December 1, 2014
in 1928 Planning, Wedding Coordination, Wedding Design Ideas, Wedding Planning, Wedding Reception Ideas, Wedding Trends

Ever heard the phrase “A Signature Wedding”? Chances are, even if the phrase isn’t ringing a bell, the idea behind it is something every engaged couple strives to have on their big day. Designing a signature wedding means creating something as custom, unique, and distinct as you and your beau are. It’s putting a little piece of both of you in most all aspects of your wedding design, decor, and theme. Doing so creates a lasting impression with your guests and a memory of an outstanding night, long after the wedding is over.

Just remember, memorable doesn’t always have to mean expensive! I always say, it’s the little things that matter most, and are appreciated by your guests, so don’t miss the opportunity!

The Details

Merge the two of your styles together to create a look that speaks volumes. (tips on how to add a masculine touch to your reception). With a signature wedding, your design should be consistent throughout the planning, from invitations, to fashion, signage, florals, linens, rental items, and everything in between. No matter how on top of things you are throughout your planning, it’s understandable that some items can be overlooked. With our experience, we’ve unveiled a list of the Top Five Forgotten Wedding Planning Details.

Guest Comfort

Nailing the ‘guest comfort’ piece at the wedding is a sure way to add a notch towards designing a signature wedding. While planning, in the back of your busy brain, always keep in mind guest comfort – and perfecting the overall guest experience.

COLD OR HOT WEATHER? Offer blankets, parasols, or sunglasses (which can also double as favors)

Sunglasses

Photo Credit: Ben Pancoast Photography

HUNGRY OR THIRSTY? Offer hot or cold drinks, (non-alcoholic, or with a twist), and small snacks in the odd times of the wedding day timeline.

INVITING KIDS TO THE WEDDING? Create customized kids packs to keep the kiddos occupied and the parents enjoying themselves. Check out our popular blog on how to manage kids at a wedding reception!

Kids Corner

Photo Credit: Casper Hamlet Photography

Food and Beverage

We’ve all heard the term “signature cocktail” as part of your bar experience at the wedding. It’s something so simple to offer, and with a quirky drink name, it’ll give people the sense that you’ve customized a drink that speaks about you and who you are as a couple.

Having a signature wedding is about stepping outside of the cookie-cutter wedding box and producing something one-of-a-kind. It goes without saying that wedding reception food can get a bad rap over the same ‘ole dishes being served from one wedding to the next (i.e. a chicken entree and a beef entree). Why not work with your caterer and design a custom menu that is crafted to your liking and has the items that are important to you rather than selecting a pre-made menu? We love giving kudos to CK Catering for always working with couples on their menu planning and customizing a dinner course that speaks their personality, taste buds, and budget.

Menu

Photo Credit: 430 Studios

It’s never too late in your planning to add a signature element or two. Start brainstorming now on what you can do to personalize and contact 1928 Planning if you want to hear more!

 

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November 19, 2014
in 1928 Planning, DIY Hot Spot!, Wedding Design Ideas, Wedding Reception Ideas, Wedding Trends

Opting to create some of your own wedding decorations is a valuable way to cut corners off of  pricey wedding costs. We are thrilled to announce that this is the first installment of a new DIY decorating series on our 1928 blog. Here we are going to show you how to make your own tissue paper tassel garland, which has been a popular enhancement in weddings this year! The garland is perfect to use as a photo booth backdrop, pin to the front of a dessert table, or jazz up a vacant wall- the opportunities are endless. Follow our instructions and you are one step closer to dominating your DIY wedding!

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June 18, 2014
in 1928 Planning, Wedding Coordination, Wedding Planning

The first days and weeks after the engagement can be a stressful time for brides and grooms. Don’t know what step to take first in the wedding planning process? Follow this quick list to get the major decisions out of the way, so you and your sweetie don’t resort to eloping due to post-engagement planning shock!

Know your budget

This one is pretty straight-forward. Sit down with your fiance and family (if they plan to help financially) and know each others’ monetary limits for the wedding. You can’t start shopping until you know how much you have to spend. Once you know your wedding budget, do a few quick calculations to see how much you should be spending on each vendor. Check out our previous post here, to get breakdown percentages to guide your calculations.  Make sure everyone paying for the wedding is on the same page before moving forward.

