Sweet Seats

Guests appreciate their seats while they eat their sweets, but you can also surprise them with style!

This long, modern table would be great for a elegant venue, if the space was available.

Another neat idea is to point all of the long tables toward the circular head table in the center.

Just for fun you could arrange all of the tables so that they spell XOXO.

Or simply in an XXX formation if it works better with the space available.

If you like to mix and match you can utilize different sizes and shapes.

Or you can make your own shape.

For a fun backyard outdoor wedding you could even utilize picnic blankets and wood pallets (which can commonly be found for free).

Whichever style suits your fancy, there are certainly many ways to offer your guests unique reception seating. May you have a happily ever after!

Sit in Style

Take a second to imagine the wedding from the guest's perspective...

So the Groom is at the altar and you are sitting in your seat, both awaiting the big event: the entrance of the Bride and the wedding ceremony. The sun (or harsh indoor lighting) is beating down upon your shoulders, your face, and second by second you are word down. You skooch to and fro, hither and yon, and just cannot get comfortable in your seat. Then at last! the ceremony begins and soon the Bride makes her big entrance. Everyone begins to stand, except for you, who in your uncomfortable position failed to notice that your leg has fallen asleep. Alas, you finally arrive at a vertical position, noting several other guests that are teetering from one foot to another, obviously sore from the unintentionally harsh and unrelenting chairs.

This is not a story that you want to play out in the minds of your guests! Even for short ceremonies, seating needs to be taken into consideration, especially when thinking about the older folks that may be in attendance.

This first option offers comfortable seating yet still gives the family a chance to throw in some of their style. However, you will likely need to borrow some comfy furniture to pull this off so you definitely need to ensure that you can transport the chairs with care.

For rustic weddings, hay bales may be abundant and fun. However, I have heard many people complain about scratchiness, so you make consider throwing a thick blanket over the top for comfort.

For a little bit more of a woodland wedding you could go with hay bales and wood boards. To add a little back support you could provide, or ask guests to bring bleacher seats.

For even more woodland inspiration you can use stumps instead of hay bales.

If you have some carpenter friends and some time to burn (wood humor :P) then you can DIY as many bench sets as you need. For added comfort you can make or borrow pillows for back and bum cushions.

If the other options are not feasible and your venue is difficult to transport a grand amount of large objects to, then regular folding chairs may be the option for you! Again, pillows can add some extra comfort, but the chairs already provide the back support- which is a welcome sight for most wedding guests. You can fancy them up with fabric or other decorations. Crepe paper is a favorite of mine for it's inexpensive cost and abundant uses.

If you do happen to have access to a large amount of matching beautifully cushioned chairs, then you may consider setting them up in a fun design.

What are some favorite seating arrangements that you have seen? Let me know in the comments and I will add them to the post! Wishing you a comfortable ever after!



The Beauty of Backdrops...Inside!

Just because they are indoors does not mean that they should be any less lovely there are so many gorgeous options for indoor backdrops.

If you really love some of the common outdoor options most of them can be transported indoors.

There are a lot more fabric opportunities indoors, such as this complicated beauty.

And you can spice it up with lights (another indoor advantage).

Or you can have a solid wall with flowers.

Or a breezy flower curtain.

The options are really limitless, so dream your dreams, and may you have a happily ever after!



The Beauty of Backdrops

These lovelies will be the background for some of your favorite photographs, so you want to make sure to pick something that you love. The backdrop is not the area to feel "meh" about.

For outdoor weddings, most of them are wooden frames decorated by flora and fauna.

Some are constructed.

And some are nature's own.

Some are constructed in a natural way.

Add fabric to construction for an elegant twist.

Or get intricate with the design.

Another great option is to use different materials, such as lattice.

Or ladders.

And if none of these strike your fancy, get creative with nature--Or bring the outdoors in!



Stay tuned for more indoor backdrop ideas. Wishing you a happily ever after!

Awesome Aisles

What constantly runs throughout the whole ceremony without breaking a sweat?





The aisle runner!


So it is definitely important to choose an aisle runner that fits appropriately with the rest of the décor.


For most weddings, the aisle runner is either bedecked with petals...

...sequins...

...or words.

But here are some other neat ideas for aisle runners that won't break the bank.


For book lovers, this page runner would be a neat addition to the ceremony.

If you are having a "love bird" themed wedding, these feathers would be a perfect complement, and light walking would cause some feathers to drift peacefully over the aisle.

Another very elegant option is lace, although this idea may not be very budget friendly.

However, an inexpensive and colorful option may be utilizing yours and your friends' and families' rugs.

Leaves could be a neat exchange for the common rose petals, and you could use aromatic leaves to put a nice scent in the air. This picture features eucalyptus leaves which are known for their calming aroma.

Lastly you could dress up a plain runner with foliage and lights along the side of the aisles.

My favorite is this large flower border, and I think that they would be lovely to help shade the walkway also without blocking guests' view of the wedding party as they stroll onto the scene. However, the flowers appear to possibly be digitally added to the picture shown, so I will need to figure out how to make these giant beauties on my own.

What are some of your favorites? As always, I wish you an beautifully ever after!

Guy Gifts for Groomsmen

As important as the ladies are to the bride, these guys are just as significant to the groom. Traditionally, groomsmen gifts involve alcohol, but my fiancé are not proponents to drinking nor gifting these beverages. So, here are some creative gift ideas that guys will appreciate.


First, if there are certain little accessories that they will need specifically for the wedding, you can gift these items and use the wedding theme.

Or you can go a little more generic and gift them some manly knives.

These Yeti cooler cups are pretty awesome because they seriously keep your beverage cool. The men can even put these to use on the ceremony day to keep hydrated.

 

I like the look of these rustic leather bags. They are commonly used for toiletries and other travel items, so this would be a great gift for a destination wedding (especially if it came stuffed with goodies).

If you want to get a bit more personal you can gift one of these durable and exquisite leather wallets.

What are some of your favorite gifts to give and get? As always, I wish you all a happily ever after!

Gifts for the Gals

After all that they have been to you, and all of the ways that they have helped you through the wedding process, these ladies need to be gifted. And they should receive some gifts of gratitude also!

I've had a few ideas for gifts, but these are my favorites.


Idea #1: jewelry.


Specifically charm necklaces. Here's an example from Bauble Bar.







Idea #2: Bottles stuffed with stuff


Monographed thermoses, coffee mugs,
And water bottles galore
Stuffed with love and hugs
And goodies from the store!


I have seen so many ideas involving drinking containers filled with her favorite things. The idea can even be replicated to use for groomsmen gifts as well!







Idea #3: Bags


B is for Bags
B is for Big Bags
B is for Baby Bags
B is for Beautiful Bags
B is for bags, Bags, BAGS!


Tote bags are fun because you can stuff other goodies inside and they can use them time and again. Plus, it's fairly simple to DIY monogram these bad boys so you can add a lot of personal touches.

Also, if you're handing with the needle and thread, personalized clutches would be a fun project. Using fabrics and colors that your ladies like, as well as monogramming could easily be done with these gifts.

Other popular ideas include robes, clothing, earrings, hangers, and themed jars. Or you can create unique gifts for each of your gals, tailored to each of their personal interests. Whichever path you choose, I am sure you will find your happily ever after!