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So many time-honored “rules” surround weddings. Can I tell my guests what to wear? Should I tell my guests to leave their phones in their pockets? Do I need to invite all the kiddos in the family? Today I'm exploring the reasoning behind and need for some of this traditional wedding etiquette mumbo jumbo. Of course, these are suggestions, and sometimes rules are meant to be broken, but they act as great guidelines should any questions come up. Relax, and let’s dive in.  Set up a mini consultation with Freebird Paperie today to discuss your custom wedding invitations and day-of stationery!
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You're inevitably going to be faced with some tough decisions during the wedding planning process. You'll be forced to ask yourself, what's most important? Where are you going to spend your budget? What do you HAVE to have as a part of your day? Things like a choosing a venue, hiring a photographer, and sending invitations are a no-brainer... but what about some of the more discretionary choices? At some point around the time you choose a caterer and start planning your menu, you'll need to decide what kind of bar you want to provide for your guests. But not to worry, there are a lot of options, and I'm laying them out for you here! A Full BarIf you want to go all out, this is for you. A full, open bar is (obviously) the most expensive bar for you to provide, but it also gives your guests the most options. A traditional full bar will likely include vodka, gin, spiced rum, light rum, scotch, bourbon, Seagram's 7, tequila, white wine, red wine, sparkling wine and/or champagne, both domestic and imported beers, soda, juice, and of course water. Because of the options, your bartender will be able to create a variety of drinks to appeal to nearly any guest's taste  You'll definitely want to hire at least one bartender if you're providing a full bar (your venue may even require it!), and it's a good idea to have at least one bartender for every 100 guests.* When you hire a full bar service, things like cups, napkins, stirrers and any other necessary bar accoutrements, set-up and clean-up should be included (but always double check with your provider!). And don’t forget to tip your bartenders! (if gratuity isn't already included in your bill) Wondering just how much you'll need to stock the bar? Check out this wedding alcohol calculator from A Practical Wedding to help you figure out just how much you'll need to accommodate your guest list. A Limited BarDepending on your budget, an open bar may not be feasible for you. But not to worry, there is a middle ground between full, open bar, and dry wedding. Due to the high cost of alcohol and a full bar service, many couples are opting for a slightly different option. That is, providing just beer and wine for their guests. This option will likely still require a bartender to serve, but can be a more cost-effective way to provide alcoholic drink options to your guests. Want to make your beer and wine bar more unique? Enter... the signature cocktail. What the heck is it? It's a drink that you and your soon-to-be hubs craft together with your bar staff that gives your guests another option... without killing your budget.  Why should you consider adding a signature cocktail? First, it's FUN! You can craft a cocktail that matches your wedding colors, or is named to fit your theme. Second, it can be created in batches. This is especially helpful to your bar staff if you have a lot of guests at your wedding... it will help reduce the time that your guests spend waiting for drinks at the bar and let them get back to shakin' it on the dance floor! Signature cocktails are super trendy right now, and there are a TON of options out there. Check out these signature cocktail ideas from The Knot, and these from Martha Stewart Weddings. Non-Alcoholic Bar OptionsA bar doesn't have to be full of alcoholic drinks to be fun! You could choose to incorporate other unique bar and drink stations into your reception to delight your guests. Infused Water Bar – As your wedding favor, give your guests a fun, wedding themed infuser bottle and then let them choose from a variety of fruits, veggies and other flavors to give them a different twist on plain old H2O. Mocktail Bar – Just because you're not offering alcoholic cocktails, doesn't mean you can't still provide your guests with fun and fancy mocktails! Check out these options from Offbeat Bride. Afternoon Tea – In lieu of the traditional cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception, host an afternoon tea for your guests, complete with a hot and iced tea station and finger foods. Coffee Bar – This trend has been really popular in recent years! Ask a local coffee shop to set up a bar at your wedding to offer coffees, cappachinos, lattes, and your fave double mocha half caf extra foam something something... anyway, this bar pairs perfectly with dessert!  You could create a smoothie bar, a juice bar, a soda bar, a milkshake bar... The options are endless.
Whatever option you choose, full bar, limited bar, or non-alcoholic bar... the most important thing is that you have FUN with it! And, of course, if you do choose to indulge and let your guests indulge, always plan appropriate transportation so that everyone arrives home safely! Source: http://weddings.costhelper.com/open-bar.html Are you staring at a blinking cursor, struggling to find the perfect sentiment to use on your wedding invitations? I get the feeling. I felt the same way when Zach and I were designing our invitations! That’s why I created this wedding invitation wording guide, to help brides like you walk through the invitation wording essentials.  Wedding planning is FULL of details. Venue, caterer, florals, oh my! While most items are for the actual day, it's important not to neglect your stationery timelines. The save the dates and invitations are the first glimpse guests will see of the main event. These items also offer valuable information to your guests so they can plan ahead. Use this timeline to take the guess work out of what needs to be sent and when.  Your First Wedding To-Dos Before You Say "I Do." This time of year is magical. I love watching my family and friends (and Facebook friends) get engaged amidst the lights, trees, and holiday cheer. Having been through the wedding planning process myself, I know how incredibly exciting it is! But I also know how overwhelming it can be – the date, the cake, the dress! Where should you begin? So to get you off to a good start, here are my top five wedding planning must-dos for newly engaged couples.
 Well, it’s that time of year when you'll undoubtedly be invited to a variety of holiday soirees. What's the right way to express your gratitude? Hosting a holiday get-together takes a lot of time, energy and effort. Bringing the hostess a gift that appeals to the person's personality or interests is a thoughtful gesture of appreciation. Keep in mind, it’s all about a personal touch, not the price. Great ideas include:
 You'll want to include a handwritten note with your gift, so be sure to keep personal stationery on hand.
 What are the real rules when it comes to inviting plus-ones?
"Whether you're deciding if guests can bring children or if they can bring a plus-one, numbers matter when it comes to weddings. Is there such a things as a 'No Ring, No Bring' rule, where only married guests can bring their significant other?" Brides Magazine wedding etiquette experts weigh in here. Connect with the Freebird Paperie Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages to get more awesome tips like this weekly! |
About the blogMy name is Emily, and I'm a graphic designer. Jesus is my main man, and life is beautiful and amazing. This blog is going to be mini get-away throughout the week, my personal diary--filled with things I like, things I feel, things that are pretty, inspire me, or give me hope. If ya don't like it, that's really ok! If ya do, welcome!! Archives
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