WOW your Wedding guests | Perrysburg Wedding Planner

10 Ways to WOW your Wedding guests

1. Create a Welcome Video

Most likely you won't be able to greet all of your out-of-town guests when they arrive, so consider arranging a virtual welcome. Talk to your videographer about creating a brief video of the two of you welcoming them to your wedding location, and provide tips for things to do in the area along with what they can expect for the rest of the weekend (or simply create your own with a digital video camera!).

2. Don't Underestimate the Welcome Bag

Another easy way to impress? Give each guest a welcome bag. Fill an inexpensive basket or canvas tote with bottles of water, a bottle of wine or locally brewed beer, something salty, something sweet, and a piece of fruit. Don't forget to include a welcome letter (or video) as well as a detailed itinerary for where the guest needs to be and when. Leave the whole thing with the hotel concierge for the guests to pick up when they check in. And be sure to provide them with maps and lists of local restaurants, museums, and other attractions in case they want to explore on their own.

3. Keep Them Entertained -- Not Overwhelmed

You don't want to stress your guests out with too many activities, but a few entertainment options before the wedding will really show them how much thought you put into their visit. Suggest group activities like area hikes or tours for your guests to mingle and get to know each other before the main event. Lay out planned weekend activities for guests in a timeline so that everyone is in-the-know.

4. Ditch the Boring Ceremony Aisle

It's probably the one detail of wedding planning you forgot about, but it's also one of the simplest to take to the next level. A creative DIY runner, rustic pew arrangements in Mason jars, or even a quirky patterned rug can all dress up a plain aisle -- and make a major impact on your guests.

5. Make Inventive Escort Cards

The escort card display is the first thing your guests see when they walk into your reception -- so make it good. Have your calligrapher write guests' names on pretty vintage mirrors, print names on horse show ribbons, stick the cards in cupcakes, or attach each card to a tiny can of champagne with a note that reads, "Do not open until the wedding toast."

6. Add Music to the Transitions

Hire a bagpiper, a drum line, a gong player, or even a strolling guitar player to lead guests from one space to the next. If you're not set on an instrument, localize it: For a tropical setting, hire someone to blow a conch shell, or in the mountains, hire an alpine horn player to announce when it's time to move.

7. Rethink Wedding Transportation

Okay, you're probably not going to have a parade float, but that doesn't mean you can't be creative with your transportation. Your guests will gape when they walk out of your ceremony and see an awesome antique car or retro school bus waiting to pick you up! Or choose transportation that pays homage to your wedding venue, like a hayride for a country ranch wedding or even a Snowcat for a winter mountain reception.

8. Give Them A Say!

Use your RSVP cards or wedding website to let your guests have an opinion on something other than chicken or fish. Let them request a song, create Mad Lib-style return cards you can then display at the reception, or have them vote on the top-tier flavor of your wedding cake! Guests will love seeing the details that they helped choose come to life on the wedding day.

9. Serve Food You'd Want to Eat

Think about what foods make you happy -- whether it be ice cream sandwiches, mac and cheese, watermelon, donuts, or tacos -- and add them to the menu. One of our favorite new ideas: a potato chip bar complete with all the dips. Talk to your caterer about putting together a truly personalized (and delicious!) menu. Then watch your guests chow down.

10. Send Them Off with Breakfast

Even if it's not an all-out postwedding brunch, plan to give your guests a little goodbye breakfast the day after. Rent out the hotel conference room and talk to the staff about creating a breakfast buffet. Or simply arrange for bagels and coffee to be delivered to your guests' hotel rooms before they depart.

Thank to The Knot for these ideas!

Your Perfect Day...because you deserve it!

Troyan/Reitz Wedding | Perrysburg Wedding Planner

We had the honor of working with
McKenna Troyan & Greg Reitz for their wedding on June 12th.
Plus, we got to work with some of the best vendors in the area.

Church: St. Michael's in the Hills
Reception: The Courtyard at Navy Bistroy
Florist: Keith Brooks
Photographer: Grand Lubell
Videographer: Showcase Video Productions
DJ: Decorative Sound
Wedding Coordinator: Your Perfect Day

Here are some sneak peeks from Grand Lubell.

Loved the green dresses the bridesmaids wore.
They are from JCrew.

