Wedding Advice Category


Trending Destination Wedding Locations for 2021 and 2022

Trending Destination Wedding Locations for 2022 and 2023

Trending Destination Wedding Locations

Having a destination wedding is the dream for some couples especially those who love traveling and going on adventures. But with a lot of options of beautiful destinations, it can be difficult to choose the best location for your destination wedding. To help you out, we’ve narrowed down the options and listed down the trending destination wedding locations for 2020 and 2021.

IcelandWedding

Iceland has become a go-to location for destination weddings. With its gorgeous lakes, beautiful hills, and scenic views, it has always been a travel favorite so it’s no surprise that it’s becoming one of the places that couples prefer to get married in. The only downside is that having a destination wedding in Iceland can be a bit pricey but if you have some money to spare and you want to go all-out for your wedding, getting married in Iceland can be a one-of-a-kind experience. You and your guests will surely enjoy the views that this country has to offer.

Negril, Jamaica — the new BahamasTrending Wedding Locations

Negril, Jamaica is the new Bahamas. Both places are known for their long stretches of sandy beaches and turquoise-shaded waters. But if you want a more intimate and private wedding, Negril is a perfect location for small weddings. Its secluded resorts provide a romantic and unique atmosphere that most couples look for in a destination wedding. Also, in Negril, you get to experience authentic Jamaican culture and its infamous cuisine.

ThailandTrending Destination Wedding

Thailand is definitely the place to be if you want a destination wedding that can also double as your honeymoon location as it is a country that has a rich and unique culture. It has tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins, and iconic temples that you can visit after your wedding day. With all these places that you can explore, it is best to allot at least a week if you plan on having your destination wedding in Thailand. Phuket is a great location to have your wedding as it is home to several romantic hotels which can make a beautiful backdrop for your ceremony. We recommend having a local who can speak your language to help you coordinate with the logistics so you won’t have a language barrier and avoid miscommunication.

Amalfi Coast, ItalyWedding Locations for 2021 and 2022

If you both love spectacular food and wine, Italy can be the best place for your destination wedding. It would be great to get married at Amalfi Coast because of its spectacular scenery. Its soaring cliffs and the sparkling sea provide a great backdrop for your wedding. No wonder it has become a bucket list destination. If you want to spend your honeymoon here, there are a lot of pastel-colored villages to visit, beautiful beaches to lounge on, and you can even take a vintage Italian sailboat cruise along the coast.

Ibiza, Balearic IslandsTrending Destination Wedding Locations for 2021 and 2022

Ibiza will definitely be enjoyed by you and your guests because of its magical scenery and tranquil vibe. Ibizan traditional architecture is a perfect backdrop for your destination wedding. Its chic rural vibe will give your wedding a unique look that will surely be remembered by you and your guests.

Destination Wedding Locations Within US

If you can’t afford to travel outside the state or just prefer nearer locations, there are still a lot of beautiful location options for your destination wedding:

  1. Have a beautiful beach wedding in Florida
  2. Enjoy the colorful backdrop of the vibrant lights in Las Vegas, Nevada
  3. Achieve your dream greenery wedding with the lush landscape of Livermore, California
  4. Get married with the scenic rocky mountain view in Aspen, Colorado

Before you decide on the location of your destination wedding, ask yourself first: what is the place that is remarkable for both of you? Do you have a dream destination? How about a favorite cuisine? These can help you identify which is your dream location for your destination wedding. Your wedding will be more memorable if it will be in a place that is relevant to both of you. After all, wherever you are, what’s important is that you are together celebrating your love for each other.

How To Keep Your Wedding Guests Happy | Utah Announcements

How To Keep Your Wedding Guests Happy

Your wedding should be all about you and your partner. After all, it is you and your partner who’s getting married. In fact, everything on the wedding preparation puts the bride and groom first. Is this what you want? Is this your preferred motif? Is the venue memorable to you? What type of invitation do you want? 

You must have read about all the tips and tricks to make sure that your wedding will be perfect for you. But you must not forget about the other important people during your wedding – your guests. 

Here are some of the things that you can do to keep your wedding guests happy:

1. Set up a drinks area.

Once the ceremony is over, it’s now the time that most of your wedding guests look forward to – the reception. This is your time to keep your guests entertained and happy. But transitioning from the ceremony area to the wedding venue can make your guests “hangry”. The ceremony will probably take an hour or two. And before they can formally enter the reception area, there will be a bit of waiting time due to some photo ops and registrations to find their designated seats.

Don’t let them get hungry. Set up a drinks area for some pre-dinner snacks. A few pastries and some bottles of soda will keep them occupied until they are finally able to proceed to their seats. 

2. Think about the seating plan.

It might feel exciting that your friends from different phases of your life will finally be able to get together. It can also be tempting to do some matchmaking out of your friends. However, letting your friends from different circles sit together is totally a bad idea. They might feel left out. Reserve the matchmaking session for your night outs. Your friends and family would just want to catch up with their circle and watch both of you live one of the best days of your life. 

3. Keep speeches short and sweet.

Wedding speeches are touching and it is something that both the bride and groom look forward to on their special day. It is done by someone who is very close to the couple which sometimes leads to a quite long speech especially when you have a very long love story. When you ask your maid-of-honor or best man to do the speech for your wedding, tell them to keep it short and sweet. No matter how interesting your story is, you will eventually lose the attention of your guests if you make it too long.  

4. Give away favors that they will use.

Believe it or not, wedding favors take up a bunch of the wedding budget. So why would you spend money on something that will just get stuck and collect dust in your guests’ cupboard. Let’s face it, people wouldn’t care much about those little home decor with your initials on it. Opt for wedding favours that they will use. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. Simple personalized mugs or totes will do. Who would leave those behind if they have their names on it, right?

5. Set up an open bar or soda bar.

A celebration wouldn’t be complete without some alcohol. Your guests will thank you for the overflowing drinks that will keep the fun going throughout the night. Serving drinks during your “after party” will also give your guests a chance to socialize with other guests outside their own circle. You might finally have a chance to play matchmaker on your friends! They will love you for being generous for the free drinks and if the matchmaking becomes successful, you and your friends might end up attending another wedding.

