Some Bright Ideas We've Received

If you have a credit card that earns you air miles, use it for many of the expenses related to your wedding. For each dollar you charge, you will come closer to earning a free flight, possibly even for your honeymoon.
Many credit cards also offer insurance against loss or damage to your purchases. Call your credit card company and inquire.
Get EVERYTHING in writing. Pay attention to details. (Our planning guides can help you to do this.
Plan everything as far ahead as possible. Venues, caterers, bands, florists and photographers can book up well in advance, even more than a year from the desired date.
Keep in mind that it is usually less expensive to have your wedding at off peak times. Saturdays are always the most expensive, as are the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
Request that your musicians play music through the breaks. The party very often stops when the music stops.
Bring emergency repair and beauty items to the wedding. This includes a travel sewing kit, safety pins, hair spray, nail file, nail polish, extra stockings, etc.
If the bride spills something on the wedding dress, don't panic. &127;Dab it, and then put baby powder on it. This should conceal the stain fairly well, and you can let the cleaner worry about it later.
For stains in general, club soda does a great job. Just keep dabbing a small amount onto the stain until it disappears.

The following are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions relating to bridal showers.

The most important rule to remember when planning a bridal shower is this: Only invite people to the shower who will also be invited to the wedding. It is terribly impolite to omit them from the main festivities.

It is usually not considered proper for a member of the immediate family to host the shower, but very often sisters, who are also part of the wedding party, do throw the shower. Traditionally, the maid of honer and bridesmaids are the most common people to host the party.

This is one of the few times that it is acceptable for the invitation to include information on the registry.

Mail invitations three weeks in advance.

These days, it is not uncommon for the groom to be present at the shower (i.e. a co-ed shower)

If you have more than one shower, try not to invite one guest to more than one shower.

Be Creative. Try to think of events that the bride might enjoy doing. Would a day at the spa be more enjoyable than a tea party? Very often following a theme makes the party easier to plan.

Shower Theme Ideas:

Gardening Shower

If the couple enjoys gardening, then gifts relating to the garden are perfect. Items range from tools to decorative accessories.

Glass Shower

Items made of glass are the focal point of the gifts. Glasses to vases to pitchers, anything works.

Gourmet Shower

Similar to kitchen Shower, but for more seasoned cooks who desire more professional of unique items for cooking.

Holiday Shower

Assign each guest a holiday. They then need to bring a gift that relates to that holiday. For example, for Valentines Day you might want to bring a wine bucket or two champagne glasses.

Linen Shower

Gifts range from towels to table linens to sheets.

Lingerie Shower

This is frequently chosen as a them for a shower. Make sure that the bride would appreciate and use the many items she will receive. Although you might enjoy watching your friend turn red with embarrassment as she opens your gift, it might be wise to consider if she will actually enjoy the event.

Kitchen Shower

Each guest brings a gift that would be useful for use in the kitchen. Keep in mind what the couple might already have, and what level of cooks they are.

Paper Shower

The same premise as a glass shower, but with paper.

Recipe Shower

This can be done stand alone, or in conjunction with the kitchen or gourmet shower. Simply bring your favorite recipe for the couple to add to their recipe list. Very often, a recipe card will be included in the invitation.

Room of the House Shower

Assign each guest a room of the house. They will then bring a gift that is appropriate for that room.

Please let us know if you have any ideas that you feel should be added to our list. We will also be adding information on shower games, and would love to include your favorites!