Fabulous Flowers for Your Summer Wedding

Choosing the flowers for your summer wedding can be a difficult task. Why you ask? Well, because this is the time of the year when most of these colorful blooms are in season and readily available! It will be hard to choose just one of these beauties! Here are a few of my favorite summer wedding flowers to help you decide!

Sunflowers ~ This warm and friendly flower is a known symbol of peace and happiness. What better sentiment for your wedding day! These flowers are inexpensive and easy to maintain. They are especially appropriate for a late summer or fall wedding. Sunflowers are in season from July to September and come in colored varieties of yellow, red and white.

Add Personalized Party Plates Plates to Your Wedding Reception and Party Decorations List

Add Personalized Party Plates Plates to Your Wedding Reception and Party Decorations List

Managing Your Guest List - Common Questions and Answers

It would be perfectly lovely to have the funds and space to invite everyone to your wedding from that coworker that you barely know three cubicles over to distantly related cousins and their plus ones. For most of us, however, there are budget restrictions, people we don't particularly care for but feel we ought to include, space restrictions at the chosen venue, and too many other possible limitations to list. It isn't fun to cut people from your dream wedding list, but sometimes it must be done. Here are a few answers to the most commonly asked guest list questions.

Q: My wedding will be very small. What do I tell people that will not be invited?

A: This is very simple. You tell them exactly that - your guest list is small - limited by funds and space available, so you are only able to invite close family and friends. Don't get too caught up in social obligation or feelings of guilt. It is perfectly understandable to want only those you are most intimately connected with to witness such an emotional event in your life. Your not-so-close friends and distant family will understand this. They may even feel awkward attending if they do not know your group of guests well.

Q: Can I invite guests to the reception, but not the ceremony?

5 Fun & Affordable Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day is fast approaching and it's time to start thinking about gift ideas for Dad. It can sometimes be hard to find a gift as special as your dad or husband. I have tried to take some of the guess work out of it for you. Here are few options that are not only fun for all kinds of dads but also affordable.

You know that old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words'. This is so true and so meaningful. Just by adding a photo of yourself or your children to a personalized frame, you can create one of the best gifts you can give. What dad wouldn't want a photo of his kids or grandkids and by adding a personalized message to the frame, this gift has become a special keepsake that your dad or husband will have for many years.

Wedding Purse Essentials - It's All in the Bag!

On your big day the last thing you are probably thinking of is what purse to carry with your wedding dress. While you won't want to have anything hanging on you all day (other than the groom of course), it is helpful to have a small purse or clutch to match your gown with some wedding day essentials in it.

First off you need to select a cute clutch or evening bag that will coordinate with your wedding dress. Go with an elegant beaded, white or ivory bag to match your gown or choose a bag with a pop of color that accents your wedding colors and accessories. You obviously won't hold this purse during your ceremony but have it on hand before and bring it along to the reception. Give one of your bridesmaids the job of keeping track of it for you!

Things you might want to include in this bag are: 

• Compact mirror
• Hanky or tissues
• Lipstick or lip gloss
• Powder
• Small perfume spritzer
• Pocket comb
• Breath mints
• Bobby pins
  

Choose purse or travel size beauty items to fit in your bag.

Another important bag to have on hand the day of your wedding is a larger tote bag with other emergency items and necessities. These items will be used by you and any of your bridesmaids who might be of need. Keep this bag on hand where you and your bridal party will be getting ready. For this carry-all tote bag, choose a large durable bag with fun personalization (bride-to-be or your name or monogram). These personalized totes are also great gift ideas for all of your bridesmaids.  

Here is a list of must-haves to have on hand on the big day. Okay, so it might not all fit in one bag!

• First aid items (Band-Aids)
• Comb, brush, hairpins
• Hair spray
• Medicines for headaches, upset stomach, allergies
• Sewing Kit with needles, thread and safety pins
• Anti-static spray
• Lint roller
• Spot and stain remover
• Eye drops and spare contacts (if the bride or groom wears them)
• Travel iron or steamer for touch ups
• Pen and pad of paper for last minute notes
• Miscellaneous tools for emergency repairs to decorations (scissors, tape, stapler, super glue)
• Nail polish for touch ups, nail file, nail glue
• Deodorant
• Lotion
• Make-up kit
• Tooth brush and tooth paste
• Double sided fashion tape
• Tweezers
• Extra earring backs
• Green floral tape and boutonniere & corsage pins
• Crochet hook (for brides buttons and an easy way to bustle your dress)
• A light snack and bottle of water

Pack your wedding day purse and tote bag a day or two beforehand. That way you can just grab it and go the day of. Having these items on hand will hopefully quell any big day disasters or mishaps!

Photo Credits: Bride's Planning Tote, Wedding purses and Evening Bags, Bride and Bridesmaid purse totes, Monogram backpack and personalized tote