6. Allocate a kids’ area.

If your guests are bringing their kids with them, it’s a good idea to have some plans on how to keep them entertained. You wouldn’t want a bunch of kids running around your reception area while the program is ongoing. It would also be a hassle for your guests if they have to keep on looking after their kids. How would they enjoy the open bar? The answer is to allocate a kids’ area. Set up a booth with children’s activities – coloring books, painting, bubbles, and other entertainment that will keep them from running around the venue all the time.

7. Play songs that will make them groove.

Make it a great party by playing songs that will make your guests groove. Hire a DJ and ask him/her to play your favorite songs. Add a few wedding classics and pop hits to get everyone on the dance floor. To make your guests feel involved, when they respond to your RSVP, you can also ask them to give song suggestions. They’ll surely feel excited when they hear the song they’ve requested. 

Your guests made an effort, so you should, too!

Remind yourself that they’ve also allotted their time for you. Some of them might have taken time off from work, have traveled far, invested in new clothes, or bought you a lovely gift. They made an effort to join you on this special occasion and celebrate with you. So make sure that your guests also have a great time at your wedding

Pre Wedding Preparations for the Groom To Be | Utah Announcements

Pre-Wedding Preparation Tips For The Groom-To-Be

If the bride needs to look perfect during the wedding day, the groom should also look his best. After all, it is about both the bride and groom. This is a big day for both of you. You only get married once so might as well look as dashing as a knight in shining armor.

There are a lot of tips and resources available when it comes to pre wedding preparations for the bride. Friends and family bombard the bride with a lot of advice on what to do, how to take care of herself, and things she needs to avoid to be in her best self for the wedding. But for the groom, you might also have the same question: what does the groom need in preparation for the wedding?

We are here to provide you with the pre-wedding preparation tips for the groom-to-be: 

1. Pick the perfect suit.

Like any occasion, it all starts with the outfit. Pick a suit that fits you best. Aside from being able to complement your wedding’s overall motif, make sure you get a well-fitted suit that enhances your body features.

Pick a suit that has the right fabric for the season. You wouldn’t want to be too hot or too cold at your wedding ceremony. Consider the venue and style of your wedding. 

2. Opt for a clean look.

Aside from a well-fitted suit, there’s nothing like a good haircut to keep you look sharp. Make sure to do this a week before your wedding day. This will give you time to regrow your hair and make necessary adjustments in case it doesn’t turn out how you want it to be. It would be best to visit your reliable hairstylist so he knows what type of haircut will complement the shape of your face.

Also, use this appointment as an opportunity to have your beard trimmed. Nothing beats a clean look for you to look fresh on your wedding day.

3. Get enough sleep and eat properly.

More than all the external preparations that the groom needs, getting enough sleep and eating properly will make sure you’ll look well-rested on your wedding day. You wouldn’t want to have dark circles around your eyes during your special day.

Refrain from having game nights and late-night movies. Eat a balanced diet of fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meat. Drink plenty of water. Aside from making you look good, these will definitely make you feel great on your big day.

4. Spend some “me” time.

Your wedding day will be a busy day. You might not have the time for yourself for the entire day. You’ll be surrounded by family and friends, you are expected to be festive, and this might make you feel nervous and overwhelmed.

Before your wedding day, spend some alone time. This will help you feel relaxed and prepare for your big day.

5. Write little love notes.

Wedding planning can be stressful. To lighten the mood and lessen the stress, write little love notes to your bride. A simple “I love you” can go a long way. This will also build up and intensify your romantic feelings towards each other in time for your wedding day.

Prepare yourself for a forever adventure. There is really no amount of preparation that can make you completely ready for this big change in your life. What’s really important are your feelings and intentions for your partner. You’ll be facing this new chapter together. No matter what happens, you just need each other more than anything else.

Top Pre-Wedding Beauty Tips For The Bride-To-Be | Utah Announcements

Pre-Wedding Beauty Tips For The Bride-To-Be

Wedding planning can be absolutely stressful. When we’re stressed, it usually manifests physically. And those manifestations really aren’t pretty! We’re talking about breakouts, dry skin, eye bags, and other things that make you feel less confident about yourself. For a bride, looking unpleasant on your wedding day could probably be their worst nightmare!

Your wedding is a big day so you would want to look perfect and feel great on this very special day. It isn’t just about your wedding day make-up and hair-do. It’s more than that. To achieve your best self during your wedding day, you need to invest in some beauty preparation. 

Here are some pre-wedding beauty tips to get you started early:

1. Manage your stress

One of the main things that contribute to how you look is stress. If you are stressed out, it will affect your overall health which will eventually show on your physical appearance. Manage your stress. Wedding planning is stressful and can sometimes turn you into what they call a bridezilla so you have to learn how to lessen and manage your stress. Stop worrying about things that you cannot control. Let your wedding planner do the worrying and troubleshooting. 

More than all the beauty regimen that you usually do to pamper yourself, lessening your stress will help you look healthy and fresh on your wedding day.

2. Visit your dermatologist

Before you get started with your skincare regimen, make sure to set an appointment with your dermatologist first. They can advise you on the best strategy to achieve the perfect skin for your wedding. It is ideal to consult your dermatologist first so you know what routine and treatment best suit your skin. It would be better to listen to your trusted dermatologist rather than experiment on your own as you might not have enough time to recover in case something goes wrong.

3. Eat healthier

To achieve that healthy glow, watch what you consume. Eating healthy will make you look healthy as well. Maintain a healthy diet throughout the course of your wedding preparation. It will help you look good and feel good. 

As much as possible, avoid sugary food, sodium, and processed food. Lessen your alcohol intake, completely skip it if you can, and try juicing fresh fruits instead. Drink more water and eat more fruits and vegetables. All these can help clear your skin and make you feel less bloated on your big day.

4. Get active

In addition to eating healthy, you should also start getting active. Working out will help you maintain a good body. Moreover, staying active can make you feel good and happier as physical activity releases endorphins. With all the stress that you might experience with your wedding preparation, exercising can help you manage your stress. A quick exercise can help you clear and calm your mind.

5. Consult your hair colorist.

If you plan on changing your hair color for the wedding, you should plan it ahead of time. Think about how you want your hair to be during your wedding and plan your hair color. Test out the color that you want. Ideally, you should pick a color – either lighter or darker – within two shades of your natural hue. 

