DIY Projects Archives - DIY Wedding Tips

How To Do Wedding Bouquets Yourself: DIY

Today, we’re going to be looking at how to do wedding bouquets yourself. Your wedding will more than likely be the most expensive day of your life and if you’re like me, you’ll be looking for ways to help limit the cost as much as possible. The best way to help make the most of your budget is to take on some of the work yourself.

Whether that be making your own favors, designing your own centerpieces, or creating your own wedding bouquet – all of these options will help to save money. But how do you make your own wedding bouquet? Is it even possible? Let’s take a closer look.

Can You Make Your Own Wedding Bouquet?

Absolutely! If you have enough time and patience to perfect the skill – you can do just about anything for your wedding day; including making your bouquet. I would highly advise doing a few practice runs and getting as much knowledge as possible before diving into making your own bouquet; especially if you have little experience. But it’s definitely possible.

Who Wears Flowers At A Wedding?

Before we start making the flowers, we need to know who wears flowers at a wedding. Of course, the bride herself and the bridal party (maid of honor, bridesmaids, etc.) will have a bouquet each. However, that isn’t all! The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom often wear flowers to match the bridal party. As well as the groom, best man, usher(s), page boy(s), father of the bride, and the father of the groom! If you decide to make all of your flowers yourself – it won’t be easy!

What Flowers To Wear At A Wedding?

It’s important to note that not all of the guests wearing flowers need a bouquet. Traditionally, the only ones that have a bouquet are the bride and her bridal party. The mothers usually wear a corsage and the male members of the wedding party usually wear a buttonhole or boutonniere. This can be a small spray of flowers or a single bud – it’s entirely up to the couple.

What Flowers are Most Popular for Bouquets?

You may be wondering which flowers to include in your bouquet and quite frankly, you can use whichever flowers you’d like, but there are a few that are more popular to use than others. Here’s a list of the top 10 most popular flowers.

roses
peonies
dahlias
lilacs
anemones
orchids
sweet pea
hydrangeas
ranunculus
tulips

Learn more about: When To Do Bouquet Toss: All Things Bouquet Toss

How To Make A Bridal Bouquet: Step-By-Step Guide

Once you’ve sourced your flowers, decided on the color scheme, and ensured it’s the right season for your chosen flowers, you’ll need the following materials to start your bouquet prep:

scissors
string
decorative choice for the handle (lace, ribbon, etc.)
clean tea towel
flowers (and foliage)
bottle spray of water

Step-By-Step Guide

This guide is courtesy of hitched, and it’s a great starting point to learn the basic skills. All you need to do is:

Whichever flower you want at the center of your bouquet, this is the best place to begin. Tie string to the stem, as this will be the base of your bouquet. Now decorate around the center flower with foliage and bind with string
Building your bouquet once you have your base is relatively easy. Try to keep the blooms evenly spaced and try working in front of a mirror so you can see how the bouquet will look to others at all times
Be sure to place each new additional stem at a diagonal angle. And it’s important to keep binding with string as you go to secure the bouquet into place
Once you’re happy, leave the bouquet in deep water overnight
The morning after, dry stems with a tea towel. Attach whatever you’re using for your handle with pearl or diamante pins to make it look bridal
Your bouquet is ready!

Read more about: How to Make a Silk Bouquet?

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to learn how to do wedding bouquets yourself. What’s great about making your own bouquet is that you can tailor it exactly how you want, down to every final detail. And it’s far more rewarding on the day, knowing you made the flowers yourself.

Did you make your own wedding day flowers? Do you have any tips for any brides wanting to do the same? If so, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Sharing is caring!

FAQs

How Do You Make a Bridal Bouquet?

It's actually easier than you may think to make your bridal bouquet. Preparation is actually the most important aspect of making a bridal bouquet! Choosing your flowers, ensuring their in the right season and sourcing them, is probably the hardest part about making your own bouquet. We'll be taking a look at a step-by-step guide on how to make a bridal bouquet in this post.

Is It Cheaper to Make Your Own Wedding Bouquets?

Typically, it's much more affordable to make your own bouquets. But when you factor in the equipment you need to buy and the time it will take you, some people will prefer to buy them from a florist. However, if you're looking for ways to save money, making your own wedding flowers is definitely one of the best ways to go about it.

How Long Before Wedding Can You Make Bouquet?

Your bouquet should be made as close to the wedding as possible. Within 24 hours of the wedding is seen as the ideal window for the best bouquet. However, it does all depend on the flowers you're using. There are several blooms that can last up to 48 hours after being cut. It's best to research whichever flowers you choose, for best results.

How Many Stems Do You Need for a Bridal Bouquet?

The amount of stems you'll need will all depend on how extravagant you would like your bouquet to be. Typically, a florist will recommend anywhere from 24-36 stems. Usually, one bunch of foliage is more than enough. A bridesmaid bouquet will usually look very similar, but will instead have between 20-24 stems.

How To Use Cricut Vinyl On Glass

Today, we’re going to be looking at how to use cricut vinyl on glass. If you’re looking to keep the prices down on your wedding, you may be wanting to make your own favors. And the perfect favor is a wine glass. However, if you want your glasses personalized for your wedding day – it can become quite expensive. So why not try doing it yourself? It’s actually easier to use cricut vinyl than you may think. It just requires time and patience. Let’s take a look at how to use cricut vinyl on glass.

What Is Cricut Vinyl?

You may be wondering what cricut vinyl actually is! Cricut vinyl is permanent. This makes it perfect for DIY projects such as wine glasses, mugs, signs – and so much more. Not only is the film water-resistant, but it’s also UV-resistant too. This means that it’s the perfect choice for projects that you want to go the distance. Cricut vinyl can last up to 3 years if looked after correctly.

