Your invitations will be your guests' first glimpse at the style of your wedding. Here are some tips to make sure your invitations reflect your vision of your special day.

GET INSPIRED: Look at invitations in stores and online for inspiration. Stick to the theme of your wedding. If you are having a casual, outdoor wedding - then have a casual invitation to set the mood. If you are having an elegant wedding - then choose elegant invitations.

CONSIDER YOUR BUDGET: Invitations can range from less than $1 if printed at home to $5 or more. Consider how many invitations you will need and set a budget.

CHOOSE YOUR FONT: A simple font allows you to put more wording on your invitation. The fancy fonts only look good in larger type-sizes. If you have your heart set on a particular fancy font, consider using a combination of fonts, with your names in a larger, more elaborate font and the rest of the text in a simpler, smaller font.

RSVP CARDS: You definitely need them if you are having a sit down dinner. Think of it this way: just two dinners you pay for uneccessarily would equal the average price of RSVP cards.

To see more bridal fashion coverage from TheKnot.com, visit http://www.TheKnot.com/fashion.

Whether it's a neckline, an embellishment or a silhouette, bridal trends are details we see again and again on fashion runways. Watch as TheKnot.com shows you the top 10 hottest wedding dress trends coming down the bridal runways for spring 2012, with commentary from Mark Ingram, owner of Mark Ingram Atelier and Mara Urshel, owner of Kleinfeld Bridal.]]>http://thepoplargrove.com/blog/rss-comments-entry-15734232.xmlPoplar GroveMon, 02 Apr 2012 14:32:02 +0000http://thepoplargrove.com/blog/2012/4/2/how-to-plan-a-wedding-shower.html463520:5222768:15692426BUDGET: Determine your budget and stick to it. You can defer costs by asking others to bring a dish or help in some other way.

GUEST LIST: Decide if you want the shower to be couples or just ladies. Start your guest list by asking the bride and groom who they would like to have at the shower. The bride and groom's mother will probably also have a list of who they would like to invite. Get address, phone numbers and email addresses.

LOCATION: Choose somewhere that is easy to get to for most of your guests and will accomodate a group of your size.

DATE: The date for showers is usually 6 - 8 weeks before the wedding. Make sure the date works for the key people (ie: the couple, the parents and siblings, the wedding party).

THEME: If you are using a theme, do so based on the couple's personality or needs. Some ideas are a pantry shower, general shower, recipe shower, lingerie shower, linen shower, etc.

INVITATIONS: Invitations can range from range from a phone call, to an email, to a printed invitation. Decide what will work for your budget. Be sure to include all necessary information on the invitation.

MENU: Base the menu on the time of the day of the shower. Early afternoon can be just appetizers and dessert or evening could be a dinner. Keep it simple so it can be a day of relaxation and fun.

GAMES: Having games will lighten the mood and make the shower more fun. Try to do a variety of games so everyone will enjoy it. Also, have prizes for the winners. It doesn't have to be anything expensive. You can just purchase lotions, small picture frames, candies, etc. and put them in a nice gift bag.

• THE PRICE IS RIGHT: Purchase about 10 household items (toilet paper, macaroni and cheese, cereal, etc.) Hold ip each item one at a time and have everyone right down what they think the price is. After you have held up each item have them figure their total of all of the items. Whoever is closest without going over the actual cost is the winner. A benefit of this game is that you can give the items to the couple as a gift if you would like to.

Variation: This game can be used for a baby shower by purchasing items needed for a baby.

• GUESS THE SCENT: Purchase 8-10 different cooking herbs and cover the labels. Have each of them passed around to each guest and have them write down their guess of what the herb is. At the end call out the correct answers and whoever got the most correct is the winner. The herbs can be the prize or a gift to the bride and groom.

Variation: There are many variations of this game and they are all very fun. You can also use scented candles or clear liquids in cups. For a baby shower, you can create little felt diapers and fill them with different smells (baby lotion, chocolate, beer, etc.) 

• FAMOUS COUPLES: Create a list of about 20 different famous couples. Have a handout for each guest with a list of just one half of the famous couples. The guests have about 5 minutes to fill in the blank with the other other half of the couple. Whoever gets the most is the winner.

Here are the famous couples I thought of...

There's a reason Jordan Almonds are the quintessential wedding favor: They're steeped in tradition. Read up on Jordan Almond history here, and decide whether it fits you as a couple. If you do decide to embrace the tradition, make sure you explain the significance to your guests. Consider attaching a little card with a note explaining the almonds' meaning.]]>http://thepoplargrove.com/blog/rss-comments-entry-15493375.xmlPoplar GroveMon, 12 Mar 2012 15:16:45 +0000http://thepoplargrove.com/blog/2012/3/12/how-to-choose-a-caterer.html463520:5222768:15399330

