and is a good reason for sending out custom engagement party invitations. When you're sending out engagement party cards or just creating engagement announcements, there are a few things you need to remember.

Announcing the Engagement

Although you'll be excited to share the news with the whole world, you'll probably want to send engagement party invitations a while before putting an official announcement in the newspaper. Even before you plan the celebration, however, you should first tell your parents. A good way to do this is taking each set out to dinner individually and sharing the wonderful news over a glass of champagne. Then they can help you plan everything for the engagement party invite.

You may also want to tell a few close friends, such as the person who introduced the two of you or your best friend. If you spread the news around too much, you might take away some of the impact from your personalized engagement party invitations, unless you don't want the news to be a surprise to everyone attending.

That's a decision you'll want to make before sending out engagement party cards. If you plan on announcing the news at the party, you don't want to choose cards that suggest you are celebrating this important part of your life. Instead, choose more general party invitations. However, if you don't mind if they know and would prefer to only announce the details, such as the date of the wedding, at the party, then you have more freedom when picking out invites for engagement party.

Wording Engagement Party Invitation

Another issue is how to word these party engagement invitations. Generally, you have a lot of flexibility as long as you include the basic party details. However, if you're not surprising guests with the news and you're having a more formal celebration, you might want to word your engagement invitation cards in much the same way you'll word your printed engagement announcement.

If you're going for a more casual feeling, then your invitations engagement might say something like "You're invited to hear John and Jane's Big News!" Or you could choose engagement party invitations that include photos of the two of you, possibly the same photograph you'll be sending with your engagement announcement to your local newspaper.

The Guest List for Engagement Party Etiquette

If you're wondering who to invite to your celebration, remember not to include any of your ex-partners unless you are still friendly with them. It's a good idea to invite all of your parents and grandparents, as well as your siblings. Make sure to invite your friends and anyone who knows the two of you fairly well. Don't send printed engagement party invitations to anyone who might be less than thrilled by your news. You don't want them to ruin your day.

wedding invitation announcements

Bridal Shower Invitations Wording Ideas, Wedding Announcements Wording Verses and Sayings for Wedding Invitations Cards

Of all the invitations, announcements and cards that are sent out for weddings, the wording is perhaps the most important. The sayings for these pieces of stationery will set the tone for the event and give guests a good idea as to what to expect. The most important pieces of stationery that are sent out need the best verses and this means paying particular attention to bridal shower invitations wording, wedding announcements sayings, wedding shower invitations verses and marriage announcements wedding. Bridal invitations wordings can be kept very fun and light, especially if the event is going to be a casual affair, such as a lingerie bridal shower.

Traditional bridal invitation wording could say, "Please join us for a bridal shower in honor of the bride-to-be, Elizabeth Clark," and follow with the details of the shower. Bridal showers can also be casual. For instance, a lingerie wording could say, "Elizabeth is about to walk down the aisle; Let's shower her with silk and lace that will make the groom smile." However formal the event, the bridal shower cards sayings needs to be focusing attention on the bride and the theme of the event.

Events such as shower parties also require thank you cards. Thank you card wording should also keep within the theme of the event. If the shower was formal, with formal invitations and perhaps catering, the bridal thank you card wording should reflect that. The bride can generally write whatever she wishes on the inside of the card but the thank you card wording that's printed on the front of the card should say something such as, "I am filled with gratitude for your presence at my bridal shower." For something more casual such as a lingerie shower, the card wording could say, "Thanks for coming to my shower; I'm thrilled that you were there! To start my marriage off right, thanks for the underwear!"

Wedding announcements, elopement announcements and engagement announcements sayings will all be fairly alike. These cards are simply to tell people that you have wed, or that you will be wed. Elopement verses can be much like weddings and does not necessarily need to include the fact that you have eloped. Something such as, "Ms. Elizabeth Clark and Richard Dayton were married on June 30, 2007" would be appropriate.

Rehearsal dinner invitation can be a little bit tricky as many of the guests may not be sure what to expect from the rehearsal dinner. For a formal ceremony, the rehearsal dinner usually means rehearsing the ceremony, with dinner to follow. This rehearsal dinner invitation wording could say, "We request your presence at the rehearsal dinner on June 29th, to rehearse the ceremony with a delicious meal to follow." For a casual wedding there may be no actual rehearsal required so this rehearsal dinner invitation could say, "Let's sit down to eat together before the stress of the big day!"

Whatever stationery you are sending out, the wording is very important. Online retailers and wedding planners can help with unique wording ideas, verses and sayings that will be perfect for any piece of wedding mail you are sending out.

eloped wedding announcements

Getting married is a very exciting time but there are many details to be taken care of beforehand. One of these responsibilities is sending out Bridal Shower Invitations. These might not seem like a big task but it's important to keep the invitations fun while conveying the tone of the shower and including important information. Many people choose to use the theme and colors when doing anything that is wedding related.

