How To Personalise Your Wedding For Your Guests

 As much as this is your day, and no one will take that away from you or upstage you, the one thing you shouldn’t place at the bottom of the list is your guests. After all, these people make the wedding what it is – with their presence, their energy, and hence deserve to be honored. They are there to celebrate and witness your commitment; therefore, their happiness, joy and of course, thoughtful party favors should be near the top of your priority list. 

Just in case you’re swamped planning all the other details of your wedding, such as the photography, the perfect venue, catering, décor and wedding attireand beauty department, we’re here with an incredible list of thoughtful ideas that will make your guests feel highly cherished. It’s time to show them how much their presence means to you. 

Starting before the beginning 

The best way to set a personal tone long before the wedding is with personalized save the date cards and/or invitations. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t have to break the bank. You can choose the cards and invites that speak to your personality, but you can perhaps include a hand-written note with an inside joke or something sentimental to each of your guests, or even include a photo in the envelope to show them that this particular invite was meant just for them. 

The mandatory step 

Instead of simply placing numbers on the tables, walk the extra mile and have individual place cards with everyone’s name on them. You may not think these things matter all that much, but they show your guests that you’ve thought of them and made sure they sit at the best place for them. Also, take your time with the seating chart and ensure that all the people who are placed together are in friendly terms. This will make the conversation flow, and people will have much more fun when they’re seated next to someone they know and love. 

The little things that mean the world 

Whether you are planning on a big or a small wedding, centerpiecesare a must-have. However, instead of the uniformed centerpieces, perhaps you can dig through your memories and think which flowers are your guests’ favorites. Of course, you don’t want to throw off the entire color palette by having completely different centerpieces, but compromise can always be found. If you’re for instance, going for white flowers, make sure you go for a variety in terms of the types of flowers so every table feels like you did something special for them. 

To cherish and to use 

Party favors should never be chosen at the last minute. Trust us, when you do something at quarter to twelve, it shows, and your guests will know it. There are tons of gorgeous party favor ideas, from personalized phone cases, magnets they can put on their fridge, a voucher for an upcoming event. Another amazing idea, that is both practical, useful and meaningful if quality cosmetics packages placed in gorgeous gift bags. 

If you’re throwing a French-themed wedding, for instance, the venue will probably have an abundance of French things like lavender, chic tablecloths, stemless wine glasses and all things French. To give them a little touch of Provence to take home, hand or facial creams, body mists or massage oils from the incredible L’Occitane linewill make for a perfect wedding memento. For the gentlemen, you can incorporate shaving creams or a fragrance – all depending on your knowledge of their taste. It will be a gift that will remind them of the gorgeous day every time they use it, and they will use it frequently. 

An extra dose of personalized fun 

Sure, eventually, when you get to it, you will send your guests your wedding photos via email. However, people love to have an instant memento they can take home, which is why renting out a photo booth is an awesome investment. They can take silly photos with different masks and goofy props, and even the two of you can pop inside the booth and be in the photos as well. Make sure you stock up on those masks and props, because trust us, there will be people who will want to take them home. 

Last, but not least 

Traditionally, weddings include a plethora of people from different generations and different tastes in music. We know it’s your day and you want the kind of music that the two of you can dance it out to, but don’t be oblivious to your guest’s desires too. If some oldies should be included for all the moms, grandparents and cousins, so be it. The playlist should include more than the top 50 dance hits. In this aspect, you should be a people pleaser and have everyone’s music taste in mind. In the end, you want a full dancefloor of happy people having fun, correct? Well, then pay special attention to your wedding playlist. 

Giving back to those who came to celebrate you on one of the biggest days of your life isn’t difficult. It simply takes a little consideration and attention to detail. If you can plan an entire wedding from scratch, you can include these little things as well. It won’t hurt you, but it will show your guests just how much you appreciate them being there.  

About The Author

Sophia Smith is a fashion and beauty blogger, a graphic designer and a DIY enthusiast. Design plays a huge role in her personal expression. Also, she focusing on minimalism and good quality. Sophia love sharing content that inspires people. She has contributed to a number of publications including: Viva Glam Magazine, Just Haves, Secret Garden, Cause Artist, How to Simplify and Carousel.

You can find out more about her writing by following her on: Facebook  Twitter  Google +

Perfect Presents for the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

Planning a wedding is an overwhelming and high-stress few months. You become consumed by cake options, buying decorations, finding the perfect photographer and a lot of other small details. Luckily, you have a group of trusted friends and family members to help offer you support every step of the way. So, even if you are feeling the stress of planning, you cannot forget thank you gifts for your wedding party. After all, they organize and throw your bachelor(ette) parties and a wedding shower! So, we’ve put together a list of a few thoughtful presents for every budget, to help you show your appreciation to your wedding party.

