The Signs you Actually NEED at a Wedding

 

There are only a few signs that you actually must have at a wedding.  But other signs can be helpful for guests and add to the decor and ambiance of the event. 

Here is your comprehensive list of wedding signs to consider for your big day:

Table Number Signs are a must if you are having a dinner with assigned seating, as most weddings do nowadays. Keep in mind these signs don't have to be actual numbers and are a chance to reflect the interests and personality of the couple. Interested in travel? Name your tables after places you've visited. Love to read? Name that tables after your favorite novels. Tables can be labeled anything to go with a theme!

 

Escort Cards are the other big must, since people need to know where to sit. Traditionally, these are the little seating cards that direct guests to their tables. E.G. Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, Table 5. The escort cards can create a lovely visual display, though some couples are now opting for a seating chart that lists everyone's table assignments on one large decorative sign.

 

Programs are the typical place to include descriptions of ceremony customs, bridal party names, a thank you to guests, post-ceremony instructions, and an in memoriam to departed family. But if your ceremony is pretty short and sweet, the programs can certainly be skipped. If you do plan for programs, you don't need one for every guest. We always see so many programs left over because guests tend to share or don't pick one up. Order enough for around 60-70% of your guest count.

 

Menu Cards can add some visual appeal to the tablescape but are not necessary in most cases when guests have already chosen their meal in advance.

 

Welcome Signs are an optional addition, but they can be very helpful to guests. Consider the layout of your venue. If there are multiple entrances or more than one event going on, the welcome sign can serve as a guide to indicate that guests are in the right spot or lead them to where they need to go.

 

Bar Signs are useful if you plan to have a signature drink to let guests know the specialties that they can order.

 

Gifts & Cards signs can be helpful if you have an unusual cardbox that doesn't look like a cardbox. 

 

Guestbook Signs can also help guests figure out what to do if you have an atypical guestbook.

 

Hashtag or QR Code Signs have gained popularity as couples want to inform guests how they can share photos that they take at the event. 

 

Favor Signs let guests know to take a party favor and can include a cute saying to go with what the favor is.

 

Family Photo Signs that label who people are on memory tables or in photo displays can help guests feel connected to the important people in your life.

Which signs do you plan to use for your wedding? Let us know in the comments!

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Botanical Beauty: A Blooming Wedding at Garfield Park Conservatory

With the pandemic still looming, we are looking back at some of our favorite weddings from years past. Megan and Richard's September 2019 wedding at Garfield Park Conservatory was a lush landscape of greenery. Around every corner of the Conservatory was a beautiful photo-op. But the true beauty came from the bride and groom's grace and genuine love. Check out the highlights with these gorgeous photos by Rebekah Albaugh.

A mother-daughter moment

Sharing faith and blessings

Talk about a scenic route! 

The path to the ceremony patio passed through a variety of vistas from jungle-like vegetation to arid desert cacti. 

A dual program and fan for a hot day!

Gorgeous, natural bouquets from Carousel Flowers

Pure joy for husband and wife!

Photos by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

Part of what wedding planners do is setting up those special, personalized touches. 

Gone are the days of the traditional guestbook! 

Megan and Richard encouraged guests to write notes of well wishes, thoughts, and advice 

for them to open on their anniversaries.

A memory table paid tribute to family members to keep them close on an important day.

My favorite photo of the day by one of my favorite photographers! 

Rebekah Albaugh captures the most beautiful moments and is able to set up a photo while still putting a couple at ease. I even assisted with this shot!

Wedding planners have to be a jack of all trades, and we step in where needed on wedding day. I held a background light to help make this photo just right, before I shuffled the bride and groom into the reception to cue their grand entrance!

Reception Time! What a room!

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

As wedding planners, we help the newlyweds make a smooth getaway!

Not only do we distribute bubbles, cue the getaway car the get in place, and get the guests lined up outside, but we also give some tips to the bride and groom to stop for a kiss for a great photo and memorable moment!

Congratulations to Megan and Richard!

Vendors:

Venue - Garfield Park Conservatory

Wedding Planner - Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

Photographer - Rebekah Albaugh

Gown - Jasmine Bridal

Caterer - Food for Thought

Video - Petit Four Films

DJ - Spinnin Discs

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Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

This old English rhyme dates back to 1898 and describes a tradition still carried out by many brides today. Over the years, brides have adhered to this poem to incorporate some special wedding day good luck charms into their attire or ceremony. Want to follow the advice of this age-old adage? Knowing the meaning behind each line will help you choose the perfect old, new, borrowed, and blue item for your wedding day. Check out our ideas for both traditional and modern takes on this custom for your big day.

photo from huffingtonpost.com

“Something Old” signifies the connection and love a bride will always have with her family and her life before marriage.