By doing this early, if your preferred color doesn’t work for you, you still have time to fix it. If ever you got the right color the first time, make sure to have it retouched a few days before the wedding so it will look its best.

6. Get a good night’s sleep.

After all the beauty preparation for your wedding, the last and very important thing that you should do is get a good night’s sleep. No matter how intricate your beauty preparations were, if you weren’t able to get quality sleep the night before your wedding, your face might appear puffy and your eyes might look tired.

Having a good night’s sleep will also put you in a good mood and give you enough energy to face the day.

 

Don’t stress yourself too much with the need to look perfect on your wedding day. These are just some tips that you can do to help you feel good about yourself. Keep in mind that in the eyes of your partner, you will always be the most beautiful. You are perfect and you are enough.

 

Save The Date Card | Save The Date Card Ideas For Your Wedding

Save The Date Card Ideas For Your Wedding

Save The Date Card Ideas 

Congratulations! Have you already set the date for your wedding? This is really big news that you will announce to your friends and family. And when you share the big news, you also want them to feel the same excitement that you felt when the important question has been finally popped.  

One of the ways how couples announce their wedding is by giving out Save The Date cards. Save The Dates are given earlier than invitation cards. It is a great way to prepare your loved ones for your wedding day before you officially and formally invite them. Its difference from invitation cards is that it is just a way to let people know about your wedding day while invitation cards are wordier and include more information like the wedding venue, date, dress code (if there are any), and other details. 

Since it is a part of your wedding announcement, it should reflect the overall theme of your wedding. To help you decide on what type of Save The Date card is perfect for you, here are some ideas:

Calendar

Save The Date Wedding Card

What’s a better way of telling your guests about your wedding day than a Calendar Save The Date? Provide them a calendar, plot your wedding date, and voila – it’s all set! This will ensure that your guests won’t forget about this special day. To make it more personalized and romantic, include photos from your engagement or pre-nuptial shoot. And of course, it wouldn’t be complete without the perfect envelope to complement it. Check out our Gourmet Flavors Collection for elegant color options that will surely impress your guests.

Photo Design

Wedding Invitations

The Photo Design Save The Date card is a simple yet personalized design that will surely make a mark on the hearts of your guests. Feature a stunning photo of you and your partner as the background and lay down the date of your wedding to inform your guests of this special day. This is a simple photo design that is as striking as your love for each other. Complete the look of your Photo Design Save The Date Card with our kraft paper envelope.

Photo Collage 

Save The Date Card Ideas For Your Wedding

Want to flaunt your beautiful engagement and pre-nuptial photos? Why settle with just one photo when you can create a collage? No need to include wordy content as your romantic photos will say it all with our Photo Collage Save The Date card. Your guests will know your story just by looking at your photos. To add a pop of color to your Save The Date card, choose among our Pop Tone Collection for the envelope that will surely catch your guests’ attention.

Damask

 Wedding Cards

If you prefer to keep if traditional and classy, the Damask Save The Date card is perfect for you. Fall in love with this exciting and captivating design that will bring artistry to your wedding. Feel free to be creative by incorporating other elements like flowers, leaves, feathers, and whatever you like. Customize the damask pattern by utilizing your own choice of color. Make it bolder by using striking colors or keep it romantic by using dark tones. Of course, your save-the-date card wouldn’t be complete without an envelope. Our Ivory/Cream envelope is the best choice to keep the sophistication of your Damask Save The Date card.

 

Whatever design you choose, make sure that you put your heart into it. Make it as personalized as possible. Make sure that it is relevant to your life as a couple. Your Save The Date card should have a piece of your love story.

Utah Announcements can assure you that you will be able to find the perfect Save The Date card for your wedding. Contact us here or give us a call at 801-810-6065.

Backyard Wedding | Backyard Wedding Planning ideas 2021

Guide To Planning A Backyard Wedding

Walking down the aisle of perfectly-grown green grass sprinkled with fresh white flowers, a refreshing breeze of fresh air touches your skin, your family and friends’ attention is on you, beautiful string lights open the reception area — are you dreaming of this kind of wedding?

Backyard weddings are warm, intimate, and can give you a uniquely sentimental and relaxed vibe. It is the perfect choice for couples who love the outdoors. Also, it provides a lot of benefits as it can be fully personalized and is a great option for a budget wedding. 

But since a backyard wedding is an outdoor wedding, it also requires careful logistics planning to be a hassle-free wedding. Here’s a quick guide for the best wedding planning of a backyard wedding: 

1.Choosing a Date

Since your wedding will have an outdoor venue, the first thing that you should consider when choosing your wedding date is the season. Schedule your wedding at the right season. Will it be too cold? Will it be too hot? Make sure that you pick the time of the year when you and your guests will be comfortable staying outdoors. 

Aside from the season, there can be instances when the weather doesn’t turn out how you expected it to be. So you should always be prepared with a contingency plan. Secure tents on the day of your wedding so you can use it in case it rains. 

2. Permits

Some areas require certain permits to conduct a backyard wedding. Be sure to check with your local authorities to avoid problems during your big day. Since you will be bringing in various suppliers and vendors to help you with setting up your wedding, also check if there are necessary permits that they need to acquire.

More than securing permits in compliance with local rules and regulations, you would also want to get permission from your neighbors. This doesn’t mean that you need to acquire an official permit from your neighbors. Since you will be having a celebration in your backyard, it is advisable for you to inform your neighbors beforehand about what will happen on that day. This is to manage their expectations since visitors will be going in and out of your area and the noise from your celebration might disturb them. You wouldn’t want to be reported by your neighbors due to public disturbance on your special day, would you?

3. Space and Set-up

Check the area that you’ll be utilizing for your wedding. Months before your big day, make sure that you plan the maintenance of your backyard. This is to give time for the plants to lush, flowers to bloom, and for you to clear out everything that needs to be cleared.

Measure the area. Will there be enough room for all your guests? Make sure to not compress the chairs and tables too much. There should be ample space for your guests to move around comfortably. Also, keep your older relatives in mind as they might need a dedicated space to feel more comfortable.

Allocate an area for the other festivities that you want to include in your wedding – a dessert bar, drinks booth, etc. Since it will be a backyard wedding, you might want to add a platform for the dance floor so your guests will be able to move safely and most importantly, for the newly-wed couple to safely enjoy their first dance as husband and wife.

