Top 5 Guest Book Alternatives

Guest Books are a keepsake for the Bride and Groom as a reminder of the family and friends that shared their special day with them. The guest book can sometimes get lost in the corner or pushed off by guests until "later". A popular trend is to eliminate the traditional guest book for more creative and personal alternatives. These are my top 5 guest book alternatives:

1. The Engagement Photo: Display engagement photos in a book, or one main picture on an easel, and allow guests to write their names and a quick message to the bride and groom.
   
2. Puzzle: The Puzzle Piece or Jenga Blocks are fun and quirky. Allow guests to write messages and set up the pieces after the honeymoon. Have fun reading the messages as you put the puzzle together, or take the Jenga tower apart!
   
3. Envelope Guest Book: I know I said alternatives to guest books, but this is very different from the traditional guest book. Guests write well wishes to the happy couple and insert it into an envelope on the page. The notes are private, only for the bride and groom to open and receive. 
   
4. Wish Tree: The wish tree allows guest to hang their well wishes for the bride and groom and their future, while creating a piece of art. Wish Trees are gorgeous decor pieces that continue to grow as guests add more wishes. A great way to preserve these wishes is to frame them. They make a gorgeous piece, that all of your guests helped to create for your home.
   
   
   
   
5. Fingerprint Tree: This is my favorite alternative. Guests press their fingerprints, in whatever color you choose, onto a tree template (or any other template like below), slowly creating the actual artwork. Guests can also initial their fingerprints.They can be customized with the names of the bride and the groom and the wedding date. Since no two fingerprints are the same, this will truly be a one-of-a-kind piece of art.
   

Maid of Honor Duties

Choosing your Maid of Honor is a difficult decision that many brides spend hours contemplating. Being the Maid of Honor is more than being the best friend; the Maid of Honor is support for the Bride, logistical support and emotional support. It is a true honor to be asked to be the Maid of Honor, but it is also a responsibility. Here are some duties that are traditionally expected:

• Direct the other bridesmaids through their duties. This includes ensuring that everyone has gone to their dress fittings, are knowledgeable of the hair-style, accessories and shoes  needed for the wedding, get to the rehearsal and ensure all bridesmaids get their hair and makeup done.
• Offer support to the bride with her pre-wedding tasks: Numbering escort cards, stuffing envelopes, deciding bridesmaid dresses, etc.
• Lend and ear for any thoughts or decisions the bride is having trouble making. Whether it is choosing where to register, or an emotional crisis, the MOH remains a confidant and advisor.
• Host of co-host the bridal shower and/or bachelorette party.
• Hold the groom's ring during the ceremony. (Your thumb is the safest place. Just don't forget!)
• The MOH ensures that the bride's train and veil are adjusted before she walks down the aisle. The MOH is also in charge of bustling the train of the bride's dress before the reception to allow her to dance with ease.
• The MOH holds the bride's bouquet when the couples exchange vows.
• The MOH's signature is required on the license as a witness, as well as the best man.
• Most important make sure the bride laughs and enjoys her wedding journey!

David Tutera for Mon Cheri Trunk Show NYC

If you didn't know, I am glad to share this piece of information with you. MissesDressy Showroom in Long Island City, NY is hosting David Tutera for Mon Cheri Trunk Show January 31st - February 2nd. Celebrity wedding and event expert, David Tutera offers his own line of gorgeous dresses with the help of Mon Cheri Designer Martin Thornburg.

David Tutera knows exactly what a bride wants, and his designs reflect that. Lace is the star fabric in most designs, but if you are not a lace fan, there may still be something that catches your eye. Contact the showroom for more information.

Here are some of my favorites from is his Spring 2014 collection:

Bridal gowns with some color are going to be very popular in 2014. Pink is a predicted favorite!

Reminds me of Audrey Hepburn's dress in Funny Face

Pump Up The Music!

A crowded dance-floor, an energetic DJ and a party atmosphere is the perfect scene that most brides and grooms aspire for. A great playlist is the first step to ensuring that this dream becomes reality (plus a great DJ). I prefer a blend of hits from different eras, providing the perfect energy and plenty of favorites that everyone will enjoy. I personally love to mix classics with current Top 40 Hits, but today I will focus on the past ten years to avoid my own Top 100 list. Here are some hits from the past decade that will get your guests on (and keep them on) the dance-floor!

