Wedding Dresses From China

Today, we’re going to be looking at wedding dresses from China. If you’ve been planning your wedding for a while, you will have no doubt already seen a Chinese wedding dress or two on your news feed. They’re extremely popular and almost seem too good to be true. I’ve always been taught that if something’s too good to be true – it usually is. Let’s find out if that’s the case with China bridal wear.

Are Wholesale Wedding Dresses from China Legit?

Wholesale wedding dresses from China are no doubt appealing for a range of reasons. However, if you’re looking for a designer dress, this is likely not the option for you. Many will claim that they’re designer, when in fact, they’re just copycat designs. Some of them may look genuine, some may even feel genuine – but you will be getting what you pay for.

Pros of Wedding Dresses from China

Let’s take a look at why you might want to order a wedding from China, and some reasons why this may be a good option for you.

  • Price. If you’re on a tight budget and just can’t afford the hundreds (or thousands) of pounds it costs for a designer gown, this is a great alternative. No, it won’t be as luxurious – but you’ll likely still look gorgeous.
  • Speed. Wedding dresses from boutiques can take months to come into store and if you’re needing a gown quickly, you may not have the time. Dresses from China can reach you relatively quickly, so they’re perfect if you need a dress urgently.
  • Try Before You Buy. This is something I did with veils before I got married. I wasn’t sure whether I even wanted one, so I ordered several from China at a ridiculously cheap price. That way I could enjoy them from the comfort of my home, in the time that I wanted. It’s the same with dresses! If you want to trial a certain style of dress for a few hours to see how it feels, or how it works with accessories you may have – it’s the perfect idea. Especially as you can pick some dresses up for next to nothing!
  • Ease. Some brides hate shopping. Some brides may not particularly care too much about how their dress looks. If this sounds like you, a wedding dress from China would be perfect. No need to stand in a boutique for hours on end, it can be done super quickly with a browse on the internet.

Cons of Wedding Dresses from China

I’ll be honest, the cons do outweigh the pros for these dresses. So let’s take a look at some of the most important cons.

  • Fabric. The fabric in China wedding dresses will not be as good as the ones you’ll find in wedding dress stores if you live in the US/UK. That’s not to say that some gowns are made with good fabric – but they are very sparse. If how your dress feels is important to you, a dress from China may not be right for you.
  • Perfection. A lot of brides strive for perfection on their wedding day, and why shouldn’t you? The day is all about you and your partner, and you probably won’t have another one. However, wedding dresses from China will not be perfect. If that’s not something you’ll be able to manage, it’s best to stick to your local wedding boutique!
  • Construction. The time and effort that goes into a wholesale wedding dress from China, in comparison to those you see beautifully displayed in a shop window is vast. Not only do they use less fabric in these dresses, but it’s also cheaper too. This may not be the look you’re after on your wedding day.
  • Details. If you’re looking for a complete dress, this may not be the right fit. Many dresses come without boning or slips. All these small details help to define your figure – it’s more important than you might think!

Read more about Who Wears Flowers At A Wedding?

False Advertising

Some adverts that you’ll see will show designer dresses at ridiculously cheap prices. While we can’t exactly call this a “scam”, you will not get what you see in the photo. It will be a similar design, but it will not be designer. It will not be made with the same fabrics, and will not be the same quality. The price of your dress will definitely reflect in the quality you receive – so please bear that in mind.

Buying a Dress

If you’re still set on buying a dress from China, here’s a few things important things to consider before you make your purchase.

  • Your dress will likely be delivered in a sealed packet, and will arrive not looking it’s best! It will need cleaning and steaming. If you have a steamer yourself, that’s ideal – but will likely take you a while to do. Ask at your local dry cleaners if this is something they’d be willing to do for you.
  • Alterations are very important. Your dress likely won’t arrive and fit you perfectly. Before you order your dress, find someone who is happy to make the alterations for you.

Online stores like DHGate have thousands of dresses for you to have a look at if you’re thinking of making a purchase. It comes with feedback on each individual dress and has a long-range of filters to help whittle your options down to your dream dress.

Conclusion

Whether a wedding dress from China is suitable for you, is all down to the kind of budget you have and the vibe of your wedding. While a wholesale Chinese gown may be suitable for one bride, it may not be for another – but we could say that about almost every wedding dress!

Did you order your wedding dress from China? How did it look? If so, please let me know in the comments below. I would love to see hear your experiences – positive or negative. Sharing is caring!

Read more about Chair Bows For Wedding Receptions

Rental Dishes For A Party

Today, we’re going to be looking at rental dishes for a party or wedding. This may not even be something you’ve thought of, but it can be very important! You may be asking, why would I need a dishware rental for my wedding? Well, depending on your venue, it may be something you need to provide. And renting is definitely the cheaper alternative. Let’s take a closer look.

Why Dinnerware Rentals?

If your venue requires you to use your own dinnerware, it can take up quite a large part of your wedding budget. There’s a range of reasons why it’s better to rent than buy your own.

  • Price – It may seem cheaper to buy plates yourself, especially as you can reuse them after, but most of the time it works out cheaper to rent them out.
  • Space – For example, if you have 100 guests, what would you possibly do with that many plates after the wedding? Where would you store them? Logistically, hiring them out would be much more convenient.
  • Time – On the day, transporting that many plates and then setting them up would take up a lot of time, especially if you’re doing it yourself. However, most rental companies will deliver your dinnerware on the day and help you set up.
  • Aesthetic – The bonus of renting is that you can choose your own designs. It doesn’t have to be a standard white plate, you can go wild and choose dishes to match the theme and vibe of your wedding.