What Do You Need For Using Cricut Vinyl On Glass?

It’s best to be as prepared as possible before you start work on your cricut vinyl, so I recommend having the following items laid out in a clear area, so you have the space and equipment necessary.

Premium Vinyl
Transfer Tape
Cricut Maker
Scissors
Glass Cleaner
Rubbing Alcohol and Paper Towels
Painters Tape
Blow Dryer (or Heat Gun)
Sewing Pin

How To Use Cricut Vinyl On Glass

Before you start sticking, the best way to figure out where to place your design is to half fill the glass with water.
Use a small amount of painter’s tape to work out where you want your design to be.
Clean the area with rubbing alcohol and dry with paper towels before you start sticking.
Measure your design on the workspace in front of you. You may want to check this several times to ensure you have the right size. Be sure to place the design in the center
Using transfer tape, you can now move the design from the backing, to the glass
Be sure that the bottom edge of the design is in line with the top of the water line
Once the design is stuck down, remove the tape and burnish (polish) the design. It’s worth noting that as you’ll likely be making a few glasses, use the same water from the first design in every glass; this ensures that every glass will look the same
If there are any bubbles in your vinyl, you can use a blow dryer and a pin to remove them, so don’t worry too much if it isn’t perfect
Leave for at least 48 hours before you use it so it has time for the adhesive to work, and the design to stay in place

Learn more about Cheap Tall Vases For Wedding Receptions

What Cricut Vinyl Can I Use?

There are actually two varieties of cricut you can use when it comes to wine glasses. Sticky vinyl and iron-on vinyl. Let’s have a look at the two.

Sticky Vinyl. Be sure to use the permanent vinyl, instead of the removable ones – that is if you want it to be permanent at your wedding. You may want it removable so you can use it for other events after
Iron-On Vinyl. You can use iron-on vinyl on glass using heat transfer. However, if you’re new to the world of cricut vinyl, it may not be best to do this, as you need to have some knowledge around the subject. To find out more about using iron-on vinyl for wine glasses, check out this article.

It’s worth noting that whatever cricut vinyl you use, it’s always best to stick to handwashing. Although the glass may be dishwasher safe, the vinyl will peel off much quicker if you choose to wash it in the dishwasher.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to learn how to use cricut vinyl on glass. If cricut vinyl is new to you, it may be best to buy a few trial glasses so you can practice before you start work on the real deal. That way, there’s much less pressure to get it perfect the first time. As long as you have patience and time on your side, you’ll have the most amazing wedding favor wine glasses in no time at all!

Do you have any recommendations for using cricut vinyl on glass? Or have your own method you’d like to share? If so, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Sharing is caring!

Read more about Wine Glass Party Favor Ideas

FAQs

How Do I Get My Cricut Vinyl to Stick to Glass?

There are a few tips to ensure your cricut vinyl sticks to the glass. Before you do anything, be sure the surface that you're sticking onto is completely clean, using rubbing alcohol. The cleaner the better. Any oil from your fingers can stop the vinyl from sticking. Once you've stuck the vinyl down, it's very important to burnish (polish) the area well; this will ensure the adhesion is better.

How Do You Add Cricut Vinyl to Wine Glass?

Using transfer paper, with graph paper on the inside of the glass to be sure you place the vinyl in the correct position. They'll be a more in depth tutorial in this post.

How Do You Keep Vinyl From Peeling Off Glass?

There are a few things you can do to ensure that the vinyl doesn't begin peeling off shortly after applied. Ensure that the glass is dry and then clean with rubbing alcohol. Once you've stuck the vinyl, it's best to leave it for at least 48 hours; that way it'll have time to set in place.

What Kind of Cricut Vinyl is Used for Wine Glasses?

If you're looking for the perfect cricut vinyl to use on your glasses, I highly recommend Oracal 651. It has a strong adhesive, which is perfect for long lasting designs. It's also good at lasting after handwashing, which is definitely something you'll need for a wine glass. You can find the Oracal 651 permanent adhesive on stores such as Amazon, in a range of shapes and sizes.

5 Year Anniversary Gift For Him: What To Get

Today, we’re going to be looking at what to get for your 5 year anniversary gift for him. I’ve found that the longer you’re together, the more difficult it is to find deep and meaningful gifts for one another. However, this is why wedding anniversaries are also great because every year of marriage has a different symbol or gift idea. And the 5th year anniversary is no different!

Whether you’re looking for something sentimental, or something to make your husband laugh, we’ll be taking a look at lots of creative ideas in this article. But first, let’s take a look at the traditional gifts and symbols for the five-year wedding anniversary.

What Is The Modern Gift For 5th Anniversary?

There is also a modern gift to go alongside the traditional gift for every year of marriage. The modern gift is silverware. While your mind may instantly jump to thinking of cutlery, silverware can be so much more than that!

Learn more about: What To Give For 30th Wedding Anniversary: Top Gift Ideas

What Is The Flower For 5th Anniversary?

The flower for the 5th anniversary is the humble daisy. Did you know that daisies symbolize love and loyalty? This makes them perfect for half a decade of marriage.

What Is The Color For 5th Anniversary?

The colors for the 5th anniversary vary dramatically. While some claim the color is pink, others claim it’s blue or turquoise! You can theme your gift around one of these colors if you’d prefer.

Gift Ideas For Him – 5th Anniversary

While you can buy your partner anything for the 5th year anniversary, some people prefer to stick to the yearly theme. There are some beautiful wooden gifts you can buy for him. Here are our top picks.

5th Year Anniversary Plaque

This hand crafted plaque is absolutely gorgeous and can be bought for him or for her. It’s $28.95 and already comes presented in a gift box, making it the perfect gift. The plaque itself is engraved with words around 5 years of marriage and ends with the line, “five years down, forever to go”. You can find this plaque from Kate Posh here.

