TresSugar

The How-To Lounge: Seating Your Guests

DearSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Figuring out where to seat the guests at your wedding is not a small task and can be a source of a lot of anxiety, but I'm here to offer some helpful tips on how to map out your reception seating. Regardless of the kind of dinner you have - sit down, buffet, or station - you have to provide your guests with a place to sit and enjoy their meal and good company. To see my tips, click here to read more

Don't start this project until you have received all your RSVP cards. It'd be a real shame to have every table perfected before you know who is really coming.
Know before starting the seating chart that it could take a few tries, so try not to get too flustered!
Since there will be guests at your wedding that you don't know very well (parents, friends, or new inlaws) you'll need to ask for help from relatives when it comes to finding a place for them to sit.
Be sure that every person has a place card. Even if you pick out who you want at what table, it's best to assign them a proper seat as well.
Regardless of the shape of your table, I always recommend sitting boy/girl. It looks clean and can aid in good chit chat. One thing to remember is that a rectangular table is best for conversation, space, and viewing the bride and groom and the dancefloor.
There is usually a head table at every wedding. This typically consists of wedding party and their guests only, but some couples opt to include their parents as well. While there are no strict rules, space is always something to consider.
You should seat other family and close friends near the head table so they don't feel left out.
People disagree on whether or not you should sit couples and close friends together. I happen to feel that you should never split up couples - you want your guests to have fun and to feel comfortable, so why separate them from their loved ones?
Since there will presumably be single people attending your wedding, it's always fun to have a few singles tables. This is your time to play matchmaker so seat "like people" together.
If you choose not to have a sit down dinner, or if the meal isn't a big part of your reception, you should still make sure there are plenty of tables and chairs for people to sit down, but in this circumstance, place cards aren't necessary.
It's inevitable that some people won't show, and even though it's in poor form, sometimes guests bring uninvited dates so always prepare for the unexpected. Make sure you have a few extra chairs and place cards on hand.
Know that your guests will be moving around throughout the night, but don't think this is because you haven't done a good job with the seating assignments. They're probably just being social, which is a good thing!

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The How-To Lounge: Arrange the Seating Chart For Thanksgiving Dinner

DearSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0800

I know what you're all saying, you can't believe Thanksgiving is just four days away, but it's time to accept the fact that it's early this year, so get cracking on setting your table! If you are at a loss as to who should sit next to whom, check out some of my tips.

Click here to read more.

Since Thanksgiving is a time when all are welcome, especially those who are far from family and close friends, be sure to use name tags at the dinner table to avoid seating anxiety and ensure no one forgets anyone's name!
Similar to seating at a wedding, I suggest seating boy/girl. It mixes up the conversation well and is aesthetically pleasing.
I always like to separate couples, brothers and sisters, and best friends in order to avoid cliques and encourage people to go outside their comfort zone.
Typically the hosts sit at either end of the table, and the person that is doing most of the serving should sit closest to the kitchen.
Be sure to sit a shy guest next to a more outgoing one and make an effort to seat people together who have similar interests so you don't have to worry about everyone getting along - Thanksgiving is supposed to be fun!
A lot of people have an open-door policy on Thanksgiving day, so make sure to have some extra chairs if you're expecting anyone to drop by.

I hope these tips help, and for any and all things Thanksgiving, check out what my good friends over at YumSugar have to say!

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Health Insurance Industry Wants Insurance Mandate

LibertySugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:30:01 -0800

If a new healthcare policy will require insurance companies to accept everyone, regardless of preexisting conditions, these companies want the government to require every American to buy coverage, or suffer a tax penalty. The board of the America's Health Insurance Plans endorsed such an arrangement this week, offering support to an impending change from the current system. The president of the group said:

We're going to provide all the technical background that we have assembled, all the experience we've assembled at the state level, and we're going to work very hard with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. We want to make sure that whatever reforms are advanced, no one falls through the cracks.

Perhaps bolstered by the support from the industry that the Clintons lacked in the 90s, Barack Obama's chief-of-staff in waiting Rahm Emanuel told business leaders last night that the Obama administration will not accept incremental reform - they're looking for truly universal healthcare. He said that the Obama administration will "throw long and deep" on other major issues as well.

With the insurance companies putting down their arms, and even offering assistance, it looks like real healthcare reform could happen in the near future. Throw in the possibility of a 60-seat filibuster-proof majority, and the possibilities for change seem endless. Do you think Congress will ditch its tendency for inaction? Do you want it to?

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Where I'm Clicking Now: Political Compass

LibertySugar — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:00:50 -0700

Political Compass doesn't tell you what political party you should vote for; instead, it gauges your ideology. The website explains:

The old one-dimensional categories of "right" and "left," established for the seating arrangement of the French National Assembly of 1789, are overly simplistic for today's complex political landscape.

And now you can compare where you fall, with the Presidential candidates and other politicians. Interestingly enough, most US politicians fall in the same box.

