Wedding Etiquette: Seating Your Guests

To sit, or not to sit, that is the question. Well, ok maybe Shakespeare isn’t necessary for pondering the significance of who to seat where at your wedding reception. Then again, there are probably some heavier-esque things to consider. Firstly, be aware of any issues of physical ability. If grandma is in a wheelchair, be sure to seat her near an entrance/exit for easy access in case of fire, or in case of something more mundane, like needing to use the restroom. Also consider theproximity of her location to meal and beverage if you are doing a buffet-style reception. Even if she is not making her plate up herself, someone else will be no doubt assisting her, and so the distance to travel should be considered. Now remember, other family will also want to sit near her, like mom, and maybe even yourself, so you’ll have to consider her seat in relationship to other people, as well as her needs.

Planning & Inspiration

Spotting the Perfect Wedding Invitation

by admin

I have this wonderful morning ritual. It only recently became a ritual, and it began by accident. Still, the importance of it I cannot shake. When I first wake up, before I am even thinking about my cup of coffee, or better yet, that crisp shower and fresh towel, I go downstairs. I sit on the living room couch, gaze out the window and wait usually no longer than 30 seconds before my adorable dog, Peaches, joins me.

Now, there is something truly special about Peaches to me. Before I had Peaches, I was rather afraid of dogs. As anyone who knows anything about dogs can tell you, the worst thing about being afraid of dogs is that that makes them more likely to do the things that make you afraid of them to begin with. Being ancestors of wolves, dogs smell fear as part of their way of understanding who belongs in whatever position in the pack hierarchy: there is always a dominant, or alpha male-female pair, and then subordinates, in the pack. They come to depend on everyone upholding their roles, especially those in the alpha position. When they smell fear, they attribute it to a lack of pack-stability, and attack that which is afraid to establish some kind of dominance and to let them know who is charge. Read More

Planning & Inspiration

The Sweetheart = The One I Love

by Rachel Trimarco

I love every single floral arrangement we do at Bride & Blossom. If someone asked me to pick my favorite flower, or color, I would have a very hard time. The same goes for the styles of our centerpieces. That said, I do hold a special place in my heart for certain designs.Right now I am really loving the sweetheart table centerpiece style. No other centerpiece style can really compare with the bold lushness of this particular arrangement. A sweetheart table, in case you did not know, is, as The Knot says,

A sweetheart table is a small table set up for just the bride and groom at the wedding reception. The happy couple sits together, facing their guests, with their wedding attendants and families at tables in close proximity. The advantage is that you get to spend time together and enable your wedding party to sit with family and friends. If you’re not comfortable with being the focal point at the wedding reception, you can have a head table. Your head table can be similar to the other reception tables or it can be a dais table (elevated), to stand out. The head table can consist of all the wedding attendants or include the parents, siblings, grandparents and anyone else who is very close to the bride and groom.

Planning & Inspiration

Pretty in (Grown-Up) Pink

by admin

Pink is not just for little girls. I am sure you already knew that, but it bears repeating! As Aerosmith says, “pink is the color of passion… and today, it just goes with the fashion.” So what about incorporating pink into your wedding? Concerned it will be too trite?

With the focus on the vintage-look, pink has really made a comeback as true sophisticated color that can be perfect for weddings.

Now what if you wanted to do a more traditional and fancy wedding? Or, what if you wanted to incorporate brighter or richer hues of pink than those that are the main-stay of the vintage look? There are ways to do this without succumbing to the days of Molly Ringwald (unless you would want that look), or with your flower girls and bridesmaids looking they are wearing the same outfits designed for a preschool tea-party (unless you would want that look as well- no judgements here). Read More

Planning & Inspiration

The Traditional Meanings of Flowers That You May Not Know

by admin

Certainly wedding bouquets contain some of the most beautiful flowers in the world. This is reason enough to want to include them in your floral arrangements. You probably already know that beautiful flowers carry more weight to them than simply being aesthetically pleasing. What you may not know, however, is that some of your favorite flowers carry some intriguing meanings.

From ProFlowers.com:

The Victorian Era ushered in a time of proper etiquette among the upper class in England during Queen Victoria’s reign (1837-1901). Among the many rules and customs, there were expected behaviors that prohibited outright flirtations, questions, or conversations between others.

Although the use of flowers to convey messages had been used in Persia and the Middle East, it was during the Victorian Era and the publication of flower dictionaries explaining the meaning of plants, flowers and herbs, that the tradition began to spread throughout England. Soon it became popular to use flowers to send secretive messages. Though often portrayed to relay positive messages of interest, affection and love, flowers could also send a negative message and at times, the same flower could have opposite meanings depending on how it was arranged or delivered.

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Planning & Inspiration

Bride Advice: What To Do About the Unwanted (But Necessary) Guests

by admin

Most of us, if not all of us, can think of at least one unwanted guest we’ve consistently had to invite to all of our major family and milestone celebrations. Maybe it is the nosy aunt, the quintessential creepy uncle, the grandparent who states any and all opinions no matter how unfavorable to the audience. Perhaps it your soon-to-be-in-laws, an enormous weight if they are coming to your wedding and expect to be warmly welcomed.

What to do with these unwanted guests? You do not want them to mess up your special day in any way, including your mood. You deserve to really enjoy this day, right? But, you also do not want to be rude and give people the cold shoulder, especially the people you may be seeing every year after that for family events and who may have a powerful influence over your spouse, and even the children you may have. Read More

Planning & Inspiration