Things to Consider

There’s a number of factors to bear in mind when choosing a rental company. Let’s go through some of the most important ones.

  • How many? – I’m not just talking about guests here! While it’s obviously most important to know how many guests are in attendance, you also need to bear in mind how many courses you’ll be having. It may sound obvious, but you will need a plate for every course, for every guest. For example, if you have 100 guests, and a 3-course meal – you’re going to need at least 300 plates (plus a few extra for potential breakages, etc.). Or to keep the cost down, you could hire someone to wash plates in between courses.
  • Food – If you’re having a 3 course sit-down meal, you’ll need far more dinnerware than if you’re having a buffet, for example. Also, having desserts like cupcakes would mean you may need less plates for that course. I can’t be the only one that doesn’t need a plate for a cupcake, right?
  • What are you Buying? – Is it just dishes you’re renting? Or will you need cutlery, glasses, charger plates too? All of those additional items will take an extra chunk out of your budget.
  • The Look – Do you want it to look formal, or something more casual? It may be worth deciding on how you want the look of your dinnerware to be before you start your search. This will make the search much easier.
  • Date – It’s important not to leave booking the rental until the last minute. Summer months are popular for weddings (June, July, August) and if you don’t book it early enough (6 months is recommended), there may not be many options available.

Where to Find Companies?

Google is your oyster when it comes to finding companies. Finding a company will all depend on the area you live in, as most companies deliver themselves. If you put in a simple “rental dishes (insert area here)”, you’ll likely receive a lot of hits!

USA Party Rental is what I’ve chosen for my example. It’s easy to navigate and choose what you’re looking for. You can sort by price and compare product prices and looks. There’s a range of colors and styles, and prices start from just $0.50. Naturally, the prices increase depending on how fancy you want your dinnerware to be.

Cost of Dishware Rental

Like with anything, without knowing how many guests and courses you’re having, it’s impossible for me to predict how much your tableware will cost to rent. However, working out the average cost can be made easier when using websites such as Weddings Cost Helper.

Weddings Cost Helper estimates that if you’re looking for something simple, it’s around $4 per head. If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, it’s around $5.50 per head. And if you’re looking for something extravagant, it’s around $7.50 ahead. Depending on how many guests you have, that’s quite a knock to your wedding budget!

Those figures are based on each guest needing cutlery, wine glasses, a bread plate, a salad plate, a dinner plate, a cup, saucer, and dessert plate. If you’re not needing all of the above or having fewer courses – of course, the price will be cheaper.

Something else to bear in mind is that companies may charge you extra for delivery or fuel, especially if you’re venue is a considerable distance away from their base. Always keep a bit extra aside in the budget to make allowances for this.

Remember, if your venue provides all-inclusive catering, renting doesn’t even need to cross your mind as it will all be sorted for you. Or you may want to opt for disposables – that really would keep the cost of the wedding down. Luckily for me, when I got married, I didn’t have any additional extras like this as everything was included!

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to navigate rental dishes for a party or wedding. It may seem overwhelming, but as long as you’re organized and get things arranged early enough – your wedding will be as stress-free as possible. And you’ll hopefully have some gorgeous dinnerware to flaunt.

Did you rent dinnerware for your wedding? How did you find the process? Was it more or less expensive than you were anticipating? I would love to know your thoughts. Please feel free to leave your answers in the comments below.

Read more about Chair Bows For Wedding Receptions.

Renting A Restaurant For A Wedding

Today, we’re going to be taking a closer look at renting a restaurant for a wedding. But first, we must look at some important deciding factors when choosing a venue. For example, what’s the cost? How do you find one? We’ll be answering all of those questions today.

Having a Restaurant Wedding Reception

When you’re renting a restaurant for your wedding/wedding reception, there are a few things you may want to consider and decide on when choosing your venue.

You may choose a restaurant for your wedding reception because it has sentimental value for you and your partner. For example, it may be where you and your partner got engaged. Or, it may be because wedding receptions at restaurants can actually be the cheaper option, depending on where you choose. This is great if you’re working on a tight budget.

Tips on Deciding on a Venue

Here’s a few things to consider when you’re choosing your dream venue:

  • Budget – Before you even begin your search, have a budget in mind for how much you’re able to spend. The price will depend on how much space you’d like, how many guests you have, which day you have your wedding on, and if you’d like exclusive use of the venue. This can all be discussed with the manager/events organizer of the restaurant usually. Be firm with your budget once you’ve decided on an amount.
  • Décor – Restaurants are already set up in their own design. It may be tricky to make your wedding reception feel authentically yours if you aren’t able to put up decorations or add some wedding flourishes. Be sure to check if you can do this before you book; especially if it’s important to you.
  • Parking – At a wedding, most people will be driving to you. Be sure to check that there’s enough parking spaces available for your wedding party. This is especially important if you have lots of guests.
  • Food – You’ve likely chosen a restaurant because you and your partner are big foodies. If you’re choosing a restaurant you’ve not been to before, make sure you sample the food! This one should go without saying, but you don’t want to book a venue and then find the food isn’t to your liking.
  • Cake – A traditional wedding cake is important to some couples. However, some restaurants may not allow you to serve food at their establishment. An alternative to this is asking if the restaurant can provide a wedding cake for you.

Most of these tips are all about good communication with your chosen venue. As long as you feel comfortable with your point of contact at the venue – everything should run smoothly.

