Category Archives: Guests

Guests Wedding Etiquette

Cash Gifts a No-No.

July 11, 2013 – 7:20 pm

I recently came across a website based in Singapore that got me rather frustrated and sad about the state of some Chinese weddings. The site listed the amount of money guests should give to newlyweds depending on the venue and the type of food that will be served. The higher rated hotels warranted a heftier ‘ang pao’ or ‘lai see’ in Cantonese (red packet, which to put in plain English equals money) whereas a buffet meal would decrease the amount – reason being that the guests will have to serve themselves. And to top it off, the day of the week also affects the ang pao rate. What utter nonsense! This warped idea of gifts, in my opinion, defeats the purpose of weddings. The day is meant to be a celebration of unity; not to make sure you’ve got your money’s worth as a guest or to earn enough money to cover the cost of the wedding if you’re the newlyweds.

So point being, when it comes to your wedding, have some pride and don’t ask specifically for cash. At least, don’t state it in your wedding invitation (I received one several years back that stated ‘cash gifts are preferred’). It’s rather distasteful and leaves a sour feeling in the guests’ books.

 

Red Packet - Chinese Weddings

Photo credit: Home for Brides

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Guests Wedding Etiquette

Thank Guests Yourself.

March 31, 2013 – 9:22 am

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DIY Projects Guests Wedding Favours

Wedding Favours: The Hangover Survival Kit.

March 27, 2013 – 10:06 pm

We’ve all been through it or at least most of us party animals have. The morning after when all we want to do is curl up in bed (or by the toilet after if it’s that bad) wishing that we could relive yesterday, minus the excessive amounts of alcohol and vowing never to drink again. Sound familiar? You probably said the exact same words after the Rugby Seven’s weekend and only just about recovered now. So, if you’re sympathetic and you’re pretty sure that your wedding’s going to be one kick-ass of a party, then be the thoughtful couple and give out hangover kits to your guests. Lay them out on a corner table during the dance session so only the late owls get one or on each seat as a wedding favour for all. Whatever you decide to do, the guest will definitely be ever so thankful.

p.s. The hangover survival kit can be given out as hen night or stag do favours too!

What to include in the hangover survival kit:
Alka-seltzer to settle the stomach.
Panadol or Tylenol for that banging headache.
Energy drink such as Gatorade or Lucozade or water to stay hydrated.
Mints, chewing gum or menthol breath sprays to erase evidence of a big night out.
Mini bottle of spirit or ready-made cocktail such as a Bloody Mary. Every heard of hair of the dog?
A pair of cheap sunglasses to hide those eye bags.

 

Photo credits (clockwise from top left): Restoration Hardware, Jennifers Cookies – Etsy, John Huu Ngyuyen via Martha Stewart Weddings, Miss Macherie, Noteably Unique – Etsy, Kat Braman Photography via Ruffled Blog

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Guests Wedding Etiquette

Be Subtle.

January 13, 2013 – 11:46 am

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Entertainment Guests

Les Miserables Wedding Surprise.

December 14, 2012 – 1:17 pm

It’s the world’s most popular and longest running musical and the anticipation for the Les Miserables movie is at an all time high. So how does all of this relate to the wedding world? A couple in Copenhagen had a surprise of their lives when a group of their friends suddenly got up to sing ‘One Day More’. To guests at Hong Kong weddings, be creative with your gifts. It’s the priceless gifts that are the most memorable.

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3ziBJOi7cDY]

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Guests Personal touches

Puppy Love: How to Incorporate Dogs at Weddings.

November 20, 2012 – 3:41 pm

They say dogs are man’s best friends and it’s true. When you’ve had a rough day, they’ll look at you with those puppy dog eyes and are able to help you forget your worries (momentarily) or when the whole world seems to be turning against you, they’ll be the ones standing by your side. Their loyalty is unquestionable so it’s only fair that they get to share a slice of your happiness on your big day, be it through posing for a few photos or the more difficult task as a ring bearer. Here are some tips to ensure your wedding will be paw-fect.

Photo credits (clockwise from top left): 13:13 Photography, Nylagray Photography, Photography and More, Lucky Pictures, KT Merry Photography, Allyson Magda Photography via People.com, Martha Stewart Weddings

1. DO ask the venue whether they are pet-friendly. The last thing you want is to find out your pooch is unwelcomed just before you walk down the aisle.
2. DO ask yourself whether your dog can behave on its own. You won’t be able to discipline or coddle it at all times, so you’ll need a friend or family member to help out and your pooch must be receptive to that.
3. DO NOT carry your dog when you’re wearing your wedding dress unless you are 100% fine with having paw prints as additional patterns.
4. If your pooch is acting as ring bearer or walking you down the aisle, make sure to rehearse. Even then, it’s no guarantee your dog will do as it’s told on the day itself.
5. Only allow your dog to be the ring bearer if it is fully disciplined and has no priors with eating things (think Marley in Marley & Me).
6. Hire a dog-sitter (yes they exist) for the day as they’ll have had experience handling dogs of all nature.
7. DO NOT dress your pooch up like a lunatic. A simple bow tie, wreath or ribbon is all that’s needed to keep them looking adorable.
8. If your dog has a history of barking or has withdrawal symptoms from you, it’s best to leave them at home. It’s not ideal but you don’t want it to ruin your day by chasing the flower girl down the eye or taking a chunk out of your wedding cake before it’s even been cut. Instead, incorporate your furry friend in your engagement photos if you’re having any.

