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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Tracy & Mike: Classic Elegance in Chicago

I worked with Tracy and Mike from the start of their planning to create their vision - a classically elegant wedding. 

It was fun to make the traditional trendy, melding the customary with unexpected little twists. 

Check out the photos from this fabulous wedding!

Photo by Katie Kett Photography

The ceremony was at the renowned Holy Name Cathedral.

Photo by Katie Kett Photography

After the ceremony, a trolley whisked the bridal party away for photos around Chicago.

Photo by Katie Kett Photography

The reception took place at The School of the Art Institute Ballroom,

a hidden gem for Chicago weddings.

Photo by Katie Kett Photography

 A cookbook served as an unexpected guestbook, where guests could leave messages on the pages of recipes that strikes their fancy. 

As the couple uses the cookbook throughout their life, they will come across the well wishes of friends and family, reminding them of their big day.

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

 The bride and groom sneak a peek from the balcony above before their grand entrance.

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

The Tablescape 

featuring a color scheme of gold, black, and white, with accents of natural green

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

The Place Setting

Menu cards atop classic gold chargers.

But the bow napkin fold adds a twist, making guests feel like they are unwrapping a gift as they sit down for dinner.

Envelopes emblazoned with "Lucky in Love" hid lottery ticket wedding favors inside.

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

Instead of a traditional wedding cake, a tiered charlotte russe cake gave a splash of color.

This cake was a modern touch, by straying from the usual white wedding cake, yet also a throwback to yesteryear for this historical venue, as it was a once popular treat known as an "icebox" cake.

Photo by Katie Kett Photography

 Congratulations to Tracy & Mike!

Vendors:

Church - Holy Name Cathedral

Reception Venue - School of the Art Institute Ballroom

Photographer - Katie Kett Photography

Cake - Sugar Fixe

Florist - Westgate Flowers

Band - Momentum Talent Group

Wedding Planner - Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

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A Wedding Favor that Won't Be Left Behind

I had a lovely little surprise yesterday. When the UPS man knocked on the door, I couldn't imagine what he could be delivering. I wasn't expecting a package. I brought the package inside, and when I saw the label -- L.A. Burdick -- I instantly had to open it!

Burdick chocolates are some of the most delicious and most unique chocolates I have had! When I lived in Boston years ago, I was fortunate to visit their chocolate shop and indulge. The little box I got yesterday was a Valentine's gift from my wonderful parents. I opened up the wooden box, and there was an assortment of chocolate mice staring back at me!

Let's be honest -- this box of chocolates isn't going to make it until Valentine's Day! My husband was lucky he even got some! :)

I wanted to share this little story because my clients often wonder what to give guests as favors. They struggle to think of things that their guests will actually like and won't leave behind. So, I always advise to give favors that are either a  yummy treat or something practical that guests could actually use in their home.

Lo and behold, Burdick does wedding favors!

Many companies do chocolate favors. But what I love about the idea of Burdick favors is they aren't just a mini box of chocolates. Guests get a little surprise when they open a box and see adorable chocolate mice, complete with silky tails, or debonair little penguins staring back. So, it's a favor that is delicious but also has a touch of whimsy to it that will make guests smile. If a guest were to leave this favor behind, rest assured, I would grab it up!

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Mary & Chris: Fabulous Fall with a Holiday Flair

With a wedding coming up this weekend at the beautiful Wilder Mansion, I thought I'd give a peak at last year's fall wedding that took place there. Personalized details abounded that highlighted the couple's sense of humor. A special guest even paid a visit...can you guess who?

Check out the fabulous photos by Mau Loa Photography:

Love those fall colors!

The  Groom awaits the First Look of his beautiful bride.

 

              Instead of programs and menu cards, these decorative chalkboards informed guests.

As a nod to the couple's last name, kites were the theme. Guests signed a kite as a guestbook.

And sharing photos was a "snap" with the couple's special wedding hashtag on Instagram.

Instead of escort cards, this board indicated the seating arrangements.

The custom cake topper showcased the kite theme.

The personalized koozie wedding favors were a cute (and useful) touch to the tablescape.

Nighttime at the Mansion

A hint who the special guest may be....

Santa Claus came to town!

Guests could take photos with Santa in preparation for the holiday season.

Congrats to Mary & Chris!

Wedding Vendors:

Venue - Wilder Mansion

Photographer - Mau Loa Photography

Hair & Makeup - Sandy Corral

Florist - Belmonte Florist

Cake - Courageous Cupcakes

DJ - T.B.M. Productions

Wedding Planning - Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

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Vintage in the Garden: Lauren & Derek

When winter blankets the ground with snow and the temperatures dip below zero, I like to reminisce about our beautiful outdoor weddings. Lauren and Derek had a beautiful Spring wedding at Morton Arboretum, complete with vintage details that gave the day the feel of a 1930s garden party.

The lace runners helped create that elegant vintage look.

Using multiple vases to create the centerpieces provided texture and accentuated the flowers, bringing the garden feel indoors.

Phillip's Flowers created these centerpiece looks.

At each place setting, guests received a vintage key bottle opener - a favor combining both the vintage theme and practicality to give guests something they could actually use!

This Art Deco cake by The Cakery featured the couple's furry family member.

Congratulations Lauren & Derek!

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DIY Teacup Favors & GIVEAWAY!

For the DIY brides out there, here is a fun and easy DIY project to create cute teacup planters as favors for your wedding guests.

