Your Invitations

Tips for Sending Invitations
If you did not send out Save the date announcements, your wedding invitation is the first item your guests will see about your wedding. It gives your guests an idea as to the type and formality of your wedding.

Invitations may be printed or engraved. Formal invitations should be mailed 4-6 weeks before your wedding date. Informal weddings, invitations ten days prior.

When ordering invitations, order 25 more than you think you will need. It's cheaper to order more in advance than ordering a small quantity at a later date. Also, order extra envelopes to allow for mistakes.

Invitation and announcements should be handwritten in black or blue ink or in dark ink matching your wedding colors such as Burgundy, purple, brown, and green. Red is inappropriate. Gold and silver may be used but they are difficult to read. Both envelopes should be in the same handwriting. You may want to consider calligraphy. It creates a very elegant look for your invitations.

Children's names should be listed on the inside envelope on the second line. Never use "and Family" on the envelope. The rule is, if children are not listed on the envelope, they are not invited. However, in order not to create confusion, you may wish to indicate so within your communications. Any invited children over the age of 18 should receive their own invitation.

Forget the gifts! Give her the Valntines Day experience of a lifetime.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. More people now a days are opting to give their valentine an everlasting memory instead of the expensive gifts, but for many people, this is going to mean making plans to go out to dinner. And for a lot of people, the act of choosing a restaurant for Valentine’s Day can be really stressful.

Here are some key things to take into consideration when choosing the restaurant for your Valentine’s Day Dinner:

• Go for a small place with an intimate atmosphere. Skip the chain restaurants when it comes to Valentine’s Day. Instead, locate a restaurant that is smaller in size and where the wait staff can give you the attention that you deserve, and if you are planning to pop the big question, this will be the best option. At the Ryde Hotel we have done it all, from slipping the flowers into her seat before she gets there to hiding the ring inside a hollow chocolate covered strawberry.

• Special Valentine’s Day menus. Many restaurants will do a unique menu for Valentine’s Day as is the case at the Ryde. Call around to see what people are offering so that you can find a place that has treats that you will both enjoy.

• Don’t try to be something you’re not. If you really hate oysters then you don’t want to go to an oyster bar for Valentine’s Day even though everyone recommends that type of place since oysters are an aphrodisiac. Choose a place that honors who you are and what you enjoy together.

• Make sure that you make reservations if they are needed. If the place that you have chosen doesn’t accept reservations then you may want to plan on dining earlier or later than normal in order to avoid the long lines of people that are out on Valentine’s Day.

• Skip Valentine’s Day dinner and get a special Valentine’s Day brunch instead. It is perfect for friends or family and it leaves the rest of the day free for different types of romance or just activities.

Whatever you end up choosing to do for dinner on Valentine’s Day, remember that the important thing is to be loving and kind to the one that you’re sharing this special holiday with.

Wonderful Winter Weddings!

Choosing the winter to tie the knot can be one of the biggest decisions you make for your winter wedding planning. There is a growing trend of brides choosing autumn or winter weddings instead of summer weddings. Winter weddings can be very beautiful and intimate, and certainly will stand out from the many summer weddings that are held each year. Having a winter wedding could significantly cut the cost of your wedding compared to a traditional spring/summer wedding.

While there are some disadvantages to having a winter wedding, there are some significant advantages. If you want a wedding that will be beautiful and truly different, there are lots of winter themes for weddings that are unique and that will make your wedding very personal and special.

The Advantages of a Winter Wedding

When thinking on whether or not to have a winter wedding here are some advantages to consider:

• You can save a lot of money. By holding your wedding in the winter you can significantly save on the cost of a traditional summer wedding and get more for your money since winter is considered as "off season".
• You can get exactly what you want. It’s more likely that you will be able to get the venue of your choice. But since fewer people get married in the winter, the same popular locations may be available and usually at a reduced cost.
• More of your loved ones may be able to attend. By holding your wedding in the winter it’s more likely that family and friends will have fewer social commitments and thus will be free to attend your wedding.
• Winter weddings are different. Do you want your wedding to stand out and be memorable; a winter wedding can be a great way to do something new and different for your wedding.

If you would like more Ideas for a winter wedding: Click Here

1920's Themed wedding

Do you love the idea of having a 1920's wedding when flapper dresses, long pearl necklaces, and pinstriped zoot suits were the fashion statement of the day? If so, read on for some fabulous ideas to make your vintage wedding celebration a day to remember.

Something to have in mind to look authentic.

• Wear low-strapped pumps with seamed stockings (remember, pantyhose hadn't been invented yet)
• Wear low-strapped pumps with seamed stockings (remember, pantyhose hadn't been invented yet)
• A chaplet headpiece (this is a simple band usually worn around the forehead) is a perfect choice in place of a wedding headpiece and veil. You may also consider wearing a flat veil held in place by an orange blossom wreath, which was also popular at the time.

Bridesmaids

Outfit your wedding attendants with flapper dresses, feather boas, and long bead necklaces. Have them carry a single orchid, beautiful lily, or an ostrich fan.

The Groom of the Twenties

Dress the man-of-the-hour in a pinstriped zoot suit, ascot tie, and a felt, roll-brimmed fedora hat or zoot suit hat. Another option is to wear a double-breasted 4 button jacket with wide-lapels, cuffed trousers, ascot tie or white scarf, white gloves, spats (shoes), black top hat and a walking stick.

