I Thee Wed Up Close

Here we are....Day 6, our final day of answering your most frequently asked questions here are answers to questions 9 and 10! Question 9: When Do We Mail the Invitations.    Traditionally speaking, wedding invitations should be mailed out 6-8 weeks before the wedding. If you get anxious and mail them 10-12 weeks prior to the wedding, you might be taking a chance with your guests seeing they have plenty of time to respond and put the invitation down with intentions of RSVPing later and then they forget. Only with destination weddings should you mail your invitations 3 months out. Make sure your RSVP date is one month prior to the wedding, allowing you time to call folks who haven't rsvp'd. Part 2: Do We Need to Note the Dress Code on the Invitations?  In many cases your invitation style will depict to your guests how formal your ceremony will be. A beach wedding invitation is going to have a much different style than a more formal, traditional invitatio...

Today is day 5 of us answering your most frequently asked questions! Here are questions 7 and 8. Question 7: What Should I Know About Venue Contracts?  First and foremost, make sure you know what time set up can begin and what time you need to be out by at the end of the night. Are there additional charges like coat check or restroom attendants? Does the venue require that you use exclusive vendors? Is gratuity built into the contract? Is the venue insured? Get a detailed list of all items included in the contract, such as tables and chairs, linens, staging, extra tables needed for gifts/cake/escort cards/favors, dance floor, sound equipment for a ceremony. If a full bar is part of the contract, find out what is included and if accompaniments are part of the bar. Find out what the payment schedule is and when you need to have your final head count turned in. Photo Credit:  513 photography Question 8: Is a Seating Chart or Escort Cards Necessary? Absolutely! Th...

Welcome back to day 4 of answering your most frequently asked questions! Here are questions 5 and 6. Question 5: What Decor Options Will Help Pull Off the Ambience We're Looking For? Without a doubt, lighting is the first that comes to mind. You don't have to spend a small fortune to get nice lighting. If your budget allows, you can work with a lighting company who can provide uplighting around the room, as well as pin spotlights on the guest tables and an accent design for the dance floor. But if this kind of lighting doesn't sound like your cup of tea, string patio lighting, chandeliers and candles, just to name a few, are other options to achieve the ambience you desire. However, lighting isn't the only thing that will help create your ambience. The decor you choose for your tables and accent pieces such as a table runner, unique china or a simple decoration placed on each napkin, can help set the tone for your wedding. Photo Credit:  Geri Ciulla Quest...

We are on day 3 of answering your most frequently asked questions and here are questions 3 and 4! Question 3: I have my date and venue selected, what's next? If you are able to hire a wedding planner, they will guide you through the process with providing you with a monthly planning timeline so that you know what you should accomplish each month. If you are unable to hire a planner, there are resources such as theknot.com that offer more generic planning timelines of what you should accomplish every few months or so. Keep in mind that some vendors book more quickly than others, so hiring your band or DJ and photographer should be the first two vendors to focus on after selecting your date and venue. Question 4: Open Bar or Not? While it's not a requirement to have an open bar, it's certainly a generous gesture to your guests. If you know that a majority of the guests on your list enjoy a beverage or two,  then there's no question as to whether you should hav...

Today is our second day of posting about Couple's most frequently asked questions when it comes to planning their weddings and here is the 3rd question. Question 3: How do I process all the information given to me? Well, if you are a really super busy couple with demanding careers, hiring a wedding planner would be the easiest way to help you sort through all of the information out there. But if you're uncertain about your budget and whether you can afford a wedding planner, then try not to get too wrapped up in all that's available and follow your heart on the things that will make your wedding unique to you both. Of course, you are going to have many people tell you what they think you should do and how to plan your wedding, but try not to let them derail your focus on what the two of you really want! #itheewedplanning #cincinnatiweddingplanner #personalizedweddings Photo Credit:  Loft 3 Photography

Shortly after you become engaged, we know that you have a ton of questions whirling around in your head and before you know it, you're having anxiety attacks over the planning before it's even begun!! So, we thought we'd put together a series of blog posts to answer your most frequently asked questions! Question 1: How much do weddings cost? If you are unsure of what a comfortable wedding budget for you is, or don't know how much weddings cost today, a great way of learning is to contact a few venues that are of interest to you and find out what their food and beverage minimum is. Keep in mind that 40% of your entire budget will be for food and beverage. So, after learning what your local venues are charging, you will be able to come up with an overall budget that you can work within. Question 2: How to Find the Best Venue? If you have an idea of the size of your wedding and location, as we mentioned above, begin calling local venues to find out how large they are ...

Many couples may feel they do not need a wedding planner if there is an on-site coordinator at their venue. So we've listed some differences of each role to help clear up this misperception. The bottom line is that you need both!! 1. When it comes to coordinating the big day, an on-site coordinator can do so much up to a certain point. The wedding planner will be the one with you throughout the entire day, as well as coordinating your the rehearsal. 2.  On-site coordinators sometimes give vendor referrals which is what an independent wedding planner will do too. But, the wedding planner will attend meetings with you and handle most of the communications with your other vendors. 3. An on-site coordinator is at your venue to represent the property but not represent the bride and groom themselves. 4. An on-site coordinator will make sure that you are getting what was promised in your contract, that the kitchen is fully staffed, that the food is coming out on time and...

