What Side?

“What Side?” is the most common question we receive on rehearsal nights and the day of the wedding.

"What side does the bride and bridesmaids stand?"

"What side does the groom and groomsmen stand?"

"What side is the groom’s?"

"What side is the bride’s?" 

"Does it matter what side we sit on?"

All of these are great questions to ask us. Looking at the altar, the bride stands on the left and the groom stands on the right. Why? That is a great question. This tradition was established during medieval times when men carried swords. If the bride stood on the right side she would have blocked his sword, thus making it impossible for him to protect her. So the bride would stand on the left side and it has been that way ever since.

The next time someone asks you one of the above questions, go ahead and tell that small fact that has a huge impact on the wedding ceremony. If you forget, feel free to ask us! We are here to help.

Happy Planning!

Wedding Reception Restroom Basket

Wedding Reception Restroom Basket

Note for your Guests

Here are just a few items for your reception restroom basket. You can go crazy by putting in extra tights or socks, foot creams, favorite gum, really anything you can think of. Almost all of this you can find at your local Dollar Store. Your guests are really going to thank you for saving "their wedding emergancy".

Items to add:

Women

Garment Deodorant Remover
Everything Tape
Tiny first aid kit
Tiny sewing kit
Tampons and pads
Band Aids
Lint Roller
Bobby pins
Pain killers
Oil blotter facial pads
Mini tooth brush with freshening
Clear nail polish
Insect repellent
Nail file
Nail polisher remover
Hair rubber bands
Hair spray
Hand cream
Dental picks
Deodorant
Listerine tabs
Tums/Rolaids/ Rennie
Eye drops

Men
Quick Shine Shoe Polish
Tiny first aid kit
Tiny sewing kit
Lint Roller
Body spray
Pain killers
Stain spotter {suitable for silk ties}
Tums/Rolaids/ Rennie
Insect repellent
Aftershave/cologne
Band aids
Mini toothbrush with freshening
Dental picks
Listerine tabs
Deodorant
Eyedrops

Happy Planning!

DIY- Ring Box

DIY- Ring Box

"What you’ll need:
- Unfinished wood box with divider (local craft store for $2)
- Interior wood stain (sample size of Minwax’s Wood Finish: Special Walnut #224)
- Paint Brush
- Extra fine point white paint pen
- Muslin or other neutral fabric

**(Depending on the roughness of the surface, it may also be helpful to lightly 

sand down the box first before staining)**

Step 1: Stain the outside and inside of the box using a paint brush. Typically it is recommended that you stain wood by using a cotton cloth to rub in the stain, however, painting is easier and equally effective in this situation. Don’t worry about going removing the metal clasps or anything, either. The stain wipes right off metal, and if there is any residue, it just gives a little more of an antique feel. Apply a few coats if necessary; let the box dry overnight.

Step 2: Use the paint pen to decorate the top of the box. You can use the couple’s initials, the date, etc… the fine point paint pen makes it very easy to draw, but if you aren’t confident in using it without any guidance, you can trace your design with a pencil first!

Step 3: On the inside of the top, use the paint pen to mark the spaces accordingly with “Mr.” and “Mrs.”, or “His” and “Hers”… whatever you prefer!

Step 4: Cut two rectangles of muslin to line the bottom of the box where the rings will lie. I measured the piece to be able to fold into thirds, and placed them in the box.

Now you’ve got a cute case for your rings, and you can be sure they aren’t going anywhere. The box also makes a great accessory holder or decor item for your home after your wedding!"

DIY- Wedding Favors

DIY~ Wedding Favors

Follow Steps 1 through 8

The fortunes can say anything on them.

Simple, fun facts are always great!

Example: "Did you know that the Bride & Groom love to dance?"

"The Groom knew the moment he met the Bride, she was the one."

"The Bride's favorite feature of the Groom is his eyes."

"Did you know that June 24, 2011 the Bride & Groom became engaged?"

"The Bride & Groom had their first kiss on the beach."

Happy Planning!

Lovely Monday Notes

Photo by Mle. Jayne Photography

"Nothing feels better than when

you love someone with your

whole heart and soul and they

love you back even more."

~Karen Kostyla

History of the Wedding Ring

Photo by Brad Camp Images

The most famous symbol of a man and a woman becoming husband and wife in the institute of marriage is the wedding ring.

Ancient Egyptian civilization made homes along the plains of the Nile River; this is where Pharaoh’s people became acquainted with the plants growing along the river bank, and they knew these plants would bring a fortune no one had ever had before. Growing alongside the river were sedges, rushes and reeds, as well as papyrus. Pharaoh’s people would twist and braid these plants into rings for the finger, starting the journey of the very first wedding ring.

The Egyptians designed the ring to be a circle shape; symbolizing eternity. The ring had no beginning and no end just like time itself. The circle shape was the symbol of the Sun and the Moon. There is no hole in the center of the ring, but rather a “door” leading to things/events both known and unknown. With all the emotions of love, hope, courage, and more, the characteristics of the circle were capturing the moment and future of eternity, making the ring the most precious gift to receive.

