Gift Your Guests!

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Your guests may have traveled, or not, but regardless, they spent their time coming to support YOU on your wedding day!  Giving your guests a little memento to say 'thank you' is a fantastic idea.  But do you have to break the bank doing so?  Not at all!  Below we've got some suggestions for fun guest trinkets, but also a brilliant ways to entertain your guests...

BUTTONS!

www.cafepress.com

OK, so if you're a science geek like my hubby and I, you might want this button at your wedding -- but chances are you'll want something a little more guest-oriented -- but you get the idea. :)  Creating simple, title-only buttons can spark some great conversations...such as 'Mom' or even 'MOB' or 'MOG' (for Mother of the Bride/Groom), 'Grandma', 'MOH" (for Maid of Honor)...for your guests, simply 'Guest' might turn into a funny conversation piece, or if you feel up to the challenge (or for a small wedding), come up with personalized buttons with a trait of each of your guests.  'Party Animal,' 'Jokes told here' or 'Needs Tissues' for someone who cries at everything...you get the idea...make it fun!  For a plated meal with place cards, add the buttons to each place for instant conversation when the guests arrive at your reception!

GIVE YOUR GUESTS AN ASSIGNMENT!

www.blog.tinyprints.com

What on earth, you say?!  Give them something to do while they wait for you at the reception -- and they'll love it! I read this idea in Utterly Engaged Magazine, the couple that used this are so brilliant:  wrap a few inexpensive notebooks purchased from the discount store in a cover, or buy some inexpensive journals from a bookstore. Designate a different question on each book, asking the guests to give their best wedding advice, share a special memory of you both, or answer questions such as 'Where do you see us in 10 years?'  Place a different notebook at each table, and have your DJ encourage guests to pass them around and/or visit each table to write in them all!  Instant memorabilia!

OUTDOOR WEDDING? GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO WRAP UP IN!

Image by Katy Gray Photography, Jackson Wyoming


These pictures come from Molly & Bo's Teton Valley wedding, by the fabulous Katy Gray of Jackson.  Molly and Bo had an intimate destination wedding, and provided these little warming gifts to their guests.  While this certainly could get expensive quickly, be smart! Shop specials, or if someone is a crafter in your family, see if they might help you by making some gifts for you!

(I also have to add that I adore these handwritten tags -- absolutely fantastic!)

Image by Katy Gray Photography, Jackson  

Here is another fun idea from Molly & Bo's wedding -- what a fun idea!  Bells to ring when you kiss -- and notice another darling handwriten tag! Love this!

LUCKY GUESTS!

As I've blogged a few times, my friend Elena's wedding this past summer included an incredibly fun, unique guest favor -- lottery tickets!  (And we won $37! Woo hoo!) :) This is a super fun, relatively inexpensive idea!

Image by Ardent Photography, Laramie




What are you planning to do for your guests?  Please share on our Facebook page or comment on this blog -- we'd LOVE to hear from you!


'Til Next Time...Keep Going! You're Doing Fantastic!


Kati Hime, Editor
editor@wyolifestyle.com


 LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE! www.wyoweddings.com
OR OUR SISTER PUB, WY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE!www.wyolifestyle.com

Wedding Wednesday -- Torrington Wedding!

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE! www.wyoweddings.com

It's time for another Wedding Wednesday spotlight! Every Wednesday, we spotlight a gorgeous series of wedding or engagement photos. If you'd like to be our next Wedding Wednesday spotlight, just holler -- email brides@wyomingweddingsonline.com.  Photographers and couples alike may respond -- if you're a couple, we'll need to make sure we have the blessing of your photographer to post the photos and give them full credit.

Enough with the legal spiel, onto the wedding pics you say? I agree! Today we have a GORGEOUS couple from Torrington, WY -- Jose and Lacy Gonzalez, and their amazing photographer, Jamie Beightol of A Thousand Words Photography by Jamie (in Torrington) took some really FUN shots! 

I love the look of the movie theater...kind of like the circus themes that we're seeing, a touch of vintage/retro love and definitely a great place to explore with B&W as well as color...

That same awesomeness in color...

Love the way Jamie experimented with theme...

Lovely Lacy...

I LOVE the story behind the pics above here of Lacy, and the ones to follow... If you live in Torrington (or have been there recently), there is a little area of charming purple flowers across from one of the grocery stores.  My kids picked up on it right away when we were there recently -- it's just too pretty to miss off the side of the road.  Jamie took advantage of that little patch, creating some beautiful moments out of an eye-catching, simple patch of purple flowers.  "They looked at me like I was crazy," Jamie says.  "But I promised them it would be GORGEOUS."  I think it definitely is -- now THAT'S photographic ingenuity, in my opinion!