 Materials Needed:

An Assortment of Teacups
Spray Paint or Ceramic Paint
Small Potted Plants
Card Stock for personal message
Bamboo Skewers
Dust Mask

Directions:

1. Wash and dry each teacup to ensure they are free of dust.

2. Spray paint each teacup with several coats of paint on all sides. (Wear dust mask while doing this.)

3. When dry, fit a small potted plant inside each teacup.

4. Add your personal message, printed on cardstock and attached to the bamboo skewers.

And you're done!

This DIY idea came from Savers, the international chain of thrift stores.  For this and other DIY wedding projects, go to: http://www.savers.com/Summer.aspx.

Giveaway!

If you're on a budget but want to try out this fun project, you're in luck! Savers has provided a $25 gift certificate for one of my lucky readers! There are Savers stores all over the United States, including one that just opened in Downers Grove and one that will be opening on May 19th in Naperville. You can scour the store for the teacups for this project or the materials for any DIY projects you plan to tackle.

To enter to win the Savers gift certificate, simply leave a comment to this post by May 31st with an e-mail address to contact if you win.  You'll receive an additional entry if you become a follower on twitter and tweet the words "DIY" to us at @CamilleMcLamb.  Increase your chances even more with another entry by becoming a fan of Camille Victoria Weddings on Facebook and posting "DIY Bride" on our wall. 

We will randomly select a winner on June 1st.  If we don't hear back from the winner within one week, we will randomly select a new winner to make sure someone gets the prize!  No purchase is necessary to enter.

Disclosure: Savers provided the $25 gift certificate for this giveaway.

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How to Plan a Theme Wedding

Couples today are increasingly choosing not only a color scheme for their weddings but also a theme.  The challenge is making the theme evident yet tasteful.  Follow these steps for a successful theme wedding.

Make it Meaningful:  When picking your theme, choose something that is meaningful to you.  I recently had a bride who had lived in France as a child, so she planned a wedding reception with a French travel theme.  If you are a movie buff, you could do a Hollywood Glam theme.  Whatever you choose, some of the best themes reflect something about you or your interests.

Do it with Decor:  Of course, you'll want to incorporate the theme into your decor without overdoing it.  Try picking two areas of the reception room to focus on, most commonly the entry and the tables.  With my French themed bride, she used luggage tags as her escort cards to direct guests to their tables as they entered.  Rather than using table numbers, she named each table after a famous landmark in France.  The centerpieces were Eiffel Towers covered by flowers.  These touches were elegant while still showcasing the theme to guests.  Similarly, with a Hollywood theme, you could name the tables after famous actors and actresses from the black and white movie era and then decorate the centerpieces with feathers.

Mix it up with Music:  At any wedding, it's best to have a variety of music that will please both young and old guests alike.  But if you have a theme, it's fun to let it come through in a few songs during the reception.  When you make your grand entrance into the reception room, enter to a song that relates to your theme.  With a Hollywood Glam idea, you could enter to the theme song from Casablanca.  Or, as guests eat dinner, play relevant songs in the background, such as famous movie theme songs.

Fresh ideas with Food:  Add a touch of surprise with your meal by adding in the theme to your food.  For example, with my French themed bride, she had a crepe station.  If you are giving guests menu cards, give each course a witty name that reflects your theme, such as Yellow Brick Road Lemon Tart for dessert for the Hollywood themed wedding.

Finish it off with Favors:  Finally, as guests leave, hit them with your theme one last time with an a propos favor to take home. My French themed bride sent her guests home with traditional French macaroons.  But if you were doing that Hollywood theme, you could give out cute cups of movie popcorn or chocolate clapboards.

Having a theme can add some fun and whimsy for your guests.  Incorporate the theme into the key elements that we mentioned, and you'll pull off a unique yet elegant wedding.

Do you have a wedding planning question you'd like answered?  Leave a comment or e-mail me at info@CamilleVictoriaWeddings.com.

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The Bride and Groom Gift Giving Guide

Though you're the one getting married, you're not the only one who should receive gifts! There are several people to consider giving gifts to as a thank you for their participation in your wedding.

It has become customary to give gifts to your bridesmaids and groomsmen. For ladies, the gift could be a monogrammed tote bag or earrings they can wear with their bridesmaid dresses.  For gentlemen, an engraved business card holder or a subscription to a beer of the month club are appropriate gifts.  If you have program attendants or additional ushers, don't forget to include them.  The gifts can be given at a bridesmaids luncheon or rehearsal dinner the day before the wedding.

The joy of marriage may be gift enough for the happy bride, but jewelry is an added bonus!  Grooms, get brownie points by surprising your bride with a present before the wedding.  You can't go wrong with a bracelet or earrings that she can wear down the aisle.  Send a groomsmen or your wedding coordinator to the bridal suite on the day of the wedding to give the gift to your bride as she is getting dressed with her bridesmaids.  Not only will you impress the bride, but you'll get on the good side of all her best friends.   

Don't forget about your parents.  Particularly if your parents are helping to pay for the wedding, it is a nice gesture to give them a small token to say thank you.  A gift certificate for a nice restaurant, cuff links for your dad to wear with his tux, or tickets to the symphony are great parent gifts.  Present the gifts to each set of parents privately the day before the wedding.

Give back to your guests.  For out-of-town guests,  put together hospitality bags filled with snacks and tourist info that they will get when they check in to their hotel.  It is quite common to give guests a small memento to take home from the reception as a wedding favor.  Jordan almonds are a traditional wedding favor, but couples are getting creative, sending their guests home with luggage tags, coasters, flower seeds, and photobooth photos. Wedding favors can be displayed all together for guests to take as they leave the reception, or you can put a favor at each place setting.

Use your wedding as a chance to say thank you, not only for help preparing for the Big Day but also for years of friendship of support. A simple gift can convey the message.

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