There are many wording ideas. For a surprise, "Don't tell but we're having a surprise party for Mary Smith..." Another fun way might be for a recipe party. Here is where you would enclose two index cards and have the guest write a recipe on one and a recipe for love on the other. To add to the theme, you can request that gifts come in the form of kitchen items. For a lingerie shower, you may want to say something whimsical such as, "Robert and Lynne fell in love as we all saw, now let's throw her a party with gifts of bras!"

Besides wording, you want the party cards to comply with the theme of the event. If you're hosting a recipe party, then the announcements might be displayed with a border of different kitchen gadgets and utensils. Lingerie party cards can be in the shape of a bustier or a set of bra and panties. Bachelorette invitations can also be very fun and playful, as that generally keeps within the theme of the events. If the Bachelorette party is being held in a bar for example, the invitation may come in the shape of a martini glass.

Wedding shower invitations and wedding announcements can also come in a wide variety of themes but will generally be a bit more formal and will most definitely stay within the theme. For example, wordings might say, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith are honored to announce the marriage of their daughter..." These cards don't always need to be extremely formal. For an elopement announcement where the ceremony may not have taken place in a conventional setting, the wording may be something such as, "Ms. Karen Smith and Mr. John Brown honored their love by eloping while on vacation on a Bahamian cruise."

silver wedding cake

The standard designs of wedding cakes from years past featured independently separated cakes. These cakes were separated by a system of plates and pillars. The pillars were either of Grecian design or Swan style. Perhaps you've seen cakes that had three or four separations, with cake sizes that ranged from eight to fourteen inches.

The bottom tier which would be the largest cake at fourteen inches may have been situated on the top of a fountain stand. In between the fountain stand could be a water fountain, with three cascades, and interior lights plus running water which was possibly tinted with color. On the very top of the smallest cake, the eight inch in this example, would sit a plastic bride plus a groom ornament. The cake itself would have had roses, pearl beading, foil silver or gold leaves, and so forth.

Today's brides are planning their wedding cakes with simplicity at heart. Their preferences are stylish, but simple and down-to-earth, including the dress, reception and most of all, the wedding cake. Straightforward, sophisticated designs decorate today's wedding cakes. Many brides would like cake decorations that replicate the lace plus beading on their bridal gowns, and many gowns feature clean, vintage designs. Requested decorations can be tailored to suit the couple's personalities. Gum Paste, fresh or silk flowers, ribbons, beads, tulle and lace are trendy for 2010.

All wedding cakes are not just white. Off tones, such as for instance ivory are getting increasingly accepted. Circular tiers for wedding cakes still continue to be a favorite choice, but square, octagon, elliptical, heart and hexagon shaped cakes are commonly requested. The flavor of the cakes and fillings differ extensively and brides are frequently requesting non-traditional cake varieties, for example cheesecake, carrot, red velvet, tiramisu and even chocolate cake. Icing requests also have become more varied.

In response, bakeries are not just offering traditional buttercream, but in addition Rolled Fondant, rolled buttercream, non-dairy, whipped cream, cream cheese, white chocolate and marzipan. Brides are requesting handcrafted gum paste flowers. Gum paste flowers are available in over a hundred 100 unique styles, and are purchased through cake decoration supply stores.

Stacked tiers or acrylic stands with separated tiers are fashionable styles. Sculpted cakes are also being asked for more regularly, often for themed weddings. A comparatively new concept that is increasing in recognition is stacked and tiered cupcakes as an alternative choice and a substitute for traditional wedding cakes. Numerous couples are also choosing different decorated cakes for every guest table.

Wedding cakes account for 8 percentage of an average full-line retail bakeries' sales, according to Modern Baking's Retail Bakery Survey. Separated cakes tend to be sold by the portion, so check your area for the going price and charge for the cakes accordingly.

wedding cake jewelry

Are you a free spirit? Do you love the idea of being married barefoot in a wooded glen? If so, you are a bohemian bride! Learn to embrace your unique style and plan a wedding which suits you to a tee.

The bohemian bride is not about country clubs, big bands, and wearing her mother's wedding gown. She is an earthy woman with an easy going nature who is happiest running barefoot through a field of wildflowers. Think woodland spirit, chic hippie, or nature lover, rather than traditional bride. The bohemian bride will be happiest with an outdoor wedding, lots of pretty informal flowers, and of course, a unique wedding dress which shows off her eclectic style.