And one more...my absolute favorite...

Thanks Lacy & Jose for sharing your memories with us -- and to Jamie of A Thousand Words Photography by Jamie in Torrington for letting us showcase your remarkable talents!  Congrats!

'Til Next Time...I'm excited to feature YOU as our next Wedding Wednesday! If you haven't registered your engagement with us yet, we'll be giving away a set of our travel bags to a couple from our engagement registration list!  Click here for our engagement form!


Kati Hime, Editor
editor@wyolifestyle.com


LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE! www.wyoweddings.com
OR OUR SISTER PUB, WY LIFESTYLE MAG! www.wyolifestyle.com
 

MON. AT THE POLLS: To Veil or Not to Veil?

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE! www.wyoweddings.com

Just as varied as the wedding dress is, are the veils...classic, contemporary, vintage, tiara, flowers, up do, no up do, no veil at all....or perhaps one of the new trends set here recently, as we'll share below.  We're asking today:  What's your plan?  Visit our Facebook page and weigh in on our poll!

Are you going for a traditional look?  Here are some beautiful options...

The classic mantilla...gorgeous!

www.blog.realweddings.ca

And of course, that All-American-Girl look with a blusher...

www.the-wedding-information-site.com

How about something a little vintage...such as a bird cage veil?

www.onelittledove.wordpress.com

If you're looking at wearing the veil with a recommended style, the bird cage veil is recommended with a trumpet or mermaid-style dress...a what and what? you ask?  I had to look them up myself. :) Here are examples of each:

Mon Cheri Style #18252 Reese -- Trumpet-style gown

Mon Cheri Style #111215 Cambria -- Mermaid-style gown




Or if you're going for a touch of Kate Middleton...a gorgeous hair piece?

www.thebrunetteshake.com

Or perhaps you're not going for Kate's look, but would like something that makes you feel like a princess...like a gorgeous tiara?

www.weddingcollectibles.com


Here are some more hair piece options...jewels and flowers are absolutely delightful...

www.weddingbeauty.net

www.weddingsdeals.com


OK, I'm fascinated to know -- please weigh in -- did this hair piece SJP sported in Sex & The City's infamous wedding scene inspire you? Or turn you off? I've always been prepared to see more feathered hair pieces since, but haven't really...I'd love to know what your thoughts are!

 Photo by Richard Corkery; www.nydailynews.com


So we'd love to hear from you -- please weigh in on our Facebook page! What's your plan?

'Til Next Time...Keep Going, You'll be Lovely and the Day Oh-So-Happy!


Kati Hime, Editor
editor@wyolifestyle.com

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE! www.wyoweddings.com
OR OUR SISTER PUB, WY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE! www.wyolifestyle.com 



   

Bachelorette Party Conundrum? No More!

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE! www.wyoweddings.com

Wondering what to do for a fun bachelorette party?  We've got some new ideas for you! If you & your girlfriends aren't really into partying, or perhaps looking for something to do to supplement that idea, here are some fun ideas and places to check out in Wyoming to make them happen...

Be Ready to Impress Him in the Kitchen:  Take a Cooking Class!

www.eventespresso.com


How much fun is cooking -- and taking a fun class with friends?! Check out your local kitchen store, an area community college/university, or see if a local personal chef (or awesome friend or family member!) would come teach you and your friends a new skill!  If the plan is to travel to another town for your party, research the classes and schedules in the area -- learn how to make something new, or polish up an old skill!

Here is just a short list of Wyoming resources to check out -- and we'd love to hear what other cooking resources are out there!

Copper Kettle Kitchen Store, Laramie:  http://www.mycopperkettle.com/
Sheridan College Wyoming Culinary Institute:  http://www.sheridan.edu/site/sc/academics/programs-and-majors/culinary-arts/wyoming-culinary-institute/
The Merry Peddler, Casper:  http://www.merrypeddler.com/
Cottonwood Shop, Sheridan:  http://cottonwoodshop.com/

Learn Some New Steps:  Take a Dance Class!

www.mlive.com

www.volusiacountymoms.com



Learning a new dance with your fiance might be a little intimidating -- but learning with a pack of your best girlfriends might be just the remedy!  Samba, line dance, have fun with it -- you may be able to hire a dance instructor to give you a private lesson! 