Cost of a Restaurant Wedding Reception

There’s no doubt about it, depending on which restaurant you choose – restaurant wedding receptions can be expensive! Whenever a wedding is mentioned, prices usually skyrocket. For example, if you ask a bakery for a wedding cake, as opposed to a birthday cake – they’ll often charge you more, even for the same style cake!

So if you’re researching how many restaurants are, be sure to tell them it’s a wedding – as they just might have an additional charges. It’s frustrating but necessary to tell them.

It’s impossible to give you a price of how much you’re reception would cost without knowing where you’re booking. Depending on which area you’d like the restaurant to be in, the size of your venue, and how many guests you have, are all deciding factors on how much it will end up costing.

Value Penguin have estimates for each type of wedding venue – restaurants included! They estimate that if you’re wanting something more modest, you’ll be looking at around $2,000. If you’re wanting something more extravagant, it can be around $22,000. The difference is astounding!

Restaurants to Have a Wedding Reception

But how do you find out which restaurants offer a wedding reception service without manually having to research every restaurant? Well, you don’t have to worry about that as there are plenty of search tools online to make the whole process easier for you.

Wedding Wire is a great search tool. All you need to do is enter your selected area and it will list all available options – it really is that simple. You can enter your chosen date, how many guests, the settings, and amenities. Ones that match your chosen requirements then show up with contact details.

What I love about this website is that it also has a section to support diversity when narrowing your selection down. This may be important if you’re a same-sex couple and would like your reception to be owned by members of the LGBTQ+ community.

This website isn’t just open for the US, it’s international too. So wherever you are in the world, this website is a fantastic tool.

If Wedding Wire isn’t for you, try not to worry – there’s a plethora of search tools. Google is your oyster!

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you learn more about renting a restaurant for a wedding. It can feel overwhelming searching for a venue, especially if you don’t have a wedding planner. Maybe set aside half an hour every evening with your partner to look at venues. It’s important not to do too much in one sitting – it can feel tiresome and like a chore; we certainly don’t want that.

The most important part of your choice is cost, so before you start your searching – keep that price in mind. And remember to enjoy the planning. It’ll be the big day before you know it. Planning was one of my favorite parts of getting married – but I do love organizing things!

Did you have your wedding/wedding reception in a restaurant? Or do you have an upcoming wedding planned in one? What were the deciding factors when choosing your venue? I would love to know. Please feel free to leave your answers in the comments below.

Chair Bows For Wedding Receptions

Today, we’re going to be looking at the different chair bows and chair sashes for wedding receptions that you can find. Whether you’re wanting to try making them yourself, or you’re unsure of what chair bow or sash to opt for – this is the article for you.

There’s a whole host of options available. Whether you’re looking for a subtle way to dress up your chairs, or bling them up to your heart’s content, it can be tricky to decide what to choose. Which color should you choose? Which style bow or sash? Is there a fabric that will work best? Should you tie the bows yourself? It can feel overwhelming, but it certainly doesn’t have to be.

Tips to Help Decide the Right Bow for You

I’ve put together a list of tips to help choose your perfect chair covers and bows.

  • Color – I’ll assume you’ve chosen the color scheme for your wedding – that’s if you’re even having one! It’s the first thing I decided on when getting married. While most people opt for their chair bows to match their color scheme, you don’t have to do this. Once you’re set on a color, try ordering some different fabrics and color variants to see what you like best.
  • Cost – Weddings are expensive, there’s no doubt about that. Set a budget – and make sure it’s realistic. For example, if you have $1000 for reception décor, don’t spend $500 on chair covers.
  • Try it Yourself – This is a DIY blog, so of course, I’m going to suggest doing them yourself (we’ll take a closer look at this later). While it may be time-consuming, it keeps the cost down massively.
  • Measure the Chairs – This may seem like a strange one – but of course, not all chairs are going to be the same size. Check with your venue what size the chairs will be so you can get the perfect fit.
  • Decide on Your Material – There are a whole range of materials you could opt for. Organza, satin, taffeta. We’ll look more in-depth at those later.
  • Hire Them – Did you know that you can hire sashes and bows for your wedding? If you have a large number of guests or simply don’t have the time or money to make and source your own, hiring is a great alternative.

Choosing the Right Material

There are a few materials to choose from and what you choose, will depend on the feel you want your wedding to have. Let’s take a look at the choices.

  • Organza – This is the material you’ll most often see at weddings. It’s eye-catching and the cheapest option. They look elegant and come in a range of various colors. Organza is sheer and has a smooth finish. It’s also very lightweight.
  • Satin – If you’ve got more money set aside for your sashes, you may want to opt for satin. The proof satin is that it’s much easier to tie bows with. If you’re doing them yourself, it’s better to work with than materials like organza. Their glossiness and silkiness adds a bit of luxury to your wedding.
  • Taffeta – The most expensive of them all; high-end and stunning. They’re certainly the most formal choice of them all, and look beautiful with a centerpiece in the middle of the bow, like a brooch.

There are plenty of other materials to choose such as burlap, tulle, lycra, and spandex – but the three above are the most popular and easily accessible.

Finding the Right Chair Sash for Weddings

Surprisingly, there’s a number of ways you can show off your sashes on the big day. While most people opt for the traditional knot, that is just one of the many options available.

  • The “Traditional” Bow – If your wedding has a very traditional feel about it, or you don’t like veering away from the “norm” at weddings, this bow is perfect. The pros of this one are that it’s quick and easy.
  • The “Side” Bow – Another easy alternative (probably the easiest of them all). It looks just as elegant as the traditional bow
  • Double Loop Flower – This one requires time and lots of hands. The end product is stunning and worth the effort, in my opinion.

