5 F.A.Qs ABOUT BRIDAL REGISTRIES

Obviously your needs and wants as a couple will influence your decision. . Before you begin the registry process have a heart to heart with your fiancé. Discuss you tastes, style, priorities, and your vision of your future home. Also be sure to take into account what items you already have as a couple.  Your selections will be easier and more focused when you have a game plan and you are working towards common goals!

If you are an established couple that has most of the household basics, you may want to consider registering at specialty stores such as art galleries, hardware stores, sporting good stores, or even travel agencies. No matter where or what you choose, make sure you register for gifts in all different price points so that your guests can choose gifts within their budget.

2. Where should I register?

Choose your stores wisely! Make sure that your registry offers you and your guests what you need. Consider the stores selection, locations, online abilities, shipping abilities etc. Are they hassle-free?  Figure out what is important to you and your guests and make sure that the stores you choose meet these needs.

Couples today usually choose 2 to 4 different registries. This gives your guests more options and locations. Consider department stores, online stores and, or specialty stores.

3. How do I let guests know where I am registered?

Although it is usually considered impolite to ask guests to buy gifts at certain locations, putting your registry information on your wedding website is perfectly acceptable and in this day and age, probably one of the most effective and polite ways to aim people in the right direction. Word of mouth is also a great tool! No matter what, people are going to ask your closest friends and family what would be best to get you, so just make sure they are well informed.

4. When should I register?

Make sure to register BEFORE the first bridal celebration but not early enough that many of your items may become discontinued. It is typically recommended that you register 4 to 6 months prior to the wedding. The majority of the gift purchases are made two weeks prior to the wedding and two weeks after the wedding. Due to this, make sure to do a thorough check two weeks before the wedding for any discontinued items.  This would also be the time to add items if necessary. You may also want to consider adding seasonal items at this time as well.

5. How many items should I register for?

Request more items then the number of people on your guest lists to account for showers and engagement parties. In this case more is better. Make sure you “over-register.” This will insure that your guest have many options. They will appreciate this!

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Photo provided by Ros-Lynn Studios http://www.roslynnstudios.com

Magnetic personality.
For weddings that fall around holidays such as New Year’s Eve, to reinforce the date, create personalized, magnetic save-this-date cards, and send them out at least six month’s in advance.

Get professional help.
If you’re a disorganized bride, the stress will show at every turn.  Use the pre-wedding time to organize and weed-out conflicts, clutter, and emotions.  Enlist expert help to support you by hiring a financial advisor, wedding planner, organizational consultant and personal trainer. The extra time and money invested will result in a successful wedding and good-to-go marriage.

Photo provided by Ros-Lynn Studios http://www.roslynnstudios.com

Choose your friends wisely
Once the engagement is announced, choose the bridal party carefully. Yes, it’s an emotional time, but use logic when you make important decisions. Consider: emotions, personalities, dependability, affordability, and your relationship with him/her. Once you make the offer, you can’t take it back, so use your best judgment.

Photo provided by Ros-Lynn Studios http://www.roslynnstudios.com

Group Discounts.
Host your engagement party at a restaurant that caters to celebrations and ask whether they might give you a discount on catering, etc., if you also book your shower or rehearsal dinner with them at the same time.

Make arrangements.
Don’t put off discussing premarital agreements – get it out of the way, right away.  Yes, it’s awkward, but it’s part of our culture.  If you try to slide the issue on the table a month before the wedding, you’re not only asking for disaster, but it might not hold up in a court of law because it can be considered an agreement made under pressure.

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Quote your parents.
Your parents will most likely invest some of their life-savings in your big day.  Acknowledge their generosity with a personalized gift in return.  Find an eloquent quote about parenting or the relationships between fathers/mothers, sons/daughters,and have it engraved on a special plague.

Rock on!
Polished stones carry special meaning.  Find a local boutique that sells “love rocks,” and give one to each of your guests.

Photo opportunity.
Consider making photo books with old photos of you and your friends.  Spend some time thinking of all the things you’ve been through and give these cherished, personalized gifts to your maid of honor and best man.

Picture your friends.
When making a video that will be shown at the wedding, include photos of family and friends – not just of the bride and groom.  Your guests will be pleased that you thought of them.

The write stuff.
The thank-you cards are more meaningful than your invitation!  Yes – by acknowledging guests with hand-written, personalized notes, you are saying that it mattered that they came to your wedding and/or sent a gift.  Spend more time on this end of things and the time invested will return with gracious measure.

Refresh your guests.
If you have out-of-town guests who are staying at nearby hotels, acknowledge them by arranging to have a refreshment package, along with a personalized note from you, in their room!

Welcome wagon.
Wedding sheets are an extravagant keepsake.  When approached by family or a close friend, ask them to consider this as a meaningful gift, and ask them to have a set of luxurious sheets monogrammed or embroidered with your initials.

