Receptions are always a fun thing to attend, but there are ways that you can make them even more fun and interactive, allowing your guests to get to know one another if they don’t already, give them a chance to move about the hall or yard and spend some time having fun before sitting down for dinner.
Wedding Mad Libs
Wedding Mad Libs (or Wed-Libs) have been a huge hit recently. Many sites online are offering free templates that you can print off and leave at every place sitting with a pen or pencil for your guests to fill out. Not only are these a great way for your guests to share stories about the bride and groom at the table, but you can keep them and read them afterwards as well.
Ring Toss
Having an outdoor wedding? Have friends and family challenge one another to a ring toss! All you need is a wooden crate, some bottles you can paint with your wedding colors, and some embroidery hoops decorated with ribbon and you have a fun and simple game for everyone of all ages to play.
Oversized Boardgames
These can be played outdoors and indoors if you have the room. You can rent all kinds of games like Connect Four, Jenga, Checkers and even Scrabble from many local game companies that also rent them out for stag and does. When you are putting a stag and doe together, see if they’ll give you a better price for renting more than once.
Wedding Bingo
Another great icebreaker! Get a blank Bingo card and fill it in with conversation starters like “has known the groom more than 5 years” or “was born in June”. Place them at every person’s seat so everyone can start some conversation and have some fun! (And don’t forget to let them know to yell out BINGO!)
The Kissing Game
Don’t want people clinking their spoons against their glasses to make you kiss every ten seconds? Offer the Kissing Game, where you fill a fishbowl with suggestions like “Sing your favourite song” or “get your table to play duck-duck-goose with you”. They have to perform the task successfully or forfeit and try again later. If they are successful, the bride and groom kiss.
Don’t forget to check out Best for Bride as your one stop shop for everything you need for your special day. From dresses to invitation, we’ve got you covered.
Your wedding will be the most memorable day of your life and you and your family and friends will want to look back on it with fondness, never bad occurrences because of ill-mannered brides and grooms. Your wedding day can also be very stressful, but if you keep these tips in mind on your special day, your guests will remember everything happily and not still talk about the time that the groom was giving a speech after having one too many or how the bride didn’t say hello to certain people.
Visit with Each Guest
There’s no doubt that during the reception there will be lots going on, but don’t forget to visit every table and take a couple of minutes to speak with everyone. They’re just as happy to be there as you are to have them there, so make sure all of your guests feel like they’ve been acknowledged by both the bride and groom and don’t forget to thank them for coming to share your special day.
Mingle as a Couple
It’s easy to want to break off from your new husband or wife and hang out with your friends at the bar, but make sure you make time to talk to your guests as a couple. You just got married, and plenty of people will want to come and congratulate you; it’s just easier when you are both together.
Be Mindful of Your Alcohol Consumption
There’s always someone that gets too drunk and ends up embarrassing themselves; you don’t want that to be you, especially on your wedding night! Make sure you pace yourselves because there is likely to be lots of toasts with champagne, wine at the tables and friends and family wanting to have a celebratory drink with you.
Remember Your Bridal Party
They’ve likely spent money on suits, dresses, shoes, accessories, makeup and more (the average bridesmaid spends $600!), make sure that you get a nice thank you present for your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Make sure you budget and plan ahead for this; this isn’t a spot to save your money. Make sure they not only know how important they are to your special day, but how thankful you are. Need some tips on finding the best bridesmaids gifts? This article will help you!
Don’t forget to check out Best for Bride as your one stop shop for everything you need for your special day. From dresses to invitation, we’ve got you covered.
Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts. – William Shakespeare
It’s February 14th, and the spirit of Saint Valentine, who sacrificed so much to unite lovers, lives on in all of us! Today, candy, paper hearts and velvety red roses are used as tokens of affection, and enthusiastic brides-to-be become even more excited about their own upcoming wedding days!
