Alternative to throwing the bouquet

         Traditions can be great, but not all wedding traditions are necessary.  What's important is that carry on the traditions that mean the most to you and start new traditions.  I personally love the bouquet toss at weddings.  I really enjoyed the competition of trying to catch the bouquet and now that I am married I love cheering on my girlfriends as they try to catch it. 

        For some reason this idea came to me pretty early on in my wedding planning.  I knew I wouldn't have that many single gals at my wedding and it was my Nana's birthday.  One day I was over her apartment having lunch with my Nana and Pops.  They started talking about a new movie that was coming out.  Long story short my Pops asked my Nana on a movie date.  I quickly thought, wow, this is adorable.  A marriage that has lasted 50 years+ that still includes a man asking his wife on a date.  I quickly thought if Matt and I can be married 50 years and still be going on dates, I will be one happy girl!  So with this story in mind I knew I wanted to surprise my Nana with my bouquet.  I wanted her to know I was happy that she let me share her birthday and that she is an amazing role model. 
       Keeping the secret was hard, but totally worth it.  I gave a short speech and handed her my bouquet.

       Then cued the DJ to start playing 'Birthday' by The Beatles.  One of the sweetest things was watching my Nana and Pops dance like they were newlyweds.

       I also loved the idea of my Nana having my bouquet in her apartment to show all her friends. What a great story to tell!  Think of the traditions that you want to keep and change to make your own.

DIY MR & MRS Chair Decor

I am a big believer that the small details make your day special. 

Tackle a small project like this on a weeknight after work. It's so simple, yet oh so cute.

Step 1: Go to Michael's or AC Mooore. Don't forget to find and print a coupon from online.

Step 2: Buy wood letters, paint, foam brushes, glitter spray (if it fits with your theme), and ribbon

Step 3: Paint the wood letters

Step 4: Once the letters are dry, spray the glitter on

Step 5: Glue or staple (use a staple gun) the ribbon to the wooden letters

    * Make sure to leave a lot of ribbon on either end

    * I brought the letters to one of the meetings at the venue and practiced how to tie them

    * When I dropped off all my decorations to the venue I included a note of where these were to go and how to tie them (most venues set everything up for you, this is something you can ask your venue when you meet with them)

Step 6: Remind your photographer to get a picture of this!

Our sweetheart table (you can see the MR sign on the back of the chair)

Don't forget about your dog!

Your furry best friend might be a part of your big day, but if he/she isn't make sure they are taken care of.  Rusty had never been boarded before because whenever Matt and I went out of town our parents watched her.  Obviously our parents were going to be a little busy that day..so we started to think who would take care of her on our wedding day.  Everyone we knew was going to be at the wedding celebrating.  hmmm....

I heard a horror story of a bride that asked her uncle to let her dog out in between the ceremony & reception and after the reception at night.  Great idea... until they get home the next day and see furniture chewed up and little gifts all over the house!  The uncle forgot to put Fido back in his crate.  Picture the scene in 'Meet The Parents' when they get home from the rehearsal dinner and find that Jinxy had put his 'finishing touches' on the wedding gown.

If you have never boarded your pet ask friends/family for recommendations, look online and do some research.  Try to do this 1-2 months before the big day so you have time to tour the facilities, find a place you feel comfortable with, and take care of any required details such as required vaccines.

Matt dropped Rusty off the morning of the wedding.  This worked for us. It may be easier to drop your pet off the day before the wedding.  Brian, our best man, picked Rusty up Sunday morning after the wedding.  Another perk of having a bridal party ;) I can't say it enough; everyone wants to help, you just have to ask them to help!

Woof Woof ..translation "I'm glad you're getting married, just make sure you make arrangements for me to play, sleep and make new friends at the puppy resort!"