SOMETHING BLUE

This began with the use of blue ribbons.  Until John Quincy Adams bride wore a white gown, the color of choice was blue.  Blue had symbolized purity, as the scarf that Mary wore in the manger.      Blue ideas:  blue garter, a piece of blue jewelry, a blue ribbon pinned to the underside of gown, blue toe nail polish, blue panties (a secret), something blue in your bouquet, or a blue button sewn on the inside of the gown.

  GOOD LUCK AND BAD LUCK 

It is considered that rain and especially a rainbow is good luck.

If the groom get teary eyed, it is good luck.

It is good luck to lead with your right foot.  Likewise the right foot over the threshold.

It's good luck to see a black cat - yes good!

All patriotism aside, it is bad luck to have red, white and blue flowers.  The red then means blood, the white is bandages, and blue is sadness.

It is good luck to have your Grandmother at your ceremony.

It is bad luck for the groom to see you in your gown and veil before the wedding day.

It is good luck for the bride to take one final glance at the way she looks when all ready - but don't look twice!  It shows second thoughts.

It is good luck if the groom gets to the ceremony before the bride.

I consider it extremely good luck to give a hug to your J.P. 

     Good Luck is:

Something old Something new,                                                                       

something borrowed, something blue,

(Old English) added a sixpence in your shoe,

but in America a dime will do!

BRIDE TO THE LEFT SIDE

The practice of the bride standing to the left of the groom began when the groom had to protect the bride in the old days.  In order to protect her from other suitors or her angry family, he kept her away from his sword hand, usually the right hand.

  DON'T FORGET

If you want to keep your bouquet, have a smaller substitute for throwing.

Be aware of the order that events will happen, such as cake cutting and garter and flower toss.

Let everyone know the final count of guests.

Ask someone ahead of time to be the one to get your plates filled, so you can avoid getting tied up in the line.  Ask caterer to make up a basket of food for you both to take with you, in case you didn't get a chance to eat or were too excited.

Make sure all your vendors are paid a few days before the ceremony and give the tip envelopes to the Best Man or Maid of Honor to hand out for you, in case you get tied up speaking to everyone.  You can always take back one or two to hand deliver to anyone special.

Have a place to change into get-away clothes, preferably not the public restroom, for the bride at least.  Make plans for someone to return tux or suit or send the gown to the cleaners, and make sure the luggage gets to the car.

If the groom has rented dress shoes - bring street shoes to change into - you'd be amazed how many grooms forget this.

CENTERPIECE IDEAS

You don't always have to have expensive florist centerpieces or traditional wedding favors.  Get creative. Wrap up M & M's as favors with a note that they stand for a sweet life as "Mr and Mrs".

Your choices depend somewhat on the time of year for some of the ideas. 

In the spring, a small potted plant in the center of the table is a reasonably priced choice.  Tie a printed or gingham ribbon around the pot.  It will be a lasting gift to one of the guests to take home.  Instead of favors you could place a tiny potted plant at each place setting. Another spring idea is a stuffed bunny with Easter Bunny grass around it, or a bird and branches with tiny silk flowers.  Crafts stores have little white wooden fences that could go around.

For Valentine's Day, wrap tradition candy hearts for favors.  These are a lot less expensive than mints or almonds.  Cut out construction paper hearts of all sizes in pink and red and arrange in the center of the table.  Add confetti and streamers or curled ribbon.

In the summer, use a sand pail with silk flowers.  You could use a wide glass bowl and fill with sand and shells.  You could put sand dollars or star fish on the table around it. Another idea is to have a basket with silk sunflowers in the center of each table.  If your reception isn't going to be very formal use checkered cloths on the tables.  You could put small picnic baskets in the middle with real fruit spilling out of them.

In the fall, you can have a cornucopia with small gourds,nuts and pumpkins falling out surrounded by fall leaves. One of my receptions had small pumpkins with fabric bows around the stem at each place setting.  It was much less expensive than traditional favors and the guests loved them. You could also have one larger pumpkin in the center with twisted green crepe paper streamers.

In the winter you could have a bowl of shiny Christmas ornaments with greenery around it.  There could also be a hurricane lamp glass with a red candle in the middle.  The hurricane lamp can have cranberries or marbles or glass stones to hold the candle upright and add color.

For a children's table put a box of crayons at each place setting and print or photocopy drawings related to weddings for them to color.  Use a plastic table cover.  Include pencils with fluffy feathery tops just for fun favors.

HOW MANY TABLE DO WE NEED?

Each 96 inch rectangular table seats 8-10 people

Each 72 inch rectangular table seats 6-8 people

Each 72 inch round table seats 8-10 people

Each 60 inch round table seats 6-8 people

Each 54 inch square table seats 4 people

Think of the total area in which you are putting the tables.  If you have a lot of space, then the fewer amount for each table is more comfortable.  Tables should be about four feet apart to allow room to go around seated people.

Most of all, smile and have fun!