The Troyan's had a surprise butterfly release for the couple
when the walked out the church doors!


Thank you to McKenna & Greg for letting us
be part of "Your Perfect Day!"

How to Handle Debt & Build a Strong Marriage | Perrysburg Wedding Planner

This blog is not like our traditional blogs but when my husband showed me this article, I thought it would help our newly weds to make their marriage stronger!

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Wedding season is in full bloom, and many newlyweds are dreaming of a happy life together. Agreement over finances and paying off debt are important preparations for a long-lasting union.

According to the study "Bank on It: Thrifty Couples Are the Happiest," conflict over money predicts divorce better than any other type of disagreement. Couples who disagree about finances once a week were over 30% more likely to divorce over time than couples who only disagree about finances a few times per month.

The study also says that perception about how well one's spouse handles money is also a factor in shaping family life. If an individual feels the spouse spends money foolishly, they report lower levels of marital happiness. It increased the likelihood of divorce 45% for men and women. Only alcohol and drug abuse, and extramarital affairs were stronger predictors of divorce.

Before you get married, know how your future spouse will treat money. Don't assume he or she shares your beliefs about money. Even if your future spouse is kind and respectful to you, he or she may treat money differently. Spending and saving habits may surprise you. A free spender before marriage will probably be a free spender after marriage.

To avoid surprises, have an honest discussion about money before the wedding day. This talk may be difficult to do, but it is necessary before joining life and finances together. If one partner has large debt or difficulties managing money, address these issues before the marriage. Debt can not only affect your financial future together, it can also severely damage your credit score.

Here are some financial tips for newlyweds:

1. Before the wedding, show all of your cards. Be honest about your income, debts and money problems. Bring out your bank statements from the past 12 months to show what you did with your money. Explain how your parents raised you to handle money and your strengths and weaknesses with money. Acknowledge if you are a spender or a saver.

2. Each of you should get a copy of your credit reports from the three credit bureaus. This will give you a clear picture of credit accounts, debts and how creditors will judge you. Aim to get your scores over 750 to receive the lowest interest rates for your first mortgage and other loans.

3. Have a wedding you can afford. Do not start a life together by using a credit card to pay for a wedding that is out of your budget.

4. Avoid credit card debt. The best rule of thumb is: "If you can't pay for something with cash, you can't afford it."

5. Get one or two credit cards and stick with them. Use them for several purchase each month and pay them off immediately. Building a long-term payment history with one or two credit cards is an important factor in your credit score.

6. Each spouse should hold a credit card in his or her own name to build an individual credit score.

7. Pay as much on credit card balances as you can over the minimum each month. If you receive gift money, a bonus, a second job or a tax refund, use this to pay off debt. The faster you pay it off, the quicker you can focus on saving and getting ahead. You can even make micropayments multiple times during the month to pay off your balance faster. Eat a meal at home and immediately apply the money you saved to your credit-card balance.

8. Make a plan for paying bills before they arrive and decide who will pay them. If you have separate accounts, know which account pays each bill.

9. Reduce your debt-to-credit limit ratio. This will help improve your credit score. Your monthly debt, including your mortgage, should not exceed 35% of your gross income.

10. Differentiate between wants and needs. Then simplify your wants. It is easy to get caught in the trap of wanting more than what you have, trying to "keep up with the Joneses" and looking to material things for happiness. But this will put you on the fast track to increasing your debt. Savings and assets help build financial security and increase the odds of a strong, happy marriage that lasts.

Bride loses reception hall 3 days before her wedding | Toledo Wedding Planner

Some of you may have heard about the bride that lost her reception hall 3 days before her wedding. It was on 92.5 KISS FM this morning.

You can find the podcast at
http://www.925kissfm.com/cc-common/podcast.html
It is called "Lying Pastor Double Books Wedding"

Well, this bride is one of our brides. Holly had hired us for her "day of" services. We have been in contact with Holly since she booked us back in February and all of her plans have been going great. Until she got that call yesterday about her losing the hall to another bride. Holly called us right after she got the news. We were SHOCKED! We put all of our other work on hold and made phone calls to every hall that was within 45 miles of Marblehead, OH. Our list of phone calls was 50+ halls and not a one was able to accommodate Holly & her wedding reception.