Cutting a small piece of fabric or lace from your mother or grandmother’s wedding gown and preserving it in a necklace is a beautiful and sentimental way to include something old in your wedding. You could also use the lace from a family gown to wrap your bouquet, make a garter, or even have a seamstress make gloves for a true vintage look! More traditionally, wear an old piece of jewelry, such as a hair comb, watch, or set of pearls.

The line “Something New” describes the anticipation of the bride’s new life, with hope for success and happiness.

Many brides consider their ring or the wedding gown as their something new. But your “something new” could be a new set of earrings from your fiancé, parents, or friend. The “something new” certainly does not have to be a gift that you have received. You can also get creative by buying your dream pair of pumps to walk down the aisle.  

“Something Borrowed” symbolizes the support the bride receives from friends and family and how they will always be part of her life. This item traditionally comes from a couple who has had a long happy marriage.

Did you drool over a friend or sister’s impeccable veil? Have you admired that stunning tennis bracelet your aunt always wears? These important people in your life would certainly be thrilled to know how much you like their piece and would be honored to lend it to your for the big day. Just be sure to take excellent care of the borrowed item and return it to its owner promptly.

“Something Blue” represents the bride’s faith, loyalty, fidelity, and purity. From blue lingerie to fun blue heels, you can really get creative with this one! Ask your fiancé to write a note on the soles of your wedding day shoes in blue marker to read before walking down the aisle. Include blue flowers in your bouquet. Or for something extra special, sew a heart-shaped piece of your dad’s blue dress shirt on the inside of your wedding dress.

Typically only those closest to the bride are privvy to what the bride has chosen for her "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." Since the selected items usually carry great significance to the bride, why not share the meaning of these tokens with your guests? Include a short blurb in your ceremony program that describes your selected mementos and the importance behind them.

It’s fun and easy to keep this sweet tradition alive. Tell us what special good luck charms you’ll have with you on your big day!

*Sara Steinhoff contributed to this article.

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Beating the Heat: ideas for keeping cool at an outdoor summer wedding

With outside weddings, brides can get so concerned with warding off rain that they may forget about the other weather culprit -- the heat.  Here are a few ideas that you can use to make your guests more comfortable at a hot summer wedding.

• Print your programs on paper fans.
• Provide an outside table or bar with lemonade, ice tea, water, or even fun daiquiris or pina coladas prior to the ceremony start.
• Have a few baskets stationed around the ceremony area with sunscreen, bugspray, and sunglasses for guests to use.
• Have ushers escort people to their seats using parasols to block the sun.  Ushers can then even give the parasols to the guests to use while they wait for the ceremony start. (Just be sure they direct guests to close the parasols once the ceremony begins so everyone can see.)

Outdoor weddings can be beautiful and memorable.  Taking just a few steps to keep you guests cool will ensure they enjoy the scenery and remember your wedding for the right reasons.

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Wedding Programs: why have them, what to include, and where to put them

Wedding Programs are becoming increasingly popular at today's weddings.  Programs are certainly not a wedding necessity, but they add a nice touch.  They inform the guests of what to expect throughout the day and also serve as a keepsake.  You can have program attendants or ushers hand out the programs to your guests.  Alternatively, you can simply place the programs in decorative baskets for guests to pick up as they enter the ceremony.  Here are some examples and ideas of what to include in your wedding programs.

When and Where ~ The front of the program typically has the names of the bride and groom, the date, time, and location of the wedding.

Participants ~ On the inside of the program, recognize all of the participants in your wedding.  List parents, grandparents, everyone in the wedding party, guestbook/program attendants, readers, and the officiant.

Ceremony & Traditions ~ It is also common to provide the order of the ceremony within the program.  I recommend including explanations of any religious or ethnic customs that you'll be performing.  Your guests may be unfamiliar with the traditions and will feel more connected if they understand what is going on during the ceremony.  For example, at a Jewish wedding, you could include a short paragraph about the symbolism of having the ceremony under the chuppah and breaking the glass.

Memoriam ~ If there are deceased family members whom you would like to recognize, acknowledge them within the program with some thoughtful words.

Special Instructions ~ Provide any information your guests may need to know about the wedding day in the program.  For example, if they will be blowing bubbles as the newlyweds walk back down the aisle at the end of the ceremony, put a note in the program.  Or, if it's not intuitive where the guests will go next after the ceremony, let them know in the program.

Poems, Songs, & Writings ~ Some programs include a poem or other writing that is special to the couple. 

Message from the Bride & Groom ~ Give your program a personal touch by including a message to your guests from the bride and groom.  Thanking your friends and family for sharing in your big day will make them feel welcome and show them how much you appreciate them.

Photo by Caroline Eller LLC

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