**If you decide to leave your dog at home but still wish to incorporate your canine in your big day, keep a lookout for the post on how to share their love.

Tags dog ring bearer, dog ring pillow, dogs down the aisle, dogs engagement photos, pets at weddings, puppy love | Permalink | Comment (1)
Entertainment Groom Guests Wedding Photography

Embrace Movember: Have a Moustache-y Wedding.

November 12, 2012 – 10:20 pm

There’s only one month in the whole year that men can get away with growing a moustache without looking like a bit of a creep, all for a good cause. Embrace this Movember by incorporating moustache elements into your wedding, be it with the invitations or even letting your man wear a moustache…cufflink that is. Even if your wedding isn’t during the month of November, there’s no stopping you from having some fun with the facial hair trend. Just look at the number of moustache props used in wedding photos and you’ll see it’s never to late to jump on the stache wagon.

p.s. Keep a lookout for free moustache printables throughout the rest of the month!

Photo credits (clockwise from top left): Brooke Schwab Photography via Perfect-Wedding, Wild Flowers Photo via Green Wedding Shoes, Renaissance Studios Photography, Olivia Leigh Photographie, Brosnan Photographic, Jess and Nate Studios via Style Me Pretty

Photo credits (clockwise from top left): AliExpress, Chiara Babini via Bijotti Ciciotti – Etsy, Avril Loreti – Etsy, Lady Blitz 

Photo credits (clockwise from top left): Ruff House Art, Lollipops and Pussycat – Etsy, Marry Me Vintage Irish – Etsy, The Ruffly Owl, My Little Chick – Etsy, Steven Michael Photography

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Guests Wedding Etiquette

Guest List Elimination.

November 9, 2012 – 3:18 pm

There’s no escaping from the wedding guest list elimination day. You may not like playing the bad cop but it’s essential to go through this process sooner rather than later. Why bother inviting so-called ‘friends’ if you only talk to them once every five years or the exes that you’re only talking to just to make him or her jealous? Cut, cut, cut. You’ll be glad you’ve done so once the calculators are out, excel spreadsheets are opened and you realise the amount of money you’ve saved just by slimming down your guest list. Thanks again to SimplyBridal for sharing this flow chart with us!

 

Guest List Filtering

Photo credit: SimplyBridal

Tags , how to draw up guest list, wedding budget, , wedding invite list | Permalink | Comment (1)
Guests Wedding Stationery

Hundreds of Guests. One Seating Plan.

October 3, 2012 – 9:00 am

It’s a well known fact that Hong Kong weddings consist of not just the couple’s friends and family but their parents’ friends and business associates. Once you extend the invite to people you don’t even know, you’re in trouble when it comes to the seating plan. Not only does your budget escalate having to feed strangers; thinking about where and how to seat all the guests becomes a tedious and stressful task. You want a personalised seating chart but when the numbers hit the hundreds, all those unique ideas about creating a periodic table if you’re scientists or printing a beautifully designed chart just isn’t practical. Even on the big day itself, there are bound to be guests who can’t attend lastminute or you notice you’ve mis-spelt a VIP’s name. The easiest way to go around this problem is to handwrite the seating chart to account for any lastminute changes using pens or chalk that can be erased. You can do it on mirrors, chalkboard or write individual name tags that can be pinned to each table number. Enlist the help of a friend with good penmanship and you’re ready to go.

 

Photo credits (clockwise from top left): Big Eye Photography via The Big Fat Indian Wedding, Going to The Chapel, Trent Bailey Photography via 100 Layer Cake, Sarah Bray Photography, Zest Styling

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DIY Projects Guests Wedding Stationery

Free Printable: Sketch Thank You Cards.

October 1, 2012 – 5:56 pm

Is it the start of October already? The wedding peak season has officially started (well, for us in Hong Kong anyways) and I know that many of you brides and grooms will have your hands tied. Remember not to become a bridezilla or groomzilla and never forget to thank those who have helped you along the way, as well as the guests for attending your big bash. A simple ‘thank you’ can mean a lot but why not take it up a notch by sending a handwritten thank you card. Putting in the effort and time shows your sincerity and will make you stand out from the crowd. Now, get cracking with these free printables (and as with all the other printables you find on this site, give me a shout if you’d like them in another colour).

Thank You Card (Sketch Style) in Fuschia, download here.
Thank You Card (Sketch Style) in Purple, download here.
Thank You Card (Sketch Style) in Mint Green, download here.

 

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