Wedding Programs

This is one of the more frequent questions I have been asked.

My answer is that the choice is yours!

The wedding program is often one of the first design elements your guests will see on your wedding day. It can help convey the theme, color palette, and formality for your entire event. Many couples like to match all of their day-of wedding stationery which can include seating charts, escort cards, menus, etc.

If your wedding ceremony includes special traditions, customs, or personalized elements, then you should use a wedding program to provide a “roadmap” for your guests to follow along. If your ceremony is going to be very short, sweet, and basic, then you might not need a program.

Here are a some ideas to keep in mind as you design your wedding program:

• Ceremony traditions in the order they will occur. Be sure to review this with the officiant before it goes to print.

• Title of readings and name of the reader. If there is room on the program, you may include the actual poem or scripture.

• Title of musical selections and name of singers/musicians

• Names of members of the wedding party. Their relationship to the bride/groom may be added.

• Memorial. Names and/or photos of important people who are now deceased. 

• Explanations of personalized elements, such as unity candle, unity sand, jumping the broom, etc. 

• Directions from ceremony to reception. Only do this if everyone at the ceremony will be invited to the reception. 

Program Designed by Penned by Pink

Your program can be one-sided, two-sided, a booklet, or a fan. The options are abundant. I recommend creating your wedding programs in the same style as your invitation. If possible, ask your stationery designer to create a full suite for you. (I really like this fall-themed design by our fabulous friend Kendell at Penned by Pink.)

If you prefer to shop for your wedding stationery online, Trilogy Event Design has partnered with Minted Weddings to offer a special discount to our clients and followers. Use the code WEDPLTRILOGY to save 25% on your order.

Program available at Minted.com

Whether you need help finding the words to include on your wedding program or help finding a stationery company to custom design & print them in time for your wedding day, Trilogy Event Design is here for you! Schedule a 30-minute call now to discuss our services.

Until next time, I leave you with Glitter Wishes & Unicorn Kisses.

Randi

Signature Cocktails for Your Next Special Event

When planning your wedding or special event, don’t skimp on the bar. If the idea of an open bar makes your heart stop beating, take a moment to catch your breath and continue reading.

Open Bar does not mean you have to offer all of the top shelf alcohol brands that your guests would never ask for if they were paying for their own drinks. Open Bar does not even mean you have to offer every type of alcohol… period. What it does mean is that you are paying a flat rate per person and your guests can drink whatever they want from the offerings available.

3 Ways to Save on the Bar

Here are a few quick tips to save a few dollars (per person) on the bar:

1. Choose a few types of alcohol that you know you and your guests will drink. Nix the others. For example, if your guests love martinis, cosmos, and margaritas, then you don’t need to offer scotch or bourbon.

2. Create a limited open bar. Offer a few beers, a few wines (maybe red, white, and rose), and 1 or 2 signature cocktails.

3. Only offer signature cocktails (although not the biggest crowd-pleaser)

Create Awesome Signage

Stationery Design: Penned by Pink

To make sure your guests know about your thoughtfully planned signature cocktails, create signage to place at the bar. Many times, our clients have had their stationery designer create the signs so the font and style match the other printed materials for the day. We usually place these signs at the bar in frames so they are sure to be noticed.

Watermelon Coconut Martini

Photo from Buzz Magazine

A fun pink cocktail when you're in the mood for something light and fruity that's not a Cosmopolitan! Goes wonderfully with spicy Asian flavors and summertime salads.

Get the recipe here

Green Tea Margarita

Photo from Pinterest

Salt or no salt? That is the question.

Get the recipe here

Berry Rose Mojito

A spin on a favorite cocktail. Swap the club soda for a rose and Voila! (Wait… what’s the Spanish word for voila?)

Get the recipe here

I hope this has all been helpful information. Remember:

1. Save money with a limited open bar.

2. Create awesome signage for your signature cocktails.

3. Choose signature cocktails that fit your wedding theme and personal tastes.

We are full of ideas and welcome yours too! Feel free to comment below with questions and suggestions.

Until next time, I leave you with Glitter Wishes & Unicorn Kisses.

5 Steps to Take If You Have to Postpone Your Wedding

If you have to postpone your wedding due to the current state of the world, you’re probably feeling a range of emotions. While it’s normal to feel sad, angry and disappointed, know that you will still have your dream wedding day – there are just a few adjustments that need to be made first.

Please Note: It is better to “postpone” than to “cancel”.

What to Consider When Postponing Your Wedding Day

1.Get a Professional Involved

If you’ve been working with a wedding planner up until this point, this is the first person you should turn to at this time. Working with a wedding planner can help take some of the pressure off when you’re already feeling upset about the postponement. The last thing you want to do is make emotional decisions. By letting a third party help you, it will be easier to make logical decisions about what to do next.

If you are not already working with a wedding planner, you can hire someone on a limited basis to handle this delicate process for you.

2. Get Realistic About the Financial Details

Unfortunately, when there’s a change of plans, it can result in financial losses. You may be able to negotiate with your venue and hired professionals so that you lose little to no money. However, it’s still best to have realistic expectations. There is a chance that you might lose your deposit or need to pay extra to make the necessary adjustments.

3. Get In Touch with Your Venue

If you want to start looking at new dates, get in touch with your venue about availability. Again, it’s best to have realistic expectations and be flexible. If your venue is popular, you will have to work with the dates they have open. If you don’t like the options they have available, you can always look at new venues, but know that you would likely be forfeit your deposit.

4. Get In Touch with Your Hired Professionals

Once you’ve been in touch with both your wedding planner and your venue, you can start making arrangements with each of your hired professionals. If any of then are unable to accommodate your new date, you may need to look for a replacement. There is also a chance that you may incur some losses here if you need to switch vendors. Your wedding planner can help you work with your hired professionals and your venue together if you want to have better chances of finding a date that works for everyone.

5. Send Out Change the Date Cards

Next, you want to make sure that your guests know about the postponement. This is where your wedding website comes in handy. If you haven’t yet picked a new date, you can simply update the website to let guests know that they will find out about a new date soon. If you’ve already picked a new date, include it on your “Change the Date” cards. The sooner you can let guests know, the better… especially if they have to make travel arrangements.

These are the main factors to consider when postponing your wedding. If you’ve already planned your honeymoon, don’t forget to make the necessary changes to your travel arrangements too.

Once you’ve gotten the big adjustments out of the way, you can start looking forward to your big day all over again. If you need assistance with any of these changes, contact Trilogy Event Design for a consultation.

Until next time… I leave you with Glitter Wishes & Unicorn Kisses!