Save the Date!

It seems as the years fly by...literally, people are more busy than ever. I don't remember people being this busy when I was a kid. Things seemed to happen slowly, not as fast as they do today. I mean, I can't believe Cooper is going to be a year old in 7 weeks! Where does the time go?

Well, as people get busy, and time moves faster, it is a good idea to notify them in advance of upcoming events (wedding, parties, etc). I like receiving an advanced notice that there is an upcoming wedding. It makes it much easier to plan, you know...get the sitter and the hubby gets the time off!

Several of my friends have sent out "Save The Date (STD)" notices. They are usually a nice card accompanied by a refrigerator magnet that includes the event details and a nice photo of the couple. My friend Nicole designed and created her own Save the Date Magnet:

This one is from my friend Jody:

I did a little browsing and research on the Internet and found some really CUTE and CREATIVE ides:
1) Create a CD with all the Save The Date info on the front with a cute pic of the couple. When the CD is played it can have photos of the couple (birth to engagement).
2) Create a CD with all the Save The Date info on the front with a cute pic of the couple. When the CD is played it can have songs the couple likes.
3) Create a bookmark with the STD info and some photos
4) Lotto style(Party 411): This is fun for those who are hooked on lotto tickets, or those who might be having a destination event in Las Vegas!

5) Photo Booth (Young House Love): This is SO Cute! It really brings out a couples personalities. Here is another booth idea from a site with LOTS of Save the Date ides: JuneBug Weddings

6) Ticket Style (Party 411): This is just fun for so many reasons. Great for those who love sports, theater, movies etc.

Just remember, it's your event, if you can think it up, you can do it! Get creative, and have your Save The Date notice reflect you as a couple.

Here are a few pointers on sending these out:
1) Save The Date notice's are a MUST if you are having a destination wedding or event
2) Send them out 5-6 months in advance
3) If the wedding or event is during the holidays, a Save The Date notice is a MUST
4) A Save The Date notice is a MUST if the wedding encompasses the weekend (full of fun events)

Good Luck, and if you have used (or seen) a creative Save The Date notice, please share it with us!

*hugs*
Denice

Photo Credits:
Lotto: Party 411
Photo Booth 1: YoungHouseLove.com
Photo Booth 2: Junebug Weddings
Ticket: Party 411

Wedding...Las Vegas Style!

A friend of mine just got hitched in Las Vegas. This is a trend we are seeing more and more of...the destination wedding. I had a chance to ask her a few questions about her, her finance Jamie, and their Vegas Experience.

Erin, is a 31 year old, Director of Sales and Education for Belli Skin Care (skincare for the mom to be). She is a California Native, but moved to Seattle two years ago. Jamie, is a 36 year old, world-renowned “mixologist” although he prefers the word “bartender”. Jamie is currently consulting for a number of projects, and working on a plan for his own bar in Seattle. He is Canadian, born in Montreal, but calls Vancouver his home. He moved to Seattle two years ago, and the rest is history! Here are some of Erin’s highlights:

Denice: Why did you decide to do a Vegas Wedding?
Erin: We wanted to do something fun, but painless. I’ve never had the “bride gene”, and wanted as little hassle as possible.

(Jamie and his Beautiful Bride, Erin)

D: What was it about Las Vegas that enticed you to have your wedding there?
E: Vegas has never been my favorite place, but you just have to go every once in a while. With it still raining here in Seattle, it was the perfect excuse to get to some 100+ degree weather! And there has always been something about the novelty of a Vegas-Chapel wedding! There’s a kitsch-factor there that I love.

D: What type of wedding ceremony did you have?
E: It was a short civil ceremony at the Graceland Chapel (where Jon Bon Jovi got married!). The pastor was French, and had such a comical accent, that I almost thought he was putting on a character. My husband speaks a bit of French, so he was able to use a little of it with him. We had 10 guests.

(Jamie aka Elvis)

D: Was Elvis there?
E: I wish. The Graceland Chapel is the home of the “original” Elvis wedding. I almost regret not choosing the Elvis package. They have one package that gives you TWO Elvis’s (or Elvi?). You get the young, gold lamè Elvis, and then older white-jumpsuit Elvis. And they sing of course…

D: Was it nice not to have to plan a traditional wedding?
E: YES, just thinking about it gives me a headache.

D: What was your favorite part of the ceremony?
E: It was probably the ring-exchange. We recited the traditional vows, which I always thought were kind of hokey, but it was nice.

D: Did you elope?
E: Yes and No. We like to think that we eloped, but just had a few people tag along with us. We had it on a Wednesday night, so we knew we wouldn’t get too many people out to Vegas-but were surprised at the number of people who DID come.

(Jamie and Erin)

D: All in all, was it fun and memorable?
E: DEFINITELY. It was perfect-I wouldn’t change a thing. I just wish I could have stayed pool-side at the Bellagio for a few more days…

Thanks so much for sharing Erin, that was fun!

Please be sure to check out Erin's blog: Belli Cosmetics and Jamie's blog SpiritsandCocktails.com.

Photo Credit: Erin and Jamie



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