Jenni & Michael spent a good amount of time prior to their wedding collecting and preparing corks as place card holders at their reception. They turned out very well, I think.
Place card ideas
Your first dance – in front of everyone!?
It scares you half to death just thinking about all of those eyes on you as you walk down the aisle. Luckily, you may have an arm to hold on to in case those silly heels give you problems. You make it through that and get to the reception where everyone will now watch you DANCE for a few miserable minutes. You know all of those baby boomers who actually KNOW how to dance will be snickering as you sway back and forth like an 8th grader with no real rhythm.
There is a way around this. A couple, actually. First of all, you don’t HAVE to have a first dance. It’s a tradition that’s like many other wedding traditions. We don’t know why or how long we have been doing them. You CAN buck tradition if you really don’t want to dance in front of everyone.
But, if tradition must stick, a few dance lessons can go a long, long way. Like getting your makeup done by a professional, it can give you confidence you never knew you had, and is a skill you can use for years after your wedding. Like at other peoples’ weddings, for example.
Also, if you keep it a secret, it’s a great way to really impress friends and family – whether you’re the bride OR the groom.
Go ahead – right now – do a google search for “ballroom dance” in your town. You won’t regret it and you might find a talent you never knew was there!
Get your makeup done by a pro
I’m a big advocate of knowing ones strengths and weaknesses. If all of your friends come to you to have their makeup done for formal events, it’s probably a safe bet that you can do your own makeup on your wedding day. If you barely wear mascara and lip gloss on a daily basis, you might want to consider a pro. There are a couple of ways to go about it.
#1 get your makeup done at the same time you get your hair done. OK, well, not exactly at the same time. There are often makeup artists at hair salons. Use them. The morning of my wedding, I got my makeup done for free because all of my bridesmaids paid to have their makeup done. (Actually, I think that was part of my bridesmaids gift). Of course, I went to the salon 2 weeks earlier and did a hair and makeup trial. That was part of the hair/makeup package – no extra charge. If makeup and hair professionals are coming to you – even better. That was the case for Megan. She had a preconsultation with the professional who came to her home the morning of her wedding. So did Lisa.
#2 go to a makeup counter the morning of your wedding and get a “makeover.” It’s probably a good idea to do some research in this case and not just show up the day of your wedding with no prior notice. If you go to a certain makeup counter at the local department store frequently, ask if they have such a service. In our town, we have a Merle Norman store that provides such a service.
#3 have a pro teach you how to put on makeup for your wedding day, buy the necessary products, get a diagram, and practice, practice, practice. Karen had this approach.
One of the most important reasons to have your makeup done well is that you photograph better with makeup that plays up your best features. It can also give you more confidence. And, if you take Karen’s approach and learn how to apply it on your own, it’s a skill you will continue to use long after your wedding day.