4. Logistics – Electricity, Restroom, and Parking

One more important thing that you need to consider for the best wedding planning is the logistics. When it comes to outdoor venues, logistics can be quite more challenging. 

You should ensure that you get enough power to keep your lights and sound system working. It would be best to rent a power generator to supply electricity. Have it set up in a way that wouldn’t disrupt the wedding elements and decorations. Make sure that the wires won’t get in the way of your guests.

Is your restroom enough for all your guests? How about the parking space? You need to find an available parking space for your guests or organize a carpool system. You wouldn’t want all your guests to park their cars outside your house and block your neighbor’s driveway.

5. Time to be creative!

Once all the logistics concerns have already been settled, it’s now time to be creative! Let your imagination fly. Go back to how your love story started. Include personalized elements to your wedding. After all, this is about both of you and the celebration of your love. 

If you are on a budget, this is the perfect time to DIY the decorations. What’s great about backyard weddings is that they do not need fancy decorations to look beautiful. Simple and natural elements as decorations can make the atmosphere dreamy, warm, and intimate. You can even opt to make the decorations personalized for an added sentimental value to your venue.

Backyard Weddings – A Perfect Choice During This Time

Due to the pandemic, most couples prefer small and intimate weddings. Hence, a backyard wedding is one of the top choices among couples for their wedding theme. Besides, with a backyard wedding, you can maximize readily available resources and work with a limited budget. It can help you save money for the family that you will be building in the future.

 

How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Venue

How to Choose the Right Wedding Venue

Looking for the right wedding venue is one of the first steps to planning a wedding. However, to choose the right wedding venue, you should already have a visual idea of how you want your wedding to be.

There are some considerations and limitations when looking for the perfect wedding venue such as available dates, budget constraints, and size of the location. So, what steps can you take to choose the right wedding venue?

1. Draw up a Budget

Before you can look for a wedding venue, you must first decide on a budget. Drawing up a budget is important so that your expenses won’t go overboard when choosing a venue. As bride and groom-to-be’s we can get too excited and emotional when we see a beautiful venue and can tend to decide on impulse.

Average prices of wedding venues differ depending on where you live and where you plan to hold your wedding. You must also consider your overall wedding budget when allocating a budget for the venue.

2. Conceptualize What Type of Wedding You Want

Do you want to have an indoor venue or an outdoor venue? Do you want to have a church wedding or a beach wedding? Consider what type of wedding you want to have when listing down wedding venue choices.

You can also base this on your wedding theme and your personality. A wedding venue can add so much to the ambiance and overall mood that you want to go for.

3. Decide on the Non-negotiables

Think about the non-negotiables that you are looking for in a wedding venue. This includes your ideal wedding date and the number of guests that you want to include.

Do you plan on hosting the ceremony and reception in one venue? What are the venue inclusions and what are the things that you need to rent? Do they have a place where the bride can stay before the ceremony? How about a space for a bar or a dance floor?

Asking these questions is crucial as you might realize that there are hidden costs. Deciding on non-negotiables for your wedding is important to shortlist your wedding venue choices.

4. Research Possible Wedding Venue Choices

Research all the wedding venues where you want to get married that fit your qualifications. List them down on a spreadsheet and start writing and comparing their features, amenities, and other inclusions.

Start shortlisting the venues and ranking them from your first choice up to the last. 

5. Visit and Revisit the Venues

Schedule a visit to your chosen venues. Ask your fian?e, maid of honor, or wedding planner to accompany you to the venues. By visiting the venues in person, you will have a clearer vision of which venue is perfect for your wedding. Don’t forget to list down questions that you may have and to have the foresight to possible problems on your wedding day.

When choosing a venue, visiting once might not be enough. Make sure to revisit the venue and to take your time in exploring and planning your possible wedding layout.

6. Keep an Open Mind

Things might not go as you planned so try to keep an open mind. Your dream wedding venue might not be available on your wedding day or it might be too small to fit your guests. However, you might find the perfect wedding venue in the most unconventional places. 

Ask for recommendations and listen to sound advice. Don’t rush and settle for a mediocre venue. Don’t lose hope just because you’re having a hard time looking for a wedding venue.

Now that you know the steps to choose the right wedding venue, we hope that you can have a smooth and stress-free wedding planning. Don’t forget to have the balance of staying in control while listening to your gut feel.

Things Your Wedding Planner Won't Tell You

5 Things They Don’t Tell you About Wedding Planning

You have probably already heard about what you should do, what you should have, or what you need when planning a wedding. You can find a lot of tips and resources that tell you about various wedding hacks. But the true hack is knowing all aspects of wedding planning (yes, even the messy and stressful aspects!) and preparing yourself on how to handle it. 

There are still some things that they don’t tell you about – which we think are worth sharing.

1. Something will go wrong.

In planning for events, I bet no one has ever told you this before especially when planning for a wedding. This is not just being pessimistic. You just have to understand that not all things are within your control. And there might (emphasis on the might) be at least one thing that could go wrong. When you foresee such possibilities, you are able to make a plan B. Set a game plan with your wedding planner on how you will resolve possible issues. 

This is to also help you compose yourself when something really goes wrong during your special day. It’s because you expected it. You accepted that mishaps are sometimes inevitable. And it’s okay. You can still reclaim that one mishap with the memories you could make with your partner since you still have the rest of forever for yourselves.

And if nothing goes wrong, great! You are one lucky couple!

2. Everyone has an opinion.

Although this wedding is about you and your partner, there surely are other people who would want to give their opinion on various things. It can be the bride’s mom commenting on the choice of your color motif. Or the groom’s aunt telling you about the best caterer in town.

No matter what other people say about your wedding, don’t feel pressured to provide what they want. People will always have a say no matter what you do. Just let them be and do your thing. After all, it is your wedding. Not theirs.

3. At least one unexpected expense will arise.

This could be that one thing that could have gone wrong. Aside from thinking of a contingency plan for whatever mishap that could possibly happen, you should also allocate a contingency fund.

You wouldn’t want to shell out extra money that is out of your budget for some problem that occurred in the process. If you set a contingency fund, there will be room for adjustments – whether it be because of a minor mistake or you just want that extra pair of shoes for your reception. You don’t have to worry if some changes are needed.