Wooden Chessboard

If you and your husband like to play games together, a chessboard is an ideal gift. I love this Retro Wooden Chessboard from IADUMO. The models themselves are terracotta warriors and it’s uniquely different from a traditional chessboard. It comes highly rated and comes in at $55.99 for the medium-sized board. You can find this wooden chessboard here.

Some other ideas include:

wooden desk tidy
wooden furniture
figurines made from wood
fragrances that have a woody scent
woody scented candles
bonsai plant
wooden canvas photo of you both
wooden couple coasters
chopping board (for any budding chefs)

If you’re looking for a modern anniversary gift (silverware), you can even cut the corners and just buy your husband a piece of silver jewelry. It may be cheating, but we won’t tell if you won’t!

Do You Need To Buy Something From The 5th Anniversary Symbol?

While you may feel like you must buy something themed around one of the 5th-anniversary symbols, don’t feel under any pressure. If you know your partner would prefer another gift, or you’d rather buy something else – you can do that! The symbols for every year of marriage are just a tradition, and it can be one of the traditions you choose not to follow if you wish.

Do You Need To Buy Gifts Every Anniversary?

Honestly? No. I’ve been married 6 years in 2022 and we don’t ever buy each other gifts on our anniversary! However, we do often go out for a meal or stay over in a hotel. Do what suits you best as a couple. If you’d rather put the money for gifts towards a holiday, or a night out-do it! While there may feel like pressure to spoil your partner with gifts on your anniversary, this doesn’t have to be the case.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to give you some ideas of what to get for your 5-year anniversary gift for him. You can take the yearly anniversary gifts seriously, or with a pinch of salt – it’s all down to you and your partner! However you decide to celebrate, I hope you both have an amazing day.

What will you be buying for your partner on your five-year wedding anniversary? Are there any ideas I missed which you’d like to share? If so, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Sharing is caring!

Learn more about: Eight Years Wedding Anniversary Gifts: What To Buy

FAQs

What Do You Get Your Husband for 5th Anniversary?

When you're choosing the gift for your husband, it's important to keep his interests in mind. While it's a lovely idea to stick to the theme every year, try to incorporate the theme with your partner's likes to make the gift more special. To me, nothing beats a thoughtful gift, but not everyone is the same - and it's important to keep that in mind when choosing your gift.

What is the Traditional Gift For 5 Year Anniversary?

For every year of marriage, there is a traditional gift and a modern gift. The traditional gift for your five year anniversary is wood. While this may seem like a difficult symbol to work with, there are plenty of great gift ideas you can buy with wood as the central theme.

What Stone Represents 5 Years of Marriage?

You may not know, but there's actually a gemstone or two that's associated with every year of marriage too. This is perfect if you're looking to buy jewellery. The gemstone for the 5th year is sapphire or pink tourmaline.

What is the Symbol for 5th Anniversary?

As we've seen, wood is the symbol for the 5th anniversary. But why wood? Well, wood is not only strong, but also durable, which is a great foundation of any love and marriage. Other reasons why wood is chosen is because it takes time and effort to create a long-lasting tree and also trees are known for their wisdom and strength.

Cheap Boutonniere For Wedding: Do It Yourself

Today, we’re going to be looking at a cheap boutonniere for wedding, and how you can even do it yourself at home! With most things you may need for your wedding day, the cheapest way to go about doing it – is to do it yourself. However, that requires you to put aside time and effort to get the job done before the wedding. So whether you want to make your own, or buy them readymade – let’s take a look at how to get the best value for your money.

What Is A Boutonniere?

If you’ve been to a wedding before, you’ll likely already know what a boutonniere is. It’s a spray of flowers (or a singular flower) that is often worn in the buttonhole of your blazer jacket or your lapel. More often than not, it’s the male members of the wedding party that wear a boutonniere; however, anyone can choose to wear one if the happy couple choose so. Boutonnieres are more commonly worn at weddings, but they’re also worn at formal dances too, such as prom and homecoming.

How To Pin A Boutonniere

Whether you’re using the lapel or shirt method, pinning a boutonniere can be quite tricky if you’re unsure what you’re doing. However, FTD has an amazing step-by-step guide on how to secure your boutonniere safely for the big day.

Some suits already have a buttonhole in the lapel of the jacket. If so, it’s super easy to attach a boutonniere using the buttonhole. All you need to do is:

Put the stem through the buttonhole. There’s usually string behind the lapel to keep the stem secure after you tuck it in.
Tuck the stem into the string.
Position the flower the way you’d like. It’s important to note that traditionally, the boutonniere for a male is always worn on the left and should always be facing towards you.
Ensure the boutonniere is secure and you’re ready to go!

Learn more about: How to Fold a Pocket Square for a Tuxedo?

Making Your Own Boutonniere

If you’re choosing to make your own boutonnieres, it’s definitely the cheapest option; although certainly the most time-consuming. The groom should always have a different boutonniere from the groomsmen so that he’s easily identifiable. The groomsmen can wear similar flowers in their boutonnieres – just something a little less extravagant! Let’s take a look at how to make your own boutonniere from this amazing tutorial from Blooms by the Box.

You Will Need:

1 stem of Freedom Rose
2 stems of Pittosporum
Two stems of Eucalyptus
2 stems of Thistle Eryngium
Floral Tape
Ribbon
Straight Pins
Boutonniere Pins
Floral Scissors
Paring Knife

Guide:

Grab your Freedom Rose stem (it can be any flower) and cut to leave around 3-4 inches of stem.
Get the Pittosporum stem and cut the same length. Arrange together.
Add the thistle to the arrangement and hold it in place.
Grab the Eucalyptus and add to the arrangement – you may need to cut small pieces for this.
Hold together in place and wrap with floral tape, just under the bloom of the rose. Tape downwards and leave a third of the stem on show.
Trim stems with scissors.
Use ribbon of choice (should be 5/8″ in width) and cut to around 8 inches.
Hold the ribbon under the bloom and pin it in place. Repeat until you can no longer see the tape, and can only see the ribbon. Secure in place and pin on the lapel/buttonhole.

