Wedding Planning Basics

Photo Credit: Emily Exon Photography

The Secrets to Staying Focused Before Your Wedding

How many times have you been scrolling through Pinterest on the hunt for the perfect and most unique wedding décor ideas that will not only wow your guests but also capture your dream wedding visions?? If you are anything like me, a Pinterest junkie, than I am sure you have searched all the styles, themes, colours, indoor and outdoor options and found that some of these idea can become a little overwhelming to choose from and kind of make your eye balls go crossed…

Let me help you today to uncross those eyes and bring a little light into your wedding décor search with Secret Number 5 to a stress free wedding!

Secret # 5

Quite possibly some of these you have already heard or read about and I cannot sit here and tell you something you won’t know already but these are a few of the unique ideas that I have seen and searched that could just add that pop and sparkle to you big day!
So…let’s think outside the box for a moment…

Of all the venues out there, especially hotels, it’s not common to find a venue that offers you a nice, stylish chair for your guests. So what is the alternative to these brown and gold rimmed chairs?? The traditional chair covers and coloured sashes! Yes my friend! This is what most couples go to in order to style up these not so attractive chairs.

Are you looking for something a little different?

I know that I am. Nothing against the look of covers and sashes (personally I would suggest the spandex ones for a clean and sleek look) but if you’re like me, than you have seen enough of the blue and red on white and want something fresh, sleek and trendy!
May I suggest looking at renting a stylish wood or plastic chair to replace the other ones? Consider this. Renting 1 chair cover (in Calgary) averages $3-5 each depending on style and colour. Then you add in the colourful sash for another $1-2.50 each. That’s a total of (on the high side) $7.50! For ONE chair. Not to mention the painstaking time it takes to cover each chair just perfectly and tie that pretty little bow ever so right onto the chairs x150 chairs (or more!)…from one who has done this many times…it’s not the highlight of my styling that’s for sure! 

Ok, so let’s looks at the alternative to renting a stylish chair. Take this simple black chivari chair below, for example. One chair with you choice of cushion costs around $6.25 to $8.75. (And Great Events in Calgary has a large selection to choose from for colour and design).

That is a total of $1.25 extra per chair! So if you have 100 guests at your wedding that’s an extra $125.00 to completely transform the look of your décor!!

Not bad…even for those of us on a tight budget! I am sure there is something else that could be cut back on in order for you to have this style and design in your wedding. So let me challenge you to think outside the box but to stay inside your budget to achieve your unique wedding style.

Check out - https://www.greateventsrentals.ca/38-chiavari
 
Now let’s talk about some smaller wedding décor details that are sure to awe and oooo your guests! For the sake of space I am going to list these trendy little suggestions out below…

• Simple flowers are a necessity. Small bud vases on the registration and gift tables can go a long way to add a touch of colour without anything too large. Use greenery for centre pieces and décor – it goes a long way to bring in some freshness and will keep your flowers costs lower too!
• If you’re not big on the whole cut the cake thing but like the look of a cake, then have a small 2 or one tier cake made with other little dessert treats like donuts, cookies, tarts or cupcakes for all to enjoy. Also if you caterer is already supplying desserts options then I would suggest to lessen your sweet treat order. This way you but back on cost and waste.
• Have you ever been at a wedding and when the dancing time comes you would love to get up and cut a rug but oh man your feet hurt so bad from the heels you have been sporting all day long?? (Maybe just the ladies on this one…) How about offering your guest some comfy flip flops to wear? Old Navy has cheap options with multiple sizes and colours in the summer months so grab some flops to help the feets.
• Are you having an outdoor ceremony? Another trendy option is to pick up some fun sunglasses to hand out to all of your guests who might have forgotten to bring their own.
• Switch up your reception flow to keep your guests guessing! Maybe consider doing the first dance before your entrance or right after. What about cutting the cake early on in the night instead of later so that after the speeches you can all hit the dance floor? Or even consider joining your guests for a cocktail hour to allow for some down time for you (and some food, let’s be honest that’s the real reason lol) and possibly some candid pic with your guests too!
• Consider your catering options – plated, buffet or family style. Ask your caterer what options they have to offer. In keeping with the thinking outside the box option, I love the family style service as it offers your guest a chance to talk to one another as they pass around the dishes creating good wedding vibes all around. It also allows for a plentiful amount of food! (Always a good choice).  
• Add a little detail to your table settings by using a coloured napkin placed on the plate that matches your theme. Consider the different options to folding them – square, rectangular, or tided with something pretty. You can even add the place cards for names into the design and do these all before the day to save on time.
• How about creating your own couple signature drink? Create a drink that represents the two of you as a couple and have that served during the cocktail hour or at the bar. Be sure to create a fun and catchy name that will leave your guests wondering what’s in this drink? 
• Let’s talk seating charts! Be aware that some backdrops even though they look unique might make it hard to read, like a mirror, so use caution with these options. A simple and clean way would be to print off say a 2x3 poster size at your local print shop and stick it in a nice frame (IKEA/Walmart have cheaper options that look classy). Ask your wedding planner (a.k.a yours truly) more about these options – keeps the cost low and looks very fresh and trendy!
• And lastly……guest favours. Consider these unique options to leave a little sparkle. Popcorn flavors in creative bags, some of your favourite recipes printed on a postcard photo of the happy couple, lottery tickets, s’mores kits, after meal mints, personalised candy (M&M’s), tote bags with your names and wedding date printed on them and lastly, one of my ultimate favourite ideas, a candy bar with personalised candy bags.

Well my friends, that’s it! No matter what stages of planning your in I hope these tips have been helpful for you and given you some new options to consider. Even on a tight budget these trendy and fresh décor tips can be used to give you a unique wedding style that is sure to razzle and dazzle your guests and keep them talking about it for years to come!
So don’t be afraid to think outside the box! ​