Here’s a great article where they offer 10 different ways to tie a chair – whether you’re doing it yourself or buying/renting ready-made.

Tying Your Own Bows

Tying your own does take time, but the end result is worth all that effort. As we’ve seen, there’s a range of ways you can tie them – from easy, to more complex. Totally Dazzled has a tutorial (with a video) on how to tie a chair sash bow, which is relatively straightforward. I always prefer learning how to do things by watching, so if you’re like me, this is perfect for you.

Budget Options

I didn’t have much money for my wedding. If you’re the same, you could try these super cute alternatives for chair bows at wedding receptions, to add to your chairs.

  • Use regular ribbon from your local craft store and make miniature bows
  • You’ll need a bunch of photos, peg clips, and hessian string. Tie the string round your chairs and clip on a cute photo or two to each chair of you and your partner
  • Hang a garland round every chair. You can usually buy these in bulk for a reasonable price

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you see the range of options you have when choosing your perfect chair bows and sashes for your wedding. Whatever budget you have, you can make your chairs look gorgeous and blend in with your wedding seamlessly. And just remember, as long as you and your partner are together, your wedding will likely be the day you always dreamed of.

If you have any other tips when choosing or making your own, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. I would love to see them. Sharing is caring!

Types Of Wedding Receptions

Today, we’re going to be looking at the different types of wedding receptions you may like to choose – whatever your budget may be. From the time of day, to which mealtime you’re eating it – there’s a lot to sort when planning your big day. I’m here to show you the types of receptions you could have, and make it easier for you! Let’s take a closer look.

Wedding Reception Formats

There are a range of formats available, ranging from formal to more casual. I went for something in the middle; a choice of 3 main meals you were served at a buffet, and then went to sit at your designated table. However, let’s look at some options you may like.

Sit-Down Meal

The most “traditional” is the sit-down meal. Whereby your food is brought out to you, almost like you’re at a restaurant. It brings an extra piece of luxury to your wedding and is a great way to treat your guests. It’s usually a 3-course meal, but it can be as many, or as few courses as you’d like.

If you’re the couple, it gives you plenty of time to chat to your guests in a calm environment and really make the most of your day, in between the hustle and bustle. Getting married really is tiring! The downside to the sit-down meal is that they’re always the most expensive option. A large portion of your budget would have to be put aside if you’re looking for a 3-course meal for every guest.

Buffet

A cheaper alternative is the buffet. While the food isn’t brought out to you, you still get to spend most of the time sitting down! What I love about buffets is how many choices you have. It’s great if you have a lot of guests with dietary requirements or fussy eaters, as there will be something for everyone.

Another bonus is that there’s so many options to choose from now. Hog roast, BBQ, traditional meals – you can serve anything at a buffet. While it may not be as luxurious as a sit-down meal, the food is usually just as tasty. And the guests often just as happy.

Afternoon Tea

If you’re not looking to be traditional in any way at your wedding, afternoon tea is becoming increasingly popular with recent weddings. Finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, and desserts – your guests will certainly be happy. My mom opted for afternoon tea at her wedding and it went down a treat. You can add a glass of champagne/prosecco for every guest to add a bit of luxury for your guests.

If you’re on a tight budget, afternoon tea is a great substitute for a sit-down meal. However, due to how small most of the food is, you may have a few hungry guests later. But that’s nothing a few chips and dips won’t sort out once the party begins!

Hors D’oeuvres/Cocktails

If you like snacking on food with a glass of something alcoholic in one hand, this is the perfect option for you. If you like to talk and want your guests to mingle, this is a great suggestion. It’s also a good idea if you have a lot of guests – that way you can accommodate more people as you won’t need as many tables.

While the price of this one is inviting because of how little you’ll need to buy – again, you may end up with hungry guests in the evening. And not just hungry ones, drunk ones too. If you have an early wedding, this may not be the best option as people may be drunk from very early on in the day.

Brunch

If you’re an early riser, or a nervous bridge/groom – a brunch may be a good idea. You can get married nice and early, then have a brunch with your loved ones. You can really make it fancy, with breakfast items like eggs benedict and mini pastries. Mimosas are the perfect brunch-time drink. You can have a break before the evening party and enjoy the first few hours of married life once you’ve finished eating. Some couples may enjoy this break.

However, if you don’t want to rush getting ready and leisurely enjoy your day, this may not be the right choice for you.

Wedding Reception Styles

There are a range of wedding reception styles you can choose from. And whether you want your reception formal, or something a bit more out there – there’s something for everyone. A few style ideas to consider are:

  • Romantic – soft lighting, elegant flowers, light colors
  • Alternative – bright lights, jam jars as centerpieces, copper/gold tones
  • Chic – lace tablecloths, flower drapes, bunting
  • Disney – do I need to explain this one? The theme of my wedding was Disney!
  • Vintage – as long as it looks old and well-loved, anything can be vintage
  • Modern – block colors, simplistic designs
  • Whimsical – bright, bold colors, multicolor flowers, balloons – the crazier the better
  • Rustic – pastel flowers, hessian, jars – anything boho chic

Whatever your style, there’s something for everyone. This article from Brides has a great selection of styles to get you started on your dream wedding.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you see the types of wedding receptions you can have, and how many there are available. This list is by no means exhaustive either. The most important thing to decide before you start is your budget. If your budget is on the smaller side, some options may not be available to you.

