Hotel Room Blocks - Consider Your Guests

Recently, I was having a conversation with a bridesmaid, who was flying to a different country for the actual wedding. She's already purchased a BLHDN dress ($250), a plane ticket ($800+), had to purchase bridal shower and wedding presents ($150+), and we won't even go into all the expenses associated with staying in a foreign city for 5 days. Furthermore, when she told me about the available hotel room blocks, my jaw dropped. The couple reserved 3 hotels - all 5 star, high-end hotels, with the cheapest option of $250/night. Let's do the math - 5 days at $250 and we're looking at another $1250 worth of expenses for someone else's wedding. Where does that put us...$2450. Yikes! And let's not even mention that this is probably 1 of at least 4 weddings this year this person is attending.

As a host of any party, it is your job to make everyone feel comfortable and enjoy their time. Part of that is provide your guests with Hotel Room Blocks fitted for any pocket.

ASSESS YOUR GUESTLIST: You know who's attending your wedding, so plan accordingly. Consider the amount of out-of-town guests and make sure you book enough room blocks to accommodate majority, if not all guests. Keep in mind that hotel room blocks are not endless - most hotels limit the amount of rooms one can reserve and some hotels might have a booking minimum.
*as with any contract, read the fine print.

RESEARCH CONVENIENT HOTELS: Whether or not you're providing transportation for all guests, research what's around your venue. The last thing you want is a lengthy ride back after the reception.

PROVIDE VARIETY: Not only should you provide variety in terms of budgets, but also in terms of hotel groups. People love loyalty programs, and Uncle Fred might want to stay at a Marriott, while Uncle Chris has rewards points at a Hilton.

Wedding Wednesday - 3 Wedding Etiquette Surprises

This week we revisit wedding etiquette.  Here are answers to three uncommon wedding etiquette questions.  The answers may surprise you!

1.  Do I need to feed the band?  

The reason why I consider this question “uncommon” is because you shouldn't even have to ask. Yes! You need to feed the band.  It’s common courtesy to feed all of your vendors working at your wedding reception.  They work long hours to ensure you have a fabulous wedding, and all that work can make a person hungry.  This includes the DJ, photographer (and assistant!), all members of the band, and the wedding planner.  Confirm the number of vendor meals with your caterer when the final meal count is given.  Most vendors will require a meal as part of their contract, and the caterer may offer a discounted “vendor meal”.

2.  My friend assumes she is going to be in my wedding party because I was a bridesmaid in her wedding.  Am I obligated to have someone be a part of my wedding party because I was a part of hers?

Be prepared. This can be touchy and feelings may get hurt, but you are not required to have anyone be apart of your wedding party (regardless of whether or not you we are part of theirs).  Maybe your reason is because you want an intimate affair, or you have a ton of siblings and relatives that you would like to include.  Whatever the reason, tread lightly with your friend.  A nice gesture is to have her be a part of your wedding in a different way - like reading a poem or giving a speech.

3.   I already know that a potential wedding guest is unable to attend our wedding.  Do we still need to send an invitation?

No.  You do not need to send a formal invitation, if someone has already let you know that they cannot attend your wedding.  However, if the person is a close friend or family member, you may want to send an invite, anyway.  Be sure to let them know that you sent the invitation along as a keepsake, so they don’t assume you're fishing for a gift.

Wedding Wednesdays Intros

Hey there, Studio DBI fans!  I’m Stephanie, the Head Planner/Coordinator here at DBI.  I am super excited because, aside from my event coordinating and planning duties, I get to start make a weekly contribution to the Studio DBI blog.  All hail, Wedding Wednesdays! (insert trumpet sound here). With Wedding Wednesdays, I will touch on all things wedding . . . . . including, but not limited to: locations, design, and etiquette (oh, my!).  Be sure to check in every Wednesday for the latest and greatest in wedding ideas and info.

