Essence of Events, LLC

The etiquette and rules of weddings are always ever changing, but it’s always good to be

well versed in proper manners. Essence of Events, LLC has taken some of the most pressing

concerns when it comes to your wedding needs and questions and compiled them into this

easy cheat-sheet. Consider us your Emily Post of wedding conundrums.

Paying for out-of-towners

If you’re hosting a wedding that will be out of town for guests and you don’t live there, it’s

considered a destination wedding. There is no hard rule here, but you are not expected to

pay the accommodation or travel expenses. You are obliged to pay only for the wedding

ceremony and reception.

A gracious couple will host a Friday night welcome dinner and a Sunday

farewell brunch. Instead of every one staying at the same hotel, you can also offer a few

less expensive hotel options.

If your heart is set on someone being part of your wedding

party and they don’t have the means to get there, consider covering a portion of their

expenses as your bridesmaid or groomsman gift, or offer to let them use some of your

frequent flyer miles.

 

Saying no to children

This is your wedding and if it is formal, you are not obligated to have children in attendance.

The invitation should be addressed to Mr. and Mrs., not Mr. and Mrs. and Family. If your

friend inquires, let her know that as much as you love her children, this is an adult affair.

Besides, your friend will have a whole lot more fun without having to deal with her kids.

Another idea is have the kids come to the ceremony and then get a room and a babysitter

with some movies and games to entertain the children while the adults have fun at the

reception.

 

 

How far is too far?

How far does a guest need to travel to be considered an out of-of-towner, and do they

receive a special gift? If the guest will not sleeping in their own bed, they are an out of town guest.

A gift is not mandatory, but is a lovely gesture welcoming them to your

wedding and thanking them for travelling to be a part of your celebration.

 

 

Returning gifts

If you decide to return a gift, send a gracious note thanking the giver and letting them know

you've exchanged it for something you really love.

For example: “Thank you so much for the lovely waffle iron. You know how much we always

enjoy making Sunday brunch at home. To our surprise, we received two of them, so we

fortunately managed to exchange your thoughtful gift for a juicer, which we expect to use

frequently. Can't wait to have you over to enjoy brunch with us soon.”

However, it is impolite to ask a person who has sent you a gift where they bought the item

because you want to return it. If you are not able to return the gift on your own, it's better

to write a courteous thank you note, tuck the gift away for later, and use it when the friends

who sent it to you come to your home.

 

 

 

 

Who is invited to the rehearsal dinner?

The general rule of thumb is that the groom's family hosts the rehearsal dinner, not only for

the wedding party but for all the out of town guests. These people have traveled from far

and wide, are paying for hotel accommodation, etc., so it would be a gracious gesture on

your behalf to welcome them. There are a few options if you are budget conscious and there are a lot

of out of town guests. The first is to have a casual buffet or cocktail reception instead of a seated

dinner. Or another option is, host the dinner for the wedding party and invite the rest of the guests to join

after for dessert and cocktails.

 

 

Bridesmaid dresses

Tradition says that the bride or her family covers these expenses. It's still a wonderful

gesture if you can afford to buy these items, particularly if your friends are already planning

to splurge on travel expenses to attend your wedding.

However, if your budget doesn't allow you to purchase the bridesmaids' dresses, it is

acceptable to ask them to pay for their own attire so long as you keep the cost within a

reasonable budget (theirs, not yours).

If you expect them to pay, it's also crucial that you choose something the women can wear

again, perhaps a simple, classic cocktail dress (let's be honest, nobody is going to wear that

frilly, peach prom dress style anywhere but a costume party). Another option is to offer to

split the cost with your friends or to buy the accessories such as shoes and/or jewelry.

 

 

Tossing the bouquet

You want to preserve your bouquet as a keepsake, not toss it and have it trashed by

screaming single ladies, so ask your florist to create a smaller “tossing bouquet” that

resembles your bridal bouquet. The tossing bouquet should be placed on the cake table to

enable you to find it easily. It can resemble the style of your bouquet, only slightly smaller.

For more wedding advice, tips and tricks, and to get all your questions answered, make

sure to contact Essence of Events to set up your free, initial consultation today. Call

253.292.1482 or email us at contact@essenceofevents.com

 

 

Written by Samantha Macrae

The leap into marriage is a game-changer, but should it also be a

name-changer? It's a question that may be harder than ever for a bride to answer. Essence

of Events, LLC is breaking down the Pros and Cons for you to try to make this tough

decision a little easier for you.

