Guestbook 101

April 13, 2011

One of the first things your guests will do when arriving at your wedding is sign your guest book. But a wedding guest book doesn’t have to be filled with plain white pages lined with signatures for the creative bride!

Your guest book is more than just a register of who attended your wedding. It can also be something unique and full of memories that you will treasure for years to come. Here are a few ideas for the creative bride and groom to replace the “traditional” guest book.

Turn your guest book into a scrapbook. Provide guests with small cards on which to write well wishes and their signature. Then put the cards into a scrapbook that contains wedding photos and keepsakes.


Not sure what to do with a book after the wedding? Have guests sign an item that you can display in your home.Some favorites are river rocks, picture frame mats, platters, or a flower pot or vase.


Have a photo album for guests to insert their pictures into near a photo booth at your wedding reception.

Always put your own personal touches to the details of your wedding day! Make sure to find a way to remember your guests in a way that you will treasure through the years.If you need more advice, you can always contact us at As you wish…!

Filed Under: receptions, trends

Natural Centerpieces

March 23, 2011

Every now and again at As you wish… we get requests for centerpieces that are not the traditional flowers. We love how creative our brides can be, and when it comes to planning your wedding there are no limits, except your own imagination! Here are a few of our favorite ideas for non-floral table centerpieces: branches, shells, fruit, wheat, we love it all! These designs are elegant yet simple. We’d love to help you incorporate some of these natural design elements into your own wedding!


Images via Martha Stewart

Filed Under: receptions, trends

Place Cards, Table Numbers, Menu Cards … oh my!

July 28, 2010
There’s one wedding etiquette custom that often leads to much confusion. Escort cards, place cards, menu cards …what does it all mean? Many brides have these timeless traditions as part of their reception, especially if they are hosting a dinner served by a wait staff. It is also a fabulous way to show off your personal style! However, these are by no means required. Many weddings, especially those serving a buffet dinner (or stations) opt out. Either way, we want you to be informed, so the next time you find yourself in that situation, you are able to execute finding your table with grace and ease!Escort Cards – These cards are used to let each guest know what table they’re assigned to. The classic escort card is a small envelope with the guest name on the envelope and the table assignment on the card inside. For a personal touch, you could write a personal note to each guest on the inside. The most formal designation is: Mr. and Mrs. John Doe, exactly how guests were addressed on the formal invitation envelope. There are many variations or more casual alternatives to listing the names. If you have any questions, contact As You Wish… for help! A note: when using escort cards, it’s important to have the table numbers very visible!

Place Cards- This card is on the table at the place assigned to the guest. There are many classic and stylish ways to design these cards, the most traditional being a white or ecru card. However, many brides get very creative – the only requirement is the name be visible somewhere!

Menu Cards- A personalized menu card could be used as an alternative to the place card. These are often used when you’re giving your guests a choice of entrée. These cards will have the guest’s name at the top and the different courses and food options listed below.
{Information courtesy of WeddingUSA}

Do you feel better equipped with this knowledge? If you have any etiquette questions, be sure and ask us at As You Wish… and we’d be glad to guide you! Happy planning!

Here’s a few adorable escort cards!

We love the fabulous ways you can display a table number!

Two beautiful ideas for displaying a menu card. Isn’t that china to die for?

Filed Under: receptions

Luck Be a Lady

July 20, 2010

Every little girl dreams about her wedding day, and one day that dream becomes reality. At times, what bride doesn’t feel like they were hit by a little bit of good luck in the love department?! Even Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat wrote a song about it … “lucky I’m in love with my best friend…”


We wanted to feature a few of our favorite wedding ideas that incorporate the “lucky” theme! Below, we love this couple’s “luck-inspired” engagement shoot!

 

Another way to include the theme of “lucky in love” is to give away lottery scratch-offs as your wedding favor. {We think this is an awesome an inexpensive idea! It lets you share a little luck with your guests!}

 


This bride had special envelopes made for the lottery tickets, with a jar of pennies for guests to grab as they scratched away.

{All photos above courtesy of Spink Studio Photography}

Who can forget the old wives’ tale that you should put a penny in your shoe for good luck on your wedding day?

{Photo by Allison Jones}

Feeling lucky yet? You might just want to take advantage of how lucky you really are….

