Six Things To Throw Instead of Rice

I honestly have never been to a wedding where rice was thrown; I think that rice as the item to be tossed is a tradition that is on it's way out due to a few factors.  Some venues do not allow rice to be thrown due to the myth that rice can be harmful to birds (which has been largely debunked).  Hard rice on a flat surface can be very dangerous as it is very easy to slip on, and you certainly don't want Grandma breaking a hip at your wedding.  Also, brides these days are looking for something unique or that fits the theme of their wedding.

Here are six ideas for items to be thrown at your wedding as an alternative to rice:

• Lavender buds are the hot ticket to be thrown and a plethora of ways to purchase them can easily be found through a google search. 
• Bubbles can be a fun alternative for all guests young and old, but be careful, we heard one story a bubble popping on the photographer's lens and all the pictures from then on being blurry.  
• Sparklers are a festive idea but one that you need to be careful with.  Many localities require you to notify the local fire department if you will be using sparklers and may even require that a fireman be present.  Check with your venue before planning to use sparklers.
• Birdseed became a popular item to throw after the rice rumor and I'm sure the neighboring birds would be very appreciative.
• Dried Leaves would be lovely at a fall wedding.
• Butterflies, while popular a few years ago, have fallen out of favor because many of the butterflies don't survive, which puts a damper on the fun of the moment.  Consider having white doves released by a professional -- what a beautiful picture at a very special moment.

Happy Planning-

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

To Change Names or Not

There are many reasons why you might want to change your name, and just as many why you might not.  Whatever your decision, make it with your groom, perhaps by seriously considering the following suggestions offered by Judith Sherven and James Sniechowski in their book The Smart Couple’s Guide to the Wedding of Your Dreams.   

•    Write your name in each of the possible forms you are considering – taking the groom’s name, creating a new name from both of yours, hyphenating your names, changing the groom’s name to the bride’s and keeping the bride’s name.

•    Say each of these out loud

•    Delete any that are out of the question for you.

•    Jointly discuss the remaining options.   Talk about all of the names’ ramifications – their effects on your families and friends, your work life, your children’s last names(s), what each choice means to you, as well as anything else that the names could affect.

•    Now which name(s) make you feel most at home, most comfortable, and proudest?

There is no need to make a final decision right away.  The important thing is to mull your options over until both of you feel empowered by and strongly identified with the name(s) you will select.

Respecting and valuing your uniqueness, and knowing your own private and public reasons for your choice, will make the naming process more meaningful and will deepen your pride and comfort in the name you will be known by for the rest of your life.


Happy Planning!
Deb Merriner, Splash Consultant

A Few Tips for Guests Invited to Same Sex Unions

(from Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette)
If you’re invited to a same-sex ceremony and have not previously attended one, it’s natural to wonder what is expected of guests. The answer is simple: Guest etiquette is the same as for a traditional wedding celebration. The following points address some common concerns, but common sense is always the best guide:

• Reply to the invitation as soon as possible. If you must regret, there’s no need for excuses. Inivitees who are genuinely opposed to or upset by same-sex unions would be wise to decline graciously rather than risk dampening the happiness of the couple.
• Whether you can attend or not, the invitation obliges you to send a wedding gift.
• When choosing attire, be guided by the time of the ceremony and the nature of the invitation (formal, informal, or casual).
• Follow the order of the service in the ceremony program, if one is provided. Otherwise, take your lead from the wedding party and other guests. Chances are, the ceremony and reception will be similar to other weddings you’ve attended.
• Go through the receiving line, if there is one. All the traditional expressions of congratulations are appropriate, except reference to “bride and groom” or “husband and wife.” If there isn’t a receiving line, be sure to extend best wishes to the couple and their families at some point during the party.
• Refrain from making comments and asking questions that might be perceived as negative. This won’t be hard if guests bear in mind that the ceremony, while it may not be legally sanctioned, honors the lifetime commitment of two people.

Happy Planning!

Deb Merriner, Splash Consultant

Kudos are in order!

Yes, this is a wedding and event related blog, but we also teach etiquette, and I just had to take this opportunity to share a shout out!  This past week, my husband and I chose to have a meal at our local Outback restaurant in Herndon, VA -- WOW, what a fabulous experience! 

We love to frequent Outback because we really love the margs and the menu, but on this particular visit, we loved the staff as well.  In fact, it was the staff that made such a fabulous impression -- here's what happened ...

