Tracking RSVPs

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Guests often forget to write their names on the RSVP. With an invisible ink pen, come up with a code and write it on the postcard. Easy code: make your guest list and put corresponding numbers with it and ta da! you have a system.

Cost of a Wedding

Whenever I run across these statistics, I always want to share them so you all have a base/average price. Remember to negotiate with most of your vendors especially the florist. They can most always reduce some of your cost without taking anything away. Some of the prices are a little off kilter but it gives you an idea. And as for the "cheap" alternatives, I say don't give up something you really want just keep shopping around for the best price. I did that with my florist and I ended up saving $800!! Also hire a professional caterer no matter what.

Monograms

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You can find these huge letters at craft stores such as Hobby Lobby. Buy some Christmas garland and wrap around it then add a ribbon to the top and hang on your door. Could be used for any kind of event as it can be wrapped in anything. Would look great behind the head or sweethearts table or on the reception venues doors

Wedding Bee

The greatest thing I have found lately is :

http://classifieds.weddingbee.com/

Check it out. You can buy and sell wedding items! It's wonderful. I have bought tablecloths and lanterns off this for cheap! You can literally find anything you want. Just be aware shipping costs can be expensive.

Cost of a Wedding

Here is another interesting chart on the costs of a wedding. This is from 2010 so it's a little outdated, but prices have stayed the same pretty much.

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Beauty and the Beast Inspiration

I absolutely love this centerpiece. This was recently used in the wedding of American Idol winner Lee DeWyze. I love it because it reminds me of Beauty and the Beast! If only I were having a pink/red color wedding, then I would totally do this. Place a book with a small vase and single rose underneath a glass bell jar and there you go! Don't forget the candles.

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Wedding Portrait

This is a wonderful idea! Talk to your wedding photographer about having a portrait made up like this. Your first dance picture with the lyrics of the song printed next to the picture!

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Cootie Catcher Wedding Program

How cute is this! Cootie Catcher Programs. It's a creative way to tell your guests the info about the ceremony. 

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Bouquet

How cute is this idea! To finish off the bottom of your bouquet - take pearl head or crystal corsage pins and put them in the bottom of the stems.

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Apple Dumplings

I apologize if I have already posted this, but this is the best dessert recipe. It is so easy and it feeds a lot of people, plus it is so delicious!

CLICK HERE for the recipe

Rustic Wedding Ideas

Here are some pictures that I have complied on Pinterest that I think are really great for an Up North, Woodsy, Rustic Wedding theme.

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Drink to person ratio

Here is a chart to help you figure out how much alcohol and mixers for your parties! It's an estimate, obviously if you have a family that likes to drink you will need more! These are just guidelines.

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Something Blue!

How perfect is this for your something blue!!

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Creative Idea!

I have always wondered what to do with all the greeting cards that I have gotten for various holidays and with my wedding coming up I don't want to clutter my house up with a drawer full of cards. After all, I really want to keep those personalized wedding cards and read the well wishes for years to come! Here is an awesome idea I found on Pinterest. Get a small binder and a hole puncher and you will have a book with all your wedding cards!! How cool and organized is that!

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Wedding Update

For all of you who have been following my blog, thanks for your patience while I have been really busy. I got engaged almost a year ago and we decided to have a long engagement because most our relationship was long distance, so we just want to make sure that being together every day wouldn't make us crazy and it hasn't. It has only brought us closer together.

I have to say that I am way ahead of my wedding planning. My wedding date is June 15, 2013. I bought my dress and veil. I booked my venues, my DJ, and my photographer. I have a cake tasting and catering appointments set up. I am doing all of my own decor and flowers, which I have collected most of my props for that. All I can say is when you get engaged enjoy 2 weeks of it, and depending your time before the wedding, don't procrastinate. You will make yourself crazy.

Also when you being wedding dress shopping, bring your own strapless bras. The ones they provide for you haven't been washed between uses. They are nasty! I know, I worked in a wedding dress store. You should bring a camera with you and a note book to write down the style of the dress and what you liked and didn't like about it, if you are still considering buying it!  One last piece of advice always ask if there is a special offer if you buy your wedding dress right there and then. I got a $200 veil free!!

Welcome Bags

If you are having a destination wedding or when a lot of your guests are coming in from out of town, it is nice to have a welcome bag waiting for them in their hotel room. You can put any thing in the bags. I suggest some snacks both healthy and some junk food, bottles of water, Map of the area along with brochures of fun things to do in town and maybe a list of good restaurants they should try. Another great thing to add is something that is local to your area, i.e. Florida -oranges, or some special item that is only made in your area like a sample of key lime lotion. Here is an example of a simple bag:

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Non-Edible Flowers

Just for reference, here is a list of poisonous flowers. There are a lot that are not edible. Just be careful which flowers you use on your cake. Some of them can sit on the cake, just make sure the caterers know to take all the flowers off before serving.

