Not Your Grandma's Etiquette

It may seem like planning a wedding should be all smiles, flowers and fluff, but there’s a rather hefty rule book that accompanies the process. While wedding etiquette is a little more relaxed than it used to be, there are still plenty of guidelines to follow to keep everything sounding tactful and running smoothly. Stiff tradition may not be your style, but even unconventional brides can hit a manners bump or two along the way. The sheer volume of wedding books, blogs and websites makes researching etiquette a daunting task, so I’ve braved the masses of your behalf to bring you the key tips for avoiding a few of the most common wedding blunders.

Gifts and registries seem to lead to the most breaches in decorum. You may feel icky telling people where to shop and what to buy, but this information truly is helpful to your guests. Where most brides go wrong is in communicating the registry information. The bottom line best place to put this information is on your shower invites, which your hostess will know to do. You should never mention gifts on the wedding invitation at all. Your wedding day is solely about celebrating your new marriage, and the invitation should reflect that. Traditionally, word of mouth is the proper way to pass on the info, but for those of you not stuck in the middle ages, a wedding website is the best method for circulating these details.

The rules change a little bit when you decide to forgo gifts. Experts have concluded that it’s rude to insist guests don’t bring a present, as this implies you would have expected one first place. Now this may sound off to you, because it sounds a little off to me, but the etiquette gods have deemed it so. The best explanation I found was that placing any emphasis on not having gifts is still placing emphasis on gifts, which clearly isn’t the message you’re trying to get across. Again, it’s best to communicate this through the wedding website or word of mouth. The same rules apply when you encourage charity contributions in lieu of presents.

Another place brides commonly commit etiquette errors is the guest list. You will most likely have uninvited plus ones added to RSVP cards. This can be really frustrating and awkward to deal with, but this is not the time to unleash bridezilla. Instead, assume it’s simply a misunderstanding. Give your guest the benefit of the doubt instead of concluding they merely ignored your wishes. Whether it’s true or not, it will be easier to handle the situation graciously instead of passive-aggressively. Then just call and politely explain that you’re keeping the reception intimate or that your budget can’t support additions. It may feel uncomfortable, but get it out of the way as soon as possible. You’ll only make things worse by waiting until after the extra guest has already bought a new dress and booked a hotel room.

Follow the same steps with weddings sans children. Another good idea is to provide childcare, if your budget allows it, or at least suggest a few trusted local babysitters. This would be especially helpful for guests that have to travel for your wedding so they won’t have to be without their little nuggets for the whole weekend. Also, avoid making exceptions unless under extremely special circumstances, as this would be unfair to those that did abide by your wishes.

Something that’s become more of a problem in recent years is the broadcasting of your wedding business over social media. It’s okay to post the occasional excited facebook status about cake tasting or how fun your shower was, but a daily countdown tweet is wholly unnecessary. No one, not even your mom, needs or wants hourly updates. You also run the risk of hurting the feelings of anyone not invited by continually rubbing your wedding in their face. However, I will say that giving your awesome vendors a quick plug on social media is a great way to say thanks for all the work they've put into your special day.

This can also create some headaches when getting engaged. It’s an extremely exciting moment, and you may want nothing more than to share it with the whole world, but there are certainly people that deserve to personally hear it from you first. If the boyfriend plans a surprise engagement party when he pops the question, make sure you kindly ask the attending friends to hold off on Twitter and Instagram for a couple days to give you time to call other friends and family.

Of course, every wedding and every bride is different, so the specific rules you choose to follow are up to you. Your college buddies probably couldn’t care less if you skip out on the bouquet toss, but disaster might strike if you accidentally affront your great aunt Shirley by not sending a hand-written thank you note. The point of following etiquette is to make everyone involved feel valued and appreciated, so just use your best judgment on what will respect your loved ones most. When in doubt, consult the queen of all things domestic, Martha Stewart.

For some etiquette entertainment, check out Etiquette Hell, which features some great stories about truly ridiculous decorum lapses. And please, if you have any funny or absurd etiquette stories I’d love to hear them!


Originally posted here at Blue Goose Celebrations.

Photo Credits: invitation DesignsWithStyle | top table Wed Savvy | bottom table Louisville Wedding Blog | RSVP card 1 SayaBellDesigns | RSVP card 2 ThePaperFairie | cake topper Put It Out There

Trailer Treasures

A current trend quickly spreading across my native hometown of Austin and in other cities around the nation is mobile food vendors. Street corners and empty lots are filled with trucks and trailers serving all different kinds of dishes and flavors. Some of my favorites in Austin include Flip Happy Crepes and Gourdough’s gourmet doughnuts. Recently I’ve noticed that several other types of Airstream businesses have popped up as well, including gift shops and clothing boutiques. These stores and eateries create a unique dining or shopping experience with a casual feel, and could be a really fun and memorable element added to your wedding day.

