1. Save the Date Cards: These are sent to friends and family before the wedding. Send out save-the-date cards as early as possible to ensure everyone gets them in time. Programs for wedding ceremony 

2. Wedding Invitations: This is the first formal invitation sent out. It’s usually sent out 6-8 weeks before the wedding. They should include all the necessary details, such as the date, time, location of the wedding, and the bride and groom’s names.

3. Wedding Programs: This is a small brochure with details of the entire ceremony, including names of members of the wedding party, readings, and music selections.

4. Bridesmaid Proposal Cards: The Ladies, who are part of the wedding party or attendants, can be proposed as a card. This is usually done before the wedding and with an agenda that includes details about what the role entails and how to schedule fittings.

5. Map Card: This mailing is printed on a card that serves as a map of the celebration and usually contains all information about how to get to the site. This can be combined with invitations if you’re having a destination wedding.

6. Place Cards: These are table number cards on each of the tables at the event. They coincide with a seating chart that has the names of each of the guests and which table they’ll be seated on. You can buy ready made cards or get a unique place card custom made with your name or initials.

7. Thank You Cards: These are sent to guests after the wedding to express gratitude for their attendance and gifts.

Where to Get the Best Wedding Stationery

Looking for the best wedding stationary? Look no further than Basic Invite. They have programs for wedding ceremony along with some of the most elegant and beautiful wedding stationary for you to use for all your wedding plans.

BasicInvite.com is a wedding stationery website that provides all types of stationary for weddings and engagement ceremonies. They offer a large selection of different types of wedding stationery, ranging from save-the-date cards, invitations, programs, guest lists, and more.

Why Choose Basic Invite?

Basic Invite offers high-quality products and a lot of design options. Here are some features that make Basic Invite the best place to get wedding stationery

• Unlimited Colors: They have an extremely wide variety of colors to create the perfect wedding stationery. With over 180 colors, you can find the right color to create an elegant look that fits your budget and theme.
• Address Capturing Service: You no longer have to worry about your guests not receiving your wedding invitations because BasicInvite provides an address-capturing service. You can share your invitation links on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
• Custom Samples: You can order a wedding stationery sample, which will allow you to check for any errors and ensure the design is exactly how you want.
• Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes: You can choose the right envelope color to complement your wedding stationery and theme. They offer over 40 different colors to choose from.
• Foil Cards: Basic Invite provides various foil card options, including gold, silver, and rose gold.

Wedding stationery is a key part of planning for any bride. Choosing the best stationery from reputable sources is important, and you’ll be sure to create the perfect wedding day experience. If you’re looking for the best wedding stationary, visit BasicInvite.com today and order any of their stationery designs.

The post 6 Types of Wedding Stationery A Bride Shouldn’t Forget appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

However, flowers can be expensive. You may find yourself spending more than you intended to achieve the look you want for your wedding venue. But there are ways to have a picture-perfect day without breaking the bank; all you have to do is plan ahead of time. This article can help you stretch your wedding floral budget.

Use Bigger Blooms

Larger blooms are more eye-catching and they cover more ground. It means you’ll just need a few massive blooms to complete floral arrangements and create a great design. You can use flowers like sunflowers, orchids, and hydrangeas for your design. They might be expensive, but you will only need a few of them.

For delivery and arrangement of large blooms to your venue, you can order flowers near Miami or you may contact nearby florists in your area.

Keep Centre Piece Simple

At a wedding, centerpieces are quite important, they make a statement and draw attention to your guests. You’ll want them to appear elegant, but you won’t want to spend a lot of money on them. They’ll be displayed where everyone can see them, and you want to make a good first impression. Put a lot of emphasis on the design and color of your flowers. You can still make less expensive flowers look lively and appealing by arranging them properly. Allow a florist to assist you in creating them.

Use Simple Designs For Decor

Some aspects of your flower décor will be overlooked, guests will not pay much attention to the details of your bouquets, especially those that are at the back or corner of your reception. You’ll want to conserve your most expensive blooms for arrangements that will be seen up close, like your centerpieces. You can use less expensive flowers for the corners, alter, and aisle line because they will not be scrutinized too closely.

