Making a Toast? Don’t Forget to do These 5 Things

It’s your wedding day!

Everything has gone perfectly. People arrived on time, you got down the aisle, said your “I dos,” and now you’re enjoying the party.

But you know sooner or later you’re going to have to stand up in front of everyone and make a toast.

Yep! Toast making (without the toaster) isn’t just for the maid of honor and best man—the bride and groom are expected to say a word or two.

And unless you’re a creative muse I don’t think it’s possible to think of a speech on the spot without forgetting to mention a few things.

So we’re here to help you prepare your toast BEFORE you get in front of the mic.

Let Them Go First

You’ve heard the saying, save the the best for last? Well to not sound too snobby here, but you’re the party so you should give your toast last.

Let your bridal party say a few words, the maid of honor and the best man, your parents, and then you and your partner.

Having someone else open up the floor of thank yous before you is always a good route to go.

Why?

Well, it helps you calm your nerves and regain your composure.

Be an Inspiration and Get Inspiration

We’ll admit, sometimes it’s hard to find inspiration for what we’re about to say or write. And the same can be said about your toast.

It’s OK to find sources of inspiration, words of comfort, etc. that came from other people to help you write your toast—just use the Oscar acceptance speeches as examples.

But you don’t just need inspiration, you also need to be an inspiration. Get your guests to laugh and smile along with you—let them share in your happiness.

Telling personal stories (that are good) about each other that have everyone in attendance smiling will help when you transition into saying thank yous later on in the speech.

Keep it Classy

So OK maybe you have a couple funny stories about your truly beloved, but maybe they aren't suited to be announced over a speaker.

Remember that you want to keep your toast full of happy memories (and comfortable ones).

Don’t make your guests feel uneasy with stories that could embarrass you and/or your significant other.  

Besides, this toast is to thank people for being there to celebrate your big day.

Practice, Practice, and Practice Some More

Everyone tells you that practice makes perfect.

You’ve heard this saying so many times you could probably scream, but hey, it’s true!

Practice what you’re about to say before you’re about to say it to make sure that the delivery is flawless.

And remember, your significant other and you are going to be talking together—so practice together!

Remember the Thank Yous

The biggest (most important) part of a toast is the thank you.

Your toast should have elements of happy moments about the two of you, but it should really thank the people who made your day special.

But to avoid forgetting to name specific people, keep your thank yous broad. Thank your family, thank your friends, and thank everyone for making this a special memory.

And one last piece of advice: memorize the last line of your speech so that you can look up at the crowd and lift up your voice. You want that moment to be big, not trail off into some mumble or whisper.

Ready to give your toast? We believe in you!

And to those who already gave their toast, what advice do you have? Let us know in the comment section below or share it with us on our Facebook page.

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5 Things Nobody Tells You About Your Wedding Day

It’s almost your big day, you’ve got everything prepared and ready to go, and people are beginning to tell you that you should enjoy this time as your day will go by so quickly.

But there are five things people just don’t warn you about on your wedding day.

Check them out!

1. You Won’t be Able to Eat

Sure, you’re probably thinking “oh, it’s because I’ll be so nervous.”

Wrong.

You won’t be able to enjoy the delicious food you picked out because you’ll be too busy running around trying to say hello to everyone.

And between pictures, I dos, and meets and greets, food will be the last thing on your mind.

So grab yourself a protein bar and power through.

2. You’ll be Exhausted

Your big day is full of excitement and special moments, which means after the party ends, you’ll probably be, no, you will be exhausted.

From the early morning wake-up call, to the hours of hour and makeup, to the big moment—you’re going to get tired.

3. Prepare to Hate Your Hair and Dress

After the millionth bobby pin is pushed into your updo and your six hundredth button fastened, you’ll be begging for your pajamas and a hair brush.

Although you’ll love your hair and your dress the first couple of hours, be prepared to hate it.

4. Your Face Will Hurt 
 

From pictures, to smiling at all of your guests, prepare to have screaming cheeks.

On your wedding day, you’ll probably smile more than you ever have in your life (well, we hope you will for that matter).

So practice!

5. You Will Feel Different

Most people say you won’t feel any difference between dating and getting married. Well prepared to be shocked.

On your big day, you will definitely feel different.

Although you've probably been with your partner for several years, the moment you get married it will finally feel official.

So enjoy the feeling!

We hope you enjoy your big day, and are pleasantly surprised by all the special moments that occur.

If you’re recently married, share with us in the comment section below or on our Facebook page the unexpected moments that happened on your big day!  

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The 2016 Trends Are Here! Check Them Out, Now!

Guess what ladies and gentlemen! The 2016 event trends have just been released, and we couldn’t be more excited about all of the lovely decor, intricate styles, gorgeous designs, and the best music in store for this year. So if you’re anything like us, you’re bouncing out of your seat waiting to see what you have to look forward to.

Come on and check it out!

Bye Bye Pinterest

Pinterest has dominated the event world for quite some time, leaving many clients with high hopes and dreams for their big day. It’s no wonder though as millennials make their way to the industry that the talk of budgets gets more real, and the thought of the perfect Pinterest wedding goes by the wayside. Since couples nowadays are paying for their own wedding/event, many of them are turning away from the ideas they find on Pinterest and are turning more to their own personal style. So be ready to embrace some different designs from your clients this year.

Hello Metallica

OK, so maybe not the band—but this year (and a little bit of last year) is all about the metallics. And it seems like the rose gold metallic colors have taken over tables, cakes, and even couples’ wedding rings. But as gold is slowly wiggling its way back in, silver is headed out. So watch out as this new trend breathes life into some old traditions.

Bringing Home with You

Couples nowadays still want to get married in their dream location, but they want to bring special elements with them. Whether it’s a special memento from home or the place they got engaged, this trend is hot with couples right now. Need some ideas on how to incorporate a little bit of home? Choose a flower that’s significant to your client’s hometown or incorporate different city elements that remind them of where they were engaged.

Brighten up the Romance

In addition to bringing more accents of gold to the big day, couples want to increase the romance and ambiance of their evening. And one of the surest ways to do this is by bringing in some lights! Pendant lighting, especially with ‘Edison’ bulbs, provide a vintage and warm feel to the event. Plus, floating candles are always a nice added touch.

Have a Seat

If I asked you to describe the typical wedding reception layout, you would probably tell me that there are several either square or round tables scattered throughout the venue, leaving a small space for a dance floor. Well, prepare yourself for 2016 reception areas! Instead of tables spread throughout, couples are now wanting to put tables together, creating a series of long tables. They even want to add a separate seating area to provide a more intimate feel. These more comfortable seating options are a must for the cocktail hour and after-party.

Pick a Flower

In 2016, you can forget the elaborate and perfectly coordinated flower bouquet, and go for something more freshly picked. It seems this will be the year for arrangements of flowers that are in season or appear to have a wildflower look. These free-form bouquets are taking over, and you might be surprised that your clients will want to add in more exotic elements, like spiky flowers or vines. And you can just forget about matching! Not all of your decorations or tables need to have the same flower arrangement. Again, it’s all about that freshly picked look.

So event profs, what do you think? Are you ready to tackle this year’s trends? Let us know what your clients have asked you to decorate for their 2016 wedding by leaving us a message in the comment section below or on our Facebook page.

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