8 Fun Ways to Include Your Pet in Your Wedding!!

As many of you that know me, know that I am a HUGE animal lover, especially dog lover and would love to own 100 dogs! :)  I tend to consider my favorite boys (Jackson-a pug & Leon-a German Sheppard) to be own kids. For those of you that feel the same way about your pets, I have created a list of creative, fun and cute ways to include them in your wedding day! Now, remember this is for fun and adds humor to your wedding!!

1. Make them a part of the wedding party!
Some couples love their pets so much that they will make them the best man or maid of honor!! They can also be the flower girl or ring bearer by making either a collar out of flowers or tying a pillow around their necks. Make sure to check with your venue to see if animals are allowed. Also make sure to do a few trial runs of having your pet going through the ceremony so they get more comfortable with going down the aisle. It might be helpful to have a designated person to either take care of the pet during the ceremony or afterwards. If they tend to be a rambunctious animal, make sure they are able to play lots and lots before the ceremony so they aren't has hyper!

  

2. Make them a table number/name for your reception.
When trying to be creative and thinking of fun and personal touches to add to your wedding, use your pet names as a table name and add a picture of them!

 

3. Part of the Guestbook Signing
If you select a pre-made photo album for your guestbook, be sure to include images of you and your future spouse as well as your pets. You can include pictures with you and your pets pictures of your pets by themselves!


4. Thank You Cards
Use a picture of you and your pets from you wedding as a Thank You card! If you receive a gift that also benefits your pets, be sure to sign their names as well! :)

    

5. Cake Toppers
When designing your wedding cake, discuss the possibility with your cake baker of making a cake topper that resembles your pet. Many bakeries have the capabilities of using modeling chocolate to shape out the image of your pet. 

 

6. Slideshow Presentation
Many couples include a slideshow during the ceremony or reception that includes images of them growing up, when they first met, travels together, family events, etc. Be sure to place images of you and your pets in the slideshow to show them off!

  

7. Wedding Photos
If your pets are not able to be a part of the ceremony, another way to include them is to just have them come for the wedding photos. This way they will be able to be included in the photos you will carry forever and you won't have to worry about them running around during the day!

  

8. Name a food item or signature cocktail after you pet.
If you have some sort of food item that you think your pet would love (bacon, beef, chicken, fish or peanut butter items) be creative and think of a clever name that includes your pets name on the Menu. This adds another personal touch and a little sense of humor as well! It might be more difficult for guests to find the relation between your pet and a cocktail, but it still brings some fun!

  

Success at Skamania Bridal Open House

On Sunday, January 30th, Skamania Lodge located in Stevenson, Washington held a Bridal Open House that had a variety of wedding services from Skamania Lodge as well as other wedding vendors such as planners, photographers, cakes, florists, and child care. Both Teresa and I had our booth at the Lodge and got the opportunity to meet a ton of amazing brides, grooms, family members and other vendors! We felt that being a part of this amazing Bridal Show was a great opportunity for us to reach out to more clients to build more relationships! We are so excited to hear back from those who we got to meet and talk with! Thank you Skamania Lodge!  Here are a few pictures I took from the show!!! Enjoy! :)

Our set table...The center piece was a large vase filled with tangerines, pink and white tulips and gerber daisies! Very Springy, Bright, Cheery and Fun!

Our specialized business card for Skamania Lodge

A table setting with the tangerine napkin wrapped around the dinner plate with the place card/menu on top with a bright pink gerber daisy on top.

Another table setting from a different table with a gold charger plate, folded napkin with a dark red pear and orchid.

Wine bottle used as a table number

Another beautiful table setting with purple roses

Thanks to those brides, grooms, families and vendors for making this such a special and FUN event!! Can't wait to talk to you all soon! Thanks again Skamania!!

Skamania Lodge Bridal Open House

This Sunday January 30th, Columbia Gorge Weddings with be creating a booth at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA for its Bridal Open House from 12-4. Visitors can enjoy a preview of the 2011 gourmet food and delicious wine tastings by Maryhill Winery. There will also be hourly tours for those to view Skamania's gorgeous and breath taking property. While walking through the show, couples will be able to visit booths from 10 preferred vendors and view design idea samples! The cost is $10 per person. Come see us this Sunday!

