Trendy wedding invitation ideas

You may have read the NY Times recent story regarding the new trend that couples are using to announce their engagements, receive wedding rsvp's using QR codes on their invitations and save the date cards.

According the the wedding couple interviewed in that news story they wanted people to go,‘Oh, that’s cool."  When the code is scanned it took her guests to a website that had details about her wedding weekend events. “We didn’t want a traditional verbose information card, so using the code meant the card could be really clean,” she said.

Are there other ways you can use QR codes for your wedding?  Of course.  Here are a few ideas from http://qreateandtrack.com/ who made the save the date card to your right as well as the ones below:

• Use them on your RSVP cards.  Placing a QR Code could allow people to respond to your invite directly from their smartphone. The QR Code could point to a mobile-optimized landing page.

• Last but not least, another use for QR Codes on Wedding stationery could be on table number cards. You could place a QR Code on each of the cards that could possibly point to a video of the couple thanking their guests or perhaps a photo gallery of the couple.

 

I thought these were fantastic ideas.  What do you think?  How would you use a QR code at your wedding?

Questions to ask a wedding venue before booking them

When brides and grooms start looking for wedding venues, too often they fall in love with the beauty of the place and sign a contract before they've considered the more practical things. It makes sense -- who wants to look back and say only, "Well, it was practical"?

But unless the place is so magical that you're willing to plan your whole event around it, your shouldn't choose between wedding venues until you've decided approximately how many guests you're inviting and the size of your budget. You'll also need to decide if you want to have your ceremony and reception in the same place, or if you want an all-in-one wedding venue.

Once you know these things, and you have a few wedding venues in mind that fit that budget and size, then it's time to start asking questions!

• What's the decor like? Does it fit your style and wedding colors? Will you have to spend a lot of money on flowers and decorations to make it beautiful?
• Do they have an in-house caterer, and do you like that food? (While an in-house caterer can be easier and cheaper, sometimes the food is not as beautiful as the room. So make sure you taste it!) Do they have a limitation on which outside caterers you can use?
• Do they have adequate coat check and bathroom facilities?
• Is the wedding venue wheelchair accessible? If not, are there many stairs to climb? How close is the parking to the ceremony and reception rooms?
• What's the cancellation policy?
• Is there a payment schedule? What kind of deposits are required?
• Are there any hidden costs? (Before you sign the contract, read it carefully.)
• What are the overtime charges?
• Do they have a liquor license?
• Will they allow you to bring your own liquor? (This is usually cheaper, even with the customary corkage fee.)
• Is there room in the wedding venue for a band and/or dancing?
• Does the wedding venue already own a sound system with adequate speakers or will that need to be rented?
• Is there a space for the bride and groom to change and/or relax?
• Where will you take photographs? Is there a park nearby, or do the coordinators have recommended spots on the grounds?
• Who will be supervising and troubleshooting before the day of your wedding? Who will be supervising and troubleshooting on the day of your wedding? Can you meet them now?
• Where can your guests park? Are there extra fees for parking? Do they have valet parking?
• Is the wedding venue convenient to public transportation, especially in big cities? How long will it take your guests to get there?
• Especially in museums or private clubs, are there limitations on decorations? Do they limit food and drinks to only certain areas of the wedding venue?
• Are candles or other open flames allowed?
• If its an outdoor location, do they have any backup plans for rain or other inclement weather? If not, is there a place that you can put up a tent?

How to save money on wedding flowers for your Seattle wedding

Use Flowers that are in season:

Flowers can make your wedding look amazing.  The problem is that it can get expensive.  So to cut down on cost make sure that you choose flowers in season.

Be sure to scroll down and see wedding flowers that are available year-round.

Spring Wedding Flowers in Season

 

Anemone * Blue, red, pink, white * Jan-May and Aug-Dec.

Bells of Ireland * Green * January-October

Boronia * Pink * April-May

Casa Blanca Lily * White * January-October

Daffodil * Yellow * January-Early May

Delphinium * White, Blue * April- October

Hyacinth * Purple, Pink or White

Lilacs * Violet or White

Narcissus * White

Peony * Pink or White * Late Spring – Early Summer

Ranunculus * white, pink, red, orange and yellow * February-May

Star Gazer Lily * Pink and White * January-October

Sweetpea * white, pink, red/coral, and lavender/purple * December-May

Tulip * Many colors, including white, pink, yellow, red, and purple * December-April

Waxflower * pinky purple and white

Summer Wedding Flowers in Season

 