To celebrate the beauty of romance and commitment, we’ve compiled an exciting list of the loveliest wedding accessories…these special touches will add polish, glamour, and style to your bridal gown.
To be the most romantic, stunning bride you can be, choose these ideal wedding “extras” and wear them with your own white wedding dress. You groom-to-be will be thrilled when you walk down the aisle, adorned in all the traditional wedding accessories of a truly gorgeous bride.
Tiaras
To feel like a princess as you marry, don a sparkling, shimmering wedding tiara worthy of royalty. Today’s affordable designs offer old-fashioned beauty and a reasonable price tag!
Luckily, rhinestones and cubic zirconium look like icy diamonds without the sticker shock! Indulge by placing a glamorous tiara upon your head – you will feel amazing! Your groom-to-be will have tears of joy in his eyes as you stand before him.
When you wear a tiara, you will still have many options for beautiful wedding hairstyles. Buy your tiara early on, and spend some time experimenting with different looks. Work with a stylist to find the perfect hairstyle for your white wedding dress and headpiece – you can go for a sleek, shiny blowout or an ornate updo – either style will compliment the twinkling gemstones on your special “crown”.
Shoes
The perfect wedding shoes offer comfort, sleek, satiny fabric, and total coordination with your gown, veil, tiara, bridal rings, and other wedding accessories. You’ll feel like Cinderella with her glass slipper as you find the perfect choice for your own outfit.
Today’s hottest designs offer fashion-conscious embellishments that add an extra shot of beauty to traditional slingback or sandal styles – crystals and pleating are popular details that make the prettiest wedding shoes stand out.
If you’re tall, or averse to wearing high heels, you can even enjoy a feminine ballet slipper in pure white!
Whatever you choose, make sure you go all out! When you’re at the bridal shop, make sure you remember that you will keep these precious shoes forever and treasure them for years to come! Some brides opt for a little shot of colour in their wedding shoes – pale pastels won’t stand out too much, so these shades are pretty appropriate with pure white wedding dresses. Silver and gold metallic styles also compliment any wedding gown – and Carrie from Sex And The City would definitely approve!
Capes And Jackets
Evoke old-world romance with a cute little fitted jacket or wedding cape. This soft, romantic style will add a sense of timeless beauty to your bridal gown. A cape or jacket is a beautiful way to add visual impact and originality to your outfit, and these designs can be affordable.
If you want to add individuality and romance to your wedding outfit, slip a cuddly yet sophisticated cape or jacket over your wedding dress. Faux fur makes these choices animal-friendly and reasonably priced. If you’re so inclined, slide on a pair of long satin gloves as well. For cool-weather weddings, this accessory can be practical as well as beloved. Your friends and family will smile when they see you all decked out like a queen on your special wedding day.
Treat Yourself To The Best Wedding Accessories…You Deserve Them!
Many women compromise on wedding accessories and then feel sad when their outfit doesn’t quite measure up. Don’t deprive yourself of the right accessories for your wedding – you deserve to make your dreams come true. Wedding dresses are major purchases, and they represent a significant investment – therefore, they must be balanced with the correct accessories.
Every bride wants fairytale romance – and every bride-to-be deserves to feel special on her big day. When you plan carefully and choose the headpiece, shoes, and other accessories of your dreams, you will be happier, more confident…and more beautiful! Your wedding photos will become treasured keepsakes that evoke the most romantic memories ever! Whether you love low-key elegance or wild, trendy styles, you will find something perfect at our bridal boutique!
Watching your son or daughter tie the knot will be one of your life’s most poignant and exciting moments! As the proud matriarch of your family, you will want to be at your absolute best on the big day.
To help you get organized, we’ve put together a quick guide of tips and tricks – just for the mother of the bride! With our suggestions, you can be certain of looking wonderful as you enjoy the ceremony and reception:
Pastels are a safe choice, but they may also wash you out! Don’t be afraid to inject a little color into your wedding ensemble! If you choose a pale pastel for your outfit, try to balance things with a bright lipstick or gemstone necklace.