4. Throwing a simple wedding is just as much work as throwing a fancy one.

What does throwing a simple wedding and throwing a fancy wedding have in common? They both need to be planned and organized. There must have been an instance when choosing a simple wedding instead of a fancy one came across your mind. 

It’s probably because you thought that simple weddings are easier to plan and organize. That could be true to some extent. But for both options, you still have to contact suppliers, outsource needed items, secure a venue, etc. You still have to do the work. So just follow your heart. Don’t worry too much about the hassle. Hire a wedding planner. Don’t take all the burden by yourself. It’s your special day. You deserve the best.

5. Great wedding invitation design matters.

You would think that a wedding invitation is just a simple piece of paper that you need for a wedding. You just need it to inform your guests that you would like to invite them to your wedding. But that’s actually what makes it so significant.

It is where you will announce your wedding. It will be your way of letting them know that you want them to be part of your special day. Since this is an important day for you, the way you announce this day should also be special. This is where design matters. Your wedding invitation will give a remarkable impression to your guests.

At Utah Announcements, we can provide you with custom designs based on your preference and taste. You can place your order here

We are not sharing these things to discourage you or stress you out. We want you to have visibility of all sides of the wedding planning – even the most stressful ones. Through this, you will be able to try your best to avoid or at least prepare a contingency plan for these possible mishaps that could arise along the way.

Happy planning!

5 Wedding Must-Haves For The Ultimate Ceremony

5 Wedding Must-Haves

Dream weddings don’t happen overnight. It’s a product of careful planning and thorough considerations in order to build the best once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Certainly, it comes with seismic waves of stress, too. You’ll face multiple decision-making hurdles, and perhaps get stuck with some choices along the way.Fret not! Dream weddings can be made less stressful when you build this piece by piece, taking note of all these essential must-haves to include in your special day.

1. Photographed Memories

First on the list is to secure that your memories are captured well. Ensure that the key wedding moments will be captured – from walking down the aisle to the reception venue. Best if you include a mini photo booth by the entrance of the venue to encourage guests to keep the memories with you.

Pro Tip: Include a disposable camera on every table in the reception venue and encourage guests to take photos themselves! Capture all the little things so you can re-cherish your dream wedding anytime.

2. Kids’ Corner

Yup, kids are definitely adorable. They take the cutest portion in the wedding procession. But, truth be told: kids are definitely the most difficult guests to control in the wedding reception – especially in the middle of their mood swings. To ensure that these little angels enjoy it as well, it’ll be best to create a kids’ corner where they can play and binge-watch cartoons throughout the night. Let the kids seize their good time, as the adults savor solemn moments in the main reception area.

Pro Tip: Create a mini-themed costume party for the kids to enjoy! You can even hire magicians so they can be kept entertained and amused in their corner.

3. The Wedding Playlist

Take a trip down memory lane with every beat! Weddings certainly bring back the happy moments you’ve shared in the past – recalling all your firsts and definitely savoring the lasts as boyfriend and girlfriend. Of course, these memories include a song or two to remember. Build your wedding playlist from the special songs you’ve shared in these moments. Feel your heart flutter with every beat throughout the night!

Pro Tip: Create a mini clip for every special song! Include the memories you’ve shared in these special songs for an added bucket of tears to shed.

4. Overall Theme

Consistency is the key to achieving your dream wedding. Certainly, you’ll be overwhelmed with choices as you start the wedding preparations. To ensure that you’re making the right choice, best if you have an overall theme to follow for your wedding. This will guide you in choosing the essential little details – from the color palette to decors and dresses.

Pro Tip: Themes should blend well with your chosen wedding and reception area. To save money, best if you mix and match available resources in building your preferred theme. It doesn’t have to be templated. Remember, uniqueness and creativity will make your dream wedding stand out.

5. Striking Invitation Cards

Last but definitely not least, a striking invitation card is also a wedding must-have. Of course, you’d want to excite your guests for this momentous event, right? Sharing this milestone with your significant circle makes this event even more special.

PRO Tip: Free yourself from stress in planning this! Thankfully, there are institutions like Utah Announcements that grants you an opportunity to build your dream wedding invitation with a professional taste. It aims to personalize your experience with a simple 3-step online ordering process. Hassle-free yet innovative wedding cards, yes?

A wedding isn’t just a celebration of love. It’s a celebration meant to honor a special moment with your friends and family. Prepare for this big day with these five must-haves for a smooth and memorable wedding experience!

Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

How to Keep your Wedding under Budget

It’s not a secret that weddings can be expensive. In fact, the average US wedding costs around $35,000. And while many are now opting to have elopement and courtyard weddings, many of us still have that fairy tale dream of walking down the aisle towards our happily ever after.

So, the question now is: How can I have my dream wedding while staying under budget? We’ve thought of five simple budget saver tips to help you save money while still achieving your dream wedding.

1. Discuss what type of wedding you want.

Are you planning for a traditional church wedding or a boho-themed wedding? Different types of weddings also have different costs attached to them. Of course, destination weddings will cost way more than a farmhouse-themed wedding. 

Know what type of wedding you and your partner both want and set a budget. Discuss the non-negotiables and learn to compromise in order to stay under budget.

2. Keep the guest list minimal.

Set the number of guests that you can afford to attend your wedding. List down your closest family and friends first before including other relatives, officemates, and other friends. Don’t be afraid of offending some people by not inviting them, as your expenses on the venue and catering will balloon if you exceed your planned guest list.

Send out an RSVP in advance to have a clearer idea of how many people can attend. Proceed to invite your other friends as your initial invitees confirm whether or not they can attend.

3. Involve your close family and friends in the wedding preparations.

Reduce your stress by asking for help from friends and family. Set a timeline and delegate tasks to them. Brainstorm cheap wedding ideas with them and you might be surprised at the ideas they come up with.

Use your connections to lessen your expenses. They might know people or professionals that you can hire on your wedding day. They might have skills and talents that they can use to help you on your wedding day.

Do you have a friend who sings? Hire them to sing for your wedding. Is one of your best friends good at hosting? Ask them to be your host! 

4. Opt for Do-it-Yourself when possible.

As much as you can, plan ahead so that you would have time to do some of the wedding essentials yourself. Being creative and resourceful will definitely save you a lot of money on your wedding day.

You and your partner can craft the giveaways, table centerpieces, and other wedding decors yourself. If you’re a great cook, you can do your own catering. Or if you’re good at makeup, you can save money on hiring a makeup artist and do your own makeup yourself.