Carnations are appropriate for such areas because they are saturated with color and are less expensive than roses. The difference won’t be seen from afar, and people will be more interested in the color. If you really want to save, try doing an outdoor wedding, you won’t have to worry about floral arrangements because the landscape will do it for you.

Opt For Local And Seasonal Flowers

Using a local florist is one of the most cost-effective ways of purchasing beautiful, fresh flowers. Transportation costs will be decreased, and you can receive fresh flowers from them. If you choose to get flowers from a different place, transportation expenses may be exorbitant, and the flowers may be less fresh when they arrive.

Aside from your local florist, try choosing flowers that are in season at the time of your wedding. It could save you money as they will have a lot of stock of flowers to sell. However, you should account for additional charges if you have seasonal differences with your supplier. Not only will you be shipping it from afar, but also, the flowers may not live as long in your climate as they do in theirs, so you’ll be taking a risk.

Spend Less For Bridesmaids Bouquet

Imagine a huge bridal party, where each bridesmaid carries a bouquet. It may be quite expensive and it’s not ideal if you’re on a budget. Instead, assemble a less expensive miniature version of the bridesmaids’ bouquets, or have your florist produce an alternative that complements your budget.

Consider the color of the bridesmaids’ bouquets; you can use artificial flowers for theirs and use real flowers for the bride. They can even look sophisticated with a single rose, lily, or orchid.

Find Alternative For Corsage

Corsages are quite expensive due to the time and effort spent to make them. You can create one yourself with cheap but stylish crafts and materials. Make a corsage with one flower and feathers or buttons. It will be a unique way to add a twist to your wedding’s classic corsage. It will also be an excellent way to stand out.

Greeneries like eucalyptus and ferns are less expensive than blooms. So, you incorporate them in your bouquet, along with a few other flowers. They also add a lovely texture to your floral bouquet. Ivory and foliage are two other forms of green you could use. You can add them to your main flowers to create a luxurious appearance.

Reuse And Repurpose You Flowers

In most weddings, the ceremony and reception are held in separate locations. Those with a large budget can have flowers arranged for both locations, but if your budget does not allow for this, don’t panic; simply reuse the flowers from the ceremony and utilize them at the reception as well.

You’ll need to plan ahead of time to make sure they’re transported before anyone arrives at the front desk. You will only have to pay for transportation. This is also a good way to save on your wedding.

Consider Renting Vases

Because you won’t need as many vases after the wedding, instead of buying them, rent them and return them after the event. To prevent additional costs for replacing a broken vase, try to use robust vases. Keep track of the vases you’ve rented

Ribbons and laces can be utilized to add a nice finishing touch to the vases.

You won’t have to worry about your big day being spoilt due to a lack of flowers. Optimize your creativity in creating low-cost but elegantly designed flower arrangements. With the tips above you can assemble bouquets of flowers on a tight budget and achieve the look you want for your wedding.

The post 8 Ways To Stretch Your Wedding Flowers Budget appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

Simply choose a template that fits your theme, add your event details, and download or share your digital invitations hassle-free. This method not only saves time but also allows for creativity and personalization without the need for specialized design skills. Give it a try and see how easy it is to create stylish invitations for your special occasion!

Lots of brides are starting to use digital invites and distribute using social media and emails. If you are a Google user (gmail and spreadsheets) have the names and emails of everyone you want to invite in a spreadsheet then you can use a mail merge software that invite everyone with a push of a button. If you’re more traditional and you love the look of those gold or silver foil invitations, you’re not alone! They’re super popular right now, and most people don’t know that you can create them at home. With a few simple items, you can DIY these beautiful invitations and save some serious cash. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A Laser Printer
• Card Stock
• Heat Reactive Foil (available at any craft store)
• A Thermal Laminator (available for about $20 on Amazon and at craft stores)

How to Create the Foil Invitation

The first step is to design your invitation the way you want, keeping in mind which lettering you want to show up with the foil finish. Print off your invitations so they’re ready to go. Next, looking at your invitation, cut the heat reactive foil so that it will cover only the lettering or designs you want to show up in gold. For instance, if you only want the names at the top to be gold, cut a block of the foil that covers only those names.

