Should I Have An Engagement Photo Shoot?

Yes, Yes, and Yes. 

This may be the first time you and your fiancé are having professional photos taken, so please take advantage of this opportunity as soon as you select your photographer.  You may feel you cannot take the time out of your busy schedule, however, your engagement photo session is a valuable tool that I think all engaged couples should utilize.  

An engagement session helps you loosen up when taking photos.  This should be a time where you can show your personality and have fun.

Your engagement session allows you and the photographer to get to know one another, Its important!  Make sure that the photographer for your engagement session is going to be the same photographer on the wedding day.  

Choose a location that has meaning to the both of you.  It could be where you got engaged, a place where you always wanted to be photographed, or even the museum.  Just make sure it’s a place where you both will have fun.

Your photographer will have fun with you.  He/She will give you tips on how to pose and how not to pose.  It gives him the opportunity to see what light works best for your skin color.

 Taking your engagement photos early allows you to use them for save the dates, or wedding favors.  

         

           Now, Let's Get Inspired!

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The Etiquette of the RSVP

Let's start with the meaning:  In English RSVP means "Please Respond".  The anagram is a French abbreviation for Repondez Vous Sil Vous Plait or "respond you please".

A little history:  As the seniors say, "in the olden days" people did not send response cards with their invitations.  Wedding invitations were answered in your own handwriting on your own stationery.  As people began to get busier they no longer had the time to write a written reply.  Since hosts and hostesses could not risk not receiving responses, they began to send reply cards with their invitations.  As more and more invitations were sent with reply cards, reply cards became more acceptable.  Today, they are sent with almost every wedding invitation.

There are many elements available when choosing how to present your response cards.  Traditionally, there is a response card and envelope.  If you want your guests to mail back the response cards, the envelopes must be pre-addressed and include the proper amount of postage.

If you are trying to cut down on costs another option would be post card style response card.  You can eliminate the response envelope and the postage is less.  While reply postcards are slightly less formal than response cards with envelopes, it’s still totally appropriate for a formal event.  Keep your post cards custom and coordinating by matching with the look and feel of your invitations. This really makes a big difference in the visual aspect of the cards as well as keeping them formal. 

Another modern development in wedding response cards is the option of allowing your guests to reply to an online wedding website. While not a traditional element, website response cards are very useful for your guests to respond, and provide additional information.

This option is more budget friendly because it gets rid of the response envelope and the return postage. There are a lot of wedding websites that are user friendly and free.  On the RSVP card you would direct your guests to visit your wedding website where they can reply online. This is an accurate way of getting a head count for your event which can be very helpful and cost effective if you are paying per person.  

Another reason why wedding websites are great is because you can provide more information to your guests that can sometimes be too much to add to your invitations such as information on other group events, accommodations, directions, local attractions, and miscellaneous information that might be useful to guests.

This can also help with the touchy subject of registry information which is considered to be very improper.  If you feel like you have to let people know where you are registered then you can list the information on your website. This is a much better way to get the word out.   

Now, Let's Get Inspired!

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And the Pic of the Week Is....

Great centerpiece for baby and bridal showers.

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And the Pic of the Week Is.....

Stacked pillows, cake, or memorex?  You decide.

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TableScape Tuesday

Tablescapes aren't just for venues anymore.  You can create beautiful tablescapes for your home dinner table too.  Be as elaborate or simple as you choose just make it beautiful and make it you.

Now, Let's Get Inspired!

Everything does not have to match.  The simplicity of white plates and vases and minimal florals let's your guests no they are welcome as they are.  Costs saving, comfortable, welcoming.

Another simple idea using color.  A few green napkins, flowers, apples and white linen tablecloth creates a beautiful theme.  This setting has the clear ghost chairs which are probably rented but that can easily be remedied with seating you have at home. 

I love this blue and purple pop of color.  The wooden rustic table allows the blue and purple to stand out.  Great combo.

 
If you want to be a little more elaborate this setting can take you there.  Still using white as a base for your place setting, the pink and black help to give you a more elegant and bold look. Pin It