You could even have a mix of receptions! You could have a sit-down meal in the daytime and a buffet in the evening. There’s no set rules at so what you should have at your wedding. The most important part is that you and your partner are happy…and enjoy the food, of course!

If you’ve had your wedding, what reception did you go for? If you’re waiting to get married, what are you hoping to have? Let me know in the comments below.

How Many Bottles Of Wine For A Wedding?

A question that comes up time and time again when planning your wedding is, “how many bottles of wine for a wedding?”. There’s a range of factors to take into account when making this decision. And in reality, it really is down to the couple how much they provide on the day.

Me and my husband rarely drink, and both our families know that, so our wedding tables had one bottle of red and bottle of white between 6-8 people. You may not even want to provide alcohol on your big day. Although it’s seen as traditional, it’s your wedding and you can choose what you spend your budget on.

Let’s take a closer look at how to work out how much you’ll need.

How Much Wine to Buy for a Wedding

There are a number of factors to decide on first.

  • How many glass(es) would you like each guest to have? – Just one, half a bottle, a bottle each? The choice is entirely yours.
  • Would like red, white, or rose wine? – Guests often prefer a mix. Everyone will always have their favorites. If you’re struggling to decide, add an option of what each guest would prefer on your RSVP slip; that way little will go to waste!
  • Would you like it put out in the center of the table for guests to serve themselves? – Some people prefer to keep it behind the bar and be brought out throughout the night, or others prefer it in the center of each table for guests to help themselves.
  • How many guests are you having? – This is definitely the most important question. Until you know the answer to this, it’s almost impossible to predict how much wine you might need.
  • Will you pay for all of the guests drinks throughout the night? – You may want to just pay for the first drink or two, or provide wine for the entire reception. There is no expectation and you shouldn’t feel any pressure to do this. Just provide what your budget allows.
  • Will there be other alcohol besides wine available? – If you’re providing other alcohol besides wine, that’s important to factor in. If you’re purchasing two drinks for each guest and buy it all in wine and beer – you may end up with a lot of leftover alcohol!
  • What is Your Budget? – Almost as important as how many guests is your budget. If your budget only allows one glass per guest, that is absolutely fine and you shouldn’t feel as though you have to provide more.

How Much Wine for a Party of 100?

As we’ve seen, it really all comes down to the individuals, but we’ll take a look at the “average” wedding of 100 guests and the wine you’ll need.

So we’ll say you have 100 guests who all drink wine. The average amount of wine given is around half a bottle per guest (0.5 of a bottle). You can change this depending on how much, or how little your wedding guests are likely to drink. Take it down to 1/3 (0.33 of a bottle), or up to 2/3 (0.66 of a bottle) accordingly.

We’ll do the first calculation based on each guest having half a bottle. All you do is:

100 (guests) x 0.5 (half a bottle of wine each) = 50 (bottles of wine total)

If you’re wanting to give your guests 1/3 of a bottle each (which is the ratio I gave at my wedding), it would be worked out like this:

100 (guests) x 0.33 (1/3 of a bottle of wine each) = 33 (bottles of wine total)

It really is as easy as that! You may want to add on a bottle or two extra. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my own wedding and weddings I’ve attended – there will be spillages. And it’s always best to be prepared for the inevitable. That way your guests will still get their quota, even if there a few spillages. Hey, there’s usually lots of drunk, happy people having a good time – it’s to be expected.

Wedding Wine Calculator

If you’d prefer for a calculator to work it all out for you and the “recommended” amount of wine depending on how long your reception is, you may want to try a wedding wine calculator. There’s a ton available online that will all provide a slightly different outcome – no two seem to be the same!

I’ve chosen the Majestic Wine Calculator to share with you as it’s quick, easy to navigate, and has recommended amounts of drinks per guest, per hour.

They suggest that for a 2-hour event, you should be providing 3 drinks. If this was the case, for 100 guests having 3 drinks, you’d need 30 bottles of white wine and 30 bottles of red wine (60 total). It’s a great calculator that I’d highly recommend using, even if you don’t follow the “recommended” amounts.

It also has lager, champagne, sparkling wine, and bitter options too – so you can really input all of your information in and get answers as quickly as possible.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to answer the question of how many bottles of wine for a wedding? It really can be a minefield, and just remember there shouldn’t be a set expectation from your guests as to how much wine they should have – they’re just there to share your special day with you both.

Whether you’re a big drinker, an irregular drinker, or don’t drink at all – plan your wedding drinks around what suits you and your partner best. Weddings can become so overwhelming, so don’t let something like arranging wine become stressful for you. It’s super easy to work out!

How much wine did you have at your wedding? Or how much wine do you plan to have at your upcoming wedding? Do you think there should be an expected amount? I think this is a really interesting topic and I’d love to know your thoughts. Please feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Read more about Feminist Wedding Ceremony Script.

Best Time Of Day To Have A Wedding

When it comes to wedding planning, there are so many different things to take into consideration. One of the biggest decisions will be deciding what time to have your wedding. Knowing the best time of day to have a wedding can help you decide the perfect time for your big day.

Choosing a wedding time can be tricky, as you want to make sure all your venues can accommodate the date and time you choose. In addition, you want the time to be convenient for your guests. You want to minimize the time your guests need to take off work and travel.

Best Time of Day to Have a Wedding

The best time of day for a wedding ceremony will vary according to the day of your wedding. In addition, some places will offer discounts for weddings on Sundays or weekdays, as they are not as popular months. Certain venues may even offer discounts for winter weddings as they are not as popular.