Read more about: How to Make a Wedding Bouquet Of Roses?

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to answer the question: how to make or find a cheap boutonniere for a wedding. Whether you’re making them yourself or buying them made, be sure to shop around and find quotes from a selection of local suppliers; that way you’ll know you’re getting the best deal for your money.

Did you make your own boutonnieres? Or did you buy ones that were ready to go on your wedding day? If you’re comfortable sharing how much you paid for them, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Sharing is caring!

FAQs

How Much Do Boutonnieres Cost For a Wedding?

On average, boutonnieres can cost anywhere from $5-$20. This will all depend on the style of flower you choose, and how big the spray of flowers you choose is. For example, flowers like daisies and carnations start from around $5. Roses are in the mid-range at around $10-$15. And flowers like Gerberas can be between $20-$25! These prices are all based on fresh flowers. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, try opting for a silk flower boutonniere. They don't look quite as realistic, but they're around $5-$10.

What Can I Use Instead of a Boutonniere?

Some people don't want flowers at their wedding for a range of reasons. If you're one of those people, but you'd still like a boutonniere, you can try one of the following quirky ideas: shell boutonniere, paper and ribbons boutonniere, pinwheel boutonniere, button boutonniere and even a cone boutonniere!

Is a Boutonniere Necessary for a Wedding?

Absolutely not! If you don't want to have boutonnieres at your wedding, you don't need to. You need to remember that it's your wedding and you must choose whatever you feel happiest with at your wedding. While it's popular at weddings for the male members of the party to wear boutonnieres, it's not compulsory - and it doesn't have to be an important part of your day!

Who Should Wear Boutonnieres at a Wedding?

The most important person that should be wearing a boutonniere at your wedding is the groom. However, it doesn't stop there! There's a surprisingly amount of people that wedding experts suggest wear a boutonniere - but you can choose as many, or as few as you wish. Typically, the groomsmen and bridesmen (male members of the bridal party) wear boutonnieres. Alongside the groomsmen, the fathers and stepfathers of the couple tend to wear one, as well as the grandfathers of the couple. Also, it can be a nice idea to include the ring bearers, ushers and officiants in this too, as it often makes them feel like they're part of the wedding party.

Funny Elopement Announcement Wording Ideas

Today, we’re going to be looking at some ideas for funny elopement announcement wording. Announcing your elopement can feel like a lot of pressure; particularly if your families were set on attending your wedding. The most important thing to remember is that your special day is just for you and your partner, and you can choose to spend your day however you want to.

You may want to keep your elopement announcement light-hearted and funny – so let’s take a look at some of our top picks; as well as taking a look at all the points you should cover in your elopement announcement.

Funny Elopement Announcement Wording

If you’re looking for the perfect “we eloped announcement”, look no further. While you may want something serious and sentimental, that’s absolutely fine – but today, we’re going to be looking at funny elopement announcement wording. Here are some of our favorite ways to word your elopement, to leave your friends and family with a smile on their faces.

“Guess what? We got married! And you didn’t need to spend a lot of money on hotels, air travel, childcare, and fancy clothes. We didn’t tell you to take time off or invest in dance lessons, write a heartfelt toast, etc. You’re welcome. (Insert couple’s names, wedding date, and wedding location here)”
“(Insert couple’s names, wedding date, and wedding location here). You were not invited to our wedding! But we’d love for you to join us out our reception in the future to celebrate our new adventure together”
“We Do. We Did. We Eloped”. Simple. Effective. And gets the message across.
“We Eloped. #NotPregnant”. If you’re posting your announcement on social media, this is the perfect way to announce your marriage and make the announcement very light-hearted.
“We’ve Anteloped”. There are a few cute announcements out there with two antelopes and the letters “ant” crossed out. This is a fun idea and is funny in a much sweeter way.
“Love is Patient…but We Aren’t”
“Shit Just Got Real”
“Join us for an “I Do”, “Me Too” Barbecue to celebrate the wedding of (insert names here)”.
“He said. She Said. Boom. Married”
“You can’t come to our wedding. Join us for a dinner reception to celebrate the newlyweds”

It’s worth noting that you should only send these kinds of announcements to friends and family that you know will not be offended. If you know there’s a guest who’s particularly upset about missing your wedding, it may not be the best idea to send them a “you were not invited to our wedding!” card – try to be considerate.

If you’re looking for more funny elopement announcement cards, Etsy has a great selection, featuring many of the ideas we’ve taken a look at today.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you with some funny elopement announcement wording ideas. It can be a tricky minefield to navigate when trying to find the correct wording and the right way to make the announcement. But don’t compromise on anything, and be sure to stand your ground. Your wedding is about you and your partner – no one else. It may feel tempting to compromise on what you want, but try to always choose what’s best for you and your partner.

Did you elope? If so, how did you go about making the announcement? If you decided to keep the announcement funny and light-hearted, please let me know in the comments any other suggestions you have. You may be helping out future couples with their own elopement announcement wording. Sharing is caring!

FAQs

What Do You Say in an Elopement Announcement?

When you're announcing your elopement, there are a few details that should definitely be included, no matter where you're sharing the announcement. If you're making the announcement by post, be sure to add the following information: the host's names, the couple's names, the wedding date, the wedding location, and it's also a nice idea to add a photo of yourself as newlyweds. If you're not including a photo, it may be a good idea to talk about your dress, or even talk about where you'll be going for your honeymoon - the more personal, the better.