We will keep everyone updated.......hopefully the next time we blog about it, we will have good news & maybe even some pictures from her wedding day.

Your Perfect Day....because you deserve it!

W2WW | What To Wear Wednesday | Perrysburg Wedding Planner

W2WW - Black Tie Optional Wedding

A wedding invitation that says "Black Tie Optional"
can be a confusing one to receive.

At a black tie optional affair, men wear tuxedos or dark suits
and women wear everything from gowns to dressy cocktail dresses.
You still want to dress elegantly, but you have more room to
have fun with your look than at a traditional black tie affair.
A summer wedding is the perfect time to embrace color
and flirty, feminine silhouettes.

Choosing Wedding Flowers | Perrysburg Wedding Planner

Choosing your flowers is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. But before you make any decisions, there are a few points you'll want to consider. Use this step-by-step wedding flower guide to get started.

1. Find the Right Wedding Florist

Before you venture out and start the meet-and-greets with selected florists, think about the type of person you work well with. Do you want someone who's going to grab the buds by the stems and take control? Or are you looking for someone who wants you to guide them every step of the way? A combination of both? You'll also need to get a good idea about design tendencies (and if they match yours) -- insist on seeing a portfolio before you commit. Talk to friends and relatives who recently got married and find out who they used. Check out the listings in The Knot Local Wedding Resources of great florists in your area. If you find someone you don't know or haven't heard of, be sure to check out the company with the Better Business Bureau where you can find out if anyone has had problems with them in the past.

2. Consider Your Wedding Flower Budget

This one is a no-brainer. Figure that eight percent of the total wedding cost will go to flowers -- from the bouquets and boutonnieres to the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception decor. At the start of your first meeting, ask straight out: What great things can you do with $__________? (Don't get suc ked into $5,000 worth of flowers and then let your florist know that your bottom line is $2,000.) And remember: There's a lot of stuff to consider, so don 't be surprised if you end up spending more. So we suggest you pad in an extra 10 percent.

Need to adjust some numbers? Figure out your wedding budget.

3. Establish a Vision

Have a general idea about your taste. Are you a true minimalist? Or are you looking to do an uber-romantic Gatsby-style wedding? Create a file of magazine tear-outs -- and not just bridal pics. Lifestyle shots, colors, and fashion photos will all help give your florist a clear idea of your loves and love-nots. And don't forget shots from friends' weddings. Maybe you flipped over the centerpieces, but hated the bouquets. Now's the time to bring it up (to your florist, of course, and not your friend).

Look through our bridal bouquet gallery to get inspired.

4. Consider Your Reception Site Specifics

This is a biggie. Think of your reception site as a blank canvas on which the florist will create her masterpiece. Is there bright red wallpaper that she needs to consider? Is it a botanical garden that won't need much floral accent? Or are you starting with a clean, empty loft that will need lots of work? Bring along some sort of photo (a press kit or pamphlet) in case she's never worked a wedding there before, and ask her to visit the site to get an idea of its size and style.

5. Create a Wedding Color Concept

Don't even think about visiting a florist without knowing what your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and moms are wearing. There's literally no point -- you can't pick any flowers if you don't know what colors will work. On the flip side, you won't know what colors your flowers come in without knowing which flowers you want. First tackle the attire, then choose your ideal color palette and make a list of your favorite flowers, and then see if your florist can accomplish both.

6. Consider Your Wedding Dress

At this point, you should have already picked out your gown, seeing as that will dictate what kind of bouquet you should carry. While you might not think so, florists base many decisions on the bride's gown -- how ornate it is, whether it's white or cream, if it's classic or contemporary, and so on. Most florists think of the wedding dress as the centerpiece of the day, so this will give her a good idea of where you're going with the wedding style.

7. Map Out Your Wedding Style

Your style is different than your vision. Are you looking to carry a very dramatic, long bunch of flowers or a tight posy of blooms instead? Do the same thinking about the other people in the wedding party: Should Mom wear a corsage or carry a nosegay? Should the bridesmaids carry a single stem or a tussy mussy? Style will also affect price accordingly, as well as the choice of flowers that will or won't work in the type of bouquet you're eyeing.

A tussy what? Brush up on your bouquet lingo.