There are several ways to incorporate this trend into your reception, the most obvious one being food. I know for some people the words “food trailer” may call to mind a sketchy, health-code-violating taco truck, but hopefully you know that’s not what I’m talking about. (Think cuter, tastier and much cleaner, and you’ve got it). Whether you’re serving a full dinner or just appetizers, there are plenty of trailers available that can meet your needs. The wide variety of cuisines allows you to serve your guests whatever flavors you want, and even invite them to try something completely new. Food trucks create a casual, laid-back atmosphere, so if you’re planning a formal wedding you will probably want to go with a traditional caterer.

It’s also possible to find a mobile vendor that sells just about any kind of sugary indulgence you could ever want, so if your heart desires cupcakes, pies, snow cones, or all three, there’s no limit on what kind of sweet desserts you can offer your friends and family.

If you do choose to have dinner catered through a trailer, you’re guests could end up waiting in line for a while. Hungry/grumpy people make terrible company, so I’ve found a few tips to help keep things moving. If you have close to 200 or more people coming to celebrate, you may want to enlist the help of two trucks. I also suggest working with the cooks ahead of time and narrowing the menu down to keep things streamlined and simple. In order to really get things going you could also set up tables in front of the truck and serve individual dishes buffet-style.

As I mentioned, these trendy little trailers aren’t just for filling your stomachs. Cute vintage trailers can be rented as lounges for an outdoor wedding or for decoration. Some venues, like Three Points Ranch, use Airstreams for the bridal party to get ready in. Photo booths have almost become a wedding staple, but I bet you’ve never been to a wedding with an Airstream photo booth. Some, like Bambi Booth, will even print your pictures right then and there. I’ve also seen movie trucks that create a drive-in-movie feel, which could be a fun element for the reception after dark.

Now, as much as I love the mobile vendor experience, you probably don’t want it to look like you’re getting married in a trailer park. You’ll have to curb the temptation to hire a bunch of trucks, or at least arrange it so that different vendors come and go at different times during the reception. Perhaps a late night ice cream truck to send guests home happy? Regardless of how you do it, hiring a mobile vendor will add a unique touch to your wedding and provide your friends and family with a new, fun experience.

I'm always looking for a new trailer to try, so tell me which ones are your favorites here or tweet me @MJGest


Blog Originally posted here at Blue Goose Celebrations

Photo Credits: Flip Happy Examiner | Gourdough's Video City Guide | Pie Pop Sugar | Cupcake Vintage Modern Wife | Bride Once Wed | Photo Booth Bambi Booth

Keep Your Cool

You know it’s officially summer when the grass turns brown and it becomes almost too hot just to walk to your car. Here in the south we have finally reached scorching temperatures and it’s only going to get hotter. If you’re getting married within the next three months, chances are your wedding day temperatures are going to look something like this forecast.

But if you’ve got your heart set on an outdoor summer wedding, don’t sweat it (see what I did there?), because there are plenty of ways to keep cool from the ceremony through send off.

First let’s talk about the décor. Fresh flowers are a beautiful way to adorn your venue and bridal party with color, but they won’t last long in high temperatures. Droopy flowers make everything sad, so I suggest exploring other options less sensitive to heat. Unconventional bouquets are a fun way to add your own special touch. You can buy or make some really beautiful arrangements of brooches, feathers, or other unique materials. As always, Etsy is a great place to find these kinds of handcrafted details. However, if real flowers are a must-have, ask your florist about heat-tolerant blooms, like Nicotianas or Zinnias, and consider having back-ups for you and your groom.

Next you’ve got to take care of your guests. Heatstroke is a quick way to ruin any celebration, and with small children and elderly at the highest risk, it's best to follow a few of these precautions to make sure everyone has a good time. The most important thing is to keep everyone hydrated. Have plenty of cold, refreshing water available at several locations throughout the day. Be mindful of the weather when setting a dress code. Long dresses and tuxedos become stifling in the heat and humidity, so invite your guests to wear something a little lighter. Fabrics like chiffon or seersucker are also a great alternative to heavier materials like satin or silk, and will breathe much better in sweltering temperatures. If you decide to keep the bridal party formal, don’t be upset when the groomsmen ditch their jackets after pictures. The guys will be much happier to celebrate all night long if they aren’t sweating in a three piece suit. Shade also makes a huge difference. Consider setting up some tents or large umbrellas to create shade if there isn’t any naturally provided by your venue or landscape.

Perhaps the most fun way to keep guests cool is frozen treats during the reception. Guests of all ages will enjoy picking out toppings at a sundae bar or mixing snow cone syrups. You can even hire an ice cream truck to pull right up to your venue and dole out scoops of cookies and cream and mint chocolate chip. Frozen cocktails are another tasty way to keep the 21+ crowd from overheating, or mix things up with “adult” popsicles. Just make sure you’ve got someone stationed there to keep the kids from grabbing a mojito popsicle by mistake.