How Do You Announce Elopement on Social Media?

In more recent times (especially with the ongoing pandemic), it's become increasingly popular to just pop up a social media post, rather than sending out individual elopement announcements. Or maybe you've posted a few out to your nearest and dearest, but also want to announce on social media too. There's no real guidelines to follow, but one of the best ways is to post a photo of your wedding day. Or make use of the many cute elopement signs available, with wording such as "We Do. We Did. We eloped."

Should You Announce You Are Eloping?

There are no guidelines as to how and when you should announce that you are eloping. If you don't want to share your news to the world, you don't have to! You've likely made this decision because you want something intimate together, as a couple. Be sure to wait until you're both ready to share the news, rather than when you feel as though you "should" be telling people.

How Do I Tell My Family I Want to Elope?

In more recent times, eloping has become far more popular, so the majority of guests should be more than understanding. However, there will no doubt be some offended family and friends who want to spend your special day with you. There's a few tips to make the elopement as easy as possible. If you're comfortable telling your nearest and dearest before the elopement, that would help to lower the shock massively. Be sure to explain your feelings and your reasonings behind why you want such an intimate wedding - it is your day, after all. And finally, try to get them involved. There's no reason your mom can't come dress shopping with you, or help you to arrange a reception to celebrate the wedding at some point in the future.

Who Should You Invite To A Bridal Shower?

Today, we’re going to be looking at who should you invite to a bridal shower? Upon your engagement, they’ll be plenty of events to plan and celebrate – your bridal shower being one of them. One of the tricky things to navigate is who you should be inviting to which event. But don’t worry, we’re going to be covering all things bridal shower and the people that should definitely be receiving an invite!

What Is A Bridal Shower?

If you’re unfamiliar with bridal showers, they’re an event that happens during the daytime – unlike a bachelorette party. It’s a celebration of the bride’s upcoming nuptials. Gifts are often given to the bride to mark this new chapter of her life. It’s typically only female relatives and friends who receive an invite to this occasion.

When Should A Bridal Shower Be Held?

There is no “perfect” time that you should be having your bridal shower, but typically it’s held anywhere between two weeks, to two months prior to your wedding date. The bachelorette party should happen before the bridal shower. A bridal shower is a way to get yourself and your wedding guests excited for the big day, so the closer to the wedding – the better.

Where Should A Bridal Shower Be Held?

If you’re following traditional wedding etiquette, the bridal shower is held at the host’s home. However, nowadays, a bridal shower can occur anywhere of your choosing. A restaurant, a spa, a church, a picnic in the park – a bridal shower should be tailored to whatever the bride’s interests are; it’s her day of being spoiled after all!

Can I Have Multiple Bridal Showers?

Yes. You may have several groups of friends or family members you’d like to keep apart, or simply just want to celebrate as much as you can. It’s totally acceptable to have a few bridal showers, but try not to invite the same people to multiple bridal showers – there are only so many gifts you can expect them to buy! For example:

A Bridesmaid organizing your shower? Invite close friends and bridal party only
An auntie organizing your shower? Consider inviting extended family members and females you’d like to catch up with before the wedding
In-Laws organizing your shower? Invite females from your partner’s side of the family and your immediate family too – it’s the perfect time for them to mingle

What Do You Do At A Bridal Shower?

If you’ve not attended a bridal shower before, you may not know what happens. Typically, the attendees bring a gift for the bride to be and watch her open them. It’s usually a time to socialize with drinks and food and catch up before the wedding day.

It’s common to play games at a bridal shower. The games should be fun, lighthearted, and give the bride a chance to relax before the big day. If you’re struggling with game ideas, Brides has an incredible article of 28 Bridal Shower Games Ideas you should definitely check out! From Vow Mad Libs to Charades: Wedding Edition, there’s something for everyone.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to answer the question: who should you invite to a bridal shower? I think the easiest way to navigate the guest list is who not to invite. Anyone that does not have a wedding invitation, should not receive a bridal shower invitation. As long as their on the wedding guest list, you can really invite whoever you want and have your bridal shower wherever you wish.

Who did you invite to your bridal shower? Did you opt for an intimate gathering or a large one? I would love to hear about your experiences. Please feel free to let me know your answers in the comments below.

FAQs

Do You Have to Invite Every Woman to Bridal Shower?

In short: no. You can invite whoever you wish to you bridal shower. You may feel as though you need to invite every woman who's attending your wedding to your bridal shower, but you can make it as intimate or large in size as you wish. If you do choose to have a large bridal shower, it would be nice to invite as many female friends and family as possible, but you are under no obligation to do so!

How Many Guests Should Be Invited to a Bridal Shower?

There is no real guide as to how many guests should attend your bridal shower. The people that should most definitely receive an invite are your bridal party (bridesmaids, maid of honor, flowers girls if you're allowing children etc.). The next group of people to invite are close female family members (mother, sisters, aunties etc.). And finally, close female friends. But you don't need to invite everyone if you don't want to - it really can be an intimate gathering with just a few of your nearest and dearest.

Should You Invite Someone to a Bridal Shower and Not the Wedding?

Absolutely not! If you're following traditional wedding etiquette, it's seen as impolite to invite someone to your bridal shower, who will not be in attendance of your wedding. If you're having a "work bridal shower" with your work colleagues, this is the only time this rule will not apply (I had a work bridal shower myself!). But be sure that only wedding guests receive an invite to your bridal shower, as not to cause offense to anyone.

Does the Groom go to the Bridal Shower?

The groom does not usually receive an invite to the bridal shower. However, if you're having a joint wedding shower, having male guests and your fiancé there is totally normal. If you're sticking to the tradition of females only and would still like your groom to be there briefly, get him to make an appearance at the end of the bridal shower. That way, he has a chance to say hello to everyone and thank them for the gifts they've bought you both too!