As we arrived, we were warmly greeted by Tyler, who welcomed us and promptly showed us to our seating area ... right on Tyler's heels was Danielle, ready and waiting to take our drink order (of course, we obliged! :-)  OK, two staff people and not one of them said, "How are you guys tonight?" (Which you all know is one of my pet peeves!)  No, their training at the ready, they were polite and the service was fabulous, which made for an extra-special dining experience for Hubby and me.

We were also fortunate enough to be visited by one of the restaurant managers, Jackie, and it was a real treat to share our kudos with her, and to thank her for taking the time to pass along great manners to the restaurant's employees.  Of course, she beamed from ear to ear, as any self-respecting mother hen manager would do! :-)

So, if you wish to have an exceptional dining experience, may I highly recommend an evening out to the Outback in Herndon -- you'll be glad you did!

Kudos, Outback!

Ten Fabulous Ways to Indulge the Bride after the Wedding

I am reading The Bridesmaid Guide: Etiquette, Parties and Being Fabulous by Kate Chynoweth and I wanted to share with you some great ways to indulge the bride!

• Make a grand gesture to celebrate the couple’s commitment by planting a tree in their back yard the night before or after the wedding.
• Collect the disposable cameras from the reception tables and develop the film.
• Before the bride leaves the reception, give her a honeymoon kit stuffed with sunscreen, sunglasses, a great book for the plane, and blank journal in which to record her adventures.  Toss in those hilarious Polaroids you took at the rehearsal dinner.
• Organize an intimate post-reception gathering where everyone can kick off their shoes and toast the newlyweds one more time before hitting the hay.
• Leave a basket of treats on their dining room table the night before they return from their trip, to cushion their return to reality.  If you’ve forgotten to get their keys, leave a pretty bouquet and a Welcome Home card on their doorstep.
• Several months after the wedding, organize a girls’ night to revisit the bridal shower scrapbook, pore over the wedding photographs and reminisce about all the fun.
• Schedule a group manicure and pedicure with the girls to help her stave off the inevitable post-wedding depression after she gets back from the honeymoon.
• Give the couple theater, ballet, or concert tickets for an evening about a month after the wedding.  This give the couple a chance to dress up and go out on a date while they are still broke from the wedding, overwhelmed with unpacking and starting back to work.
• Offer to be the bride’s special helper at the reception after she and the groom depart, and collect the cake topper, the top tier of the wedding cake, the guest book, extra flowers, and the gifts, and transport them to a designated place.  The best man or the bride’s father will be in charge of tipping the musicians and caterers but you should add your enthusiastic thanks.
• If the couple isn’t leaving for their honeymoon immediately, decorate their bedroom or hotel room.  They’ll be thrilled after the long wedding day to find their wedding night chamber filled with a chilled bottle of champagne, fragrant flowers, a book of love poems, and a small portable stereo playing their favorite music.

Happy Planning!

Deb Merriner, Splash Consultant

5 Ideas for a Summer Wedding

Here are 5 quick ideas for a fun Summer themed wedding or event!

• Take advantage of the weather and have an outdoor wedding! We highly recommend having a tent set up to protect you and your guests in the chance of high temperatures or rain.
• Dress your tables with lightweight linens such as cotton and linen.  One of our favorite vendors in the area is gala cloths. 
• Decorate with Fruit: Lemons, limes and oranges can make gorgeous and inexpensive centerpieces!
• Nothing says a day at the beach more than bridesmaids in Lilly Pulitzer dresses or groomsmen in khakis and Vineyard Vines ties.
• Keep your guests cool; make sure when the temperature rises to have water easily accessible.  Chinese fans make great favors that can also keep you cool!

Happy Planning!

Julie Daniel, Splash Consultant

Creating Your Financial Future- Together

We wanted to let you know about an upcoming, free financial workshop that engaged or newly married couples could greatly benefit from. Thrivent Financial is offering a workshop on Saturday, August 7th to help couples find common ground with money management and work together to reach your goals.

 

From Me to We is a 50-minute education workshop that takes a stewardship approach to helping you prepare for your financial future. At this workshop you will learn to:

• Identify your values and attidues about money.
• Set goals and use a budget to help you reach them.
• Manage your money together.

Couples are asked to pre-register no later than August 1st by calling Corridor 7 Associates at 703-444-9576 or by emailing nancy.orta@thrivent.com.

From Me to We

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

11:00 AM

1950 Roland Clarke Place, Suite 120

Reston, VA 20191