Secure a venue and date

This wedding planning step comes with great relief. Once you pick your venue and date, other logistics and wedding planning pieces become easier to tackle. You can’t book a DJ, photographer or caterer until you have a date. And you can’t secure a date until you chose a venue with that date available. Depending on how long your engagement is and the time of year you are planning your wedding, you may have to adjust the location if you have your heart set on a certain date (or vice versa).  Here in Michigan, our peak season runs mid-April through mid-September. Many venues are only open for those months, so know your options and consider a Friday or Sunday wedding.

Hire your wedding planner

We might be a little biased on this subject, but we have also had our fair share of experiences at weddings without a wedding planner or coordinator. We see a lot of unwanted stress and disorder. Many brides say, “ I can’t afford a wedding planner” or “I will just have a friend take care of the planning.” While these are fair and valid options, a wedding planner can save you time and money because they have an extensive network in the business. They are also there to help YOU, without throwing in unwanted opinions. You are spending money on an fabulous photographer to capture the day, and a DJ to get the party started, and many other vendors who you want to do an exceptional job. A wedding planner will be the one to guide all of the pieces together – it can be pretty difficult to get everyone on the same page come your wedding day. We as planners do everything from helping you find vendors, to executing your wildest tablescape dreams. Trying to juggle everyone’s opinions along with all your ideas and wedding checklists can be exhausting. Save yourself the headache of wedding planning and hire a professional, we don’t know of a single bride who has regretted it!

There are a few venues that will include a base coordination package when you book. Here at 1928 Planning Co., we have a wide variety of a la carte services, planning packages and a stellar rental collection. We also provide base coordination packages for these venues in Southwest Michigan. All of these venues also come with exclusive catering by CK Catering. Check them out!

 

The Veranda at The Whitcomb

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Vineyard at 12 Corners

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Sun ‘n Sand Resort

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June 4, 2014
in 1928 Planning, Wedding Design Ideas, Wedding Planning, Wedding Reception Ideas, Wedding Trends

The tradition of the wedding guestbook began as a way for guests to testify to the reality of a marriage. The guestbook originally took the appearance of a ledger, where guests would simply sign their name. Now, the term “book” takes many forms, and guests’ participation can range from a quick John Hancock to full-on well-wishes accompanied by life advice. Here are a few of our favorite trends in the guestbook department. We’ve got something for just about every level of guest involvement!

1. Polaroid Guestbook

Wanting more than a note from your guest? We love the idea of incorporating a polaroid camera in guestbook signing. By setting out a camera at an entry table, guests can snap a shot of their group and sign their names at the bottom. Your photographer probably won’t be able to get photos of everyone in attendance, but you could with this wedding guestbook option!

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2. Guestbook Poster

Framed signatures are perhaps the most common guestbook option we’ve seen here at 1928 Planning. This is a classic way to record the names of those in attendance. You can either frame a poster that your guests sign, or have guests sign a thick mat on a photo of you and your sweetie. We are loving this wedding guestbook Michigan poster from MDBWeddings shop on Etsy.

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3. Guestbook Stones

Don’t want to spend a lot on your wedding guestbook? This idea is practically free and will serve as a display piece in your future home. We’ve got a lot of beach stones along the shores of Lake Michigan, so you can localize the meaning as well. Simply have guests sign their name or write a short note on a stone and drop it in a pretty jar or vase!

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4. Guestbook Quilt

This guestbook alternative takes a little extra effort and money, but the results are pretty incredible. You will need to know someone who sews for the savvy route, or you can preorder a guestbook quilt (we love this one from The Pin Cushion shop). Each guest can either sign a fabric square, or you can hang a pre-made quilt for guests to sign. Keep warm and be reminded of all those in attendance at your wedding!

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5. Wine Bottle Guestbook

We got this idea from one of our fabulous brides who is planning her wedding at The Vineyard at 12 Corners. This is an especially delicious guestbook idea if you plan to get married at a vineyard. Set aside full wine bottles (from the winery you are getting married at!) for guests to sign or write a note on. Then stash away the bottles to open on your 5th, 10th , 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries (or whatever week, month or year you feel like celebrating!).