{Spink Studio Photography}

…just don’t go so far as to have Elvis officiate your wedding!

Filed Under: pictures, receptions, trends

Have a Green Wedding

September 19, 2009
As September is upon us, and October is rapidly approaching, fall brides may be inclined to notice the dwindling evening twilight and cooler Fahrenheit just weeks around the corner. While the most eco-friendly weddings are those that take advantage of the natural ambiance and energy an outdoors ceremony can provide, not all brides have the luxury of planning an open-air affair and must instead plan for an indoor occasion. With the resources available to eco-conscious couples today, a gorgeous, guilt-free ceremony is attainable with a little research and a little local planning.
~Try to find a LEED Certified locale in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area to hold your ceremony and/or reception. LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” and means the space is sustainable and conserves water, energy, and electricity using solar power, insulation panels, and other state-of-the-art technology. If possible, try to keep your wedding and reception on the same property or in close proximity to each other, thereby minimizing toxic emissions into the environment. Dallas LEED Certified wedding and reception venues include…
Dallas Museum of Art http://www.dm-art.org/index.htm
First Baptist Church Sanctuary http://www.firstdallas.org/
Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion http://dallasregency.hyatt.com/
Philip Johnson Interfaith Peace Chapel http://www.cathedralofhope.com/
~For earth friendly decorum, think locally grown, organic flowers and soy based or beeswax based candles. Purchasing locally supports Dallas farmers and merchants while their products promise to be fresh and free of artificial preservatives. Using soy and beeswax candles as your main source of lighting creates a romantic ambiance while minimizing the use of artificial lighting. These candles are biodegradable, non-toxic, made of renewable resources and don’t create pollution during production.
*The Dallas Farmers Market is boss when it comes to green production and fresh flowers.Find out what is in season and if your local florist can work with these carbon free lovelies.http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/
*Bohemian Angel is a Dallas florist that boasts arrangement ideas as fresh as their products. Be sure to request locally grown, in season centerpieces and bouquets. http://www.bohemianangel-dallas.com/
*Lane Florist, voted best in North Texas, creates gorgeous pieces and carries soy based candles as well for your special day. http://www.laneflorist.com/
~For earth friendly menus, also think local. Choose a catering company that boasts a commitment to organic, locally grown products that are in season and not imported. Look to the following DFW companies for fresh ideas regarding ‘green’ foods worthy of your perfect reception…
*Catering & Events at http://www.tastecateringandevents.com/ (214) 533-8770- “Your Food is Your Medicine and the Medicine is Your Food. Our selection of organically grown vegetables, products, and alternative meal preparations allow for a healthier way of dining without compromising taste. Many of our recipes are low fat and nonfat. Please enjoy!”
*Sublime Bakery http://www.sublimebakery.com/ (817) 570-9630 “Sublime specializes in artistic custom cakes and all-natural bakery items. Using only the finest natural and organic ingredients insures your goodies are as pure and healthy as possible.”
~For ‘save the dates’, invitations, programs, menus, place cards, etc. use tree free or organic papers purchased from a local distributor. Have seeds embedded in the paper so that guests can plant the invitations and enjoy the flowers that grow from them.
*At Plant a Memory “All the flowers and trees of tomorrow are in the seeds of today.”
http://www.plantamemory.com/
~In lieu of the usual toaster and blender wedding presents choose handmade, vintage, organic, or eco-friendly presents to display in you home.
*Green Living http://www.green-living.com/ 214-821-8444 “Green Living is a retail store based in Dallas, Texas that offers Earth-friendly products for everyday use and unique “green” products that we’re excited to introduce.”
~~~I hope that all of these tips and suggestions help towards the planning of your unique green celebration! Try to remember that the most important source of energy at your wedding is you, so relax and reserve your essence for the ‘I Do’s’ and let As you wish… manage the stress, strategy, and strain that tends to drain a glowing bride~~~ Shari
Filed Under: receptions, trends

April Berry & Josh Altman’s stunning March wedding!

April 17, 2009

April & Josh’s wedding was on Saturday, March 28th. Their reception was absolutely stunning! I loved this soft, spring wedding. The colors were all pale yellows, pale pinks and pale greens…. Gorgeous!
Filed Under: lighting, real weddings, receptions