While I've heard some complaints about bias in the academic-developed questions around the Sugar HQ, I haven't heard too many complaints about the end results. Take the test and tell me what you think. Do you match up with your favorite politician? And, to see where historical figures fall on the political compass read more.

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Wedding Planning Week in Review

DearSugar — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0700

If you missed any of wedding planning week here on Dear, check out my recap below!

Learn proper wedding reception etiquette, like how to arrange your seating chart and the best way to incorporate speeches and toasts.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently at your wedding?
Know of any wedding disaster stories? Share them with other Dear readers!
Need some help tackling that hefty guest list? Make it easy with Dear's handy tips.
When it comes to inviting kids to the big day, where do you stand?
Weddings are expensive even if it is not yours, so who do you think should have to pay for the bridesmaid expenses?
Stay on top of your wedding planning and check out part two of our wedding timeline.
Would you ever write your own vows?
His mom just won't butt out of the wedding planning! How would you handle this?
I've got everything you need to know to plan your rehearsal dinner without the fuss!

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

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Come Story Telling with me!!! The Completed Story

DearSugar — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 12:26:09 -0700

I hope you all enjoyed this new feature as much as I did! Your wild imaginations made for a great story line! To read the completed tale you all helped create, read more

"Honey, no, I literally can't eat another bite." I was so stuffed after one of the most amazing meals of my life. I actually forgot how romantic my cute hubby could be, especially since he is the one that always forgets our anniversary. I don't know what warranted this sudden change in our routine, but I was so happy it had happened. Oh, and did I mention the fabulous meal? I can't believe he got us a table at The Ivy at such short notice.

"Well, alright darling, you don't have to try my creme brulee. If you are so full how about I ask for the check and whisk my gorgeous wife out of here?" I nodded looking up into the dark pools of deep green that were his eyes, how can a gal be so lucky? Within minutes we were seated in his black Ferrari but instead of turning towards our house in the hills he moved towards the ocean. "Honey where are we going now?" I wondered aloud what more surprises lay ahead. "Darling," he replied, "We are young and in love. Is it so wrong I want to treat my special lady with a surprise? Now keep your eyes closed and I will tell you when to open them." Oh how I love him, however, there is no way I can keep my eyes shut! I had to take a peak every couple minutes but soon it had gotten too dark and I really had no idea where we were He'd always been so good at surprising me, even when we first met. And even though we knew each other so well, he still always was able to catch me off guard, and I'm not the kind of person who's easy to surprise.

So imagine my shock when I opened my eyes and found that we were at a wife swapping party. After all this romance and this is where he takes me. I look up at him in utter disbelief! What? You brought me where??? Am I not good enough for you? You want to sleep with other women? I was so shocked I started to feel nauseous, and I didn't know whether to wade through all of the wives to the bathroom or run back to the car. Just when I start to get really angry I look around closely. Wait a sec, could it be? No way! Before I had time to say anything Ashton Kutcher runs out of nowhere and yells, "You've Been Punked!!!!" Oh my god. I'm going to kill him! And my husband, I should have known this was too good to be true! I can't help but laugh and say "Okay, you got me this time. Where's the bathroom? I really need to figure out how I could have been chosen to be punked. I'm not even famous! I check my makeup in the bathroom mirror and run my fingers through my hair. I peek out the bathroom door and see that there are no camera crews, only Ashton Kutcher. I ask him, "Was I really just punked?" He responds, "Well, not officially for Mtv, but your husband is with Demi so you can decide.

"What? My husbands with Demi? I don't understand, like with her with her, or just hanging out with her? What's going on here?" I feel my face turn bright red and I get very dizzy. Is this all a dream or am I a little hung over from the daiquiri I had at dinner? Suddenly something explodes inside of me. I grab Ashton Kutcher by the collar of his shirt and I realized I needed to use the restroom a little too late. As I was on camera, beginning to ask Ashton where the toilet is, I felt a moist warmth and then realized the spiggot was beginning to open! In horror, I ran toward what would seem to be a bathroom, only it was a closet. I slammed the door shut and turned on the light switch. Leaning against the side wall of the linen closet, I grasped a pillowcase and prayed to the gods of pee to grant me this one favor.

Suddenly, I heard a click in the wall and felt it begin to shift under my shoulder. I jumped back and stared at the door knob, pushing it with all my might, until I heard Jack's voice. "Honey -- I am so sorry, this was suposed to be a joke! I know how much you adore Ashton, I was trying to surprise you! I am sure you are really confused right now, but if you were to just come outside, you would see what's really going on -- everyone is here for US, this is a surprise party for our anniverery! Honey, please come out of the closet."

As I was listening to this nonsense, my urge to go to the bathroom subsided, I gave my hair a quick shake, opened the door, and low and behold, there were all my friends, all of my family, and non other than Ashton himself carrying a huge arrangement of flowers just for me. Everyone yelled surprise and as furious as I was at my husband, I made it a point to enjoy myself -- he will have to pay later, in the bedroom that is!