Just like we do today, the Egyptians wore the ring on the third finger of their left hand. The only finger that has a vein connected to our heart. Romans called it “Vena Amoris” which is Latin for ‘the vein of love”.

Many materials went into making the wedding rings such as hemp, leather, and bone. When metal emerged, it was a fast process to make the rings, which lead to an uneven and clumsy made ring. So for special wedding rings, they added a precious and semi-precious stones to make it extra special.

When the ring was given to the woman and she accepted it, this meant that she was the property of the man and that no one would be stealing her away. The ring also symbolized the strength of the love that the man felt for his bride. Sometimes the ring would not be given to the bride before or during the wedding ceremony, but rather as he picked her up and carried her into their new home.

Today there are many different styles of rings. Whether he designed it himself or if you both picked it out together, the ring is a symbol of love that the groom has for you.

Congratulations & Happy Planning!

Inspired by Our Vendors

Bride & Groom Image by Brad Camp Images, Wedding Cake by Port Gamble General Store,

Strawberry Lemonde by Gallucci's, Coffee Table by AA Party Rentals

We have a great list of VENDORS!!!!

Check it out on our Port Gamble Wedding's page!

Happy Planning!

DIY-Floating Candles

Floating Candles

What you will need

*Tools and Materials*muffin tins or other molds
*petroleum jelly or nonstick cooking spray
*paraffin or beeswax candles, or wax bricks and color chips
*double boiler
*candy thermometer
*craft sticks, for stirring1 1/4-inch metal-tabbed tea-light wicks

Floating Candles How-To1. Coat molds with petroleum jelly or cooking spray; set aside. Place used candles in a double boiler over just-simmering water (never over direct heat; wax can catch fire if too hot). As wax melts, stir it and remove old wicks. If using wax bricks, melt and add color according to package directions.

2. When wax reaches pouring temperature (150 degrees for paraffin, 160 for beeswax; if you don't have a candy thermometer, wait until a thin film forms at edges), pour into molds. Then carefully lower in the new wicks.

3. After candles harden (1/2 hour to 2 hours), lift them out by the wicks. If they resist, put molds in freezer until they pop out easily. Wipe off any haze with paper towels.

4. Trim wicks, if necessary, to 1/4 inch before burning.

Muffin TinsPick a size. Mini-muffin candles burn for an hour or so; large ones, for three. A variety of candles in tonal hues -- such as warm reds, oranges, and yellows, like the ones we used -- look wonderful together. Vary the sizes by pouring wax into large, medium, and mini-muffin tins, and create a playful polka-dot presentation. For uniform results, pour the wax to a depth of no more than 1 inch.

Cookie CuttersUse simple, broad shapes to make sure they float. To turn a cutter into a mold, run masking tape along the edge, snip at the corners, and bend the tape so the cutter sits flat on the foil.

With a set of graduated cookie cutters, you can make stars in many sizes at once. Float some in little bowls, and set others in shallow dishes of water. Arranged on a long runner, they will supply your dinner table with a galaxy of gentle light. We like beeswax for these candles. It has a more viscous consistency when melted, which prevents it from leaking out of the molds

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Light Up a Table With Floating Candles - Martha Stewart Crafts

 

Happy Planning!

Lovely Monday Notes

Photo by Jean-Marcus Strole Photography

"The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.
They're in each other all along." -The Essential Rumi

The Role of the Bridesmaid

Photo by Vior Photography

The Bridesmaid

It is a great honor to be asked to be a bridesmaid! It should not be taken lightly. Before you accept, first ask yourself if you are able to fill the role and the obligations of a bridesmaids, and be honest with yourself, am I able to fulfill these obligations and can I afford it?

The bridesmaid should attend....

1. Attend ALL appointments (Unless asked not to)

2. The Bachelorette Party

3. The Bridal Shower

4. The Wedding Rehearsal and the Rehearsal Dinner

5. The Wedding

6. The Wedding Reception


And may be asked to...

1. Assist with the invitations and place cards

2. Help with decorations or favors

3. Run wedding related errands



4. Decorate and take down wedding decorations

At the end of the day, make sure the Bride is taken care of. It is HER special day! A bridesmaid's number one job is to  BE THERE FOR THE BRIDE.

Happy Planning!

Inspired by: Orange & Purple

Bridesmaids, Men's Suit, Orange Shoes, Purple and Orange Flower Garter, Wedding Cake, Wedding Beer, Invitations, Flower Girl Dress

Happy Planning!

DIY- Beans

DO IT YOURSELF

Trying to find that extra something to make your

centerpieces amazing?

Steps:

*Grab some cheap coffee beans.

*Metallic spray paint.

*Lay down newspaper.

*Spread the coffee beans all over.

*Then grab your can of spary paint and start spraying the beans until they have a nice thick layer.

*Wait until dry (normally the next day).

*Flip the beans over and repeat!

This is a simple way to add the extra something!

Lovely Monday Notes

Photo by Paul Dudley Photography

"I love your feet because they have wandered over
the earth and through the wind and water
until they brought you to me."
-unknown