• One great way to find a caterer is to go to wedding festivals. Not only will you find people dedicated to their profession, you will also be able to see how the person reacts in a crowd with a lot going on.
• Talk to friends who are already married and find out who they used as a caterer.
• Ask other professionals you are using who they would recommend. Experienced wedding professionals will recommend people who are easy to work with and deliver quality products rather than those who will give them a portion of the fee.
• When you go to interview a caterer, ask him or her how long he or she has been in business, how he or she decides how much food to serve and whether or not he or she provides the necessary plates and silverware. Also find out if he or she will clean up after himself or herself, if the caterer can accommodate individual dietary needs, how much he or she charges as a deposit and a cancellation policy.
]]>http://thepoplargrove.com/blog/rss-comments-entry-15399330.xmlPoplar GroveTue, 06 Mar 2012 15:58:04 +0000http://thepoplargrove.com/blog/2012/3/6/wedding-trends-2012-from-the-knot.html463520:5222768:15321019

Want to know what's hot in weddings this year? From watercolor decor elements to panoramic portraits, watch as TheKnot.com dishes on the top wedding trends of 2012.

Ritzy ranch weddings are getting more and more popular. Rustic barns with exposed wood, large hanging lanterns and romantic florals perfectly complement dramatic mountain backdrops. On the fashion front, brides want to cover up while still showing skin. This look is achieved with long lace sleeves and just enough embellishment to keep a bride modest. When it comes to flowers, textural, leafy blooms will be huge in 2012. Greenery such as cabbage roses, peonies and dahlias will add lots of texture to arrangements and varying blooms will exude a woodsy vibe with a modern touch. The hot new trend in cakes is to concentrate on the details. Hand-painted designs give couples the perfect way to add personality to their confection. Planning a getaway after your nuptials? Mega honeymoons are the current craze with around-the-world getaways. Be it adventurous or luxurious (or both!), couples are choosing several locales over just one for their postwedding travel.

For more great wedding trends and planning tips check out http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning.aspx

]]>http://thepoplargrove.com/blog/rss-comments-entry-15321019.xmlPoplar GroveThu, 01 Mar 2012 20:23:15 +0000http://thepoplargrove.com/blog/2012/3/1/baby-shower-trends-the-sprinkle.html463520:5222768:15258752Here's a great idea from BabyCenter:

Debates rage about whether a second or third-time mom should have a baby shower. After all, doesn't she already have all the supplies she needs?

On the other hand, shouldn't seconds and thirds (and fourths!) get a little celebration too? The "sprinkle" – generally more casual than a shower, in which gifts are vastly scaled down – is the perfect compromise.

Some sprinkles involve handmade gifts. "I held a sprinkle for my best friend, who was having her second boy," says one BabyCenter mom. "I threw it at a paint-your-own pottery place, and everyone made a ceramic tile for the baby's room."

Others spurn pricey baby extras in favor of the bare necessities, such as diapers. "My sisters are throwing a little sprinkle for me," says one mom. "Basically, it's a diaper shower. We're just going to enjoy food, socialize, and have a good time." Another great option? A stock-the-freezer theme, in which guests bring frozen meals as gifts.

SOURCE: www.babycenter.com

]]>http://thepoplargrove.com/blog/rss-comments-entry-15258752.xmlPoplar GroveThu, 01 Mar 2012 20:13:19 +0000http://thepoplargrove.com/blog/2012/3/1/modern-bridal-bouquets.html463520:5222768:15258585Simple and sweet, or bold -- no matter which style you choose, your bridal bouquet will be one of your most important accessories. Here are seven wedding bouquets with a modern twist from TheKnot.com. Check out a lush medley of white and green dahlias, or fiddleheads and berries, perfect for the bride looking for a soft arrangement. Want a bold bouquet? Watch as we use one type of bloom in a monochromatic shade of pink to get a feminine, contemporary feel. Our other favorites include an earthy bouquet of mums in multiple shades of the same color, a rich, exotic bouquet of striped lady's slipper orchids, a warm cluster of wheat tied with a chocolate-brown ribbon, and an opulent arrangement of French calla lilies, white veronica and bear grass. There's also a paper bouquet, the ultimate DIY accessory for the creative bride.

The bouquets featured were provided by Spruce, French's Flowers and Gifts Inc., Verde Custom Flowers, Chestnuts in the Tuileries, Paper-Source.com, Fleur de Lis Florist and Le Petit Garden.

Get more wedding flower ideas from TheKnot.com at http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-flowers.aspx.

]]>http://thepoplargrove.com/blog/rss-comments-entry-15258585.xmlPoplar GroveMon, 27 Feb 2012 16:27:22 +0000http://thepoplargrove.com/blog/2012/2/27/hot-new-wedding-colors-we-love-from-the-knot.html463520:5222768:15209026

Hunter + Oregano + Peony

2. Oxford + Amber + Dove

3. Neon + Beige + Papaya

4. Bronze + Pewter + Cream

5. Salmon + Terracotta + Maroon

6. Black + Crimson + Robin's Egg

7. Nude + Sienna + Cadmium Red

8. Rose + Willow + Cream

9. Light Teal + Tangerine + Salmon

10. Violet + Fuchsia + Avocado

11. Navy + Blush + Silver

12. Burgundy + Creamsicle + Plum

13. Peach + Periwinkle + Pearl

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