Wording for an adult only reception can be tricky especially if close family and friends have children. Instead of spending countless hours figuring out how to word your reception card, The Knot suggests altering the wording of the RSVP card. Have the RSVP card read: “We have reserved ___ seats in your name”. After the RSVP cards are printed, you have the ability to fill in how many seats you reserved for the couple. Example: A printed “2″ means no kids.

If you would like a little more flexibility in the wording you can have your RSVP wording read: “Please reserve __/__ seats in our name”. After your RSVP cards are printed fill in the last blank “Please reserve __/2 seats in our name”. This will allow your guest to fill out how many of the reserved seats they will need.

Domino Magazine closed its doors for business back in 2009 however, Brides Magazine is giving readers access to all the old Domino Magazine articles (how exciting). While electronically flipping through pages we came across an article about dinner-party don’ts. The article was well written and had some interesting points worth passing along… after all it is rehearsal dinner season, right?

If you are the host, DON’T…

1. Be late serving the food

2. Seat spouses or significant other together

3. Rush through courses. Pause between them, leaving time for second helpings.

4. Serve dessert at the table - get up and have it in the living room to spice things up.

5. Start washing dished- cleaning up is a guaranteed evening-ender.

If you are a guest, DON’T…

1. Be more than 25 minutes late, but never be exactly on time or early.

2. Bring something you expect the host to integrate into the meal- he or she already has everything planned.

3. Use your phone during dinner, or at any other time in the evening- ever.

4. Forget to pay attention to both people sitting next to you.

5. Stay too late or leave too early (especially at a small gather, where one premature departure can spur a mass exodus).

Need a dinner party invitation or favor? Don’t forget to check out New and Blue!

This idea came from the Martha Stewart Weddings - and it is fabulous! If you are someone who loves sending out birthday cards, anniversary cards, special occasion cards, then this idea is especially for you!

At your wedding, next to your guest book, lay out a birthday calendar (these calendars are not year specific, only month/date specific). Place a little note next to the calendar instructing guests to sign their name on their birthday. By the end of your wedding you will have collected all of your friends and families special dates, which will allow you to send out the appropriate cards.

Is it a Bachelorette Party or a $$$ Party. Here are some great tips from The Bridesmaid Guide by Kate Chynoweth on smart ways to save when throwing a bachelorette party.

Have a few rowdy rounds of cocktails and games at home before you hit the bars.

Prepare the hors d’oeuvres yourself, or with other bridesmaids, instead of hiring caterers.

Get creative with your games and decorations and make them yourself- no need to buy them unless you are pressed for time.

If the party will be hitting the bars, choose a lively neighborhood with plenty of hot spots, so you can barhop on foot instead of spending a fortune on taxis.

Need some inexpensive gift ideas- check out these cute blue garters (for $7.98), bridal sashes ($17.95), light up engagement rings ($9.98 for pkg of 6) and more!

These super cute and practical wedding survival kits are perfect to prevent any wedding day disaster that may happen. The kits come fully equipped with 2 band aids, 4 bobby pins, towlette, matchbox styled sewing kit, breath mint and travel size Kleenex pack.

The survival kit clutch is fashioned in matte satin and featuring zip and snap closures. Each purse may also be embroidered with a monogram or single initial in pink, orange, red, aqua, green, blue, purple, sage, white or grey at no additional cost.

The clutch measures 10 inches wide by 5 inches wide by 1/2 inch thick. It’s large enough for a couple other wedding day items of your own (such as a safety pin and lip gloss)!

Cost: $26.00 Click here to order your survival day kit!

If you are in charge of throwing a bridal shower for the the bride-to-be who seems to have everything… we have the perfect shower theme!

Throw her a “stock the wine cellar” shower. It’s simple and easy. Guests who are invited to the shower should bring a bottle of wine for the bride-to-be. Make sure to enjoy the festivities yourselves and serve great wine. After the shower is over- the bride-to-be will have a fully stocked wine cellar. Not to mention this is a great way to start off her first year of marriage.

For fun invitations and party favors make sure to check out these wine items.