The Laminator

The next step is to run your invitation through your laminator a few times to warm it up. Then, place your block of foil over the areas you want to be covered in gold and rub it down. The trick is that the gold foil sticks to the printed text and not the blank areas of the card.

Classy Cutter shows how this works with a beautiful foil print used as a teacher gift!

When you lift up the foil, the printed letters will be covered in the gold foil but the rest of the invitation will remain white (or whatever color you’ve chosen).

Voila! It’s super easy and inexpensive to create and you don’t have to order these from a professional. The result is elegant and classy and most importantly, cheap! Let us know what you think of this idea in the comments below.

The post Create Gorgeous and Elegant Foil Invitations at Home appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

Do you find yourself in the same boat as some of these brides, and maybe you aren’t sure where to start with self-catering? Before diving into the main course, check out these eight tasty and easy-to-prep side dishes that will help pull your reception together.

1. Bread Rolls

A true staple to a hearty meal, bread rolls serve well in any setting from casual to fine dining. Plus, guests often look forward to a bread roll before or during a meal. You can easily make them a few days before your wedding. They’ll stay fresh if you store them in a refrigerator.

If you’d prefer a different look, you could opt to bake or purchase loaves of bread from a local bakery and slice them shortly ahead of time. If aiming for a fine dining experience, look for rosemary or olive oil bread options.

2. Brown Rice

Brown rice makes a nice side dish since it pairs well with almost any meal. If you assume some of your guests might prefer white rice, you could opt to have both options — this pre-planning might appeal to kids especially.

You can add flavor to a large batch of rice with ingredients like Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Rice works well for any budget, and you can prepare large batches of it ahead of time. Consider other options such as jasmine or wild rice, for a little extra flair.

3. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Potatoes can please any crowd, making them an obvious option when planning out side dishes. Scalloped potatoes make for an easy to prepare side dish, and you can easily find boxed recipes. A few boxed scallop side dishes would easily feed a smaller-scaled wedding, and you can easily prepare them the morning of your wedding. Alternatively, don’t be afraid to freeze scalloped potatoes if your schedule is maxed the morning of your big day.

4. White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

For the children and children-at-heart, mac and cheese likely hold a spot in many of your guest’s hearts. Don’t be shy when prepping this side dish, as it’ll likely see seconds and thirds before it runs out. With many different homemade recipes to choose from, consider what works best for your wedding. White cheddar adds a nice flavor to the standard mac and cheese, while the addition of lobster meat can create a more elegant option guests will surely be impressed by.

With this side dish, aim to appease the appetite of the kids in attendance, but wow your guests with the presentation of it alongside the rest of the meal.

5. Fresh Fruit Salad

It’s likely you or your guests might have specific dietary needs, so planning for this in advance will help ease any worries on the day of. A fresh fruit salad typically makes for a safe side dish, and you can prepare it the day before without losing any freshness.

When considering allergies though, you might want to create a card with a list of fruit in it for safe measure. To stick within budget, choose varying seasonal fruits in your area or compare local grocers and markets for upcoming promotions.

6. Steamed Veggies

Like fruit salad, steamed veggies help add color and nutrition to any guest’s plate. Consider which veggie color combinations work with the main course or pick out your favorites. This is an easy way to guarantee a veggie of choice for everyone since you throw varying ones together.

You can either mix them together in one bowl or steam them separately. With a burner under each container, if you’re hosting a buffet reception, they’ll stay fresh and tasty.

7. House Salad

A house salad offers something for anyone. Consider adding a salad to the meal, especially if planning a buffet meal. With a little lettuce prep, some veggies and toppings, but a few dressing options, guests can mix and match depending on their tastes.

If you’re not planning a buffet, create a standard house salad with basics such as romaine lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, onions, croutons, and tomatoes. Have a vinaigrette-based dressing, and maybe a creamy dressing, ready to serve alongside it.