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For more ideas from us – contact 1928 Planning! We’d love to chat!

May 25, 2014
in 1928 Planning, Wedding Coordination, Wedding Design Ideas, Wedding Planning

Wedding planning is constantly filled with endless decisions, checklists, timelines – the works! Planning out each moment and detail will make every bride and groom a bit more at ease come the wedding day – but what if something is overlooked? To avoid forgetting vital items – here are our top five most forgotten details while planning a wedding.

1. Guests’ Dietary Restrictions

Vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, food allergy – there is bound to be someone in your guest list of 300 with some type of dietary restriction. While it seems like a difficult task to track down dietary limitations, these guests will thank you for giving them something they can eat without having to hunt down the wait staff at your wedding. What’s great is that most catering companies, like our favorite, CK Catering, offer tons of options for guests with restrictions. Include a dietary restriction line in your invitation for guests to fill out, and talk with your caterer about your options. Your guests will appreciate the extra mile for accommodating them.

 

2. Shuttle Service When Having an Open Bar

Many couples forget the importance of providing a shuttle service for guests who need a designated driver following the reception. Be especially wary if your wedding reception is not near a hotel where guests can easily walk or if cab service in the town you are getting married in is limited. Of course you want guests to have a good time so keep their safety and judgement in mind at the end of the night as well. Our top choice for end-of-evening shuttle service is Sunset Coast Trolley Company! They’ve got a super unique trolley to transport guests either back to hotels, or where the after-party is located.

 

3. Decorating The “Forgotten Spots”

Our clients have envisioned and executed some really beautiful centerpieces, but we often see the “extra” tables (tables for gifts, placecards, favors, desserts) and cocktail tables forgotten about! Dressing up the gift table could just mean adding a few more votives to the shopping list, or having your florist create a smaller floral arrangement for the table. The same goes with cocktail tables – we are really loving contrasted ribbon tied at the base of cocktail tables like the one shown here. Your reception will be brought to life with a little thinking beyond the main tablescapes and does not cut into your decor budget much at all either.

 

4. Keeping All Weather Conditions In Mind – (not just rain or shine!)

Weather is one of our clients’ biggest concerns when booking outdoor weddings – especially with the, at times, unpredictable Michigan weather. Even if your wedding is planned a year ahead of time – down to the very last ribbon tied, weather will always remain unpredictable. One weather condition that is often forgotten about is wind. You are guaranteed to have some level of breeze or wind at an outdoor wedding, and many couple’s forget this trait of mother nature when planning. Here is a good example:

We love the ribbon detail on this cocktail table, but unless those ribbon weaves are secured down, this beautiful design will soon be a tangled mess and the overall design will be lost. We see this problem a lot with table tents for guest seating. Paper will fly when set out in the open, so take some extra time to anchor them down with something if you can. Keep the wind factor in mind for the candles too! You’ll want to guard your candles with a holder so wind doesn’t constantly blow them out!

 

5. Securing Your Tear Down Crew

This one has to make the list for one of the most forgotten planning details! At the end of the night, who do you picture packaging up all of your centerpieces, favors, candles, gifts, leftover desserts and alcohol? I’m sure the answer is not YOURSELF! It’s even difficult to come up with family or close friends to give the responsibility too. Most of our clients would prefer to let all of their guests, including family and close friends, relax and enjoy the end of the reception without having to be put to work at midnight. Talk to your venue or planner about the clean up services they offer. 1928 Planning offers Reception Wrap Up services, where we’ll package up all of your belongings, store them overnight, and you can pick up the next day when it’s convenient for you.

 

To hear more suggestions or tips – contact us!

 

 

 

March 28, 2014
in 1928 Planning, Real Weddings, Wedding Design Ideas, Wedding Reception Ideas, Wedding Trends

Since we love sharing with our fans new add-on services we are offering, we wanted to designate a blog post to put a spotlight on and fully introduce 1928’s Chalkboard Collection!