Are you planning on serving your guests something later in the evening to satisfy that late night craving and help work off the buzz from too many spirits? Well, here in Cincinnati there are more to late night snacks than the traditional candy station or skyline buffet. Take a look at some ideas we gathered to put a creative spin on your late night offerings! No matter what you decide, your guests will appreciate and enjoy having a little something to nibble on late into the evening, not to mention having something to help absorb the libations from earlier in the evening! Graeter's Ice Cream Sunday Station Mini Grilled Cheese Dippers with Tomato Soup Donut Station Smore's Station Mini Milkshakes! Popcorn Station Sweets Station full of Tarts, Mini Cheesecakes and Other Mini Sweets Soft Warm Pretzels with Soda Chocolate Chip Cookie with Milk Shot Dipping Station with Chips Mini Pizza Slices Mini Burgers with Fries ...

If you are a couple who is deciding to see each other before the ceremony, unless you have a 2-3 hour gap of time between the ceremony and reception, you know that you will have more time for creative photography of you and your wedding party. Therefore, don't be afraid to try new things, bring in props and most of all HAVE FUN and enjoy spending the day with your wedding party before you say i-do! If you're a couple who is still indecisive about having a first look, here are some pluses to each that might help you make a decision. First Look: Being able to relax together before the ceremony Having a private moment alone Limited or no photographs after the ceremony More time for creativity from your photographer with a longer sessions before the ceremony Better lighting in the afternoon Time for more than one location No First Look: The surprise factor when the bride walks down the aisle Beginning your wedding day a little later in the morning You won't be g...

Your wedding invitations will be the first glimpse that your guests will get of your big day. From your color scheme to articulate design, it is important that they are created to represent your wedding theme. With many textures of paper to choose from, along with just the right font, many little details will work together to create your invitation suite.

When planning a wedding, the bride is usually seen as the focus of attention. From the creation of the wedding flowers to choosing a color scheme, the bride certainly makes herself very hands on. However, it is important to remember that the groom may not make as many decisions, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have tasks of his own to complete.

Your wedding day can be a magical event, where you get to marry your soulmate. But, what day of the year will that actually be? There are many wonderful times throughout the year to host a wedding, such as during the Spring, or perhaps a colorful Fall wedding. There are many details that can determine what day would be best for your big day.

You have most likely been dreaming of your big day since you were a little girl. From the big princess ballgown to the gorgeous flowers that comprise your bouquet, you have developed each and every little detail to represent your interest and the vision you have always had for your wedding. Once everything has been created, it’s now almost time to walk down the aisle.

There are many people who will play an important role in your wedding, such as your maid of honor and bridesmaids, best man and groomsmen, flower girl, and your ring bearer. They all work together to create your perfect ceremony. However, don’t forget about your wedding officiant! After all, they will be the one who is actually reciting the words that unite you and your partner together forever in marriage.

So many guests, friends and family alike, have gathered from near and far to celebrate your big day with you! You have all enjoyed a great meal, delicious cake and then you jetted off onto your honeymoon. After returning, you have unpacked your suitcases, and opened all of your lovely gifts, so now it is time to sit down and write the perfect “thank you” notes.  

There is a lot of emphasis put on the bride’s bouquet, and rightfully so. It serves as her main accessory, not just for the ceremony, but also serves an important purpose within the reception. However, it’s important to remember that the groom’s and groomsmen’s boutonnieres are just as important!

As you plan your big day, you may be keeping up with the latest trends that are filling the wedding world. Adding a little extra pizzazz to your wedding, trends will certainly allow it to be modern and memorable. From unique ideas for your flowers to the color of the year, your wedding can shine with some unique trends.

There is no doubt that family is important to you! Especially when it comes to such a grand milestone in life, your wedding day. And although at almost every wedding, we wish that a loved one was there to join in on the celebration, this unfortunately is not always possible. However, even if a loved one has passed, it is important to know that you can still honor them within your big day. But, what are the best ways to do so? Here at I Thee Wed , we strive to create weddings that reflect nothing but love! That’s why we have gathered some top ways that you can honor loved ones within your big day. If you are seeking some creative ideas, be sure to continue reading for some inspiration: ·          Jewelry. Passed down through generations, jewelry is a great aspect to incorporate into your wedding to honor your loved one. From your mother’s necklace to your grandmother’s wedding band, you can adorn yourself with aspects of their lives...

Your wedding is a big part of your life, but it is important to remember that children are as well. Whether you have your own kids, cousins, nieces or nephews attending your big day, you will want to ensure that they are all thoroughly entertained.

Now that you and your partner have recited your vows, gifted each other stunning wedding rings, and made your grand exit, it’s time to celebrate your nuptials. Your reception is the perfect time for you and your partner to enjoy the festivities, form bonds between new and old friends and family, and especially honor your new formed bond to each other. There are many wonderful things that you both have put together to make this day your own. A decadent cake, dazzling centerpieces, and dessert table are important landmarks for your reception. You can bring much deserved attention to them with pinspot lighting. Here at I Thee Wed , we know that your hard work and special wedding elements deserve to be highlighted. That’s why we have put together a few reasons as to why pinspot lighting will enhance your big day. If this intrigues you, be sure to keep reading to learn more: ·          What is pinspot lighting anyway? Pinspot lighting i...

There is a lovely trend in the wedding world to have an all-white wedding bouquet, or even an all-white wedding. You can break this trend and allow your wedding day to stand out with a vibrant colored wedding bouquet. You can walk down the aisle in style, making a bold and lively statement as you rock a gorgeously colored bridal bouquet.