Sparklers 101

We've done the sparkler send-off more times than we can count - they're a festive end to the evening and make for great photos.

Here are the tips we've learned over the years.

1. Sparklers light better from flame then from matches. We usually set out a few lit candles for people to light from. You can also easily light sparklers from another sparkler - so people can "pass the flame"

2. Always have buckets of water or sand for people to extinguish their sparklers or place them once they're spent. It will make clean-up much easier.

3. We use the 2 minute sparklers and find they work the best. It's long enough for the photo-op but not too long where people are left holding them.

4. Sparklers are smelly and can only be used outside. Check with your venue and make sure they're legal in your state.

image from Arthur Remanjon

Etiquette from Anna Post

This question was recently submitted to Anna Post for her etiquette advice.

Question:

Do I have to send someone a wedding invitation if I sent them a save-the-date?

Answer:

It's an absolute must to send a wedding invitation to anyone who received a save-the-date announcement. There's a clear expectation when a save-the-date card is received that an invitation will follow; failing to send one is essentially the same as uninviting a guest—which is unacceptable. If finances have become an issue to the planning since the save-the-dates were sent, the answer is to cut back on the scale of catering, music, flowers or invitation—instead of on people already planning to come.

Save-the-date cards are usually sent out as soon as a couple knows the actual wedding date, no matter how far in advance, to ensure that as many guests as possible are able to attend. However, this does not mean that you need to know your entire guest list at that time. It's fine to send them only to people you are sure will be invited, such as close friends and family. Later, when you have finalized your full guest list, wedding invitations can be sent to the larger group.

from Brides.com

image from magnetstreet

Drinks to keep Cozy

Peach and Apricot Hard Cider

2 cups peach nectar

2 cups apricot nectar

1 (12 ounce) bag frozen peach slices

3 cups water

1 cup bourbon

1/2 cup lemon juice

1 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon allspice

2-3 cinnamon sticks, plus more for serving

Stir all ingredients together in a 4 quart slow cooker.  Cover and cook on Low setting for 2-3 hours.  Remove cinnamon sticks and switch to Warm setting for serving.

Serve in Irish coffee mugs with a cinnamon stick swizzle.

from the FoodNetwork

Registry 101: Mass Merchants

The registry search has taken us to some familiar places, like these Mass Merchants.

Mass Merchants

Amazon.com  

Thought Amazon.com was just about books? Think again. This online giant offers everything from power tools to cookware available for your registry. Check out the online registry guides for inspiration.

Target  

Club Wedd offers online and in-store access to Target's well-priced and very well-designed merchandise. Choose anything from kitchen essentials to bed linens. Popular registry items include TV trays, grocery bag holders and pizza pans.

Wal-Mart  

Stretch your guests' dollars by registering with this discount giant, where you can select anything from a flat-screen TV to a soap dish. An online wedding-planning guide is available.

from Brides.com

A Wedding Experience

Have you ventured down to the new National Harbor on the Potomac?  We were invited (with a lovely invitation, by the way) to visit the Gaylord National on the Potomac for a Wedding Experience on Thursday night.

The National Harbor is a really lovely area.  It's a little community of it's own with shops and restaurants and hotels.  There's even a water taxi that will take you over to Alexandria.  And don't forget the new Cirque de Soleil show Kooza.  It's a great place to take little vacation near home - or visit with friends.

The Gaylord National hotel is beautiful and chock full of amenities.  There were more restaurants then we could count and a number of cute shops on the lower level.  Dinner with a view of the Potomac - it doesn't get much better.

The Wedding Experience was a real treat.  They showed off their indoor gazebo ceremony area during cocktail hour.  We then moved into the Cherry Blossom Ballroom - beautiful chandeliers and subtle cherry blossoms on the walls.  They had a variety of food stations and a sweet, fruity signature drink.  The band Free Spirit from Entertainment Exchange kept the mood light and fun.  We had a wonderful time chatting with all of the other planners and vendors!

Little Ones

If you're incorporating little children into your wedding ceremony there are a few things to remember.

*Age is important.  It's best if they've been to pre-school or kindergarten where they've walked in a line and can listen to direction.  Five years old is a great age.

*Be prepared for anything.  Prepare yourself ahead of time for the option of one or all of the kids not making it down the aisle.  If you're ready for it then it won't upset you on wedding day.

*Bribery is a wonderful thing.  Have candy (Smarties are easy and don't stain) and toys at the end of the aisle.  If you know they won't make it through the ceremony quietly, arrange for a sitter to get them out of the room.

image from pegeen.com

Samantha + Matt Pro Pics

As promised here are the professional pictures from Samantha and Matt's wedding.  Many thanks to Ellen Cohn for the images.