We’ve seen a significant growth in wedding signage lately, displaying anything from a ceremony program, dinner or bar menu, to love quotes and sayings. In addition, chalkboard signage in particular has been a weding trend for awhile now so we thought it was only necessary to design something that allowed couples to display exactly what they wanted to say in a collection full of, might we say, awesome, antique, white-washed chalkboard frames, varying in sizes – fit for all sorts of needs! Check about the full wedding chalkboard collection below!

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The beauty of our 7-piece collection is that each frame is uniquely different, in its shape, size, and frame design but complements the others so well because of its white-washed finish. That way, it keeps your wedding theme and decor consistent throughout the ceremony and reception space. You can choose to be the creative designer when it comes to the artwork on the chalkboard or you can let our team take care of it for you – you decide!Chalkboard Collection

{ Erica + Ryan | September 2013 }. Photo Credit: 430 Studios

Reach out to us to get availability, specific measurements on our frames in the Chalkboard Collection as well as here about our special pricing for renting the entire collection!

We look SO forward to hearing from you!

– Danielle

March 24, 2014
in 1928 Planning, Wedding Design Ideas, Wedding Planning, Wedding Trends

Being eager to get out of this cold-spell of a winter and now that spring has officially arrived, we’re here to share some spring wedding inspiration! Although our heavy wedding coordination season is in the summer months, our spring and fall weddings are always a favorite! Digging into what makes each season stand out and finding inspiration in the small things is something we adore. Hope this blogs provides a starting off point to all things…spring!

Get started with scoping out things that inspire you: think fresh color palettes, textures and florals.

Fresh Florals

Use florals that scream springtime! Peonies and tulips will give you a perfect spring wedding look, mixed in with other fresh blooms or blossoms. When we think-spring there is tons that comes to mind, but all revolving about one larger theme: the outdoors! Are you going for a garden-inspired wedding? Use planters or vintage watering cans to display your florals, and include greenery, garland, and branches into your decor ideas. You’ll transform any space into a garden-getaway – indoors OR outdoors.

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Fun Fabrics

Any excuse to incorporate a killer linen is our weakness! Keep it light with a neutral, textured linen or go a bit more daring with a floral printed fabric. Taking on a specialty linen is the easiest way to make a statement in your decor. It’ll go a long way and you’ll get the sense that floral arrangements and other tablescape decor can stay simple to let the focus be on the spring-themed fun fabric.

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Spring-Worthy Color Palettes

Say goodbye to the traditional springtime pastels and take a whole new spin on your spring wedding color palette! Trending for 2014 spring weddings are layered neutrals, blush pinks, and gold undertones.

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Guest Takeaways

Planning to have favors for your guests but can’t quite decide on the best spring wedding takeaway? Favors have a bad rep for being something guests will discard or not find good use in. Find inspiration and consider our ideas that we are sure guests will take home and enjoy long after the wedding is over: potted herb plants, pouches of seed, lavender-scented materials, or flower bulbs.

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Get started to find out what inspires you and as always, contact 1928 Planning Co. for more spring wedding inspiration!

 

-Danielle

February 7, 2014
in 1928 Planning, Wedding Coordination, Wedding Design Ideas, Wedding Planning, Wedding Reception Ideas, Wedding Trends

If you’re looking for a quick catch-up on the top wedding trends for the upcoming season then you’re in luck, my friend! Welcome to our show and tell! We took to one of our favorites, The Knot, to get their insight on what’s in for 2014 and added other touches of what we’ve read up on in industry blogs. Search no further – we’ve covered it here!

Pantone’s Annual Color of the Year

Debuting a color that is sure to influence trendy engaged couples looking to make a mark in their wedding design, let us introduce the 2014 Pantone Color of The Year:  Radiant Orchid! It’s a warm purple hue with soft purple and pink undertones, perfect to add into your main color scheme or act as an accent in design details – perhaps a pop of color in your florals, stationary, or fashion the day of. Another perk to Radiant Orchid is that it’s perfect for all seasons – finding its way into year-round wedding planning designs.

