Cake Table Decor: Bride’s and Bridesmaids Bouquets

Mother of the Bride, have you and your darling daughter discussed décor for the cake tables yet? Remember, you will have two tables or areas to decorate—the main cake table and the table for the groom’s cake as well. Yes, the cakes will be decorative in themselves, but something more is really needed to add color and beauty to the white tablecloths you’ll more than likely use.

One smart and gorgeous solution is to use the bride’s and the bridesmaids’ bouquets to add beautiful accents to the cake tables. Since you already have money invested in the bouquets, why not use them beyond the ceremony?

Not only will the bouquets already be stunning, they will provide coordinating color, already be paid for, and will require no extra work. Just tell the bridesmaids ahead of time where they are to place their bouquets as soon as they arrive at the reception. Or have someone else assigned to gather the bouquets as soon as the post ceremony photos are taken so she can get them to the reception site asap.

MOB, this is one of those times you can kill two birds with one stone. Take advantage of it and move on to the next item on your to-do list. After all, you’ll probably be adding to that list as fast as you check things off, right?!

*You might also like to read Cake Table Tip for Weddings: Display Engagement PhotoTable Décor Finishing Touch: Fresh Rose Petals, and Wedding Table Décor: Add Pizzazz with Confetti.

0307*Top photo by Flowers Photography; bottom photo by Chris Humphrey

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

Wedding Planning: Two Cake-Knife and Server Sets

Mother of the Bride, add this to your “to-do” list: Find two cake-knife and server sets. That’s right, you’ll need nice sets for both the main cake table and the groom’s cake table. It’s easy to forget about needing a set for the groom’s cake so put it on your list now and save yourself from a last minute cake-serving crisis. Heaven knows you want to avoid as many last minute glitches as possible, right?

I would suggest borrowing both sets or perhaps buying one beautiful set as a shower gift and then borrowing the other set. The one you buy as a gift could be used for the main cake table, and the other set for the groom’s cake.

Asking the groom’s mother if she has a set that could be used for the groom’s cake is an excellent way to help her feel included. If she doesn’t have a set herself, she might be able to borrow a set. If you’re trying to borrow both sets, you can ask other family members and friends or even check with your caterer to see if she has a set available for your use. You could also check with your church.

So MOB, line up your cake-cutting utensils now—and then prepare to enjoy the yumminess of both cakes on wedding day!

*You might also like to read Cake-Cutting Wedding Day TipWedding Savings Tip: Borrow!Make the Mother of the Groom Part of the Team, and Mothers of the Bride Pay It Forward.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Photo by Chris Humphrey

Custom Sneakers for the Bride or Groom

Mother of the Bride, everything the bride wears on wedding day will be noticed—and photographed—and that includes her shoes. What style is she interested in for the ceremony and formal shots? How about the reception and party? Almost without exception, a more comfortable pair of shoes than her dressy heels will be needed before the dancing is over and she dashes off to her honeymoon.

A great choice for the reception (or at least after you get past the important photos) is custom sneakers. Not only will they be comfortable and fun, but both the bride and groom can sport them together. And what a cute photo that will make, right?

How do you get sneakers customized? Check the shoe manufacturer’s website to see if they offer a custom shoe service. For example, check this Custom Wedding Sneakers page on the Converse website. Also this Etsy page shows all kinds of wedding Converse shoes. You could also try a Google search for custom sneakers to find other possibilities out there.

Run this (pun intended!) past the bride and groom, MOB, and see if custom sneakers strike their wedding-shoe fancy. Go ahead an encourage them to get comfortable and thoroughly enjoy their party—and don’t forget comfy shoes for yourself, too!

*You might also like to read Rustic Wedding Bridal Shoes: Boots—What Else?Bridal Shoes: The Lacy Look, and Bridal Shoes: The Cute Factor.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, comes out in early February. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by Villa de Amore, Creative Commons License

A Gem of a Wedding Photo: Hideaway Moment

Mother of the Bride, are you on the lookout for wedding photo ideas you can share with the bride and groom? If not, it’s not too late. Today is a great day to get started because I’ve got a gem of an idea to share with you.

The hideaway shot above captures a stolen intimate moment between the newlyweds. Not only will it become a photo they will treasure their entire lives—and I love it in black and white—it will provide them with a precious private moment on the wedding day itself.

Ask the photographer to be on the lookout for a spot similar to the scene above—a place where the groom can pull the bride off to the side for a moment and whisper sweet nothings in her ear or steal a kiss while guests mingle unaware in the background. The stars of the show will be so happy to sneak in some private time like this that they will quickly forget the photographer’s presence and truly delight in the moment. (The photographer might want to clue the groom in after he finds the perfect spot!)

So MOB, give your love birds an early gift and suggest the Hideaway Moment shot for them to request from their photographer before wedding day. They will love the idea—and they’ll love you for suggesting it. Another win-win for the Mother of the Bride!

*You might also like to read Wedding Day Tip: A List for the PhotographerWedding Photo Idea: Black and White Bubble ShotWedding Photo Idea: Groom Admires His Bride, and Wedding Photo Idea: The Corner Shot.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early November. Sign up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Tela ChheCreative Commons License

Wedding Registry Idea: Pottery Barn

Mother of the Bride, have your daughter and her beloved decided where they want to register yet? When most of us think of bridal registries, two or three of the standard registries come to mind, but it can be so much fun to throw something else into the mix too. Guests love having several options to choose from, and the newlyweds can end up with some cool gifts they might not otherwise have received. Fun, huh?!

With that in mind, why not suggest Pottery Barn to the soon-to-be newlyweds? Pottery Barn offers a little bit of everything for the home, and their products are super classy. Your sweet couple can start the process on the Pottery Barn registry page. From there, they can book a free appointment with a design expert if they’d like. Pottery Barn also has a registry app that’s free and can help them manage and track their registry. Always fun to check in and see what’s happening with a registry, right?

MOB, Pottery Barn is sure to add to the excitement and fun of the registry process so encourage your happy couple to consider them. They might just find some of their favorite items there!

*You might also like to read Wedding Registry Roundup.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early November. Sign-up is FREE. *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by Jeepers MediaCreative Commons License