I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO

Dynamite - Taio Cruz

Give Me Everything (Tonight) - Pitbull feat. AfroJack, Ne-Yo and Nayer

Tik Tok - Ke$ha

Just Dance- Lady Gaga feat. Colby O'Donis

Applause - Lady Gaga

Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO

California Girls - Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg

On the Floor - Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull

I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) - Pitbull

Shots - LMFAO feat. Lil John

Raise Your Glass - Pink

Teach Me How To Dougie - California Swag District

One More Time - Daft Punk

Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland

In the Ayer - Flo Rida feat. Will.I.Am

Single Ladies - Beyonce (Perfect to get the ladies up for the bouquet toss)

Hey Baby - Pitbull feat. T-Pain

Wake Me Up - Avicii

Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke feat. Pharell and T.I

Work B**ch - Britney Spears

Timber - Pitbull feat. Ke$ha

Can't Hold Us - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Do What You Want - Lady Gaga feat. R. Kelly

Royals - Lorde

"I Do" Spotlight: Nimble Well

A Chicago based company, Nimble Well provides vintage china, cake stands and decor items for any event. The fine china and available items are perfect for a birthday party, engagement brunch, or a wedding celebration. Whether you want elegance, or something unusual, mixing vintage pieces with your decor makes your overall event unique. Nimble Well has a bounty of cake stands! Over 100 different types in their inventory as well as tiered stands. I would love for one of my brides to consider using Nimble Well to decorate their dessert bar. There is plenty to explore on their site, but here are some pictures to give you a peek:

Adult Twists On Childhood Favorites

Although we are adults, we still appreciate those treats we loved as kids. Those Hostess treats, and Little Debbie are brands that resonate with everyone, and their treats are childhood favorites. Why not take Childhood treats that everyone loves and give them an adult twist for your wedding? Your guests will enjoy age appropriate twists on their nostalgic favorites. Who wouldn't be happy with these delicious ideas?

Cotton Candy Martinis are the perfect whimsical signature drink. This is the perfect amount of sweet! Have fun with different flavors. Green Apple, Watermelon, Pomegranate, or Grape! Get creative and give your guests a treat at cocktail hour: Dessert before dinner!

What is better for cooling you down in the spring/summer than a Popsicle! An adult twist to these summer-time favorites is a simple upgrade in flavors. Create a Margarita, Pina Colada, and/or Daiquiri  Popsicle. Adding them to a glass of Prosecco adds some elegance to the cocktail treat, and the melted Popsicle will flavor the drink. 

Cake Pops have become very popular over the past few years, and have even replaced the cake sometimes! Make them even more unique by adding some adult flavor. Baileys and Chocolate, Patron and Key Lime Pie or Brandy and Banana Foster Cake are just a few delicious ideas. 

Who doesn't love a good milkshake? A spiked milkshake is a great late night surprise to cool your guests after a night of dancing.

Wedding Welcome Bags

A wedding is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate the bride and groom. Sometimes the wedding occurs right in your "backyard" and other times travelling is required. Whether it is a few out-of-town guests, or you are having a destination wedding, the celebration should begin as soon as the guests check-in to their hotel. A great way to show your appreciation and help them start the fun, welcome bags are a personal care-package from the bride and groom. Here are some tips for making the perfect welcome bag:

1. Keep in mind that the welcome bag (or container) can be something that guests will want to re-use over the length of the wedding festivities, or longer. If it is not re-usable, don't worry! The bag is nice, but what is inside is a real treat.

2. Don't be afraid to personalize! Have a thank-you note written on a canvas bag, or a sticker with the bride and groom's initials to seal the welcome packages. Color, design and material choices add the personal touch that represent the bride and the groom and their wedding. If you are in Paris or a midnight in Paris theme, incorporate a picture of the Eiffel Tower, or tags with "Bonjour" on each bag. Little touches are what make the guests feel the thought you put into their bag.

3. Always put a bottle of water, or two, in your welcome bag. We know how expensive buying water at a hotel can be! You can personalize the bottles with stickers as well, adding your wedding colors into the bag. Don't be afraid to venture outside water. In Seattle? Add a can of Starbucks coffee to the bag.

4. Snacks and treats are a must-have on any trip! You can give the tourists a taste of the area with snacks representative of the local flavor. A mixture of sweet and savory can never go wrong. If you are in my city, New York, give guests a black & white cookie, bagel crisps, a bag of nuts and an apple; A perfect welcome to the Empire State. If you want to add something other than snacks, a MetroCard and a map encourages guests to explore the city on their own.

5. Last, but not least, a schedule of events is a great way to ensure your guests are on time. A kindly reminder, especially if the wedding is not near the hotel, is always helpful.

You can have the bags waiting for the guests in their guest room or they can be given to guests by your coordinator at your very own welcome desk. Be sure to discuss how each guests will receive their welcome gift in advance. Your guests will be surprised and ready to celebrate!