8. Size Up Your Crowd

Don't listen to your groom -- size does matter! How many people are you planning on having to the wedding celebration? That number will determine how many tables and, consequently, how many centerpieces you'll require. How many attendants will you have to outfit with flowers: groomsmen, bridesmaids, flower girls? This will dramatically impact the price. On the other hand, if you are requiring fewer than average centerpieces, you may be able to get those orchids flown in from China that you swore you couldn't live without.

9. Get Everything in Writing

All the work you will do to get this far will mean nothing if you don't have it all in writing. So make certain that your florist drafts a contract, specifically stating the flowers you're going to have, how many bouquets you'll need, price, and what time you can expect her to arrive on the day of the wedding. Don't hesitate to include the things you absolutely don't want, as well. That way, you'll have recourse if your florist doesn't come through for you.

Thank you to The Knot for this article!

Your Perfect Day....because you deserve it!

Wedding Etiquette for the Guests | Perrysburg Wedding Planner

We feel bad that we did not get our W2WW blog up this week so we wanted to give you an article that includes dressing for a wedding and other things that the wedding guest should know before attending the wedding.

Invitations

Image Credit: Kathryn Rotondo via FlickR

1. Invitations are not like Evites - you can’t forward them to your friends. Covet your invite because you were chosen, not mass emailed to.
2. The invitation tells you exactly how many people you can bring in addition to yourself, so pay attention!
3. Your name “and family” means you and your kids/spouse.
4. Your name “and guest” means you and ONE guest.
5. Your name only means you are lucky to have gotten an invite to begin with.
6. Don’t RSVP your children unless they are explicitly invited. Hire a sitter instead.
7. Don’t assume you can bring your baby because the couple doesn’t have to buy a dinner plate. Some weddings are purposely designated adult only.
8. You must always send an RSVP, even if you aren’t attending. RSVP’s are not just for affirmative responses, and if you don’t send an RSVP the bride and groom have no idea if you are going to just show up.
9. When sending an RSVP, follow the bride and groom’s process. Don’t email them if they’ve included a response card in your invitation - it just adds extra stress for them to keep track of multiple communication channels.
10. RSVP’s must be mailed ahead and reach their destination by the deadline. Having them postmarked by the deadline is not good enough.
11. RSVP’s must actually give the correct number of attendees. Do your best to give an accurate figure at the time of RSVP.
12. If your plans change before the RSVP date, let the bride and groom know ASAP.
13. If your plans change after the RSVP date, you should give a gift equivalent to your original RSVP.
14. Don’t ask your mutual friends if they’ve received an invite. Choosing who to invite to your wedding is a difficult task, and people get cut for cost reasons.
15. If you do ask a mutual friend and they were not invited, you will put stress on the relationship between the bride/groom and the mutual friend. So just don’t ask.
16. Invitation time is the best time to notify the bride and groom of any dietary restrictions you or your guests may have.
17. Note that I wrote “dietary restrictions,” not “food preferences.” Don’t add extra tasks for the bride and groom unless necessary!

What to Wear

1. Dress attire may be specified in the invitation. Pay attention and look at the details of the invite.
2. The ceremony determines whether the wedding is daytime or evening, as receptions are usually in the evening.
3. For men, daytime formal dress means a suit in neutral colors like black, brown, or gray.
4. For men, daytime informal/semi-formal dress means a dress shirt and pants.
5. For women, daytime formal dress means a cocktail dress.
6. For women, daytime informal/semi-formal dress means a nice floral printed dress or a business suit.
7. For men, evening formal dress means a tux. Preferably black, with a white shirt.
8. For men, evening informal/semi-formal dress means a suit in neutral colors like black, brown, or gray.
9. For women, evening formal dress means a formal gown or a cocktail dress.
10. For women, evening informal/semi-formal dress means a cocktail dress. If in doubt, a little black Betsey Johnson dress works beautifully, or any solid colored dress in cool colors will do.
11. Rules are meant to be broken, but do not step too far outside these guidelines unless it’s a themed wedding.
12. In the case of a themed or destination wedding, all bets are off.
13. If dress attire is not specified, you can take hints from the websites of the church and reception hall.
14. Do not wear anything too revealing, particularly to the ceremony.
15. If you are still unsure of how to dress, you can call the MOH/MOB to ask what is appropriate.
16. For women, do not wear white! White is reserved for the bride, even if she doesn’t wear it.
17. If purchasing your clothing in advance, consider the season.
18. Try not to wear the same colors as the bridal party. You can find out the wedding colors in advance by speaking with the MOH/MOB.
19. Consider your shoe choices carefully. Because you may be wearing these shoes for a good portion of the day as well as the night, choose something comfortable, yet stylish.
20. Do not call your friends to see what they are wearing! Unless you know for a fact they were invited.