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Mini Bites & Pairings

We are really enjoying this continuing trend – taking the ordinary, formal sit-down dinner at a reception and giving it a fun twist to enhance your guest experiences. Local catering company, CK Catering, has perfected this food trend and made some of the most unique dinner services for couples this past season. As a bunch of foodies over here writing this blog, we can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

Refined Woodland Wedding

As we read through the top 2014 wedding trends, we were so excited to share a few photos from a beautiful wedding The Veranda hosted last October that inhabited every aspect of this new trend! Let me introduce you to a Refined Woodland Wedding – a mix of natural and rustic with accents of glam! Key components to this trend are the use of natural elements including moss, succulents, branches, bark, and miscellaneous greenery to bring a woodsy look to your space. This mixed with small, yet noticeable accents of sparkle – including hints of glitter and sequins, metallics, etc. add the perfect touch of glam for a more refined look.

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Photo Credit: Casper Hamlet Photography

Brights Are Making A Comeback!

Wedding trends like these excite us! Over the last wedding season we saw a lot of color schemes focusing on soft pastels, neutrals and metallics. We aren’t necessarily saying sayonara to the soft schemes but make way for some brights to come into the mix. It’s your chance to be bold and make a statement – don’t back down from it!

The Importance of the After Party

All of our readers who don’t plan to have the party end when their reception comes to a close – this one’s for you! It’s no surprise this makes the list as one of 2014’s top wedding trends. Your wedding day is such a celebration for you, your family and guests and being able to extend the party longer than what your venue allows is a great touch to end the night on a memorable note!

Transformation of the Wedding Flower

We all know how much of a role florals play in most weddings – and boy does this trend up the ante a bit!  We’ve come to pair wedding florals with bridal party bouquets and boutonnieres, table centerpieces and perhaps a few flowers to place on a major wedding reception focal point – the CAKE! But this trend predicts a move towards more innovative ways to display floral arrangements. What I love about this wedding trend are the suggestions for out-of-the-box displays: floral arrangements suspended from the ceiling over guest tables, floral backdrops for the cake table or sweetheart table for a beautifully photographed spot, and dressed to the nines ceremony arches. Check out the collage below for some inspiration!

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Take these trends and run with them! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Wanna hear more from us? Reach out so we can chat!

❀ Danielle

January 17, 2014
in 1928 Planning, Real Weddings, Schades of Light, Wedding Coordination, Wedding Design Ideas, Wedding Planning, Wedding Reception Ideas, Wedding Trends

Real weddings are one of our favorite things to share! We’ve been SO anxious to reveal the details of Steve & Lauren’s beautiful wedding day, and guess what, that day has finally come! It was a warm, June afternoon and perfect for their outdoor wedding reception at one of our favorite venues, The Veranda @ The Whitcomb. We think you’ll be able to tell by the breathtaking photography that there was an abundance of beautiful decor, fun, and love in the air!

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Photo Credit: Luna Dulce Photography

One of the best hidden gems about The Veranda { probably not so hidden after this post ♥ } is having exclusive access to The Whitcomb’s Tower for one-of-a-kind, beautiful photography. The tower marks one of the highest points in the city and gives off breathtaking views of Silver Beach, the St. Joseph Lighthouse and Lake Michigan. Most often the tower is used as a first look spot for couples to see each other before the fast-paced day sets in. Steve and Lauren wanted a special place to capture their first seen moments and thought the tower would be the perfect spot. What do you think? Isn’t this an awesome find?!

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To help create a soft and romantic ambiance in the reception space, they chose shades of taupe, grays, and creams to create a breathtaking, monochromatic look that complimented the architecture of the venue effortlessly. We adored the details of the wedding, with statement-making chiavari chairs {so pretty!}, mercury glass-embellished floral vases and candle holders as well as silver charger plates as a special feature on the head table {a must have and available to rent from CK Catering!} Let me just say how photos don’t do this look justice!

Sarkisian 6/22/13 Veranda

I can’t believe I’ve gone this far in our blog without mentioning the florals! Major shout out to Crystal Springs Florist for their creative floral arrangements! The reception table layout was super unique, mixing round tables, banquet tables and kings tables for a great, eye-catching look. The centerpieces had a ton of texture in them and being a shorter arrangement, guests were able to engage and chat during the reception without having tall centerpieces in the way. Guest tables were filled with an abundance of candles and once the sun went down, added the perfect amount of glow. It complimented the work of Schades of Light, who provided extra lighting design {cafe bulbs and paper lanterns} in the space.