You don’t have to match the bridesmaid dresses – you can just stay in the same color family if you’re more comfortable with that. Some mothers of the bride actually prefer to choose an evening dress or suit that is in marked contrast to the bridesmaids gowns!
Ask the bride and groom-to-be for advice if you aren’t sure – chances are, they will have a vision in mind for their entire wedding party…
As we age, our skin can lose a little rosiness – stronger jewel tones like golden topaz, sapphire blue, rich purple or intense magenta can put color near the face where needed.
How you will look is largely dependent on the fit of your dress, and whether its color scheme gels with your hair color, eye color, and skin tone. A brighter jacket with a darker suit or dress underneath can be slimming and very chic.
However, you will always need to match the brightness of your outfit with appropriate makeup. You don’t have to overdo it – or even change your regular makeup very much – just add a touch of vibrant color where it really matters.
Pay Attention To Your Makeup
You will be in the spotlight on the big day! Take care to moisturize well, blot your face with a tissue to remove shine, and then do a careful makeup that highlights your best features. For photographs, a little definition around the eyes, and deeper color on the lips, can be great ways to make the most of your natural beauty.
Lightly filling in the brows with a soft eyeshadow ( it should be one or two shades darker than your hair) or brow pencil can be a great way to look more “awake” in photos!
An age-defying foundation can even out your complexion, creating an ideal base for “party” makeup. You don’t need to put foundation everywhere – leaving it off your forehead and cheeks may look more natural.
Using base on the chin, nose (and around the nose), and under the eyes (if you don’t use concealer) may be more than enough. Powder should be applied lightly with a large brush. Patting powder on with a puff can leave you looking chalky.
If you’re wearing cool colors (icy blue, royal blue, true red, emerald green, pink, lavender), be sure your makeup palette isn’t warm or neutral. Conversely, avoid makeup that fights these tones if you’re wearing warm shades like topaz, cinnamon, or burnt orange. Knowing your own coloring is the key to looking great at your child’s wedding!
Dress For Your Body Type
Dressing for your body type is the perfect way to look longer, leaner, and more proportional at the wedding. If you’re curvier, with fuller breasts and hips, be sure to opt for a style that nips in at the waist! Creating a balanced hour-glass silhouette will flatter your natural body type.
When shopping at a bridal boutique, look for an A-line skirt – it can be very attractive on this body type. Avoid anything too tight or too clinging – a slightly heavier fabric (stiff silk or satin versus filmy chiffon, for example) will provide the coverage and support you need.
Wear the right undergarments – a good bra with heavier straps can be a great investment. Even modern-day girdles or support garments have come a long way, and they can give you extra confidence when all eyes are on you. Look at Spanx or similar, pantyhose styles…
For slimmer mothers of the bride, sheath dresses or chemises can be lovely choices. In general, any cut that follows the leaner lines of your body, without being too snug, will look appropriate and flattering. Avoid ruffles or other frou-frou details – unless you really love them! Shoot for simple sophistication and clean lines – when shopping at the wedding store, add glamor by choosing fun heels, pretty accessories, and stylish colors.
Get Your Hair Done Professionally
You will invest so much energy in supporting the bride-to-be and groom-to-be – remember to pamper yourself, too! A fresh color and blowout will make you feel more pulled-together as you enjoy your child’s wedding. Don’t experiment too much or get too creative – go to a colorist and stylist you know and trust.
Relax And Have Fun!
Your attitude and sense of inner joy is really what makes you most beautiful on your son or daughter’s wedding day! Once you’ve planned out your wedding outfit, accessories, and jewelry, you will be all set to relax and enjoy the thrilling experience!
Plan ahead and get organized – make beauty appointments well in advance, buy any makeup items, lingerie, and other accessories, and tuck the whole shebang away in a garment bag (and cosmetic case). Being 100 percent ready for the wedding will allow you to relax and really be there for your child as he or she gets married!
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