Poisonous Plants and Flowers
Common Name	Botanical Name
Aconite (wolfsbane, monkhood)	Aconitum spp.
Anemone (windflower)	Anemone spp.
Anthurium	Anthurium spp.
Atamasco lily	Zephyranthes spp.
Autumn crocus	Colchicum autumnale
Azalea	Azalea spp. (Rhododendron spp.)
Baneberry	Actaea spp.
Black locust	Robinia pseudo-acacia
Bloodroot	Sanguinaria canadensis
Boxwood	Buxus spp.
Burning bush (strawberry bush, spindle tree, wahoo)	Euonymus spp
Buttercup	Ranunculus spp.
Butterfly weed	Asclepias spp.
Caladium	Caladium spp.
Calla (calla lily)	Calla palustris (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
Carolina jasmine (yellow jessamine)	Gelsemium sempervirens
Castor bean	Ricinus communis
Cherry laurel	Prunus caroliniana
Chinaberry (bead tree)	Melia azedarach
Christmas rose	Helleborus niger
Clematis	Clematis spp.
Daffodil	Narcissus spp.
Deadly nightshade (belladonna)	Atropoa belladona
Death cammas (black snakeroot)	Zigadenus spp.
Delphinium (larkspur)	Delphinium spp.
Dogbane	Apocynum androsaemifolium
Dumbcane	Dieffenbachia spp.
Elephant ears	Colocasia antiquorum
False hellebore	Veratrum viride
Four o'clock	Mirabills jalapa
Foxglove	Digitalis purpurea
Giant elephant ear	Alocasia spp.
Gloriosa lily	Glonosa superba
Golden chain tree (laburnum)	Labunum anagryroides
Goldenseal	Hydrastis canadensis
Heavenly bamboo (nandina)	Nandinaa domestica
Henbane (black henbane)	Hyoscyamus niger
Horse chestnut (Ohio buckeye)	Aesculus spp.
Horse nettle	Solanum spp.
Hyacinth	Hyacinthus orientalis
Hyacinth bean	Dolicbos lab lab
Hydrangea	Hydrangea spp.
Iris	Iris spp.
Ivy (English ivy)	Hedera helix
Jack-in-the-pulpit	Arisaemia triphyllum
Jerusalem cherry	Solanum pseudocapsicum
Jessamine (jasmine)	Cestrum spp.
Jetbead (jetberry)	Rhodotypos tetrapetala
Jimson weed	Datura spp (Brugmansia spp.)
Jonquil	Narcissus spp.
Kentucky coffee tree	Gymnocladus dioica
Lantana	Lantana camara
Leopard's bane	Arnica montana
Lily of the valley	Convallaria majalis
Lobelia (cardinal flower, Indian tobacco)	Lobelia spp.
Marsh marigold	Caltha palustris
May apple (mandrake)	Podophyllum peltatum
Mescal bean (Texas mountain laurel, frijo lillo)	Sophora secundiflora
Mistletoe	Phoradendron spp.
Morning glory	Ipomoea violacea
Mountain laurel	Kalmia latifolia
Nightshade	Solanum spp.
Oleander	Nerium oleander
Periwinkle (myrtle, vinca)	Vinca spp.
Philodendron	Philodendron spp. (Monstera spp.)
Pittosporum	Pittosporum spp.
Poison hemlock	Conium maculatum
Potato	Solanum tuberosum
Privet	Ligustrum spp.
Rhododendron	Rhododendron spp.
Rock poppy (celandyne)	Chelidonium majus
Schefflera	Schefflera spp.
Spring adonis	Adonis vernalis
Spurge	Euphorbia spp.
Star of Bethlehem	Ornithogalum umbellatum
Sweet pea	Lathyrus spp.
Tobacco	Nicotiana tabacum
Trumpet flower (chalice vine)	Solandra spp.
Water hemlock	Cicuta maculata
Wild cherry (black cherry)	Prunus serotina
Wisteria	Wisteria spp.
Yellow allamanda	Allamanda cathartica
Yellow oleander (tiger apple, be still tree, lucky nut)	Thevetia peruviana
Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow	Brunfelsia spp.

Welcome Summer!

Thank you for your patience waiting for new posts. I'll treat you all with a summer inspiration board. Enjoy!

Bouquet, Soda, Bridesmaid, Aisle, Shoes, Rings, Boutonniere, Centerpiece, Lanterns, Cake Table

Blog Vacation

To my loyal readers- 

I am taking a small hiatus from my blog as my employer has started her own blog and has put me in charge of updating it. 

That blog will be updated about 2-3 times per week. The url is  www.mbflorals.blogspot.com  

Check it out and know that it is me updating it!!

I will start updating my blog again starting in June! 

Thank you so much! 

Lizzie 

Bridesmaids Love

It's awesome to get yourself (bride)  a personalized hanger, but consider getting your bridesmaid's personalized hangers as well!

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Bridal Suite

This is such a wonderful idea. Having signs for a bridal suite and man cave! It's that extra touch that doesn't cost much that will make your wedding over the top.

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Path to Love

How cute is this idea! On the path way to the church, ceremony area, or reception area... It's a pathway of your story leading your guests to the wedding.

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Party Pinatas

Another use for pinatas besides beating them open: 

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This will keep your cards safe! Whatever your theme is as long as you aren't going for super formal, I'm sure you can find a pinata to go along with it. 

Strictly Weddings

I found this website on Facebook that I love! Check it out, like them on facebook:

Strictly Weddings

Wacky Wednesday: Kennedy Space Center

How cool would it be to have your wedding/reception at Kennedy Space Center! You could have a beach wedding on the Space Coast then head to Kennedy Space Center for a unique reception! You can even have an astronaut come to your party!

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