Before You Leave

1. Make sure you have directions to both the wedding and reception sites.
2. With any large gathering, parking can be an issue. Make sure you are clear on where to park, and consider carpooling if parking is limited.
3. Check the weather and traffic patterns, and plan accordingly.
4. If you are attending a religious ceremony, get a brief overview of how a traditional wedding plays out in that religion. This will help you to be a respectful guest at the reception, even if you do not share the same beliefs.
5. If there is a gap between the wedding and reception, have a plan to occupy yourself and your guests.
6. If you have dietary preferences, make sure you pack some snacks, just in case. Or have a plan to eat something before the reception.
7. Perform a checklist before you leave: make sure you have directions, addresses, gifts, snacks, and an extra pair of shoes just in case.

At the Ceremony

Image Credit: babasteve via FlickR

1. First and foremost: Turn your cell phone off!
2. If you have any other devices that might make noise, turn those off too.
3. Don’t even consider vibrate. Vibrate is for people who plan to leave the ceremony if they get an important call. And yes, everyone can still hear your phone vibrating, so don’t be one of those people!
4. Arrive 30 minutes early.
5. If you normally arrive late to events, arrive an hour early.
6. If you arrive late to the ceremony despite careful planning, find an usher to seat you.
7. If you can’t find an usher, sit in the first empty row from the front. Quietly.
8. Be respectful of any religious customs you may see at the ceremony.
9. If in doubt, follow the family’s lead for standing, sitting, kneeling, singing, and praying.
10. Unless asked, do not take pictures at the ceremony. There may be rules against it, or it may ruin the ambiance of the ceremony.

At the Reception

1. It is appropriate to speak to the bride and groom, but do not monopolize the their time. Unless it is a small wedding, they have a lot of people to thank throughout the night.
2. One picture with the bride and groom is enough. Honestly. Most weddings will have a photographer who will take more than enough photos that you can purchase at a later date.
3. Do not give your gift directly to the bride and groom.
4. Most weddings will have a gift table where you can place your gift.
5. If there is no gift table, politely ask a member of the family or bridal party where to put your gift.
6. If you are worried that your gift will not reach the bride and groom, stop. You will know your gift made it when you receive their Thank You card.
   Image Credit: Manassas Cakery via FlickR
   
7. When the DJ announces the bride and groom doing any task (ie: cutting the cake, first dance, etc) it is appropriate to watch.
8. Remember this is their day, not yours. Curb your Wedding Crashers urge to steal the spotlight.
9. Only request a song from the DJ if he or she announces that you can. (The bride and groom may have pre-selected their playlist.)
10. If the dinner is buffet, wait for the DJ to announce a second round. Same goes for getting a second piece of cake.
11. Open bar does not mean you should get drunk. Please do not make the bride and groom regret inviting you to their wedding by making a scene.
12. If you forgot to tell the bride and groom about your dietary restrictions with your RSVP, do not bring them up now. Go without eating or discuss the matter with the MOH/MOB in private to find a suitable solution.
13. Don’t worry about saying goodbye to the bride and groom if they are busy when you leave. They understand and will appreciate your attendance.

After the Big Day

1. Do not call the bride and groom for at least a month, unless you are family or a member of the bridal party. A new marriage requires a lot of transition, and that takes time past the honeymoon.
2. Expect a Thank You card within 3 months of the wedding.
3. If you don’t receive a Thank You card in this time period you should inquire about your gift. But always frame it as “Did you receive my gift?” and not as “I didn’t receive your Thank You card.”
4. If you want to purchase pictures or a video, ask the MOB/MOH to notify you when they are available. But be prepared to wait, as these items take between 3 months and a year to become available!

Thank you to Styled for Success for this article!

Your Perfect Day....because you deserve it!