Engagement Party Thank You Card Wording: How To

Today, we’re going to be looking at engagement party thank you card wording, and the best way to do it. So you’ve just finished celebrating your engagement and the gifts came pouring in from guests at your party. But now you’re wondering whether you need to send thank you cards. And then you’re unsure what the thank you card should even include. Don’t worry – this article will explain all! Let’s take a closer look at all things engagement party thank you cards!

Thank You For Engagement Money Wording

If you’re stuck for inspiration for what to include in your thank you card, try one of these examples:

Thank you so much for your generous gift. We’re overwhelmed with your kindness. We thought you’d like to know that your money will be going towards _____. Thank you again for helping to create our special day
This day is going to be incredibly special for us, and we can’t thank you enough for your monetary gift. Your generous gift will be going towards _____. I can’t wait for you to see it on your wedding day
The money you sent was not expected, but greatly appreciated. You’re helping to make our wedding dreams come true, and we can’t thank you enough for your generous contribution. We will be spending it on ______ for the wedding

Thank You for Money as a Wedding Gift Wording

If you’re struggling with ideas, or can’t find the words to express your gratitude, try taking a look at these examples for motivation.

Firstly, thank you for attending our wedding. Your presence made our day even more special. Your generous gift is incredibly kind and will be going towards our _____. You’ve helped to make our happily ever after.
Your gift towards our honeymoon fund is massively appreciated. While we can’t put into words how much your presence and gift meant to us on our wedding day, we’ll be sure to send a postcard from ____. Thank you so much!
We are so lucky to have such incredibly generous friends and family. Because of your gift, we’ve been able to ______. We’ll never forget your kindness, thank you so much.

Words to Use to End a Wedding Thank You Card

You may like to choose your own ending, but if you need some ideas, try one of these favorites.

gratefully,
thankfully,
warmest thanks,
lots of love,
all our love,
with love,
love,
with heartfelt thanks,
yours truly,
blessings,
God bless,
fondly,

Tips To Remember When Writing Thank You Cards

While there’s no real etiquette to follow when writing thank you cards, there are some top tips to ensure they’re as well-received as possible. Here are some of our top tips to follow!

Handwritten. While we know this is time-consuming (particularly if you have a lot of guests), it shows you really care about your gift and their presence at your engagement party/wedding. Check out this article for handwriting tips
Personal. Be sure to thank each individual for the gift they purchased. Making each note specific to each guest will definitely leave a smile on their faces
Originality. Don’t keep each thank you the same, mix it up a little! That way when your family and friends compare notes, everyone’s will be different
One for All. While you may just want to send a thank you card to the people that bought gifts, that should not be the case. Everyone who was in attendance at your wedding should receive one – including vendors!

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you with engagement party thank you card wording, and how to make the process as easy as possible. As long as you’re being thankful, but personable, you can’t go wrong!

Do you have any examples of wording that you would like to share? What did you use in your own thank you cards? Please feel free to let me know in the comments below.

FAQs

How do you write a thank you card for money as a wedding gift?

So you've just received your wedding gift, and it's money! Whether the money is going to be used for your honeymoon, home renovations, starting a new family - it's important to show your appreciation. Again, be sure to let your guest know what their money will be put towards, and try to make it as personal as possible, rather than generic. Short, sweet and personal is the best way to go about it!

Do you send thank you cards after engagement party?

When you receive any gift for a wedding event (bridal shower, wedding day, engagement party), you should thank everyone individually with a thank you card. While the gifts may be more conservative at your engagement party, it's still seen as good etiquette and polite to send out a thank you card. It doesn't have to be a novel - short and sweet is absolutely fine! It may be time consuming, but it's the least you could do to show your gratitude.

How do you say thank you for engagement money?

Money may be a popular gift for your engagement party. Some friends and family may want to gift money to help as a contribution to the wedding. This is definitely not a small gift, and any amount of money will help immeasurably for the wedding. Keep it polite, show gratitude and tell them what they're money will be going towards - that's one of the most important things! On your wedding day, they'll be able to see what their money helped to create, which will be super satisfying for them.

How do you end a wedding thank you card?

You'll have a different relationship with everyone that was in attendance of your wedding, so to make each thank you card more personal, it may be best to end the card in a way that reflects your relationship. For example, if it's a close family member, you can sign off with "lots of love always", or it's a work colleague, you can sign off with "warmest thanks".

When To Have Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party: The Perfect Time

Today, we’re going to be looking at when to have a bridal shower and bachelorette party. In the lead-up to any wedding, there are many events to plan and get excited for.

For women, the two that are most common are bridal showers and bachelorette parties – but what’s the difference between the two? Are they the same thing? We’ll be taking a look at the best time to have them and the differences between them both.

What Is A Bridal Shower?

A bridal shower usually occurs in the daytime. It’s a celebration of the bride’s upcoming marriage. It’s a time where gifts are often given to the bride to help them in their new venture of married life. Female family and friends of the bride traditionally receive an invite – however, you can invite whoever you wish.

What Is A Bachelorette Party?

A bachelorette party (or hen night, depending on where you are) is a party held for the bride-to-be. Traditionally it happens in the evening and is attended by females only. However, in more recent years, male friends and family members of the bride can be invited; and some couples even opt to have a joint bachelor and bachelorette party.

Difference Between Bridal Shower And Bachelorette Party

Although they both seem like parties (and they are), there are many differences between the two. The main one being, a bridal shower is to prepare the bride for her venture with gifts and a celebration. Whereas a bachelorette party is usually the time for a bride to let her hair down and celebrate her last night of singlehood.

There are some other significant differences between the two. Let’s take a look.