First the wedding gown. Look for something ethereal, romantic, and unstructured. Avoid structured bodices, ball skirts, and sequins at all costs. An empire waist gown with a minimal train is ideal. Flowing fabrics such as chiffon and English net are the essence of bohemian chic. Embellishments such as subtle embroidery, fabric flowers, and overlays are gorgeous for an ethereal bride. Let your hair cascade over your shoulders in romantic waves, or pull it back into a loosely braided bun. A floral wreath and handcrafted bridal jewelry will finish your free spirited bridal ensemble perfectly. Feel free to choose bridal jewelry which is handcrafted in your favorite color, rather than traditional white.

A bohemian wedding should have gorgeous floral accents which have been very loosely arranged. Pots of wildflowers on the tables, garlands strung among the trees, and a rustic branch ceremony arbor covered with flowers are all beautiful ideas. Take advantage of the natural scenery at your wedding site, and build upon it. If your wedding will take place in the autumn, for example, branches of leaves would be a nice addition to the tabletops. There are many natural elements which would be pretty to suspend from trees, such as white paper lanterns, grapevine balls, and twinkling white lights.

A formal wedding cake may seem out of place at an earthy wedding. You might find that a selection of homemade wedding pies is a better dessert option, especially for a rustic wedding in the woods. If you have your heart set on a tiered wedding cake, think about a rich chocolate frosted cake rather than a traditional white one. Drag the frosting to give it a texture like tree bark. Fresh flowers make a nice decoration, or add a touch of whimsy, such as tiny marzipan mushrooms and ladybugs. They would make wonderful woodsy cake decorations, especially on a chocolate cake.

When it comes to music for a bohemian woodsy sort of wedding, Lester Lanin's orchestra just will not strike the right note! Neither will a d.j. spinning the latest dance tunes, for that matter. More folksy, bluesy music will seem right at home in the woods, as would a harpist or a guitar player with a great singing voice. When you are a non-traditional bride, it gives you a lot of freedom to choose the things for your wedding that will make it feel very special and personal.

tiffany blue wedding cake

The thought of green wedding colors has great appeal to me. Why?

Because green is my favorite color. For example: my wall-to-wall carpet is green; I have a lot of green colored clothes; I have green accents all over my house; in fact, my house is painted green; I painted my outdoor furniture green; and I still miss my little green sports car that died.

And why not green, after all, shades of green symbolizes health, growth, life, fertility and the environment.

Green wedding colors whether used with a cooling effect like blue or a warming effect like yellow becomes a beautifully balanced and harmonizing theme.

The wonderful thing about the color green is that it can be used any time of the year and either indoors or outdoors.

The green you use should be coordinated with your wedding location and your theme.

By that I mean, if it's to be a more formal affair then the greens would be better in dark, rich and somber shades but if it's a casual informal ceremony then try light, more playful, shades of green and, by all means, use more than one shade of green.

Another really terrific color combination is purple, lilac and mint green. You will be long remembered for this color theme.

Here are 8 great ideas to incorporate the color green into your wedding:

1. Print your wedding invitations with dark green ink one light green paper. Use green-lined envelopes and/or a green envelope seal.

2. Use green blooms, ivy, ferns and other greenery as part of your wedding centerpieces. Adding green marbles, moss or pebbles to the centerpiece is also a lovely idea.

3. Your wedding favors can be in green favor boxes filled with your choice of candies or cookies. A votive candle in your chosen shade of green placed at each guests seat can act as a place mark and then they can take them home.

4. Have your table linens be in your shade of green or having a white tablecloth with green table runners is very attractive. Then tie the napkins with green ribbon and top off the look by having green tulle tied around the guest chairs.

5. At the wedding ceremony have a green aisle runner and tie green pew ribbons on the aisle chairs or pews.

6. Use topiary trees at the church entrance which can then be taken to the reception and placed on each side of the bridal head table; this will help keep down the flower budget, too.

7. You can find green wedding ring pillows and unity candles to complete the green theme at the church.

8. Have your wedding cake decorated with greenery instead of flowers and green faux jewels on your cake is very elegant looking. Green icing or frosting is certainly an eye-catcher especially if used with a secondary theme color.

Of course, outdoor settings are especially suited for green-themed weddings as you can take advantage of nature's handy work.

Botanical gardens, city parks, and some churches have beautiful gardens where you can have your wedding. You will need to check the facilities to see if they are available for weddings and receptions.

And, don't forget, a family member or friend may have THE perfect yard for your special day.

If the wedding is indoors be sure to check to see what the color of the walls, carpets and drapes are to make sure it fits with your colors. You certainly don't want clashing colors; rather you want to integrate your colors for a coordinated look.

As you can see, there are many ways that green can be a gorgeous color for your wedding no matter whether you choose it to be a dominant color or used as an accent. This gentle color gives a sense of nature and peace and makes it perfect for a romantic wedding. So enjoy the above ideas for green wedding colors and, I bet, with just a little thought you can come up with many more.