The Pros

When you change your name, it will symbolize a new family identity. If you chose to have

children, then they will take your husband’s name (unless you choose to hyphenate). But

representing a family unit in this way will create a sense of harmony.

It's easier in the long run. Whether it is a hotel concierge or your great-aunt, over the

years, people will be calling you by your husband's surname anyway.

If you’re not attached to your maiden name and you feel no special connection to your birth

name, your marriage allows you the opportunity to start afresh with a new nomenclature of

sorts.

The Cons

You want to maintain your professional identity. After years of hard work to make a name

for yourself in your chosen field, a lot of women find it daunting to give it up, even

symbolically, on their wedding day.

The paperwork is a nightmare. Officially changing your name requires filling out a plethora

of forms. Plus, the process varies from state to state. While there are online sites like

www.missnowmrs.com and www.namechangeexpress.com that will do the paperwork for

you for a small fee, there are still lots of other items (like your business cards, magazine

subscriptions, or personal email address) that may bear your maiden name and need

switching.

His last name sounds awful with your first. You couldn't help falling in love with someone

whose last name rhymes terribly with your first. But you can stop others from repeating

that tongue-twister, by retaining your maiden name.

For more wedding and event related advice, to get all your questions answered, and to find

out more about us, contact us today.

For more information on subjects like this and more from Essence of Events,  call 253.292.1482 or

email us at contact@essenceofevents.com and schedule your free consultation.

Written by Samantha Macrae

Photography by TIe It With Us

When it comes to your wedding, all you dream about is floating through the day on a cloud

made practically of love, and all the hard work and your planning finally paying off. But in

the months and weeks leading up to the preparation of your big day, it can be hard to feel

relaxed with so much stress occurring around you.

At Essence of Events, we completely understand your frustration with wedding day

preparation, and so we have compiled a few of our favorite quotes and accompanying

beautiful wedding images for Motivation Monday to help you through your wedding anxiety.

Keep calm, read on, and know that we’re here for you in all of your event apprehension.

Love is in the details, and no detail should be overlooked.

Don’t discount off-the-cuff ideas you may have.

Your wedding is not just another party.

A wedding doesn’t have to be expensive to be memorable.

If you can dream it, they can build it!

For help planning your dream wedding and to get all of your questions answered, and to

find out more about Essence of Events packages, services, and specials we are currently offering, contact

us today.

To schedule your free, initial consultation to discuss your wedding plans call 253.292.1482

or email contact@essenceofevents.com

Written by Samantha Macrae

Today Essence of Events, LLC wants to take a moment to gather all of the photographs and snapshots we have collected of all of the “Elegant Elements” that go into a wedding. Of course there are the basics that you could strip a wedding down to; the ceremony (walking down the aisle, vows, and I-do’s), the reception (eating, toasts, dancing). But what about the details that truly go into making a wedding a glamorous affair?

These small details at your wedding make a big difference and why people will remember your day long after they leave the reception. Trust us; you’re going to want to know about these extra little things that will add lots of extras to your day.

The bathrooms were decorated to look like English phone booths, always adding entertainment for guests no matter where they went!

Motion sensitive flowers on the floor bloom as guests walk over them. Small lighting details such as this make a huge impact!

Consider providing transportation for guests if they are traveling between ceremony and reception. If it is a destination wedding, try to make it themed toward the location (like a Trolley if you are in San Francisco).

Use tiny potted plants to mark each guest's place, and then send them home as favors at the end of the night.

A wedding painter at your wedding to capture the live moments of the event is a popular option right now.

Surprise your guests with fireworks at the end of the night, it will sure to be a wedding they will never forget!

Champagne towers are the most elegant moment of any wedding or event.

We love unique and interactive photobooths such as this.

Display your escort cards beautifully in a way your guests are sure not to forget soon.

Having a box in the bathroom with items for your guests, including mouthwash, aspirin, and other essentials, will let your guests know that their comfort is on your mind.

Provide dancing shoes for your guests. These shoes are comfy, classy, classic, and fun!

From our personal opinion; the best item to toss at a wedding!

Decorate boring water features and leave no stone unturned in order to create the most glamorous wedding.

Strong stems make Calla lilies ideal for modern, architectural arrangements.

Help make guests part of a fun, interactive send of, like this one involving sparklers.

Guests being serenated by musicians, why not? This screams elegance!

For help coordinating your elegant affair, and to discuss your vision, or to answer any wedding or event related questions you may have regarding your occasion, contact Essence of Events today.

To schedule your free, initial consultation, call 253.292.1482 or email us at contact@essenceofevents.com

Written by Samantha Macrae