TresSugar

The How-To Lounge: Creating your Wedding Guest List

DearSugar — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Creating your wedding guest list takes careful consideration. Some couples want a huge, blow out wedding while other couples want to keep their big day special and intimate. I'm here to give you some helpful tips so you can create your dream guest list for your dream day.

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Talk with your fiancé and make sure you are on the same page in terms of numbers
If your parents are paying for your wedding, make sure to consult them on your ideas for your list as they may have a different budget in mind than you anticipated
Before you can start making your list, be sure you have your venue booked. The ceremony and reception site will play a big role in determining the number of guests you can invite
Start with a big number, you can always take names off your list
Discuss who won't be invited to your wedding. Be sure you see eye to eye on if you are comfortable with ex girlfriends/boyfriends or children attending your wedding
Decide how many invitations will be given to your parents. Typically each set of parents are allowed to invite some of their friends to your big day
If you and your fiancé are finding it difficult to whittle down your numbers, make an A List and a B List. Mail A Listers first and depending upon your responses, mail out your B List invites. This option might sound tacky, but sometimes it is an easy way to come to final guest list decisions

While you are sure to be overwhelmed with excitement, remember not to verbally invite people to your wedding until you are 150% certain you have room on your guest list. Congratulations and good luck!

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Wedding Mania Round up

DearSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:45:00 -0700

Thank you for being a part of DearSugar's wedding mania week-- it has been a lot of fun and all your comments have been wonderful!

Not everyone is comfortable speaking in public, so if you need some tips, check out the advice that was given to Speechless Sophie
Do tell, what was your favorite wedding party favor?
Since there are no rules when planning your rehearsal dinner, check out The How to Lounge for some simple etiquette guidelines
Did you follow wedding day traditions?
Seating all your guests is no small feat so click here for a push in the right direction
Since a picture says a thousand words, make sure you have your pose down pat!
Are you planning on changing your name after you get married?
What celebrity would you want as your celebrity maid of honor?

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Do Tell: What's the Most Interesting Wedding You've Been To?

TresSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:00:00 -0700

It's Wedding Planning Mania time on the Sugar network, and as brides-to-be surely know - it may be one of the most stressful times they may ever experience. From planning the guest list, to deciding the registry, to choosing a location for the big day - it's almost understandable that some women go into Bridezilla mode.

But for some daredevils (or financially strapped and/or free spirits), there's a way of getting married - short of hightailing it to Vegas without telling anyone - that can turn the day into a near-spontaneous and yet memorable and poetic event. Want to hear about one such wedding I attended? Now read more.

Years ago in New York, a boyfriend's coworker invited us to his wedding. He told us it would be simple, short and sweet. Not expecting much, I was nevertheless, floored by how lovely the ceremony was. To this day, after attending many weddings, I cite it as one of the most magical I've attended.

The venue? Sleepy Hollow, a village in Westchester County, New York on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, only thirty miles north of midtown Manhattan. (Take a peek at it in the picture above.) The wedding took place late afternoon, and as soon as we got off the train, I knew this was going to be special.

As we walked toward the woodsy locale (it inspired Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow), strains of a solo violin could be heard. Soon after, the bride and groom (both struggling theater actors) read carefully selected poems to each other while we all tried not to choke up. Sunlight was still visible through dappled leaves.

After the ceremony was over, there were delicious passed hors d'oeuvres, champagne toasts, and, of course, wedding cake. As it began to get dark, we all said our goodbyes as the forest cooled in the night air. Simple and beautiful. I remember it like it was yesterday.

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The How-To Lounge: Combating Postwedding Blues

DearSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700

With all the excitement and energy leading up to a wedding, it's likely that the day after may seem a bit lacking. Add in the emotions, relief, and exhaustion from your big day, and it's a recipe for postwedding blues. But just because the wedding is over doesn't mean you don't have plenty to look forward to in your newlywed status. Check out my advice for combating postwedding blues, and read more.

Giving yourself something to look forward to after the wedding can make a big difference when easing yourself into the newlywed lifestyle. Consider planning your honeymoon for a week or two after the wedding, or even longer if you prefer; there's no right or wrong time to take a honeymoon.
If your honeymoon is already days away, but you're still worried the lag time will leave you disappointed and listless, try coming up with a few simple postwedding events to enjoy with your friends and family. Being around your loved ones who shared in the wedding excitement will keep your spirits soaring.
It's natural to feel sad, but remember it's not going to last forever. Once you and your husband settle into a routine as newlyweds, things will start to feel much more comfortable.
On that note, as you settle into your new routine, don't forget to incorporate the elements from your prewedding planning life, too. Put more time into your friends and pick up where you left off with your hobbies - both are easily bumped aside during planning mania.
Give yourself some alone time. It may be scary at first, but it's important to reacquaint yourself with who you are when not negotiating a looming wedding. Take long walks, read a new book, or go get a massage.

Just as quickly as postwedding blues come on, they disappear so keep your chin up, and if you need to, there's nothing wrong with going through your photo album to relive the memories from your big day.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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Bride Puts Her Bridesmaids on a Diet

GiggleSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:00:00 -0700

This week kicks off the Sugar network's "Wedding Planning Mania" coverage, which means there'll be a whole bunch of bridezillas up in here. WE TV has a series that follows brides-to-be around town while they hoot, holler, and make a hostile effort to plan their weddings. The 'zilla below ordered all of her beautiful (but "five pounds" overweight) bridesmaids to follow a strict no-carb diet - oh all right, with an itty-bitty spoonful of rice on the side. They've got ugly dresses to squeeze into!

To see all of our wedding season coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

Product of the Day: Pin The Macho On The Man

GiggleSugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 03:00:00 -0700

You've heard of Pin The Tail On The Donkey, right? Well, Wedding Mania Planning week starts Monday here on the Sugar Network, so here's a sneak peek. Pin The Macho On The Man is a fun game you could play at a bachelorette party. The game includes a poster and 25 different "units" in the following shapes: a hot dog, a trout, barber poles, a snake and all sorts of tubes, poles, and sticks. (Oh, my!) Blindfold not included. So the trout unit is included--but not a blindfold? Weird.