Dance the night away.
If your mother, father, aunt, uncle, grandma, grandfather, friend, et al, said something insightful, write it down.  As an extra special and meaningful touch, pull together a small book of personalized quotes and give this to them on your big day.

Bubble heads.
Use the buddy system for out-of-town guests. Try to assign a friendly, outgoing family member or close friend to any out-of-town guests, to act as their ‘ambassador’ for the wedding weekend. The ambassadors can greet guests at the airport, take them to the hotel, and suggest things to do. This makes out-of-towners feel welcome.

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The Prelude
Prelude music typically begins 20 to 40 minutes prior to the ceremony. These selections set the mood for the coming event. Since the prelude provides an acoustic backdrop for your guests, it’s best to choose pieces that will be familiar.

A string ensemble creates an elegant mood, while a vocalist singing love ballads evokes a more romantic atmosphere. Because prelude selections are played during the seating of the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom, you might choose songs with special meaning for them, perhaps the piece that was played on their own wedding day. Generally, your prelude selections should be played at a volume that will create a background for light conversation and reflection. These might be appropriate:

Classical/Elegant
• Piano Concerto in C, 2nd Movement (Schubert)
• Violin Concerto #8 (Vivaldi)
• Air from Water Music (Handel)

Celebratory
• Rondo for Flute and Orchestra (Mozart)
• Hornpipe in D from Water Music (Handel)

The  Processional
The processional announces the arrival of the wedding attendants and, ultimately, the bride. The music for the bridal party’s entrance should have a definitive rhythm so that the attendants can easily keep time as they walk down the aisle. It should begin at a soft volume, then slowly increase until the bride’s entrance.

Organ music is the typical choice for the processional, but you can opt for a string quartet, a trumpet solo, or even a vocal solo. Whatever your selection, the music should be dignified and splendid and should also be the right length to accompany all of the attendants from the back of the church to the altar. Typically, there are two selections played during the processional: one for the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and a different selection for the bride. If you decide to play the same selection for both, there should be a pause for the guests to stand and a noticeable increase in volume upon your initial entry into the sanctuary.

Attendants’ Entrance
• Canon in D Major (Pachelbel)
• Air on a G String (Bach)
• Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies (Tchaikovsky)

Bride’s Entrance
• Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin (Wagner)
• Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke)
• Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (Handel)

Interlude(s)
Throughout the ceremony, you should accentuate key moments with music, which makes a impact on your guests and breaks up the solemnity of the occasion. You might want to include music just before or after a reading, during communion or at the signing of the register. These selections may be performed by your musicians or sung by the congregation, but either way they should be slow paced and softly played to give your guests a moment for contemplation or reflection.
Recommendations:
• Panis Angelicas (Franck)
• The Wedding Song (Stookey)
• Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)

The Recessional
The recessional is the grand finale of the ceremony and should reflect the jubilant nature of the occasion. The selections played should be uplifting, possessing a quick, majestic tempo that proclaims the joy of your new union. Music should play as the wedding party leaves the church and continue until all guests have departed.
Recommendations:
• Hallelujah Chorus (Handel)
• Wedding March (Mendelssohn)
• Sonata Prima (Vivaldi) B

What To Serve
- Chocolate covered strawberries or chocolate fountain
- Champagne
- Finger sandwiches

Decorations / Favors
- Relaxing Music playing in the background
- Water Feature
- Send guests home with Pedicure Flip Flops or at home facial kits

Games / Activities
Consider hosting at a near by spa or
Arrange for on site:
- Manicures
- Pedicures
- Facials
- Hand and neck massages

To-Do Shower

Ask Guests To:
- Focus on gifts relating to giving the couple “things to do” in the first year of marriage such as: zoo passes, theater tickets, video rental certificates, even a gym membership.

What To Serve
- Consider concessions stand food like: Popcorn, Nachos, Hot dogs, Soft drinks with straws & lids as well as movie size candy.

Decorations / Favors
- Display posters featuring activities such as the zoo, the gym, the theater etc.
- Mini activity kits including a free movie rental and/or day pass to a local attraction make great favors.

Games / Activities
- Ask each guest to write down their most romantic or fun filled activity shared with their spouse. .

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Image by SBPR via Flickr

Just mention the word and you conjure up images of champagne breakfasts for two, lazy afternoons in the sun, candlelit dinners and passionate nights. Beaches, sunsets and overall romance. Oh yes, definitely romance….

Making arrangements for your romantic escape will be one of the most enjoyable aspects of planning your wedding. You’ll love poring through the travel magazines and brochures, all the while knowing that you’ll soon have the chance to take the trip of a lifetime with the love of your life.

It’s never too early to start planning your honeymoon. Not only will you have time to explore many options, but you’ll also find the best availability and value if you start planning early. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

All-Inclusive
More than mere accommodations, all-inclusive packages generally include food and lodging, extensive recreational facilities and equipment, ground transportation, plus other amenities and services. Options range from couples-only resorts, which cater specifically to honeymooners, to family resorts.