Electric fans and misters are obvious choices for keeping things cool, but they can make a lot of distracting noise during the ceremony. Provide your guests with hand fans instead to ensure no one misses the vows. You can even design your programs as the fans for a cute and cost-saving touch. I also suggest supplying your friends and family with sunglasses, parasols and/or sunhats. They’ll appreciate the gesture and will have some amusing props for photos. You can also set up relief stations with cold towels, sunscreen, bug spray and other outdoor essentials.

Whatever the weather, don’t forget to enjoy your special day. It may be hot as hell in the summer, but your wedding can still be everything you envisioned.  So grab a snow cone and tell me, what are your favorite ways to beat the summer heat? And for more photos and ideas, feel free to check out the Pinterest board I created.


Blog originally posted here at Blue Goose Celebrations

Photo Credits: weather patell dot org | succulent Kristen Booth | butterflies TPD blog | pinwheel Etsy | brooches uniqueweddingnight | sundae the style co. | snow cones Mango Beach

Waco Summer || Lula Jane's

Who says Waco doesn't have tasty, unique food? You just have to venture off the highway a bit and get out of the Baylor bubble to find it. Today my boss took me out for lunch at Lula Jane's. It's a small bakery and coffee shop that also serves lunch, but here's the catch: Lula Jane's serves only one thing for lunch. It's fresh, it's delicious, and it changes everyday.



Today they served us bacon, goat cheese and mushroom quiche with a slice of the special Thursday cake. Jenn was so excited for the Champagne Mimosa Cake that we ate it first! Honestly, everything tasted wonderful, and Lula Jane's simple motto, Good Food, Good Folks, describes the place perfectly. They even sell fresh brewed cups of coffee on the honor system; you just place 50 cents in the jar by the pot. I've never seen another restaurant like it, and I've been to some interesting places in Austin before. So trust me, you may have never crossed over to the other side of the river, but Lula Jane's is so worth scoping out some new territory.

As Great As Gatsby

If you’re like me, you were struck to the point of awe by the dazzling party scenes in the recently released Great Gatsby. Such glitz and glamour drew me into a world of incredible decadence and wonder. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to give your wedding guests that same sense of amazement? All the luxury and grandeur of a Gatsby party may just be the perfect inspiration for an extravagant celebration of your own.

Now I’m talking to my brides here. Obviously you need to look amazing on the big day, so I want you to channel your inner Daisy Buchanan (just her style and grace, not so much her morals) and get ready to be the leading lady. The key is to use little touches of 20s inspired flair and avoid copying the historical looks exactly. You still want to look like a bride on her wedding day, not a flapper girl headed to a speakeasy. Fortunately, the 2013 Great Gatsby provides great source material. The movie collaborated with a handful of big name designers to produce the fabulous looks for the screen. Brooks Brothers, Prada, and Tiffany & Co all contributed to the decadent and sexy styles of the film. Also, many clothing and jewelry designers have jumped on the current Gatsby mania, so options are plentiful. Tiffany & Co has produced an entire Jazz Age Glamour collection based off the pieces in the movie, and dozens of Etsy designers in all price ranges offer 20s inspired jewelry as well. This necklace by LavenderByJurgita or this headpiece by dcbouquets will help you create that perfect enchanting and elegant Gatsby style.

If you’re going to go Gatsby, then you’ve got to go BIG. It’s time to pull out all the stops: balloons, streamers, feathers, you name it!  A fireworks show would certainly amaze your guests as it did Gatsby’s, but don’t worry, that’s not your only option. Not to mention that if you’re in Texas like we are, chances are there is a burn ban. Sparklers at the send off or confetti falling at the first introduction as a couple are great ways to mimic that splendor with less expense.

With all the flashy decorations it can be easy to over-do it, so try to avoid adding too much color. Personally, I have nothing against lots of color and think in many situations it’s called for, but with such an extravagant theme I suggest neutrals and metallics. Focusing on white, gold and silver for the palette will really create that bridal feel. And bling isn’t just for the bride. Pearls and diamonds extenuate that lavish feel and can be incorporated into the table settings or aisle decorations with ease. Gatsby’s grand chandeliers are another detail I would suggest incorporating. This stunner by Erickson Beamon has all the romance and splendor you could desire.

The most important element of a Gatsby party is fun, so have fun with it! You can really use your imagination and creativity with a theme like this, so don’t be afraid to dream. I would love to hear your own Gatsby-filled thoughts and dreams, so if you’d like you can leave me a comment here. And please feel free to introduce yourself to me on twitter @MJGest or check out the Gatsby pinterest board I put together to give you more wedding inspiration.


Photo Credits: table 1 something turquoise | table 2 style unveiled | table 3 blessedbysoutherncharm | chandelier light innovations

This blog post originally appeared here at BlueGooseCelebrations.com/blog