Alstromeria * orange, pink, yellow and cream, other colors

Bells of Ireland * Green * January-October

Chrysanthemum * White, Yellow, Orange, Pink, other colors

English Lavender * Purple

Forget-me-not * Blue

Freesia * White, Yellow, Pink, Blue, Purple

Gerbera Daisy * Pink, Yellow, Orange, Red, White

Hydrangea * White, Blue, Purple, Pink

Iris * Purple, Blue, White

Larkspur * White, Purple, Blue, Pink

Liatris * Pinkish Purple

Lily, asiatic * White, Pink, Yellow, Orange

Lily, oriental * White, Pink

Lisianthus * Purple, White, Pink

Matsumoto Asters * Pink, Purple

Monte Casino Asters * White, Purple

Queen Anne's Lace * White

Snapdragons * Pink, Yellow, Orange, White, Other Colors

Solidaster * Yellow

Statice * Purple

Stephanotis * White

Stock * White, Other Colors

Sunflower * Yellow

Tuberose * White

Yarrow * White, Pink, Yellow

Zinnia * Red, Orange, Pink

Fall Wedding Flowers

 

Aster * White, Pink

Chrysanthemum * White, Yellow, Orange, Pink, other colors

Dahlia * Many Colors

Marigold * Yellow, Orange, Red

Statice * Purple

Zinnia * Red, orange, pink *

Dried Leaves

Winter Wedding Flowers

 

Amaryllis * Red, White

Anemone * Blue, red, pink, white * Jan-May and Aug-Dec.

Bells of Ireland * Green * January-October

Camellias * White, Pink

Casa Blanca Lily * White * January-October

Cosmos * Pink, White, Brown, Other Colors

Daffodil * Yellow * January-Early May

Forget-me-nots * Blue

Holly * Green with Red Berries

Jasmine * White

Narcissus * White, Yellow

Poinsettia * Red, White

Ranunculus * white, pink, red, orange and yellow * February-May

Star Gazer Lily * Pink and White * January-October

Star of Bethlehem * White

Sweetpea * white, pink, red/coral, and lavender/purple * December-May

Tulip * Many colors, including white, pink, yellow, red, and purple * December-April

Waxflower * Pink, White

Wedding Flowers Available Year-Round

 

Baby's Breath * White

Bachelor's Button * White, Pink, Red or Blue

Calla Lily * White is widely available, other colors, available as well, particularly in mini size

Carnations * Many Colors

Delphinium * Blue, White, Purple

Eucalyptus * Blue, Silver

Gardenia * White

Gladiolus * Many Colors

Heather * Pink

Lily of the Valley * White and Pink

Orchid * Pink, White, Purple, Other Colors

Protea * Pink

Rose * Many Colors ***February at a premium

Scabiosa * Purple, White
What do you think?  Can you plan your wedding flowers around the season in order to save money or do you feel that it's a once in a lifetime event and money is no option?  Please tell us your opinion below!

"Wedding Rules for the Techy Bride"...as seen on MSN!

Yes, there's an update to wedding etiquette. Check out these techie laws to abide by while planning your wedding.

Do: Use Facebook to share pics from prewedding parties...and, later, wedding photos!

Don't: Don't skip sending traditional wedding invites. It's a formal event (yes, even if it's in your backyard), so treat it that way.

Do: Read blogs, online forums and review sites (go to WeddingChannel.com vendor reviews) to get real brides' opinions of potential vendors and to write reviews of your favorites after the wedding.

Don't: Don't bash your vendors on review sites! Give kudos when deserved, and remember that your vendors are human. A thoughtful and honest review is the way to go.

Do: Use social media (like foursquare or Facebook) for checking in during your planning (at the cake bakery or floral studio). You could even score a discount along the way!

Don't: Don't let this serve as a trail for those who aren't invited on the dress shopping trip. Cousin sally might be upset when she sees you've "checked in: to the bridal salon and she didn't get an invite. Don't publish a check-in to your feed.

Do: Follow wedding pros on Twitter for ideas, deals and inspiration. Just a few of our faves: @colincowie, @jesihaack, @kissthegroom, @ShawnRabideau and @mysweetandsaucy.

Don't: Don't use social media, especially Twitter and Facebook, to constantly update your followers and friends on your upcoming nuptials. Instant unfollow!

-- Anne Jones

Tell us....did you post your wedding on Facebook?

Seattle Wedding Planning made easy!

Welcome to the Seattle Wedding Workbook blog!

If you're a Seattle bride then this is the spot for you. We're going to talk EVERYTHING Seattle wedding!

Do you have a great engagement story to tell? Tell us about it!
Are you a wedding vendor who would like to tell brides about a product? Go for it!
Is there some advice you'd like to give Seattle brides? Please share!

Meanwhile, we're going to post information from our Seattle Wedding Workbook that will help you in planning your wedding. However, to receive the most assistance you should purchase our Seattle Wedding Workbook for $29.95. You can download checklists, timelines, advice, over 100 worksheets, local wedding vendor information and so much more!

Plus, order by July 28th and receive a certificate for AIRFARE AND HOTEL STAY FROM SEATTLE TO CANCUN! This is available to the first 100 orders only!

Here's the website: http://www.seattleweddingworkbook.com/