Wedding Registry

My fiancé, Jamie, and I were recently complimented on our wedding registry. We were told that we had a great selection for our guests to chose from and items that fit into every budget. So, how did we accomplish this? Here are a few tips on how to create a registry that your guests will actually want to buy from.

Keep your guests' relation to you in mind --

• The family -- For instance, we both have large families. More often than not, family members like to purchase items that are more traditional (i.e. toasters, coffee makers, dinnerware, glassware, china, etc.). So, make sure that these items are on your registry.
• The friends -- Then you have your friends -- I don't know about you, but I personally am not a fan of buying the traditional gifts! I like to purchase items like fondue sets, wall decor, folding tables/chairs, picnic sets, board games, you know...the fun stuff! I mean after all, you will probably be entertaining friends after the honeymoon, so why not have all the 'stuff' to do it with?!
  
• The children -- This depends on if you are going to invite children or not. Register for small items that children would be so excited to buy you. For example, some of my younger cousins bought me kitchen necessities and the look on their faces as I was opening their gift was so adorable! Not to mention, many adults overlook the measuring cups, measuring spoons, scrub brushes, etc. to get a more expensive gift. Hey, I am not complaining; I am just saying it's nice to options on your registry that will give the children something to look forward to.

Seasonal items -- Who ever said you had to stick with the traditional registry items? My fiance and I thought outside the box when using the scan-gun! For example, not many people register for a cast iron boot rack for the winter months or tiki-torches for those summer nights.

Price ranges -- No one likes a registry where 90% of the items are over $150, especially in this economy. Use the following percentage guide to help form your registry. Remember this is just a guide and you can be as flexible with it as you see fit.

• $10 or less = 30%
• $11 - $30 = 20%
• $31 $50 = 30%
• $51 or more = 20%

Do not be afraid to scan whatever you want! Have fun with it - I mean when else can you go to the store and scan everything you have ever wanted? There are only so many traditional items that you can register for and depending on how many guests you invite to the wedding you may be registering for hundreds of items. It is said that you should register for about one hundred (100) more items than the number of people your invite. So, give your guests options. Some cool items you can register for include, furniture, bedding, pet 'stuff', throw blankets, decor, outdoor seating, camping equipment, and more!

I would love to hear some of the items that you registered for and received that were out of the ordinary!

The Sweetheart Table

Although a head table with all the attendants is a long time standing tradition, more and more brides are moving to a sweetheart table at their reception. There are many factors that should go into making this seating arrangement decision; such as the number of guests, if your attendants have SO's at the reception, and how traditional you want the atmosphere of your wedding. So, why are more couples moving towards the new option of a sweetheart table?

A sweetheart table is a great way to allow everyone in your bridal party to be comfortable. How? Well think about it; with a head table, your attendants' significant others are usually out in the guest seating at the reception. Sometimes they may even be at a table where they know no one (this can be awkward!). With a sweetheart table, you and your hubby can spend dinner together while your attendants can spend the time with their dates.

A sweetheart table is also a great way to set up such an intimate space for you and your hubby. You will spend the whole day apart until you walk down that aisle (or see him at the 'first blush' if you choose to do so) and when you think about all the events that must take place after the wedding ceremony, you don't really get to spend that much time together. So, our advice, take the short hour (if you're that lucky) for dinner to just be newlyweds!

If you are having a lot of out of town guests or guests that you do not get to see that often, a sweetheart table is a plus. When you are finished eating dinner you and your husband can get up and mingle. This will allow you to chat with some friends and family that you do not get to see very often without leaving a head table setting. Think about how weird a head table looks when the Bride & Groom are not sitting at it! With a sweetheart table, you will not need to worry about leaving your attendants behind.

Lastly, a sweetheart table may save you money! Typically, a head table is set more elaborately than guest tables - better linens, skirting, and bigger centerpieces/floral arrangements. If you have a smaller round table set for two instead of 2 - 3 eight-foot banquet tables that are all decked out you will save hundreds of dollars!

Now, we are not saying that a sweetheart table is the end all be all - we just simply want to share our thoughts on how to create a more intimate, functional and economical setting for you and your husband.

We would love to hear your thoughts on the sweetheart table and invite you to share what kind of seating arrangement you had at your wedding and why!

Welcome to Simply Events

Thank you for visiting my blog! My name is Catie Walton and I am the owner of Simply Events -- a full service event planning company located in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am really excited to be venturing out on my own and living my dream. I am passionate about event planning and cannot wait to see what 2010 has in store for me!

I am a graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and minors in both Entrepreneurship and Business Administration. I have three years of event planning experience with most of my background in corporate event planning. However, I am really looking forward to getting into the wedding industry in 2010.