The Activities

Your bridal shower will often be more sophisticated than your bachelorette party – there may even be children in attendance at your bridal shower. Because of this, you’ll often play family-friendly games, open any gifts you’ve received, and celebrate with a glass of champagne or two.

Whereas at your bachelorette party, you can really let loose and you’ll likely end up with a hangover for the next day or two. And this is the time to use the penis straws and have a bit of fun…definitely not something you’d want your grandma seeing!

The Timing

Some brides do prefer to have their bridal shower in the afternoon, and their bachelorette party in the evening, but traditionally, they are not done at the same time. We’ll be taking a look at the best time to have both in more depth later in this post.

The Guests

While some guests may be attending both parties, the guestlist for both will be significantly different. The guest list for your bridal shower will be much longer than your bachelorette party. Your bridal shower is the place to invite your grandma and your future mother in law, and any other nearest and dearest female friends and family members.

Whereas the bachelorette party is often just your bridal party – the closest females (or males) in your life. It’s the night when you can really have some fun with the closest people in your life.

The Atmosphere

There’s no doubt about it – the atmosphere will likely be completely different. At your bridal party, it’s more likely to be something like brunch, a spa, or afternoon tea. Whereas your bachelorette will likely be at a nightclub or a bar and can last several days; depending on what celebration you choose. One will be calm and relaxing, the other will be wild and fun.

The Hosts

Everyone close to you will likely play a part in the organization of both. However, traditionally the maid/matron of honor and bridesmaids will arrange the bachelorette party and the family of the bride (such as the MIL and mother of the bride) will plan the bridal shower.

When Do You Have Bridal Shower?

The bridal shower is typically much closer to the wedding than the bachelorette. The ideal time is between 2-4 weeks before the wedding. This is the perfect time to celebrate your upcoming nuptials, without being too close to the wedding. The bridal shower only usually lasts a few hours in the afternoon, so you do not need to give as much notice as you would for the bachelorette.

When Do You Have A Bachelorette Party?

Typically, a bachelorette party happens between 1-3 months before the wedding day. This will give you more than enough time to recover, but it’s close enough to the wedding to really feel some excitement. It may last a few days, or at least overnight – so make sure you give any guests plenty of time to get the dates in their diaries.

Where To Go For A Bachelorette Party?

Where you go for your bachelorette party all depends on what type of person you are. Some brides may prefer for a quiet few days around the pool sipping margaritas and being pampered. Whereas other brides may like to go to Las Vegas for a few nights and go out of single life with a bang.

If you’re planning the bachelorette party, it’s important to take the bride’s interests and values into account. If she’s not a party girl, simple afternoon tea and a pamper day may be better suited.

Whichever bride you are, this article from The Knot has some great suggestions on the 32 Best Bachelorette Destinations. There’s something for every bride!

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you learn when to have a bridal shower and bachelorette party. The truth is, there’s no “perfect” time, the ideal time is when works for you. Some brides may want one long day of celebrating with both parties on the same day, whereas others may like to prolong the celebrations. There’s no right or wrong time.

When did you have your bridal shower and bachelorette party? Was it close to the wedding? Let me know in the comments below.

When Do You Have A Bachelor Party?: The Perfect Time

Today, we’re going be answering the question: when do you have a bachelor party? When, you announce your engagement, one of the first questions you’ll likely be asked by friends is “when’s the party?”, and it’s important to plan the party at the perfect time – but when is the sweet spot? We’ll be taking a look today! And other important questions like who pays for the party, and who typically receives an invite.

What Is A Bachelor Party?

If you’re reading this article, you likely already know what a bachelor party is, but if not, it’s a (small or large) gathering of friends and family members to celebrate when a man is about to get married. You may know a bachelor party as a stag do or a buck’s night – all depending on where you’re reading this from!

For a bachelor party, it’s usually only men that receive an invite. However, in more recent years, it’s become increasingly common for female friends to be invited – or even to have joint bachelor and bachelorette parties! It all depends on the couple and what they’re comfortable with.

What Is The Point Of A Bachelor Party?

You may be wondering what is the reasoning behind a bachelor party, and it often symbolizes two things. The first is to wave farewell to the end of a man’s single life, and the other is to celebrate the new journey he’s about to embark on with his new forever partner.

Who Pays For The Bachelor Party?

You may be wondering who pays for the bachelor party, and it’s a simple answer. Whoever is attending the party should pay for themselves. The financial costs do not fall down to whoever is planning the party. Usually, every attendee pays for themselves and etiquette says that all attendees pitch in so the groom pays nothing.

However, if the party is out of town, or requires a plane, the groom is usually expected to make some contribution, particularly if the destination is his choice.

As long as everyone attending is happy with their contribution, that’s the most important point.

When Is A Bachelor Party Held?

The reason you’re here – when should it take place? Before we highlight the perfect time, let’s have a look at when you shouldn’t have it.

Too Early

I know planning the bachelor party is exciting and you’ll likely want to start the experience as soon as possible, but it’s important not to have it too far in advance. The bachelor party is often a great way to really get pumped for the wedding, and if it happens 6 months prior to the wedding – it will lose its magic and the true meaning of a bachelor party will get lost.

Too Close to the Wedding

While it’s tempting to have the bachelor party as close to the wedding as possible, sometimes even the night before – this is not the best idea. In the lead-up to the wedding, there will likely be lots of last-minute planning and you’ll want that time to relax. You also don’t want to be nursing a hangover on one of the most special days of your life!

Another aspect to bear in mind is that attendees may not be able to get time off work that close to the wedding if they’re already taking time off to attend that – particularly if it’s a destination wedding.

Without Planning

You should aim to give the guests at least a month’s notice for the bachelor party; this should be longer if it’s a destination party. This is why it’s important to do some planning, no matter how loosely it is. You’ll want to make sure that everyone the groom wants at the party is able to attend, and that won’t be possible without at least, some planning.