5. Hold the ceremony at home or outdoors.

The venue is one of the most costly wedding expenses. It’s good to look at all your options before you book a venue. If you have a lot of backyard space, you can even hold the ceremony at home. 

Look for unlikely wedding venues. Some great wedding venues might not seem like usual wedding venues at first – but with the power of creativity and resourcefulness, you can transform any grassy meadow in your neighborhood, community center, or even your local park.

Staying Under Budget for your Wedding Isn’t That Hard

Unless you are dreaming of a truly lavish and luxury-filled wedding, staying under budget for your wedding isn’t that hard. It’s true that you have to sacrifice a few things and do some of the work yourself, but you’ll still be able to keep the essence of your dream wedding.

Think long-term and how you can use the money you saved to buy a house, or a new car, or to save up for the family you dream of building. Whether a wedding is expensive or not, it won’t really matter as long as you marry the one you truly love.

invitation design

Why Great Invitation Designs Matter

Weddings are one of the most precious events that one may experience in his/her lifetime. Weddings are often built from childhood fantasies. That moment when you are finally walking down the aisle to reach your eternal love. It doesn’t end there though. Your heart races even faster when you see the tears falling down from your loved ones – droplets of sheer delight and pride to have shared this momentous event with you. Your heart screams joy and excitement, teardrops of bliss concealed behind your veil.

Is this one of your life goals, too? Most of us do. However, gathering a bunch of people with different priorities, preferences, and hectic schedules doesn’t come easy. It requires extensive planning and consideration. 

One of the critical elements of wedding planning is the wedding invitation. It marks the first connection of the couple to their attendees. Simply put, this makes a first (and lasting) impression on your desired audience. Invitations usually encapsulate the journey that a couple has been through, painting their story with a powerful design. 

Preferences in design vary depending on personal taste. Some opt to go minimalist; some are laced with splendor. Still, to make your wedding invitation matter, several factors have to be considered – from font face to texture.

Making your invitation design appealing 

Capturing one’s attention doesn’t come easy. It involves complex psychological processes to ensure that a design hits the senses right. Of course, visuals build the basic block in standing out.

Adding the right pictures, knowing where to place these pictures, and even identifying the words to put in between are just a few considerations to take when designing the visuals. These etch a memory that you can share with your invitees. 

Nowadays, texture also plays an imperative role in designing invitations. This is heavily driven by the couple’s paper choice. Rustic themed weddings opt for a homely kraft paper choice, others opt for the felt paper to amplify touch and connection. Scented paper is also a popular choice now to excite the olfactory sense of audiences. Determining these factors sets the mood of your wedding’s ambiance.

Making the right choice

With the complexity needed in building an effective design, couples need to source for a professional partner with a keen eye for detail. Technical skill in designing and photoshop is a must. 

Thankfully, there are institutions like Utah Announcements specially dedicated to this endeavor. Utah Announcements is a professional wedding invitation designer that grants you an opportunity to build your dream wedding invitation with a professional taste. It aims to personalize your experience with a simple 3-step online ordering process.

Free your invitations from templated judgments as you get to work 1:1 with a professional designer. You’ll work hand-in-hand in customizing graphics, color palette, even fonts to capture a picturesque invitation suite. Collaboration happens online, at the comfort of your own home. Best of all, it offers transparent and all-inclusive pricing to help you with precisely planning your wedding expenses. 

Make your wedding memorable; build a remarkable impression. Remember, you ought to invite…and excite. 

What to Include in Your Wedding Invitation Suite

There are a lot of pieces that go into your invitation suite and it’s easy to get confused. From a save the date to an RSVP card to a reception card, all these pieces can start to run together. This post is all about eliminating that confusion. We are here to explain to you every piece that you can include in your invitation suite and what it’s used for. Keep in mind that not all these pieces are required, or even necessary. It’s up to you to determine what you need and how that fits with your style. Don’t feel pressured to include any items unless you see them as necessary or just plain cute. Keep reading for our tips on what to include in your wedding invitation suite!

1. Save the Date Card

If you are having a long engagement and know your wedding date 6-8 months in advance, this is a great way to give your guests a preview of the wedding. This is especially important if guests will need to make travel arrangements. On the card, include the couple’s names and the date and location of the wedding. You can also put a link to your wedding website for more information. If you will only be engaged for a short time, skip this step and go straight to the wedding invitation.

2. Wedding Invitation

This is the most important piece of your entire invitation suite. This piece should include all the major details the guests should know: names of the couple and the date, time, and location of the wedding. Some brides choose to treat this piece as more of an announcement of the marriage and include details about any wedding events on separate cards (which we will explain further down on the list). Alternatively, if you want a wedding suite with fewer pieces, you can use the main invitation to invite guests to the ceremony and/or reception. You can also use this piece to let guests know of your registry and other details about they may need to know about the wedding, like what attire is expected or if kids are allowed.

3. RSVP card (and envelope)

This piece is a small card your guests can use to let you know if they will be attending your wedding. Traditionally, this also includes a stamped envelope for your guests to send their responses back in. To avoid this extra envelope, make your RSVP card a postcard instead. Just make sure to include a stamp on it!

4. Ceremony Card

This piece lets your guests know where and when the actual marriage ceremony will be taking place. If you are not inviting all of your guests to the ceremony, it is best to include this information on a separate card. Include any pertinent information such as the date, time, and location.

5. Reception Card

This piece is much like the ceremony card but instead lets your guests know where and when the reception will be taking place. If you include this information on your invitation, you can skip this step altogether. If not, include any important information like the date, time, and location on this card.

6. Directions Card

Make sure your guests know where your wedding is and how to get there – you can’t always trust the GPS! This is especially important if you are holding a destination wedding or your wedding is in a hard-to-find area. You can approach this piece is two ways. First, you can simply list the directions to the venue. Second, you can include a map of where the venue is and how to get there. You should also include this information on your wedding website.

 

7. Accommodations Card

This piece is reserved mainly for destination weddings and out-of-town guests. Make sure anyone that has to travel has some direction as to where they should stay when they get there. You can often get a lower rate if you book a block of rooms so make your guests aware of this option. You should also let them know on this card if you are paying for their accommodations.

