Category Archives: Advice

Wedding planning advice for the bride and groom.

Dancing to Your Own Tune on Your Wedding Day

Sep 28, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice

What kind of band will play at your wedding? Everyone knows that you must have one that can play oldies as well as popular music due to the age range of those who will be in attendance. Here are some wedding planning tips on choosing the music for your ceremony.

  1. Weddings usually have more people the age of the bride and groom than anyone else.
  2. No band you get can play every song that anyone at the reception will want to hear.
  3. It is your wedding and you should hear music you like, although it is thoughtful to think of others and music they will enjoy hearing.

While it is important to be congenial and caring for wedding guests, the event is planned for you and your spouse to be. Anyone who gives tips on wedding planning or is in charge of those plans is more concerned about the bride and groom than the attendees when it comes to the entertainment.

Ten years after the wedding, you will remember a band you liked, but none of the guests will remember one they didn’t like. While some of the pomp and circumstance of the wedding is not of your choosing, at least have some input as far as choosing the band.

With that said, do consider a band that knows enough older music to have some material that your and his parents will enjoy. In the event the parents are paying for the wedding, you owe it to them to discuss the entertainment plans with them.

On your big day, you want everything to fall into place, so listen to useful tips on wedding planning from those in the know. Make your arrangements so you will be happy and relaxed. Stepping into matrimony is a big commitment, so have a good time doing it.

Many brides include the entertainment chosen on their Wedding Invitations, especially if it is a popular band other guests will recognize. PM Custom Weddings is prepared to help you with your wedding stationery needs, including Wedding Stamps, Save the Date Cards, and much more in unique styles to fit your personalized wedding theme.

There is Usually a Story Behind Every Cake Topper

Sep 06, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Inspiration, Wedding Planning , , ,

funny bride and groom wedding cake topper
What goes on the top of the cake has been a subject of much variation in the passing years. At one time it was a traditional bride and groom standing together, but it is also a nice way to put a signature on the cake, making it as unique as your wedding.

We devote these tips on wedding planning to the crown of the wedding cake: the topper.

Traditional Bride and Groom Cake Topper

Sometimes the topper doesn’t convey the true feelings of the bride and groom. In the movie “Grumpier Old Men,” the bride to be was appalled when her future father-in-law had the cake designed with the bride on top holding a fishing pole.

The fishing line dropped down to the groom on a lower cake tier, with the hook going around his neck. The icing caption was to be, “Looks like Melanie has landed herself another husband.” (Melanie had been married once before.)

You are not likely to choose something like that for your cake, but you still want your wedding cake to be adorned with something that makes a statement. Borrowing from traditions in other places might give you some relevant ideas.

Sapling Toppers Hail from Bermuda

For instance, Bermudian weddings often have a symbol of a sapling atop their cakes. This symbolizes a tree planted at the beginning of the marriage, which grows as the marriage does.

The sapling can come from real tree branches or be a creation of the cake maker. Additionally, the tips on wedding planning may include blooms of cake topping attached to the branch ends. This is indicative of the beginning of a budding life together. The bride and groom figurines are usually placed along with the sampling.

European Traditions Hear Bells Ringing

You may choose to pass on the bride and groom entirely. Other traditions include the wedding bells that rang to announce the completion of vows. This is a European tradition dating back eons. The bells also ran away the evil spirits that might threaten the new marriage.

A Traditional Symbol of Good Luck

The third of our tips on wedding planning cake toppers is the horseshoe. It has long been a symbol of good luck, which is always wished to the newlyweds. The horseshoe can be made of many things, either edible or a design that can be saved as a keepsake. The one thing that is most important is the direction the horseshoe faces. The two ends must face up for good luck.

Unique Wedding Cake Toppers

Once you’ve decided on your style, choose from the great selection of Wedding Cake Toppers we found at The Wedding Channel Store! Here’s some of our favorites:

script initial cake topper
Script Initial Cake Topper 		personalized acrylic heart cake topper
Personalized Acrylic Heart Cake Topper 		interchangeable bride and groom cake topper
Interchangeable Cake Topper

sparkling love cake topper
Sparkling Love Cake Topper 		lettered Swarovski crystal cake topper
Lettered Swarovski Crystal Cake Topper 		sweetheart cake topper
Sweetheart Cake Topper


Make your announcement to walk the aisle in style with wedding stationery from PM Custom Weddings. Unique and tasteful designs abound in Wedding Stamps, Thank You Cards, Wedding Invitations, Save the Date Cards, and more.