Groomsmen

Dress similarly to the groom, but you could make them look like the "mobsters" by having them carry toy machine guns (for a fun spin on the celebration.) Also, suspenders were the "in" thing.

1920's Vintage Wedding Invitations

• Have your cards printed in the shape of an old phonograph, 33 1/3 RPM record or 1920's sports car.
• To put more of a gangster spin on it, have your invitations printed as an "entry permit" to an illegal speakeasy. Make sure to put a "secret code password" on it. We have a door with a peep hole where guests can give the password to come down to the speakeasy.
  

1920's Wedding Decorating Ideas

Having your wedding at the Ryde Hotel with an authentic speakeasy makes the decoration a lot easier Keep your reception tables small and cozy, just like a speakeasy would be - only 4 to 6 people to each table. Have a photographer set up an old-time-photo studio where guests can have 1920's snap-shots taken.

Tables and Centerpieces To Suit a 1920's Wedding Theme

• Fill large brandy snifters with colored water and float petal blossoms and candles.
• Use cigarette holders as place card holders.
• Make an arrangement with an empty champagne bottle, a couple of wine glasses and strings of beads in the center of each table.
• Keep it simple and elegant with a single large orchid in a crystal vase.

The "Cat's Meow" in Wedding Favors

• Give the men miniature Model T cars (Hot Wheels^TM)
• The women could receive long bead necklaces, feather boas or ostrich fans.
• Put together a CD of your favorite 1920's music. Get a picture of the two of you dressed in 1920's outfits and print them out on the CD labels. Don't forget to come up with a catchy name for your CD!
• Get some interesting "1920-ish" note-size paper and print out a sheet with trivia facts about the twenties. Roll them up, tie with ribbon and place on the tables for each guest.

Flowers and Bouquets For a 1920's Wedding

Bouquets were large and elaborate. Use magnolias, calla lilies, gardenias, and ostrich feathers.

1920's Wedding Entertainment

• Play jazz and ragtime music from Ella Fitzgerald, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Gene Austin, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin.
• If all or part of your wedding is being held outside, play croquet.
• Hire a dance instructor to teach the Charleston, the Lindy Hop, and other popular dances of this era.

Other Suggestions

• To get more ideas, watch movies such as the Great Gatsby, Bonnie & Clyde, and Chicago.
• Make your wedding programs up to look like Tabloid Newspapers.
• Remember, cabarets and speakeasies were the big thing of the day. Decorate your reception to resemble such an establishment.

See more samples of a roaring 20's wedding at the Ryde by clicking here!

Bridesmaid dresses.

The quickest way to perturb your best friends? Invite them to be in your bridal party, and then turn them into fashion victims. Search for a style that flatters the different sizes and shapes of your bridesmaids. A-line skirts and empire waists tend to look good on all body types. Or consider choosing a color or a fabric and then letting each maid pick a style that will suit her. You wouldn't want to cram a tall, voluptuous bridesmaid into the exact same style as a petite, skinny girl (totally unfair to either). Dark-colored dresses like navy, hunter green, and black look great on almost every maid and can be worn to formal events later. Have in consideration their skin tone. It is not a rule that bridesmaids must wear all the same color; if you still stay within your main colors or near the same color your bridesmaids will still look fabulous, just look at the photo above.

Planning on a wedding right at sunset?

Having a wedding at sunset not only makes for a magical ceremony but
also provides a beautiful backdrop for photos. Find out what time the sun will set on your wedding day. To help you pick the best time to start your ceremony I would like to share a link to a all year sunset calculator.

RydeHotel.com

How to deal with a drunk guest.

I would like to share a video that I received in my e-mail a few days ago that served for inspiration to post this blog on how to deal with a drunk wedding guest.

Your wedding day is a dream come true, but a drunk guest could turn your dream into a nightmare. contingency plans must be put in place, on how to deal with this situation.

Designate Someone to Handle a Drunk Wedding Guest

Your wedding is supposed to go off without a hitch. In order to insure that any potential incidents are addressed as quickly as possible, designating a close friend or family member and instructing them on how to deal with drunk wedding guest.

Be Respectful but Firm

When engaging a drunk wedding guest, how you handle yourself, will determine their reaction. If you approach them in a calm demeanor and ask to speak to them in private, the situation will rapidly deescalate. How to deal with a drunk wedding guest effectively, involves using tact. Do not mention their obnoxious behavior or inappropriate comments. In my experience, if you smile a lot, while talking to them, seems to help them relax.

Isolate the Individual

Once a drunk wedding guest has been identified, it is essential to move them into a more isolated area This way, you can minimize the level of disruption. Offering them food, coffee and a chance to chat, will usually get their attention. The food alone will absorb some of the excess alcohol in their system, while the coffee will give them a temporary jolt, awakening them from their drunken stupor. The alcohol will remain in their system, but being on a full stomach, will help process it faster.

Take Away Their Keys

To protect a drunk wedding guest from exercising poor judgment, always take away their car keys. This guarantees that they won't find themselves behind the wheel. As a guest, I often had to take several sets of keys away from individuals. Dealing with a drunk wedding guest, always comes down to using common sense and taking all the necessary precautions.

At The Ryde Hotel we are committed to help make your dream perfect, please notify our staff if there is any way we can help.

rydehotel.com

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