Planning a wedding is stressful, and if find yourself wondering “is this normal” or “what do other people do” you are not alone! Average marriage statistics are talked about quiet frequently to help couples plan their wedding.  The following statistics are interesting facts that you can use to help you plan your wedding.

The average American engagement is 16 months.

175 guests are invited to an average wedding

35% of weddings occur in the summer; 29% in the spring; 23% in the fall; 13% in the winter

$22,000 is the average amount spent on a traditional American wedding

Percentage of brides who say they’ll be changing their surnames: 60%

53% of weddings occur in the afternoon; 31% in the evening; 16% in the morning

30% of receptions are held in churches; 20% in hotels; 20% in country clubs, 10% each in fraternal halls, private homes, and other locations

38% of weddings have a buffet; 34% have a sit-down dinner; 28% serve only cake and punch

62% of weddings have a flower girl

56% have a ring bearer

Credit: Association of Bridal Consultants, Conde Nast Bridal Group, National Bridal Service, National Center for Health Statistics, Greeting Card Association, National Association of Wedding Ministers.

When it comes time to sit down and write that wedding toast you have been putting off for weeks, probably even months, it can seem daunting. Its a big moment and all eyes will be on you. Below are a couple tips from the book: Your Special Wedding Toast by Sharon Naylor.

1. Know yourself- Remember to be yourself, relax, and deliver your style of toast, your way. You can’t stand up and deliver any speech that isn’t your own personal style.

2. Introduce Yourself- Make sure to say your name and how you know the bride and/or groom. Before you launch into your speech it is important to make sure the guest know who you are.

3. Open Strongly- You’ve got everyone’s full attention and if you don’t give them something intriguing and engaging in the first fifteen to twenty seconds, you’re a goner. So open with a quote, a funny anecdote, or a well-chosen joke about the bride and groom.

4. Make eye Contact- You want to connect with your audience and have them connect with you as well as what you’re saying. Make sure to make eye contact with the bride and groom along with the audience.

5. Watch your hands- Your hands give away your jitters level, so be mindful of not touching your hair too much, twisting your ring, taking your hands in and out of your pockets - all of these are unconscious moves.

6. Finish Strong- Tie back into your opening statement if you can to finish your speech off as if in a perfect circle. Complete the metaphors and bring the guests back to your opening quote.

7. Smile- Let your great personality show. The bride and groom chose you for this role and wanted you to speak to their guests because they knew you’d be great. So let your true self shine through- even if you mess up.

Hopefully these tips are useful and will provide a good foundation for your wedding toast. For more wedding toast ideas and other wedding resources check out New and Blue online.

These mugs from Anthropologie are a great idea for table centerpieces. The monogram mugs are available in letters A-Z and only cost $6.00! The mugs are 4″ high and 5″ in diameter. Transform these mugs into wedding table centerpieces by filling them with flowers. The added benefit of these centerpieces, once the wedding is over you will have a handful of cute coffee mugs for your new home.

To create a more vintage feel to the centerpiece buy a bunch of old books at a garage sale and stack them together. Place the mug on top of the stack of books. Or for a more modern feel purchase plain gift boxes (we recommend white) and stack them on top of each other or create a pyramid look. Tie ribbon around the boxes to add a splash of color and then place the mugs on top of the boxes and volia!

Enjoy!

Photo Credit: Anthropologie

We get asked all the time about unique guest book ideas. While we love pictures, Polaroid’s, note cards, or anything personalized this next idea might take the cake…. or serve the cake.

A guest signature plate. The idea is simply amazing and will allow you to remember your wedding day, every day. Head down to your local paint shop, (here in Portland we love Ready Paint Fire) and pick up a serving platter or large plate that has not been fired. Also pick up various paints or a few colored pencils (matching your wedding colors). Make sure the pencils and paints are the appropriate style that will not fade once the plate is fired.

Set the plate out on your wedding day with a note, which will allow all your guests to sign the plate. After your wedding take the plate back down to the local shop to have it fired and glazed. Once the plate is done you will have a wonderful serving platter or a piece of art work to hang in your new kitchen.

Looking for a more traditional guest book? Check out New and Blue’s large selection on guest books and pens.