Let Bridesmaids Bouquets Perform Double Duty

Mother of the Bride, does getting twice the use out of the bridesmaids bouquets sound good to you? I thought it might. As long as you’re spending the money on beautiful bouquets for your daughter’s maids, you might as well let them perform double duty, right?

Bridesmaids bouquets can be easily repurposed as table décor at the reception. Simply give the bridesmaids instructions as to where they are to place their bouquets as soon as they arrive at the reception. Or have a designated person gather the bouquets (after any photos of the maids holding them) and then run ahead to the reception and place the bouquets for you.

At my daughters’ weddings, we used the bridesmaids bouquets on the groom’s cake table (as seen above) and also on the gift table. The bouquets came in particularly handy on the cake tables. No need to purchase any other kind of décor to accent the cake. Place a bouquet or two near the cake and dress up the table further with a framed photo or two of the happy couple and the cake table is good to go. (By the way, we used my girls’ bridal bouquets on the main cake tables.)

The wonderful thing about bridesmaids bouquets is that they can be used anywhere you need a touch of beauty. You could place them next to the guest book at the reception site or on a photo table if your sweet couple chooses to have one of those. They could even be used as centerpieces on some of the guest tables if you’re doing a variety rather than the same centerpiece on every table. And you may think of other spots where they’d work beautifully as well.

So MOB, why not make plans for the maids bouquets to do double duty? A win-win for sure!

*You might also like to read Quick Tip: Getting the Most Bang for Your MOB Buck, Savings Tip for Bridal and Bridesmaids Bouquets and Christmas Gifts for the Bride.

*Photo by Flowers Photography

Wedding-Themed Shower Gifts

0304

Mother of the Bride, since you will undoubtedly be attending more than one shower for your soon-to-be married daughter, you may be on the hunt for ideas. As ever—on the gift front or any other wedding-related front—I stand ready to help with ideas I’ve used myself or have seen others score a homerun with.

Since you may be shouldering most of the expense of the wedding, why not give yourself a break and give shower gifts that can be used at the wedding? Not only will your pocketbook thank you, but your daughter will too. She will love receiving elegant wedding-related items that may end up becoming keepsakes.

Some wedding-themed ideas that make lovely gifts include: Classic wedding photo frames that can be used on the cake tables or photo table (excellent places to display bridal portraits and engagement photos), an elegant cake server set, exquisite toasting flutes, pretty garters (one for keeping and one for tossing), a beautiful wedding photo album or scrapbook, or even a dated wedding-themed Christmas ornament.

Use one of these ideas, MOB, and you’ll make your daughter very happy with a beautiful keepsake gift—plus your shower gift will do double duty and help save on your overall wedding expenses. A win-win for everyone!

*You might also like to read Bridal Shower Gift Idea: A Wedding Towel Cake!

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. One lucky subscriber (current or new) will receive a Starbucks gift card and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Since the readership of this blog is ever-changing, I hope this encore post from November 2013 helps you today!

*photo by Chris Humphrey