 

A little introduction about myself:  I’m a DC area transplant that hails from Dallas, TX.  In my spare time, I enjoy lying back with my husband and our bulldog out on the deck or up on the rooftop of a local restaurant. Rumor has it I’m oddly organized, and looking for any excuse to throw a great party. 

 

I’ve been with Studio DBI for almost 1 year, and I l-o-v-e a fabulous wedding! I truly enjoy working with couples to make their wedding an unbelievably special event.  I think it’s great when couples bring their own uniquely fun ideas to the table, and eagerly accept the challenge to help their wedding vision come to fruition.  I’m thrilled to be adding to this blog, and look forward to many great things with Studio DBI.

 

Until next week,

Stephanie

The Pros of Rehearsal Dinners

Rehearsal Dinners are a great way to start catching up with your wedding guests. Usually, these dinners are a little more intimate, but that doesn't mean they're just for eating a meal. Use rehearsal dinners to do whatever you don't have the time for during the actual wedding, like speeches. Let's say your wedding party and family are all dying to speak (can you feel the love?) - use rehearsal dinner as this opportunity. Nothing is worst than ongoing speeches at the actual wedding. Your guests get bored and there's less time for dancing and celebrating. Also, those embarrassing moments shared by the speech-givers are probably best left in the company of those closest to the two of you...am I right?

Rehearsal dinners are also a fantastic opportunity to execute a totally different creative vision from the actual wedding. If you're like me, you have problems limiting yourself to just one wedding vision, so why not do your rehearsal dinner completely differently? A recent DBI couple decided on a berry-tone elegant wedding, full of whimsical touches (remember the huge poppies?). However, for their rehearsal dinner they requested a Southwestern-inspired design full of succulents, proteas, and rocks (pictures below). With two different designs their guests were continuously surprised and it allowed the couple to live out two different visions.

 

Additionally, because rehearsal dinners are usually smaller than the wedding, they give you a chance to focus on the details that would either be too time-consuming or not budget-friendly for a full wedding. Favors, printed materials (place cards, menus), and unique centerpieces are all a go for rehearsal dinners, so don't forget these when talking to your stationary designer or florist. 

Place Card or Escort Card?

As a couple nearing your weddings you are keeping track of so many details and learning so much about etiquette that it can get overwhelming. Today I'm going to clear up the confusion of escort card versus place card. I get this question all the time so I think it's important to educate so that you know what your options are when it comes to printed material:

       Escort Card: This card is often mistaken for the place card. The escort card lets your guests know which table they'll be sitting (these cards are usually picked up during cocktail hour). 

       Place Card: This card sits on the table and indicates to your guests where specifically at the table they'll be sitting. 

Tomorrow I'll be giving you an insight on pricing for bouquets and tall centerpieces - this might be a bit of a shock to most :)

Are You A Good Wedding Guest?

When you get that wedding invitation in the mail you might be going through several emotions - excitement, obligation, hesitance, joy, and many more. Whatever your thoughts are when you decide to go, you go with a positive attitude and remember to be a good wedding guest. Here are a few items to keep in mind:

• The couple has spent a great amount of time, money, and energy planning - acknowledge this and participate.
• Arrive on time! This is so basic but so many people can't seem to get to weddings on time. Why cut in the middle of someone's ceremony?
• Be conscious of the dress code - don't show up in a ball gown for a backyard wedding or a summer dress to a black tie affair.
• Do not take what is not yours - the couple might be giving out favors but everything else does not belong to you. This means centerpieces! You don't know what is rented, what is purchased, so don't take "stuff".
• If you decide to "indulge" in partying don't ruin everyone else's time. Aka don't get wasted, fall down stairs, and block the only entry to the bathroom for all guests.
• If your children don't behave, leave them at home.

Its not that difficult to be a great wedding guest - show up on time, enjoy the food and drinks, dance, and celebrate. Leave your negative tude, inappropriate outfit, and crying children at home.