Wedding Registry Do's and Don'ts

Registering for your wedding can be as stressful as planning your wedding!  So how do you make registering for your wedding fun?  Take a look at my Rabido's and Rabidon't for a bit of fun and guidance!

Rabido’s

• Always accommodate your guests' budgets by registering for items in different price points.
• Three is usually the magic number, but there is no limit to how many stores you can register at.
• Do your research and choose items that you really see yourself using such as sheets, towels, kitchen utensils.  Stocking up on these items can be a huge financial help over the first few years of marriage, especially if you're on budget.
• On-line registries are a great way to go…Chances are your guests will thank you for making it easy peasy!
• Set up a personal wedding site where you can inform guests about your registries and give specific instructions regarding where to send gifts/cards.
• Make a list of things you need (not want) and bring the list with you when you register.  Remember, you can always go back and register for more.
• Use a little restraint with that futuristic electric "gun", there's nothing worse than getting register happy and then having to go back and rework the entire list!

Rabidon'ts

• Don’t take your parents or anyone else with you the first time you register.  This is your wedding and your home.  Trust m,e their influences will cause you to reregister multiple times or return everything you got.
• Don’t ignore what you really love. If you love your patio, register for items such as a grill and patio set. There is no limit!
• Don’t do it alone, get your spouse involved…trust me they LOVE the "gun".
• Don’t say no gifts. Guests want to contribute to your future; setting up a charity account at your favorite organization is a great alternative.
• Don’t wait until the month before your wedding to register. Give guests time to browse and give yourself time to edit the lists. 

 Until next time,

Cheers,

To give or not to give? That is the question…

Very often my clients ask the inevitable question; should I give a favor? My response is stay away from “things” but give something you can eat! Food is always a hit.

Recently for a 40th birthday party guests left with a piece of cake and a black and white cookie inside a simple brown box. You can accessorize with different colored ribbons and a personalized note card.  

Don’t give something just because you feel obliged. But if you decide to, be sincere and have a purpose.

I will let you in on a little secret; most guests don’t expect anything more than throwing the party! 

Until next time......Cheers!

How to give a proper toast at a Wedding.

As a planner, I have heard literally thousands of speeches and toasts at weddings over the past 12 years.  Some have been touching and others frightful.

The key to giving a good toast or speech is, first and foremost, it must come from the heart.  If you‘re naturally funny then that will shine.  If you’re naturally compassionate then that will come through.  Don’t force the comedy, there’s nothing worse trying to make a joke that only half the guests will understand; or worse yet, making a joke that’s inappropriate all together.

That brings me to my next point; make sure you know who you are talking to. I have heard many a toast that was inappropriate to the point it was offensive, not only to the couple getting married, but also to the guests.  As the person giving the toast, you have to remember grandma, Aunt Ida and others who are in the audience.  Watch what you say.  If you want to be crass then do that at the bachelor party in Vegas, not at the wedding reception.

It’s also important to remember when you give a toast to the couple, you are giving a toast to both the bride and the groom, not just to one or the other.  You may know one person better than the other and, if that’s the case, keep the toast simple.  Wishing them a lifetime of happiness and expressing the joy that you feel because they are together may be just enough to get your sentiments across.  But going on and on about how you used to play cops and robbers as kids and then recounting the tale of when you pledged your fraternity, quite honestly, is of no interest to the guests.  No one really cares….

What guests do care about is how long your toast is going to be.  Guests actually dread the toasts…simple reason; all too often they go on way too long.  A simple way to keep the toast short is to stick to the basics of wishing the couple happiness and then pass on your blessings for a bright and beautiful future.  Compliment them on their love for each other and raise your glass.  A good toast is one that is short (two minutes or less).

If you stick to these simple suggestions guests will remember your toast because it was to the point, simple and did not force any bad jokes or long stories on them.

Until next time – Cheers!

Join me in the Dominican Republic!

Are you an event professional interested in building your business?

Would you like to meet with top industry professionals in a spectacular tropical setting?

From May 6 to 9, I have the privilege of speaking at the Inspire Smart Success conference in the Dominican Republic and I have a special deal for 2 lucky event professionals.  I have 2 half price tickets to attend this great networking and business building event.  To qualify to win one of these tickets, simply tell me in 250 words or less, why you should be chosen to receive the discount and how you will benefit from the program and use it to inspire others.  Submissions should be made to info@shawnrabideau.com no later than midnight on April 10, 2012.

To learn more about the program visit www.inspiresmartsuccess.com

Good luck and…

Cheers!

Check out the Knot Live as I offer some unique wedding floral ideas!

I recently had an opportunity to appear on The Knot Live to share some unique floral ideas for wedding centerpieces, bouquets and boutonnieres.  Click on the link below to see the video from last weeks episode!

Shawn on The Knot Live.

I hope you enjoy the clip and, until next time...

Cheers!

Top 5 Tips When Planning a Destination Wedding

I am finding that destination weddings are becoming ever more popular.  To help those couples thinking about a destination wedding, I thought it would be useful to share my top 5 tips for planning a destination wedding.

1. Budget - Start by setting a clear budget.  This will determine how many guests you can invite.  Talk with your fiance and set limits on who you are willing to pay for when it comes to travel and hotel accommodations.  If you wish, plan a big reception when you return from your destination - that way those who can't travel aren't left out of the celebration.

2. Hire a Wedding Professional - To eliminate the added stress of planning a destination wedding, work with an expert either in your hometown or at the desired location.  Professionals provide trustworthy resources and take care of all of the details, making the process hassle free.  The cost of a planner equals peace of mind.

3. Do your research - Thoroughly research destinations, taking into consideration mother nature (hurricane season for example), best availability for your group, airfare costs, passports, legal marriage requirements and guest accommodations.  Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?  A popular hot spot or a remote getaway? Also, ask for discounts. If you are bringing a large group to a resort do not be afraid to strike a deal.  Some airlines even offer special group rates.

4. Visit - To make sure your wedding planner and fiance are on the same page be sure to do a site visit early in the planning process.  This will help you get a feel for the venue, transportation options, restaurants, activities and accommodations.

5. Take care of your guests - Send out your save-the-dates at least 8 to 10 months before a destination wedding to give your guests time to make their travel plans.  Also, think of guests' budgets when selecting a location.  It is always nice to prepare a welcome bag or basket.  In it, include a resource guide that has maps, restaurants and local attractions along with some local goodies (keep it to food they can eat during their stay or items they can easily travel with).  It shows guests how thankful you are that they came and it gives them a taste of the area.

There are a lot of considerations in planning a destination wedding and I hope this gives you a good start.

Cheers!

How to set your table to eat less!

It seems there is always a new diet trend or fad that everyone is following in an effort to lose a few pounds.  Following the latest trend my not be the best solution.

Did you know that there are some simple ways to set and decorate your dining table that will help you curb your appetite?  Certain colors and scents will actually help you eat less!

Tomorrow, on Better TV, I share some of my tips with host Lesley Nagy on how to create a diet friendly dining table.  Check your local listings at BetterTV.com for stations and show times.

Happy Entertaining!

Cheers