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The food, provided by CK Catering, was a major talking piece amongst guests. Steve and Lauren’s customized menu featured a lot of unique elements, like salt block scallops, cucumber salmon rolls, and mini tacos, and was a full of trending food arrangements like their late night snack {chicken satay and quesadillas} and the ultimate dessert station for their guests, filled with mini creme pie shooters, fruit tarts, chocolate-covered strawberries, cupcakes, and baklava! Are you as hungry as I am now?

Well they didn’t stop at the creativity of their menu because they also sported an awesome gentleman’s hour with a slew of craft beer selections and whiskey drinks topped with a crispy bacon garnish.

Sarkisian Collage (1) It really was the perfect weather outside and we enjoyed seeing their guests take advantage of the rented lounge furniture adding a little touch of comfort to the garden patio. It’s a great way for people to relax while watching the sunset over Lake Michigan or take a break from the packed dance floor! The night was finished with one of our most popular send off’s, the always picture-perfect sparkler exit! Their guests lined the outer walkway to surround them with lots of love as Steve and Lauren made their exit as Mr. and Mrs!

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To Steve & Lauren: we enjoyed SO much getting to know you and working to coordinate your dream wedding. It was such a beautiful sight to see and be included in and we are so happy for you both!

Want to hear more from us? Contact us!

– Danielle

January 13, 2014
in 1928 Planning, Wedding Coordination, Wedding Planning, Wedding Trends

Creating your wedding registry is an exciting time because it’s all about planning out your new life together! Just with every other aspect of wedding planning, there are helpful do’s and do not’s that we’d like to share to help keep you on track and organized! First, decide whether you lean towards being a traditional or modern-registry couple. It will help you decide which stores or alternate types of registry outlets are best suited for you. For instance, there are wedding trends showing an increase in the number of couples taking an alternate route and deciding against the traditional wedding registry gifts like bed sheets or pots and pans. Instead, listed among some of the more popular registry outlets made by couples:

One-Stop Shop for all things registry

Honeymooning & Travel Gifts

Charitable Donations

Unique and One-of-a-Kind Finds

If going the more traditional route, ask your selected registry stores if they have a completion program. Often times, stores will give you a discount for items remaining on your registry after your wedding date. This percentage can range anywhere from 10% – 15% and can help you purchase those items on your wedding registry you really wanted but didn’t receive. Those that made the cut for being the top wedding registry stores were:

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Here are a few tips to keep you on track and organized when creating your perfect wedding registry:

✿ Have a wedding registry at more than one place – preferably at two to three stores. It gives your guests options and versatility in their shopping experience.

✿  Maintain a balanced wedding registry with various price points and types of items.

✿ Register for what you want and need! Who cares if it’s non-traditional! Want new outdoor equipment, hobby items, or board games? Register for it! Some guests are looking for these fun, unique items on your registry and want to give you something more enjoyable than typical wedding registry necessities like a stand mixer or measuring spoons.

✿ There is no harm in registering early on in your engagement. Some guests will want to take a glance at your registry as soon as they receive your Save The Date. The worst thing you can do is register too close to the wedding and make things hectic for your guests.

✿ Don’t limit yourself – see the future! Are you like me and still live off of your college mismatched dishes or have towels that have seen better days? Eventually your college items need to be upgraded and now is the time to do so! In the future, you may want to host family get-togethers or dinner parties so being prepared to do so now, and registering for those items will help out in the long run!

✿ Prepare Yourself! When heading to the store to create your wedding registry, go in with an idea of the items you for sure what to register for. It’ll make things go smoother, be more organized, and often is a time-saver so you aren’t in the store for hours on end.

 ✿ Don’t forget to write your thank you’s! It’s one of our most important tips for you regarding your registry! Make sure they are personal and given to your guests promptly!

 

Want to learn more? Reach out to us so we can chat! Hope these tips help you when registering! Happy Planning, and shall I say shopping too!

 

✿ Danielle