8. Roasted Potatoes

Consider adding in home cooked roasted potatoes for a simple yet delicious side option. Easy to prep, you simply need to cube regular sized potatoes, or slice them into smaller sizes. Mix the slices with olive oil and preferred spices, then bake them.

These potatoes last in the fridge and warm up quickly. They also pair well with most main dishes and dress up a plate compared to the standard baked potato.

Time to Get Cooking!

Whatever side dishes you decide to whip up, don’t feel pressured to turn them into a five-star dining experience. Primarily focus on making the foods you and your guests will enjoy, and ones that complement the vibe of your wedding.

The post Tasteful Side Dishes for a Self-Catered Wedding appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

Banisters, mantles, windows, and doorways could all be decorated with garlands in the holiday season and the best part is there are a million ways to do it. You could easily put lights in them or use some festooning to decorate them or even use all sorts of sparkles, glitter and ornamental elements to make them shine for the holidays. There is also an option of accentuating the chandeliers and dining tables with them to transform your everyday spaces into a winter wonderland. The versatility of the garlands almost makes them mandatory for the holiday season.

Irrespective of your budget, choice and preferences; the garlands have something for everyone to make their holidays more special. Christmas balls, berries, Snowflakes, pinecones, gumballs could all contribute in making your own DIY garlands for the season and whether you want to style your home in a rustic, contemporary or modern way; these elements could easily come into play. There are endless possibilities with garlands which give you the perfect canvas for showcasing the creativity and crafting skills. And not to forget, the fun and quality time that you could spend with your friends and family while planning and making the decorations.

Are you in a fix about the holiday season and could use some inspiration in terms of the garlands decoration ideas – we have the perfect guide to get you started. Here are a few ideas that you could easily use to transform your everyday spaces into a spectacle for welcoming your guests:

For the mirror:

Most people go overlooking the mirrors when it comes to holiday décor but it simply does not hurt even for the wall mirrors of your house to reflect some of that holiday spirit itself. You could easily drape the frames of your wall mirrors with beautiful looking garlands to make a statement in terms of the holiday décor. Remember to use your greens wisely and something that is less structured so that it hangs nicely along the sides. Cedars and pines could perfectly fit the bill here.

For your banisters

The length of a banister gives you ample space to drape a garland and use your creativity as well. There is not a better way to greet your guests when they walk in the door than probably a sight of beautifully draped garlands on the banister. Just remember to leave some area out of the drape so that your guests can use it to hold while going up and down the stairs.

For your Mantel:

If you have a big mantle in your house, you could easily use it to accentuate the holiday spirit. Just remember to use a garland that does justice to the size of your mantelpiece. You would not want to drape a mighty mantle with a small garland and make the whole arrangement look underprepared and empty. For instance, the clusters of citrus in scaled up garland is a holiday classic for a big mantle and makes quite a statement when it comes to holiday décor for the season.

Small Mantle:

In case you possess a petite or a modest mantle, you should use garlands more as an accent rather than something overpowering, bushy or elaborate. If you’re confused about whether to drape the mantle with garlands or not, you could always use this general rule:

Complete drape: it means over the top of mantle and down the sides to the floor

Partial drape: this also refers to over the top of mantle but when it comes to down the sides, you just need to go halfway to the floor.

No drape at all: this essentially mean atop the mantle with no spillovers down the sides

If you do not have a wall mirror:

If you have an apartment and do not have a wall mirror, banister or even mantle to drape a garland for the holiday season, you could always use your doorways, windows and walls to reflect the holiday spirits too. There are still plenty of spaces that you could easily use to decorate with wholesale garlands if you do use some creativity. If you do not want holes in your apartment walls, there are still options of removable hooks to deck the walls and other interior spaces with holiday or wholesale garlands.

For your table:

The center of your tables would be absolutely incomplete in holidays without some of those beautiful garlands in the mix. Few votives and pillar candles could be perfect to light the way on your center tables in the season along with garlands. You could easily use all sorts of garlands as centerpiece right from the ruscus garlands to boxwood garlands to make the tables shine in all their holiday glory. If you so want to make a statement, magnolia leaves make such beautiful ingredients for a dinner table. They not only look chic and sophisticated but also do not possess any scent to interfere with that of the food.