Best Time to Have a Wedding on a Friday

If you are planning on having your wedding on a Friday, the best time to have your ceremony is in the evening. Choosing an evening time, such as 6 or 7 p.m. will give your guests time to plan accordingly after work.

In addition, having an evening wedding on a Friday can help minimize the time out-of-town guests need to travel. By having an evening wedding, they will likely only have to take one or two days off of work.

Best Time to Have a Wedding on a Saturday

Saturday is the most popular day to have a wedding. For out-of-town guests, they are able to travel in the night before your wedding and likely won’t have to take any time off. In addition, you don’t have to worry about most people working the next day.

For Saturdays, the best time to do a wedding is in the afternoon or evening. Saturdays give you more flexibility in the time of day you can have your wedding. Depending on your preferences, anytime from 1 p.m.- 7 p.m. is an ideal time for your wedding.

Oftentimes 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. are the most popular times to have a Saturday wedding. This gives your guests that are traveling plenty of time to arrive at your wedding. In addition, this allows you to have dinner after your ceremony and then your reception at night, which is great for those who love to party.

Saturday mornings can also be a great time for a wedding. If you don’t plan on having your reception be a big party, 11 a.m. can be an ideal time for a Saturday ceremony. Lunch can follow your ceremony and you will have plenty of time to get pictures during the daylight, no matter the season.

Best Time to Have a Wedding on a Sunday

If you are planning on having a Sunday ceremony, the best time to have your wedding is morning or afternoon. This will give your guests from out-of-town plenty of time to travel home after your wedding.

For Sunday, anytime between 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. is an ideal time for a wedding. You can incorporate lunch after your wedding or even stick with just hors’ devours. Evening weddings can also work for Sundays, but people will likely not be able to stay out as late as they would for a Friday or Saturday wedding.

Best Time to Have a Wedding During the Week

Some people will choose to have their wedding on a weekday since they can get discounts from venues. However, not all venues operate during the week.

If you have your wedding on a weekday, it is best to go with a late afternoon or early evening ceremony. This will be easier for the majority of your guests. However, it is important to note some guests will not be able to attend your ceremony if it is during the week.

Benefits of Each Time of Day

Each time of day comes with its own benefits when it comes to deciding on a ceremony time. By knowing these benefits, it can help you decide which time of day is right for you.

Benefits of a Morning Wedding

Having a morning wedding allows you to take pictures at sunrise, prior to the ceremony. This will allow for some truly breathtaking shots. In addition, some venues will be cheaper for morning weddings between 9 a.m.-11 am.

For morning weddings, you can opt to serve brunch or lunch after your ceremony. You will likely have a smaller budget for alcohol, as people won’t be drinking as much in the morning.

Some people will make their wedding into an all-day-long event. This is a great way to celebrate for as long as possible, but it can get very expensive to rent venues out for an entire day.

Benefits of an Afternoon Wedding

Afternoon weddings can be a great option as they are a more ideal time for families. You can serve lunch afterward or even just serve hors’ devours, which will save money.

Some people will take a break between the wedding and reception that is a few hours long. This will allow the reception to be held at night, allowing for a party.

Benefits of an Evening Wedding

Having a wedding in the evening will give you plenty of time to get ready and take pictures. In addition, you can even get some stunning sunset pictures after your ceremony.

At an evening wedding, you can have dinner following your ceremony. You can then spend the rest of your night celebrating with your guests.

In addition, an evening wedding will give your guests ample time to arrive at the ceremony location. This can make things easier for guests who are traveling from far away.

Deciding on What Time Should You Get Married

Figuring out when is the best time to get married is a big decision. The best time will vary depending on the day of the week. For Fridays, evenings are best, for Saturdays, any time works well and for Sundays, mornings and afternoons are best.

Do you have any questions on the best time of day to have a wedding? If so, please ask your wedding planning questions in the comment section below.

Read more about How To Make Corsages For Weddings.

Courthouse Wedding Ceremony Script

No matter how you plan your wedding, whether big or small, it is still a special day. If you are planning something simple, you will want a courthouse wedding ceremony script that is fitting for you and your partner. Having a courthouse wedding is simple, but can still be just as romantic as an extravagant wedding.

Many people opt to have a courthouse wedding because it is more affordable and intimate. Oftentimes, there will only be a handful of guests attending and the ceremony will be short. Having a civil ceremony can be a great option for a lot of couples.

Courthouse Wedding Ceremony Script

Just like any wedding ceremony, you will have a script for your courthouse wedding. Some people will keep their courthouse marriage vows traditional, whereas others prefer to make it more personal. In addition, some people choose to only do the vows, whereas others also like to include a small reading as well.

No matter how you plan your courthouse wedding, you will need at least one, in some cases two, witnesses. The witnesses must be at least 18 years old.

Though many people opt to have their civil wedding at the courthouse of their hometown, not everyone does. In fact, your civil ceremony might not even take place in a courthouse, it could even happen at a wedding chapel.

Courthouse Wedding Vows

When it comes to a wedding, it is important you and your partner agree on the vows you want. No matter if you want personal or traditional, it is important that you both agree on them. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from, as the American Marriage Ministries has multiple court-approved and couple-approved courthouse wedding ceremony scripts.

American Marriage Ministries Vows Option One

The following vows are written by American Marriage Ministries and are a common choice for civil ceremonies.

“I [Partner A], take you [Partner B] to be my wife (husband), my partner in life, and my one true love.