The average price for all-inclusive packages is $400 per day, but rates can vary significantly between companies and depending on the time of year. The all-inclusive package is perfect for those honeymooners who want to pay one price and forget about everything else while concentrating on each other.

Cruises
Similar to an all-inclusive resort, cruise packages offer many services and amenities for one price. A cruise usually includes airfare, accommodations, meals health club facilities, sports, activities and entertainment. There’s also the added bonus of exotic ports of call. Overall, cruise packages provide good value for the money. For this type of honeymoon excursion you’ll want to select a travel agent that specializes in cruise packages. They will have the most extensive knowledge of what each cruise line offers.

Traveling Abroad
You will most likely need a passport if you’re traveling abroad. Travelers indeed need a passport for Mexico, Canada and almost all Caribbean islands – the only ones that don’t require passports are the US Virgin islands. If you don’t have a passport or it is out of date, apply for a new one at least three months before your wedding, preferably sooner. Ask for a renewal form at your local post office.

For travel in some countries you may need certain vaccinations, so be sure to ask your travel agent about such matters. Typically the process takes six weeks, but allow time for any mishaps or delays. If you are changing your name, you should also account for any discrepancies in the names on different documents by bringing along a copy of the marriage license. This will prevent any snags on entering or returning from a foreign country.

If you should lose your passport during your trip, contact the nearest United States embassy or consulate immediately for instructions. Having a copy of your passport with you will expedite the replacement process if you should lose the real thing.
If you are concerned about the potential safety risks of traveling to a particular country, be sure to do your homework. The U.S. State Department regularly updates its travel-advisory list; you can call 202-647-5225 or visit the department web site at http:travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html. For information about health conditions abroad, call the hotline for the Centers for Disease Control at 404-332-4559.

Staying Local
Not all newlyweds have the time or money to afford the luxury of an extended honeymoon in a far away place. However, no matter where the destination, confirm your travel and hotel accommodations well in advance, and be sure to double-check your reservation at least one week before your departure. It also doesn’t hurt to call the hotel on the day you’re leaving to confirm your time of arrival. Be sure to mention you were just married, as this often results in a nicer room or even an upgrade to a suite, depending on availability. You might also receive a special gift from the hotel like a bottle of champagne or a fruit basket waiting for you on arrival.

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Tipping
If your only experience with tipping has been limited to restaurant meals and the occasional cab ride, it can become an embarrassing, unsettling proposition, especially in an unfamiliar place. Below is a list of typical services and acceptable gratuities, however ask your travel agent or a knowledgeable acquaintance about local customs if you are journeying to a foreign country. For instance, cab drivers are usually tipped 15 to 20 percent of the fare, but in some countries cab drivers expect only a nominal tip. Over-tipping is unnecessary, but when in doubt it’s better to hazard a guess and tip what seems fair, rather than offend a conscientious worker who could be helpful to you during your stay.

Who to Tip and When
Airport porter: $1 per bag carried from your car to outside check- in or reservation desk
Hotel porter: $1 per bag carried to or from your room; a little more for extra touches
Hotel doorman: $1 to hail a cab for you
Bar/wait staff: 15%-20% of bill, if gratuity is not already included, or 3%-5% if it is included
Maid service: $1 per visit (leave the full amount in an envelope at the end of your stay)
Taxi service: 15%-20% above the fare for good service
Golf caddie: 30% above the normal fee, for excellent service
Instructors: 15%-20%, unless instructor owns the business
Cruise lines and all-inclusive resorts may supply you with gratuity envelopes for the staff members who have assisted you throughout your stay. Ask about normal rates, and give these gratuities on the last day.

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Photo by wordsandeggs.squarespace.com

The following guidelines provide the traditional “rules” when addressing wedding invites that do help convey that sense of specialness and elegance. Street names, cities and states should be written out completely without any abbreviations. To indicate both parties of a married couple, use both “Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Green.” When addressing an unmarried couple living together, use each of their full names: “Mr. Ronald Green and Miss Angela Thomson.” If every member of a family is invited, write “Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Green and Family.” If only the older children are included, their names are written below the parents’: “Miss Erin Green.” Adult children no longer living with their parents should receive their own invite.
Addressing children this way should let guests know if children are invited or not, but often this is unknown or overlooked by guests. If you’d rather not have children at your wedding, you could also include on the invite “Adult Reception.” And, you may just want to let certain guests know this as well when you talk to them in person.
A final, critical tip
When you’ve fully assembled your invites, take one to the post office, and have them weigh it, assess it and give you a definitive postage due amount. It may weigh more than one ounce, or be an odd size (such as square) that costs extra, and the last thing you want is 100 wedding invites coming back to you marked “insufficient postage!” So make that extra trip to the post office to be absolutely sure, mail them out, and take a deep breath. The wedding is officially underway!

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