Learning to Salsa -- Pinedale http://www.pinedaleonline.com/news/2009/04/LearningtoSalsa.htm
Laramie Dance Center, Laramie -- http://www.laramiedancecenter.com/
Dance Spirit Dance Studio, Cheyenne -- http://www.dancespiritcheyenne.com/
Room to Dance, Lander -- http://www.facebook.com/pages/RoomToDance-LanderWY/120356041347326


Take the Leap -- Or Simulated:  Sky Diving!

www.imagineafrica.co.uk

What a memory would it be to enjoy sky diving with your best friends?! There are places where you can take the leap for real, or -- more on my own personal level -- indoor sky diving!  Not too many places IN Wyoming, but in the region, you bet -- a simple Google search will give you lots of info!


Climb It!

www.binbin.net

From lessons to those seasoned pro pack of chicks, climbing can be a TON of fun!  Wyoming of course is FULL of climbing opportunities -- check with these outdoor stores to see what opportunities for lessons are out there!

Wild Iris, Lander:  http://www.wildirisclimbing.com/ 
Outdoor Survival, Rock Springs:  http://outdoorsurvivalrs.weebly.com/
Great Outdoor Shop, Pinedale:  http://www.greatoutdoorshop.com/
Cross Country Connection, Laramie:  http://www.crosscountryconnection.com/
Here's a great site with LOTS of climbing resources in WY!  http://www.indoorclimbing.com/wyoming.html


Get on a Horse!

www.rosaryhs.com

We ARE in Wyoming, right?! How about some fun on horseback? Dude ranches are a great place to find horseback riding experiences -- or maybe you have your own!  Check out the Wyoming Dude Ranchers Association for more information:

http://wyomingdra.com/ 



These are just a few ideas to get you thinking!  Have some more recommendations? We'd love to hear them!  Post on our Facebook page
 or comment on this blog -- we'd love to hear your plans!

'Til Next Time...Make it Your Dream!

Kati Hime, Editor
editor@wyolifestyle.com


 
 

Wedding Wednesday -- Style Icons

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE! www.wyoweddings.com

I was reading the newest People Magazine, with a preview of the pending royal nuptials in Britain. One thing struck me -- a tip from an observer to Kate & Camilla having lunch together...they said that Kate was mentioning how much she admired Grace Kelly's wedding.  

This made me think...here was someone who is already a style icon in her own life, and she has a style icon that SHE looks up to as well!  I thought that was pretty neat -- and since I already think Kate is pretty darn cool, I was even more excited to read that she and I share a style icon! :)

I grew up with my grandma living in our home, and with that came an exposure to Old Hollywood:  the musicals and the comedies were by far my favorite.  A few actresses have stood out in our society as classical style icons -- symbols of grace, poise and style.  However, I'd argue that we have many of our style icons that have emerged in recent decades -- and I'd love to know who you look to as your style icon -- maybe not a celebrity, but a family member or friend -- or maybe no one!

I did love though that there is a dress out there that will bring Grace Kelly's style home for you if that's what you're searching for...look at this...

Dress:  Justin Alexander, Couture, 9552

Compare to this classic image of Grace Kelly...

www.oldhollywoodislove.blogspot.com

Grace Kelly ties though with my other Old Hollywood style icon -- probably the icon for one out of five American women... Audrey Hepburn... This photo is from her marriage to Mel Ferrer in 1954...

www.melferrer.com

Of course, is there anyone who does not admire the simple elegance of everything Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis did?  Her classic timeless wedding to President John F. Kennedy of course is just one example of her elegance...

www.weddingandbridal.net

But there are many icons from our own recent history that have an influence on weddings in America...

Could you have been a teenager in the 90's and not drooled at least slightly over Mariah Carey's lavish wedding to Tommy Mottola?

www.weddingdresses.com

Katie Holmes' own lavish wedding at the Odescalchi Castle in Lake Bracciano, Italy also made a splash -- with a gorgeous Armani dress...

www.celebrity-wedding-bar.com


So the marriage didn't last (but did many of these?)...but I do so adore Jennifer Aniston and her perpetually classic, girl-next-door style...

www.celebritybrideguide.com


So...who's YOUR style icon?  Perhaps it's not a celebrity, but a good friend or family member!  Or do you have one?  Perhaps NOT having one is your own style in itself!  We'd love to hear from you:  Who do you admire?  Is there a style that you instantly think of when you plan your own wedding?  Post here or on our Facebook page -- we'd LOVE to hear from you, and we're always excited to feature our feedback on this blog!

 'Til Next Time...We're Excited to See Your Unique Style!