8. Rehearsal Dinner/Luncheon Invitation

Many couples choose to have a dinner the night before or lunch the day of their wedding. If you are doing this, give the information to your guests on a separate card. Just like the wedding and reception card, include all important details especially the date, time, and location. Typically, the wedding party, family members, and out-of-town guests are invited.

9. Bridal Shower Invitation

If you want to skip a step down the road, include an invitation to your bridal shower in your invitations. This makes it easier when the shower comes along because you do not have to send out a separate invitation.

10. Social Media Card

Use social media to collect pictures from your wedding. There are a lot of apps you can use that allow guests to upload photos to a shared drive. Alternatively, you can create a hashtag and have your guests include it on all their posts at the wedding. You can use a social media card to let guests know of this ahead of time so you are more likely to get more photos.

 

 

 

Wedding Resolutions

It’s the beginning of a new year and that means everyone around you is making new years resolutions. If you’re getting married this year, take advantage of this time and make some goals for your own wedding planning. Take a look at a few of our suggestions for great new year’s wedding resolutions.

1. Stay true to your own style.

Pinterest, blogs, and Instagram are a huge help when trying to plan your wedding. They give you great ideas and show you what others have done with their own nuptials. However, looking at others’ style all the time can make it difficult to identify your own likes and dislikes. When planning your wedding this year, don’t let others’ tastes sway yours. Stay true to yourself and create a wedding that YOU love.

2. Don’t procrastinate.

It seems like there are a million things you need to do to pull this wedding off. With so much on your plate, you can get easily overwhelmed and become tempted to just push everything to the side. This just creates a bigger pile of things for you to complete in even less time. Use this year to tackle your wedding tasks head-on. Outline specific tasks and create a timeline with real deadlines for when each item needs to be completed. Getting organized will help you avoid procrastinating and save you a huge amount of stress.

3. Learn to say no.

When you’re engaged, everyone you know, and even people you don’t, have an opinion on what you should do. Everyone wants to have their say and make suggestions for what they think will make the perfect wedding. They mean well, but it can seem annoying or frustrating trying to satisfy all these demands. Stand your ground and learn to say no when someone tries to take over parts of your wedding. Stay strong and take control of this special day so it can be everything you imagined.

4. Stay balanced.

With everything that needs to be done, wedding planning can take over your life if you let it. With decisions to make about cakes, colors, dresses, venues, etc., it seems like there isn’t room in your life with anything else. This resolution is all about keeping this seemingly endless list of tasks in check. When you understand that your wedding, although special, is really just one day, it will help you balance planning with the rest of your life. Carve out a specific time to do wedding planning every day or every week and stick to it. Don’t let it take over your life.

5. Keep your priorities in focus.

Wedding planning puts a lot of focus on the things involved in your wedding, not the people. At the end of your wedding day, the cake will all be eaten, the flowers will wilt, and the guests will go home. The most important part of your wedding is who you are marrying. This year, make sure your groom know that he is the most important part of this wedding. Set a goal to regularly let him know how much you appreciate and love him. Seeing the big picture, that you’ll get to be married to the love of your life at the end of this perfect day, will help you when small bumps come along.

Here’s to a great year of great weddings!

Invitation Timeline

Wedding Invitation Timeline Tips, Template, Wording, Design

With so many pieces, it can be confusing when to send them out. It get’s even more confusing when you try to decipher traditional etiquette versus the more modern, lax rules. To clear all this up, we’ve created a timeline to guide you on when to send each piece of your invitation suite out. Use this invitation timeline to make sure you get everything sent out on time and without any stress! Take a look!

Save the Dates

Traditionally, save the date cards are sent out six to eight months before the wedding. The main reason they are sent out so far in advance is so people have time to make travel arrangements. However, this long timeline isn’t always a luxury for many brides. If you are working with a shorter timeline, try to send save the date cards out as soon as you have set a date and book a venue. Shoot for about four to six months in advance if possible. If you aren’t sending save the dates, then you can skip this step!

Invitations

Invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This ensures that people can put your event on their calendar before other things come up. This also gives you time to get your RSVP cards back if you choose to send those out. Again, if you’re working on a shorter timeline, just try to send them as far out as possible. Aim for about a month in advance at least.

RSVP Cards

This deadline is not as much for you as it is for your guests. On the RSVP card, let your guests know that you would like their responses two to three weeks before your wedding date. This will allow you enough time to make changes to your seating chart and catering head count.

Thank You Cards

If you receive a gift before the wedding, the general rule is to send a thank you card within two weeks. For gifts received after the wedding, send out cards within four weeks. Make sure you respond promptly to all gifts to let the giver know you are grateful and appreciate their kindness.

What to Wear to Your Engagement Shoot

Your engagement photos are a big part of your invitation and a way to show your guests your unique personalities. While it may seem like a no-brainer, picking out what to wear to your engagement photo shoot can be tough. You pick outfits every day but this one is different. This one will be posted on refrigerators for months and you want to look your best. Follow these tips for a perfect engagement shoot ensemble.

1. Coordinate, not match.

When picking outfits for you and your fiancee, you want to make sure your outfits are similar and complement each other. However, do not match exactly. Wearing the exact same color shirts, pants, and shoes can be a little too matchy-matchy and outdated. Instead, opt for colors that go well together without being the same. This is a great time to work in some of your wedding colors to set the tone for your big day.

2. Remember the season.

The clothes you pick will differ depending on the time of year. The clothes you pick for a winter shoot are going to be very different from the clothes you pick for a summer shoot. Pick clothes that you will feel comfortable in with special consideration of the temperature; don’t wear a strapless dress if it’s below freezing outside! You’ll look your best when you’re comfortable, not when you’re shivering. Stick with warm clothes with sleeves for fall and winter. In spring and summer, feel free to go strapless and wear light fabrics.

3. Mix colors and neutrals.

Color is a great way to make your photos more exciting, but many shy away from it because they don’t want to be too bold. Wearing too many neutrals can wash you out so play with different colors until you get the right mix. Whether it’s a bright piece of statement jewelry or a colorful shirt, make sure you incorporate some fun.

4. Bring a few extra pieces. 

Most people bring two different outfits to their photo shoot: a casual one and a formal one. You can also bring additional pieces. You may get to your location and find your outfit doesn’t work in that setting. Having an extra shirt or piece of jewelry can solve that.