    

Flowers! Flowers! Flowers!

When it comes time to deciding on which floral arrangements to select for your wedding day, it can be overwhelming with the 1000's of varieties you can choose from! Here are a few tips and ideas to remember for the 2011 wedding season!!

1. Go for BOLD and contrasting colors. Many florists are saying more brides and grooms are coming in selecting bold, bright and unique colors rather than pastels for their floral arrangements to add a punch of color to their wedding. Use contrasting colors together to add some flare and fun to your wedding, like turquoise with bright orange, or magenta and bright greens,  or reds with blues. You can use the contrasting colors with just the flowers or use the contrasting colors against the bridesmaids dresses.

    

2. Add texture to your arrangements by using natural greenery and herbs as well as vegetables and fruit!

       

3. Think loose, natural and organic. Another popular trend for wedding flowers are to use floral arrangements that look as though you found them in nature. This especially goes well with simple, backyard outdoor weddings. Find a family member or friend's garden and look for inspiration on how natural the flowers go together and choose your favorite combinations.

     

4. Simplicity. As the economy has tighten our wallets, the best way to still make a statement with floral arrangements is to use large single flowers such as peonies, sunflowers, calla lilies, etc. This is cost effective. simple and elegant.

    

5. Use different vases from flea markets or from family members and friends. This will give your wedding an eclectic look and add a more personal touch. Look for antique pitchers, old flower pots, tea pots, or use tea cups for smaller arrangements for cocktail and bar tables.

     



Schedules and Wedding Day Check-Lists

On the day of your wedding, you want to make sure everything runs accordingly to plan. To ensure this organization, make it easier for you and your wedding party and vendors by creating a timeline schedule as well as any checklists with items that need to be completed on that day for your wedding planner. Take your time on creating these lists so you can add and subtract any ideas and thoughts. Disperse these lists to all parties one week ahead of the wedding, therefore if there are any last minute changes, there will be time to do so. Below, I have created a sample Wedding Day Schedule. Please make your timeline and checklists as detailed as you would like, this helps with any possible confusion that could occur during the day of the wedding. Go over the list with each person to ensure he or she fully understands.

         

Wedding Day Schedule:
Time:	Activity:
	Wedding Day Begins
	Bridal Party arrives at Venue
	Makeup/Hair Appointment Begins
	Arrival of Photographer and/or Videographer
	Groom and Groomsmen arrive at Venue
	Dressing of Bridal Party and Groom and Groomsmen
	Arrival of Caterer and Bartenders
	Arrival of Flowers
	Arrival of DJ Arrival of Cake
	Photos*
	Arrival of Officiant/Pastor
	Prelude Ceremony Music Begins
	Pre-Ceremony Cocktails*
	Arrival of Guests
	Line up bridal party and groomsmen for Processional
	Ceremony Begins
	Special Guests are seated
	Processional Begins
	Bride Walks down the Aisle
	Reception Begins:
	Cocktail Hour
	Dinner (Depending on how many courses served, you can split it up by salad, sorbet, entrée, etc.)
	Toast (Best Man and/or Maid of Honor and/or other Guests)
	Cake Cutting
	First Dance
	Father/Daughter Dance
	(Mother/Son Dance)
	Dancing for Everyone
	Bouquet and Garter Toss
	Last Call at the Bar
	Last Song of the Night
	End of Reception
	Photographer/Videographer/DJ/Caterer/Bartenders time of Departure will vary depending on what you have agreed upon with them
	*Optional activities depending on the Bride and Groom's desires.

Make this day as enjoyable and fun as you have always dreamed about. Staying organized is key in making this successful! Therefore, make sure you put dedicated time into making these lists! And most importantly, on the wedding day, RELAX! Let the professionals take care of wedding details!
(Photos by Jim Semlor)