Kati Hime, Editor
editor@wyolifestyle.com

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE! www.wyoweddings.com
OR OUR SISTER PUB, WY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE! www.wyolifestyle.com
 

Your Tiniest Attendents -- by Sarah Merrill

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE! www.wyoweddings.com

Sarah Merrill of SuiteBlooms is back with another great topic -- advice for your tiniest attendants! I love this!  And she inspired our photography spotlight over at Facebook for the week -- flower girls & ring bearers, oh my! :) Stop by our Facebook page and check out the photos posted by Wyoming artist!

As a little child, being asked to be a flower girl is the highest honor in the world, and will be a memory that she will likely treasure for the rest of her life.

The Petal Toss:

According to tradition, tossing petals down the aisle before you make an entrance is the job of your flower girl.  This option is perfect for a flower girl that is around 5 years old.  She should be old enough to understand what she is supposed to do.  Younger girls may not have the coordination to accomplish both walking and scattering petals.

 

www.livecheapmakeartusa.com

The Hand Out:

If your flower girl is a little older, having her hand out flowers to your guests can be a more grown-up alternative to tossing petals.  This idea is fun because it involves your guests and makes them feel important.  I suggest having her carry a flower gathering basket filled with enough Gerbera Daisies, Roses (make sure the thorns have been removed), Carnations, Calla Lilies, or Tulips to give one to a lady at the end of each row.  Then have her use her other hand to pass out individual flowers.  It can be complicated to have a handful of flowers in one hand and not drop them as you pass them out.  

Image by Charlotte Geary Photography, www.charlottegeary.com; www.ribbonboxevents.wordpress.com

The Pomander:

This beautiful option (also known as a kissing ball) dates back to Victorian times and has recently become a popular alternative to the petal basket for your flower girl.  This option is wonderful for even the youngest child because the lovely ribbon loop is easy for little hands to carry.  Your florist can make it ahead of time because the center of the ball is made of wet floral foam to keep the flowers hydrated.  Keep in mind that due to the labor involved, and the number of flowers required, a pomander will be one of the more expensive options for your flower girl.

www.theknot.com

The Bouquet:

Having your flower girl carry a simplified version of your bouquet may be the sweet and simple option.  Ask your florist to keep it in proportion to her size to make it easy for her to carry.  

www.bhg.com

The Ribbon Wand:

If you are looking for something for your flower girl to carry that will be playful and sweet, a ribbon wand could be the perfect option for you.  Make it a fun DIY project to do with your flower girl for a little bonding before the wedding, and she will be proud to show off the wand that you created together.

Image by Bay Area Bride; www.weddingbee.com

Ring Bearer

The Pillow:

Most couples have a Ring Bearer deliver his precious cargo to them on a traditional ring pillow.  This classic idea can be customized and updated in many different ways.  Try having one made in your wedding colors, or having your monogram, wedding date, or an image from your invitations embroidered on it.

www.photography-shauntaylor.co.uk

The Dish:

Looking for an alternative to the lacy white pillow for your Ring Bearer to carry?  Many couples are having their Bearer carry a small ring dish.  This option is elegant and unexpected.  There are many wonderful versions on etsy.com handmade by artisans that can customize your dish to fit perfectly with your other ceremony details.

www.marrymeproductions.com

The Book:

What could be more personal than carrying a book that is special to you as a couple?  This idea is really versatile because you can choose a classic love story that mirrors your own, or a family heirloom - maybe your family Bible or a book of poems. 

www.lucydylanweddings.com

The Fishing Pole:

How sweet is this idea?  Your ring bearer will look adorable carrying your rings dangling from a bamboo fishing pole.  This one is perfect for a lakeside venue or even a nautical wedding, and can even work for a Flower girl too!

Image by Luminaire Foto, www.luminairefoto.com; www.efweweddings.wordpress.com

The Banner:

Your ring bearer’s suit has pockets so have him use them, - here is an idea that doesn’t involve the ring.  Let your guests know that you will be walking the aisle momentarily - in writing.  This unique banner could be customized in so many ways.  You can use graphics from your wedding invitation, fabric that matches your brides maid’s dresses, or even have your florist wire a few blooms to the banner’s handles!

Mrs. Radish, www.weddingbee.com

I hope you have enjoyed reading these ideas for your smallest attendants as much as I have enjoyed compiling them.  Every couple has a style all their own, so remember that while wedding traditions can be lovely,  there is no law that states you have to follow every one.  Let your style play a role in making your wedding perfect for you and your groom!

Thanks Sarah! These are fun ideas! I've also seen lanterns with moss in the bottom and rings tucked inside -- another awesome idea!

'Til Next Time...Keep Finding Your Special Touches!

Kati Hime, Editor
editor@wyolifestyle.com

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE! www.wyomingweddingsonline.com 
OR OUR SISTER PUB, WY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE! www.wyolifestyle.com