The Perfect Time?

The perfect time is usually 1-3 months prior to the wedding. The most common time is around one month before. It’s close enough to the wedding that the excitement is really starting to build, but far enough away to recover from the party and then look forward to the wedding.

Who Plans The Bachelor Party?

If tradition is important to you, the best man should be the one to plan the party. Or if he needs some help, it falls down to the male friends and family members of the groom to help with any planning. However, in recent years, the groom may like to do the planning himself.

If the best man isn’t a particularly organized person, it may be best to assign some tasks to everyone within the bachelor party group to ensure everything is booked in enough time.

If you’re looking for some bachelor party ideas, you can find some great inspiration here.

Who’s Invited To The Bachelor Party?

It’s really down to the groom to decide how small or large the party is. It’s seen as etiquette to run the guest list by the groom before sending any invites, that way he can make the final call on who receives invites. While some grooms may love a huge party, others may not. You should always have the groom in the front of your mind when choosing who to invite.

Male family members and friends are the most important people to invite to the party. And it’s important to note that anyone who receives an invite to the party, should also receive an invite to the wedding.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to answer the question of when the best time is to have the party. And other important questions like who pays and who helps to plan the party. There really are no set rules on how to have the perfect party – you should be led by the groom and what he wants.

When did you have your bachelor party? Was it close to the wedding? Please feel free to leave any answers in the comments below.

How To Plan A Bachelor Party: A Step by Step Guide

Today, we’re going to be looking at how to plan a bachelor party, step by step. Every groom is different and has a different vision for their bachelor party. But where do you even begin? Who plans it, who should be invited, and what happens? Don’t worry, we’ll be covering it all in this article.

What Is A Bachelor Party?

You’re probably already more than aware of what a bachelor party is, but if you’re not familiar, a bachelor party is a party or small gathering for a man that is about to get married. You may be more familiar with it as a stag do or buck’s night, depending on where you are in the world. Traditionally, only men are invited to a bachelor party. However, in more recent years, that hasn’t been the case. And some couples even opt to have joint bachelor and bachelorette parties.

If you’re unsure when the bachelor party should be taking place, it’s often around one to three months prior to the wedding. Some grooms (and brides) would choose to have their party the night before their wedding, but that is definitely not something we recommend anymore. You do not want to be starting your wedding day nursing a hangover!

Who Plans The Bachelor Party?

If you’re following tradition throughout your wedding and wedding planning, the best usually plans the bachelor party; with or without help from your male friends and family. However, the groom may like to plan his own bachelor party, and that’s become much more frequent in recent years.

The most important thing is that there’s enough time given in advance to ensure that everyone can be in attendance, especially for people that are needing to travel or if it’s a destination bachelor party.

Who Is Invited To A Bachelor Party?

It should be up to the groom to decide how big (or small) they would like the bachelor party to be. Some grooms will want huge parties, while others will want a small gathering of friends and family. It’s important to take in what the groom will like, rather than planning something for yourself.

Close male friends and family members are often invited to the bachelor party. But be sure to present the guest list to the groom before you send out any invites – that way they can add or remove people as they see fit.

It’s also worth noting that if someone is being invited to a bachelor party, it’s expected for them to be invited to the wedding too. So be sure to follow the correct wedding etiquette when planning your bachelor party.

How To Throw A Bachelor Party

There are some tips to follow when throwing a bachelor party. There are no real guidelines as to what you should be doing, but these steps will make it easy as possible.

How-to: A Guide

Guest List. Before you make any plans, the guests are the most important thing. Once you have the seal of approval from the groom, you can start looking into venues, etc. that cater to that amount of people
Venue. Whether you’re off to your local bar, watching your favorite sport live, or having a game of poker indoors, you need to choose your venue as soon as possible.
Once you’ve chosen the venue, you can start to look at dates. Be sure to check with as many members of the party as possible that they can do that specific date. Starting a group chat on WhatsApp or Facebook would probably be the best idea to get everyone in one place.
If you need somewhere to stay the night, now’s the time to start looking around for hotels or apartment rentals. It’s usually best to get an apartment so you can all crash back there afterward and continue the party if you want to. Be sure to make any landlords aware that you’re having a bachelor party as some do not allow them in their rentals.
Whatever you’re choosing to do, arrange it. Are you going paintballing? Camping? Fishing? Make sure you have all the equipment you need. And be sure to tell all guests in attendance too! If you’re going out for a meal prior to the bar, make a reservation – particularly if there’s a lot of you. It may all seem like a lot of hassle, but you want the bachelor party to go as smoothly as possible.
RSVP. Before you make final payments or bookings, be sure to work out the final numbers. Some places may require a deposit from each person, so collect any payments you need.

What Happens At A Bachelor Party?

Bachelor parties have a bad reputation and usually, the first thing that comes to mind when you think of bachelor parties is: strippers. But they don’t deserve the bad rep they get! You can choose absolutely anything to happen at your bachelor party. It can be just a handful of people grabbing a takeout, a few beers, and playing poker if that’s what you’re into.

Or it could be hiring a party bus and doing a crawl of all the local bars. What happens is entirely down to the groom and the best man. The most important thing is that you’re celebrating the end of your single day and looking forward to the next chapter in your life.

If you’re looking for some ideas of where to have a bachelor party, Travel Triangle has a great article on the 27 Best Places.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to become more familiar with how to plan a bachelor party. It really couldn’t be easier, as long as you plan ahead with plenty of time and get organized. If the best man isn’t the organized one in your group of friends, distribute tasks out among other people – I’m sure everyone will be more than happy to help, in any way they can.

Have you planned a bachelor party? Do you have any tips that didn’t make it onto our list? Please feel free to let me know in the comments below.