I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before.

I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you,

loving you faithfully through good times and bad,

regardless of the obstacles we may face together.

I give you my hand, my heart, and my love,

from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.”

Partner A repeats the vows line by line.
Officiant to partner B:

“Repeat after me:
I [Partner A], take you [Partner B] to be my wife(husband), my partner in life, and my one true love.

I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before.

I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you,

loving you faithfully through good times and bad,

regardless of the obstacles we may face together.

I give you my hand, my heart, and my love,

from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.”

American Marriage Ministries Vows Option Two

The following vows are written by the American Marriage Ministries and are commonly used for courthouse weddings.

“Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

If so answer ‘I do’.”

Partner A Says ‘I Do’.
Officiant To Partner B

“Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live? If so answer I do.”

Partner B Says ‘I Do’.”

American Marriage Ministries Vows Option Three

These vows are by the American Marriage Ministries and can easily be customized to you and your partner.

“Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, please face each other and join both your hands.”

The couple does as instructed.
Officiant to Partner A:

“[Partner A], please repeat after me:

I, [Partner A], take you, [Partner B], to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you all the days of my life.”

Officiant to Partner B:

“[Partner B], please repeat after me:

I [Partner B], take you, [Partner A], to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you all the days of my life.”

Officiant to Partner A:

“[Partner A], have you any special words you’d like to say to [Partner B]?”

Partner A recites their vows.
Officiant to Partner B:

“[Partner B], have you any special words you’d like to share with [Partner A]?”

Partner B recites their vows.”

Civil Ceremony Wedding Vows

Having a civil ceremony is a wonderful option for many couples. It is convenient, intimate, and affordable. Though most civil ceremonies do happen in courthouses, there are plenty of other places that you can have them as well.

Just like any wedding ceremony, you want to have a ceremony script planned out with the vows you plan on saying. Fortunately, the American Marriage Ministries provides wedding scripts that are specifically designed for civil weddings, making your job much easier. You can opt for the more traditional vows or go for a more customizable option.

When choosing your vows, make sure that you and your partner agree on them. It is important you both decide on something that will be meaningful to both of you as a couple. Your wedding is a special day, so you want to choose vows that will make the day memorable.

Do you have any questions regarding finding a courthouse wedding ceremony script? If so, please ask any questions relating to courthouse weddings and vows down below in the comment section.

Read more about Wedding Readings For Blended Families.

How To Make Corsages For Weddings

Looking for a way to make your big day extra special? Wanting to make it more personal? Knowing how to make corsages for weddings is a great way to add your own touch to your wedding day.

Corsages add an elegant touch to any wedding. They can be a lovely addition for the mother of the bride, mother of the groom, and even the bridesmaids to wear. They can get expensive to buy, however, you can easily make your own ones at home.

The corsage can easily be transformed into a boutonniere as well. Boutonnieres are great for the groom, groomsmen, father of the groom, and father of the bride to wear.

What Is a Corsage?

A corsage is a small arrangement of flowers that is traditionally worn on the wrist or on clothing. They are worn for formal events and are generally worn by women.

Corsages are often worn at homecoming and prom dances. However, they can also be worn at weddings or other formal events. They can also be worn by men and are known as boutonnieres. Instead of being worn on the wrist, boutonnieres are pinned to a suit jacket.

What You Need to Follow This Tutorial for a DIY Wedding Corsage

Equipment

For how to make corsages for weddings, you will need:

  • Garden shears
  • Floral tape
  • Floral wire
  • 1/4 Ribbon
  • Pins
  • Flowers
  • Foliage
  • Hot Glue
  • Card stock
  • Bracelet or 2-inch ribbon

Step by Step Instructions: How to Make Corsages for Weddings

Step One: Trim Flowers and Floral

Using your garden shears, trim your flowers and floral so they are around four inches in length. Trim the bottom if the stems of greens and leaves so they don’t get in the way of the tape.

Step Two: Wrap the Flowers and Floral

Arrange the flowers and floral to your liking. Tape the focal flower and floral, leaving a bit of the end exposed. then add more layers of flowers and floral to your liking, taping with each layer.

Make sure that the tape is snug. If needed, you can add floral wire to help the flowers stand up straight.

Step Three: Trim the Stems

Once you have finished arranging your corsage, trim the stems so they are even. Leave a small amount of stems at the bottom.

Step Four: Wrap the Stems

With your 1/4 inch ribbon, wrap the stems of your corsage. Start wrapping at the bottom of your tape and keep wrapping until the top of the stems.

Tie off the end of the ribbon in a knot and trim off any excess. If needed, tuck the end of the knot into the ribbon to hide. You may also use pins to help secure the ribbon as well.

Step Five: Prepare Ribbon Wristband

Cut a piece of your 2-inch ribbon that is approximately two feet long. Cut a small piece of card stock that is about two inches long and one inch wide. Using a hot glue gun, glue the piece of card stock approximately three inches from the start of the ribbon.

Step Six: Attach the Flowers

Carefully glue the flower arrangement to the card stock piece on the ribbon. Hold it down for a few seconds to dry. Then, tie the ribbon on your wrist and have someone trim off the extra ribbon.

In addition to attaching the corsage to a ribbon wristband, you can also use a bracelet instead. Attach a 1/4 inch of ribbon to your bracelet then use it to tie your flower arrangement to the bracelet to create a corsage.

Tips and Tricks

When making your corsage, you can use any type of flower you like. The most popular flowers to use are roses, carnations, lilies, and orchids. You can use all the same type of flower or a variety of flowers.

