Children or No Children at the Wedding?

While planning a wedding for this Spring a question came up of etiquette with regards to children. They will not be having children at the wedding and I began to wonder how many brides have no idea how to approach this situation. Here is my suggestion...
Emily Post says that if you do not wish children to attend the wedding, the appropriate way to convey this it to only include the parents names on both the outer envelope and the inner envelope. It is inappropriate to say "no children" on the invitation itself.
Most couples create a wedding website these days and if you wish to be more clear about it, it is entirely acceptable to mention your wish that no children attend the wedding on this site.

If you do wish to include children in your guest list, there are several ways to embrace them and keep them occupied throughout the day. One very popular way, is by creating a different, child-themed centerpiece on their table. Below are a few examples:

left: Cookies and Milk centerpiece created by Finishing Touch.
top, right: Edible Arrangements fruit centerpiece.
bottom, right: Centerpieces made of suckers and candy.

For other weddings, we have also included crayons and markers for the childrens' table and have encouraged them to create a sign or card for the bride and groom. For a wedding where the bride and groom had children, they actually created the "Just Married" sign for the getaway car during the reception. The cards and signs will be cherished by the bride and groom and will keep the children busy.
One of my favorite suggestions for an outdoor wedding is to set up some sort of game area with croquet, horseshoes, etc. Kids will love it and the adults are guaranteed to get involved too!

What are your thoughts on children at the wedding? Any more suggestions for making the day "kid friendly"?

Sweet Delicate Anemones

While planning a spring wedding, in which we will use this amazing bloom, I realized that many brides may be unaware of its existence. The anemone is a beautiful, delicate flower that is absolutely perfect for weddings. It is seldom used which makes it unique and dramatic. The black centers will give your wedding flowers a punch.

The many pink varieties.

top, left: white hydrangeas, bright pink anemone, purple sweet orchids, tied with white satin ribbon.
right: pale pink anemone, wrapped in pink ribbon with black bows.
bottom, left: deep pink anemone, pink sweet peas, tied with pink silk ribbon.

Red Anemone

top: red and pink anemone, tiered.
bottom: red anemone, red roses, red spray roses, and red berries.

Stunning black and white bouquets

left: white anemone, white rananculus, and white roses.
right: white anemone, white roses, and white rananculus.

2009 Bridal Extravaganza

Finishing Touch Event Design is participating in this years Bridal Extravaganza in Fort Smith, Arkansas on Sunday, February 15 at the Holiday Inn City Center downtown. Doors open to brides at 1:00pm and the Extravaganza will last until 4:00pm.
Get your planning done in one place! Come meet hundreds of vendors from the area: Photographers, Florists, Wedding Coordinators, and much much more.
There will be tons of prizes given away to help with your wedding budget! Including a $100.00 gift certificate for use towards either our Finishing Touch package or our Have Your Cake and Eat it Too package.
Come look through photos of our past weddings and discuss your wedding day details with one of 3 Finishing Touch Bridal Consultants who will be on hand to answer your questions.

Trash the Dress

This new trend may cause your mother to have a heart attack! Brides are going back to their photographers after the wedding to have a very high fashion photo shoot called "Trash the Dress". You choose the location: the ocean, a swamp, your farm...the only requirement - the dirtier the better!




Now you can rest a little easier. The dresses are not always trashed. In fact, more often than not, the gown will come out perfectly clean, but it is a risk you take.
You have to decide for yourself whether or not it is worth the risk for these unbelievable, artistic photos.

All photos from Paul Johnson Photography in Panama City, Florida

Candyland Birthday!

Finishing Touch had our first children's birthday party this weekend! It was so much fun, and absolutely delicious! Lydia Belle and Joshua turned 2. What child wouldn't love a Candyland birthday party? The kids played a cake walk and dug in to the candy schmorgesborg!

Birthday Boy!

Birthday Girl!

The "Gumdrop Mountain" cake was perfect! We created it using cake dippers from Cakery Affairs in Bryant & a small round cake for the base.

Tons of candy! The decorations included a "Chocolate Swamp" made of chocolate icing smeared on gram crackers and topped with chocolate chips. The "Candycane Forest" was created by hanging candycanes on manzanita branches painted yellow. The Lolipop Centerpieces were adorable! And the party was finished off with a game - a "cake walk" for the kids!

My big helper, Annaston...The big sister!

These beautiful photos are again by Shannon of A Moment Captured Photography. She's fabulous!