 Accessories

Image by Dahlia & Grace Photography

Gifting your bridesmaids and groomsmen accessories that can be worn for your wedding day and long after, shows them that you put a lot of thought into thanking them. The last thing you want to do is give them something that they will feel obligated to hold onto but won’t want to use after your special day ends. 

Jewellery will always be a timeless gift for the bridesmaids. If you want to give your girls something that can be worn in the wedding, sticking with something simple is best. A pair of earrings with a matching necklace is a perfect and affordable present. Your girls will have plenty of options to wear this set long after your wedding. If you want to gift the bridesmaids something that they won’t be wearing for the wedding and get something more in line with their personal style, consider a charm braceletfeaturing their favorite quote, color or animal. Putting in a little extra care to get something you know they will love is perfect to show your appreciation.

Your groomsmen will look dapper with a matching tie bar and cufflink set, get yourself a set as well, and the whole crew will look on-point! Plus, you can personalize these ones with their first initial, this will offer them a gift that they will want to wear to every formal occasion from now on.

If you want a fun and casual photo opportunity for your whole wedding party, then look into getting sunglasses for everyone by ordering in bulk. This will save you money and time, by making one simple purchase for every person in your wedding. And you will be bringing the whole group together by giving them a matching gift that can be worn for a fun photoshoot.

Outings 

Image by Dahlia & Grace Photography

To thank your wedding party and show off just how well you know them, gift them each an experience you know they will enjoy. After months of helping you plan, maybe a few out of your crew need a relaxing spa day. You can head to a local spa and get gift certificates for massages, manicures or pedicures. Or if your wedding party is full of foodies, then grab certificates at a new local eatery for them to try. This is another idea that has endless options, although it may be more pricey, it is thoughtful and will take very little time out of your planning schedule to achieve! 

Gift Baskets

If you and your fiancé are frugal and crafty, then look no further than Pinterest. The options are truly endless here and give you the perfect opportunity to get personal and thoughtful. So, have a fun night in with your fiancé crafting each bridesmaid and groomsmen their own gift basket. Maybe your maid-of-honor loves to be in her kitchen, cooking and baking any chance she can get. Throw together a basket full of tea towels, measuring cups, a rolling pin and spices! Or if one of your groomsmen is a movie buff, make a basket full of DVDs of current releases and popcorn, candy and soda to set him up for a night of binge watching.

Thanking the wedding party is a necessary task, but it doesn’t have to add any more stress to you or blow out your wedding budget. The bridesmaids and groomsmen support you from the moment you are engaged until the minute the reception ends. By giving them a thoughtful present you are thanking them for their hard work and friendship over the months leading up to your special day. 

Top 3 Tips for Planning Your Dream Wedding on a Budget

Breaking down your wedding budget can be hard, and sticking to it - even harder. But we've got some expert advice for couples who want to hear wedding bells while staying within budget. 

Whether you're planning an intimate elopement, or a sizeable celebration, our top three wedding planning tips will ensure your big day will be beautiful and budget-friendly. 

---

1. Decide Upon Your Budget First

Before couples begin their wedding planning, we recommend that they first sit down and decide upon the amount they would ideally like to spend on their wedding day. If their parents wish to contribute to the wedding, it is a good idea to speak about how much they would like to pitch in before the planning begins. 

By settling on a budget early, it will help guide the decision making throughout the planning process. It will also allow couples to calculate a savings plan, so that they can successfully fund their special day (sans the added interest from credit cards).

2. Prioritise What Matters Most

Take time to consider which aspects of the wedding day are most important to you both. Write down the aspects that matter most, and note the things you are both willing to be flexible with. 

Would you be happy to walk the aisle without a live musician, but would love some ceremony styling? Or maybe you'd love to host more guests at your reception, so you would be happier for a more affordable menu option - or vice versa. 

Keeping a list of priorities on hand throughout the planning process will help guide couples when they are settling any conflicting costs. By compromising on some aspects of their wedding, they allow themselves to invest in the elements that matter to them most. 

3. Weigh In On Your Venue Options

Statistics show that a wedding reception accounts for roughly 50 per cent of the overall wedding cost. It's important that couples assess which wedding venue will be the best fit for their style preferences and their budget.  

Pay particular interest to what the venue can offer within their package inclusions, as these small extras can lead to big savings. For example, what decor and styling does the venue offer in-house? Do they include centrepieces, tea lights, mirror bases, or chair sashes? Is there a room hire or cleaning fee? Is AV included, or will you need to hire a sound system and microphones? 

If you are flexible with your date, many venues offer special packages for off-peak seasons such as summer and winter. On a similar thread, if you are open to a range of catering options, many venues can also offer more budget-friendly menus; such as a high tea menu, or a two course dinner menu with your wedding cake served for dessert. 

---

We hope our these tips help you plan the wedding of your dreams, without the hefty price tag. 

Until next time... 

Written by Rachel Westbury. Image by Jason Briscoe.