You could easily use festive embellishments right from twinkling lights, colorful candles to fruits and pine cones to grace your holiday décor for the season. If the salal garlands do not fit the scheme of things and you want something more creative, you could always use gumdrop Christmas garlands. Poinsettia garlands are also a great idea for the holiday season décor as they bring the right mix of glitz and glamour for the season. There is no rule that you could only go with greens and flowers when it comes to garland decorations and even non floral and non greenery pieces could work out perfectly if used wisely.

Do you have any special garland ideas for the season décor? How are you planning to decorate your homes and business spaces this holiday season with garlands? Please share with us

Happy holidaying with garlands..

The post Getting Ready for the Holidays with Garlands appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

Burlap is a fabric with so much character! For instant texture and style for your wedding, add a splash of this country chic fabric topped off with elegant white lace. A touch of babies breath is all you need to complete this rustically dainty look! In this post I’ll share how to create this D.I.Y. project so that you have the perfect chair decor for your wedding.

Step One: Get Everything Together

You will need to know how many chairs will be at your wedding, and what the dimensions of your chair backs are. These decorations can be made in advance, if you know these numbers, so that when you are setting up for the wedding all you have to do is loop them around the back. In addition to this information, you will need the following: Rolls of burlap, lace ribbon, white thread, a needle, scissors and a measuring tape.

Step Two: Measure and Cut

Each piece of burlap should be about 8 feet long and 8 inches wide. One roll of 72″ by 100′ burlap can be used for approximately 100 chair decorations when you use these dimensions.  Cut your burlap in straight lines (Celeste shows us a cool trick in the link above). Next, take the width of your chair back and multiply it by two.  Subtract this number from 8 feet.

For example, if my chair backs are 15 inches wide, I would do 15 times 2 is thirty, and 8 feet minus 30 inches is 66 inches. Split this in half. In my example, I would get 33 inches. Make an “X” on your burlap pieces 33 inches (in my example, you will use the number you found) from each end. This will be the point that you will sew!

Step Three: Sew The Burlap And Add Your Lace Bow

Make a loop with your burlap so that the little  X’s on each and match up. Tack the burlap together at this point with a few sturdy stitches. Create a bow with your lace ribbon, and attach it at this point with a few stitches Now your decorations are all ready for the wedding set up! You might have to set them aside and wait for the big day.

Step Four: Top It All Off With Flowers

When you are ready to set up your chairs, loop one burlap and lace decoration around each chair, and center the bow to the back. Add in a touch of baby’s breath by sticking it through your lacy bow.

This project costs around $200 to $250 to put together for 100 chairs, so it comes in at about $2 to $2.50 per seat. It is well worth it! This rustic chic touch will add personality and beauty to your wedding theme. I hope that you find these instructions helpful. Let me know how your project goes in the comments section below!

The post DIY Details: Lovely Burlap and Lace Chair Decorations appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

The right decorations can make your theme come alive. This D.I.Y. chair decoration project is easy to complete and would make a beautiful touch to take care of the practicalities of reserved seating! Before starting this project, think about the back of the chairs you will be using (if you know). This design will hang well on a chair that does not have a rounded back. The “handle” needs something to loop around! Follow these steps in order to create this sweet and simple chair decor.

Step One: Gather Supplies

This project does not require much in the way of supplies. You might find that you already have most of what you need on hand already! Gather up the following:


as well as a measuring tape (optional), and scissors. The mason jars should be clear and have a defined lip around the top.

Step Two: Measure And Cut

Cut the twine into sections about one and a half feet long. You will need one piece of twine per mason jar. These will be the handles that loop around the chair back. Next, cut more twine, this time in ten inch pieces (one per mason jar). These will be wrapped around the neck of the jar, and tied in a bow. Thought it doesn’t really matter how long each piece of twine is, I suggest measuring so that you come out with all of your jars hanging to relatively the same length. This makes your chair decor look intentional once they are in place along the aisle.