For the foliage that is used as fillers, baby’s breath, eucalyptus, solidago, and chamomile are commonly used. Most people use two to three different types of foliage when making their corsage.

You can make your corsage as large or small as you like. Some people prefer large corsages with two to three flowers and lots of foliage. On the other hand, some people prefer only one flower with just a few pieces of foliage.

To make your corsage into a boutonniere, follow the steps of making a corsage until step four. Once your flower arrangement is wrapped in ribbon, stick a couple of pins in the ribbon. Then, use the pins to attach the boutonniere to your suit jacket.

For the ribbon, you can use any color you want. Many people will opt to use one of their wedding colors. This allows the corsage to elegantly tie into your wedding.

When making the corsage, it is best to wait till the day before or the day of the wedding to make. This will help keep the flowers fresh and help ensure they still look good by the time of the ceremony.

Though it is traditional to use real flowers to make a corsage, you can use fake ones if needed. Fake flowers are a great option for those who are allergic to flowers. In addition, you don’t have to worry about the flowers wilting.

How to Make a Wrist Corsage for Your Wedding

Knowing how to make a wrist corsage with ribbon is a great skill to have for your wedding. A corsage will be an elegant touch for the mother of the bride and mother of the groom to wear. It is even a great option for the grandmothers or even the bridesmaids to wear.

In addition, you can easily transform a corsage into a boutonniere. A boutonniere is a great touch for the groom and groomsmen to wear. In addition, they can also be worn by the father of the bride, father of the groom, and grandfathers.

Do you have any questions on how to make corsages for weddings? If so, please ask any questions about making corsages down below and in addition, share this post with anyone else you may think will enjoy it.

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Wedding Readings For Blended Families

A wedding is a special time for any couple. For blended families, incorporating everyone can sometimes be tricky. Fortunately, there are some great wedding readings for blended families that will make the couple and their kids feel special and loved.

Started a blended family is both exciting and nerve-racking. It can be a big change for your children, as they will now have step-siblings. A meaningful wedding reading can help ease the entire family into the new transition.

Blended Family Wedding Ceremony Script

Planning the ceremony script is an important part of every wedding. Some people prefer to use traditional vows and readings, whereas others opt for personalized vows and modern readings. No matter the route you take, there are many great ways to interpret both families into the ceremony.

For your ceremony script, you can incorporate different aspects of your blended family in wedding readings, poems, and even in your vows. In addition to you are your partner doing vows, you can do vows for your children as well. The vows to your children and step-children can include how you will love and support them all as family.

Blended Family Vows

For blended families, it can be important to incorporate the whole family in the vows. In some cases, the children may want to read vows as well as they are gaining a new family. Fortunately, there are some great vows for the couple and their children as well.

Sample of Vows for Couple

Bride/Groom: I, (name), take you, (name of spouse), to be my beloved spouse. In marriage, I promise to respect, love, honor, and cherish you and our family. I also commit to providing care, support, guidance, and love for (children’s names), promising to be there in both the good times and bad times.

Sample of Vows to the Children

To the Children: I promise to be there for (children’s names) no matter where life takes you. I promise to love, support, and care for (children’s names) no matter the circumstances. No matter what, I promise to be honest, kind, and respectful as grow together as a family.

Blended Family Wedding Poem and Readings

Poems are a great way to show love and affection to your family. They can be a meaningful way to make your wedding even more special for your entire family. They are a great way to further incorporate your children and step-children in the wedding.

Wedding Idea One

“What is REAL?’ asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender before Nana came to tidy the room. ‘Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?’
‘Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When someone loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.’
‘Does it hurt?’ asked the Rabbit.

‘Sometimes,’ said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. ‘When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.’
‘Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,’ he asked, ‘or bit by bit?’

‘ It doesn’t happen all at once,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.’

‘I suppose you are real?’ said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse only smiled.

‘Someone made me Real,’ he said. ‘That was a great many years ago, but once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.” – The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.

Wedding Idea Two

“Family comes together
For always and forever
In sickness and in health
In poverty or in wealth
Family comes together
For always and forever
Without any reason
Anytime or any season
Family comes together
For always and forever

In death or in life
In happiness or in strife
Family comes together
For always and forever
In anger or in kindness
Whether all-seeing or in blindness
Family comes together
For always and forever
Whether for work or for play
They somehow find a way

For family to come together” – Glaedr the poet

Wedding Idea Three

“To be a part of a family, like mine is so divine where love is shown, hurt is shared, our love for each other is never impaired.

We talk, we laugh, we cry, but we are a family and we do it all together, for as a family we do it all as one.

For we are family, a family full of strength, a family full of love, a family no one can touch, that’s why I love my family so much, my family is my life and always will be forever.”- “I Love My Family So Much” by Filoi Hemopo.

Beautiful and Meaningful Wedding Readings for Blended Families

Having a blended wedding can be nerve-racking, but with the right planning, it can all go smoothly. By incorporating your children in the vows, you are making the ceremony extra meaningful. You are showing that you and your partner love the new family you are starting.

In addition, having poems or readings can add a wonderful touch to your wedding. It is important that your children feel loved and accepted as they become a part of your new blended family. In some cases, they may want to do the readings themselves, whereas some children may prefer to have another family member do them.

Do you have any questions about wedding readings for blended families? If so, please ask any of your blended wedding-related questions in the comment section down below.

Read more about How To Stop Fighting With Your Fiance Before The Wedding

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