5. Be Yourself.

The most important thing to remember when taking your photos is to be yourself. The best pictures are those in which the subjects look happy and comfortable. You want to look like yourself in your photos, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go buy a new outfit. Just stick with pieces you know and love so you look natural and beautiful.

Wedding Invitation Wording

Wedding Invitation Wording Templates, Tips and Etiquette

Figuring out how to word your invitations can be tricky. With all the etiquette rules and customs, it can seem overwhelming. But don’t worry – we are here to help you! Read through this post to find all the information you will need to write your invitations.

What Information Do You Need? 

  • Bride and groom’s names
  • Bride and groom’s parents’ names
  • Date, time, and location of ceremony
  • Date, time, and location of reception/open house
  • Registry information

Once you have this information, it is simply a matter of plugging it in. You can change the wording based on how formal or casual you want your invitations to be.

Formal Invitation Wording

  • The invitation should be issued by the hosts i.e. “Dwayne and Mary Smith are pleased the announce…”
  • Include all formal titles, such as Dr., Mr., and Mrs.
  • Spell the date out, i.e. “Monday, the fourth of July two thousand thirteen”
  • Do not include registry information on the invitation.

Informal Invitation Wording

  • Feel free to play around with the placement of names. You can put both sets of parents together or omit them, it’s up to you.
  • Keep it casual. No need for fancy descriptive words, keep it short and too the point.
  • Include registry information to make it easy for guests to find the perfect gift.
  • Mix up the order of information

Take a look at the examples below to get inspired for writing your own information! For more examples, head on over to our invitation portfolio.

 

How To: Stress-Free Invitations

Getting your invitations out can be a stressful task, but it doesn’t have to be! Especially when you are inviting a lot of guests, the idea of addressing and stuffing all those envelopes can seem daunting. Here are a couple tips for making the invitation process stress-free.

1. Do your research. 

Make the design process easy by doing a little pre-work. Researching design ideas and general inspiration for your wedding will make it easier to determine what you want your invitation to look like. With so many options, it’s important to narrow down the possibilities to avoid being overwhelmed.

2. Have a budget. 

Determine how much of your wedding budget you want to spend on invitations. This helps you avoid over-spending and having to cut costs elsewhere. You can get a free quote for your invitations on our website to determine how much your invitations will cost before submitting an order.

3. Start addressing early.

Even if you don’t have your invitations yet, start addressing your envelopes. Getting an early start on this task can make it easy once you get your invites. If they are all addressed once they arrive, you can stuff them and send them out quickly and avoid stress about getting them out in time. To make this process even easier, we offer an envelope printing service. Look at our website for more details.

4. Give yourself enough time.

Try to order your announcements at least two months before your wedding date. This gives you ample time for the design process and shipping. If you have less than 30-40 days before your wedding, custom invites are still doable, but you may want to consider rushing the process.

5. Budget enough time for RSVPs. 

If you are sending out RSVP cards, give your guests enough time to respond once they receive the invitation in their mailbox. You should request guests to RSVP three weeks before the wedding date, meaning you will need to send the invites out six weeks before the date. This is especially important if you are basing food orders or other logistics on the number of guests attending.

6. Make a guest list. 

Create a spreadsheet or list with your guest’s names, addresses, and other information (like attendance, food choices, etc.). This will help keep you organized and make sure you do not have any duplicates. MyInviteList.com is a great online service to help you organize your guest list online.

7. Recruit family and friends to help. 

Once your invitations arrive, have an invitation party with your friends and family. Get them together to help you stuff and seal the envelopes and you will be done in no time!

8. Go over all invitation proofs thoroughly.

Imagine getting all your invitations and date is wrong – so stressful! Avoid any mistakes before printing by reading and looking over all the proofs you receive several times. Have someone else look at them for you to catch any mistakes you might have missed.

15 Wedding Hacks to Make Your Big Day Stress-Free

No matter what type of wedding you’re planning, big or small, everyone has worries about their big day. You want to enjoy your wedding day, not spend it stressing about the little things. To save you the hassle and the stress, we have gathered a few wedding hacks to make your day easier.

  1. Wearing a veil? Use veil weights to keep your veil in place in case of wind.
  2. Break in your shoes before the wedding day. You can do this easily with just a blow dryer and socks.
  3. Keep the kids entertained. Provide wedding-themed coloring or activity books.
  4. Come up with a wedding hashtag to create a real-time wedding photo album on social media.
  5. Planning for an outdoor venue? Attach Solemates to your heels so your shoes don’t get stuck in the grass.
  6. Create snack packs for you, the groom, and the bridal party to tide you over between the ceremony and reception. Keeping everyone fed will make sure everyone stays happy!
  7. Assign each bridal party or family member to a different vendor. Have them exchange contact information so they can solve any problems the day of and you don’t have to be worried.
  8. Have a spare pair of shoes. The shoes you are wearing for your ceremony and photos may not be comfortable anymore once you get to the reception, especially if there’s dancing. Have a pair of flats or sandals just in case.
  9. Remove static from your dress with a wire hanger. Run the long side of the hanger over your dress and between your tights, slip, etc. and you’ll be static free!
  10. Create a wedding timeline and hand it out to your families and bridal party. This way, everyone will be where they are supposed to be when they’re supposed to be there.
  11. Have a kit of emergency essentials with you at all times. This could include gum, deodorant, bobby pins, lip gloss, safety pins, etc. Have your maid of honor or bridesmaid carry it with them throughout the day so you always have access to it.
  12. Get rid of any morning-of pimples. The last thing you want to see when you wake up on the morning of your wedding is a big zit. Put Listerine or ice on it for a few minutes to reduce swelling and redness.
  13. Give your DJ a “do not play” list to avoid awkward dancing.
  14. Wear a cute outfit while you’re getting ready. If you are having a photographer there during hair and make up, make sure you love those photos by wearing something cute, like a button down shirt, robe, etc. Also make sure whatever you wear doesn’t have to be pulled over your head to take off to avoid messing your hair up.
  15. Find a time to spend time alone with your groom. The whole day really is about the two of you so make sure you have time together away from all the craziness.

Use these tips to make sure your wedding day is stress-free! In the end, even if things go wrong, all that matters at the end of the day is that you are married to the person you love. So enjoy the day and have fun!