Step Three: Put It All Together

Secure the ten inch pieces of twine around the neck of the mason jar with a firm double knot and then a bow to make it look pretty. Wrap the “handle” piece of twine under this on both sides of the jar, and tie together on the top. This will form a nice loop from which to hang your beautiful bouquet. Put in your mini chalk board signs, and you are all set!

Once this project is done, your chair decorations will be ready for flowers. The flowers that you choose should go with your theme and the other floral arrangements that you have in mind. Though they should tie in, the flowers in these jars don’t have to exactly match the other flowers in your wedding. Because these decorations are so “down home” and simple, they do not require luxurious or full bouquets. Try wildflowers with dainty blossoms, in a unified pastel color. Keep this simple to retain the french country style charm!

The post Sweet Reserved Chair Bouquet That You Can Make Yourself appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

Isn’t this centerpiece idea so charming? This simple idea would be a lovely touch for a wedding with a sweet, rustic theme. It would work well at a wedding with lots of other lavender details, or a wedding with a color palette that includes soft purples.

Hold individual strands of lavender in place with a double-wrapped string of twine. The lavender should be fresh and not overly dry so that everything stays in place! Use a clear no-frills candle holder and a plain white, unscented candle for the best effect. If you plan on making more than a dozen, get some friends to help. Lining up all of those pretty lavender strands will take some work. Lavender is known for being a calming herb that has the ability to lift the mood in a room! What more could you ask for out of your wedding decor?

The post Charming DIY Lavender and Twine Centerpiece appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

These D.I.Y. black lace votive candle holders make me smile and say ooh la la! There is something so luxurious and romantic about black lace. Use these candle holders as centerpieces to create an amorous atmosphere. The project is so simple to do. Even a busy bride with a few bridesmaid helpers can pull it off in not time!

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

You will need:


as well as a needle, scissors, and a measuring tape (this is optional). That’s it! The black lace trim can also be found at craft or fabric stores. It might be in the ribbon aisle.

Step 2: Measure

Measure the perimeter of the base of your glass candle holder. Then add a centimeter on to that measurement. But pieces of lace to this measurement. If you don’t have a measuring tape you could also just wrap the lace around the candle holder and overlap it slightly, and make your cut! I like measuring because you can get cut many pieces very quickly.

Step 3: Sew

Wrap the piece of lace around the glass holder. Keep the lace snug against the glass. When one end of the lace meets the other, overlap the edges slightly. Next, take a needle and black thread, and sew the overlapped lace together. You won’t need to make many stitches; three small tacks (on the top, middle, and bottom) should do it.

That is  the final step! Your candles are ready to grace a table top or shelf, and add a delightful glow to your party. You could also do this project with white or colorful lace. I like the unique way the black looks. These would look so perfect at an intimate indoor reception that extends into the evening. If you try this project, let me know how it goes in the comments section below!

The post Simple DIY Black Lace Votive Candle Holders appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

A well designed wedding planning binder is essential for staying organized as you face all of the tasks that go along with your planning process! You can make your own binder (the one above was a DIY project, and you can follow the link to learn all of the details), or you can buy one pre-made. Whichever route you choose, make sure your binder has the following:

• A section for each event on your wedding time-line (this is different for everyone)
• A section for the hired help. This will have a page for each of your contacts including the photographer, band, event planner, florist, etc)
• A calendar
• One section for budget mapping
• Blank paper for notes and inspirations
• Your thank you note helper
• Blank numbered list for guest list planning
• Pocket folders for print outs, receipts, and business cards
• A section for wedding attire

As you work with your binder through the planning process, don’t forget to print out important emails, reservation confirmations, and receipts that you receive online. This will help you avoid wedding planning nightmares! Computers are wonderful, but with the binder method of organization you need to keep physical copies. Simplify your wedding planning by keeping everything in one place!

The post What To Include In Your Wedding Planning Binder For Success appeared first on Elegant Wedding.