Wedding Planning Tips on Flowers – Centerpiece Basics

Sep 02, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice , ,

wedding flower centerpieces
Can you even imagine a wedding without flowers? Out of all the tips and advice you’ll find on wedding planning, there will be plenty that has to do with flowers.

Think of the numerous uses for flowers in a wedding:

  • Decorations for both the reception and the wedding venue
  • The bridal bouquet and flowers for the bride’s hair
  • Boutonnières for groom, groomsmen, and fathers of both the bride and groom
  • Corsages for both mothers of the bride and groom
  • Maid of honor bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets
  • Flower girl, ring bearer

The most wonderful thing about flowers is there is nothing set in stone regarding what your selections must be. When it comes to centerpieces and other wedding flower creations, you have so many options.

Your arrangements can be as elegant and understand as desired, or they can be vibrantly colorful to blend in with your particular wedding theme which might be nautical, traditional, modern, classic, or even centered around a particular holiday like Christmas.

A honeysuckle bloom doesn’t feel inferior to the orchid, and actually they coexist quite well together as do many other flower combinations. Also, filler flowers are as much a part of a centerpiece as the primary flowers of choice. Goldenrod and baby’s breath might not stand alone, but they are very good supporting members of a larger cast.

One of the tips on wedding planning to remember is that the centerpiece can set the mood without being overpowering in the process. It should be visual enough to attract and, at the same time, blend in with the surroundings. Making a statement without begging to be the “center” of everyone’s attention is the exacting role of the centerpiece.

Some ideas you might consider for your centerpieces might be:

  • Yellow is a wonderful summer wedding color that is pleasing without being presumptuous. Yellow flowers among mimosa blossoms, French tulips in white and gold, and a sprinkling of strategically placed Phalaenopsis Aphrodite orchids can be quite captivating.
  • Whites and creams alongside green flowers create a luscious look that is sure to please. Bells of Ireland, carnations, snowberry, viburnum, and a minor amount of asclepias will create a setting like no other.

One of the most important wedding planning tips is that your florist is an essential information resource to guide you in choosing what will blend best together. They also know what is in season, and how best to utilize your allotted budget. Communicate both your likes and dislikes, and give your florist some freedom to make substitutions and suggestions for the best outcome.

Whether you choose classic white roses, zinnias, mums, tulips, dogwood, hydrangeas, or a combination of several different varieties such as dahlias, geraniums, orchids, and peonies, by working together with your florist your wedding flowers can be everything you always dreamed they would be.

Be sure to check out the wonderful collection of floral design Wedding Stamps that PM Custom Weddings has to offer. These stamps give a tasteful and unique touch to your outgoing wedding stationery. Be sure to have a look at their array of Save the Date Cards and Wedding Invitations while you’re there, too! You’ll find a variety of floral designs to compliment your choice of wedding flowers and your wedding color scheme.

Choosing Your Wedding Invitation Style

Aug 26, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Wedding Invitations, Wedding Planning , ,

black and red damask wedding invitation
Are you a real traditionalist? For instance, will you be sending out the hefty and classic wedding invitations that contain all of the different reply cards and details for the wedding day? Maybe you’re a bit “alternative” and prefer a totally unique mailer that limits the amount of paper and/or postage used for the wedding invitations?

Whatever sort of style you have, there is going to be an enormous array of different wedding invitations to match your taste. This is because weddings are becoming a far more personalized and customized issue and it is rare to attend two weddings that are alike.

Generally, the uniqueness of a wedding day is established with the first mailing connected to the event. For some it is a save the date card or the invitation to an engagement party, but for many more it is the actual wedding invitation. This is the set of documents that provides guests with all of the information that they will need to know what to expect on the wedding day.

For example, if your wedding is going to have some sort of “theme,” the wedding invitation is going to have to reveal it. This might be something as simple as the color scheme for the entire day, but it might also tell people whether the affair is casual or very formal. This is most easily expressed through choices in card stock and inserts.

Consider that a wedding with a “beach” theme will have some sort of indication of that on the actual invitations, envelopes, etc. The wedding with a “black tie” format, on the other hand, will be able to be easily recognized by the format of the invitations used as well. When a wedding is this formal, it is essential to be sure that all of the subsequent mailings match, but a good supplier is going to have everything necessary and will make this very easy to achieve.

At PM Custom Weddings, we have a variety of wedding invitations to fit your wedding theme and show your own personal style!

A Wedding Website Communicates Your Details With Style

Aug 25, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Wedding Planning , , , ,

free wedding websitesA popular trend on the to-do list of the betrothed is the creation of a wedding website. It provides a central location making it easy to communicate important information about your wedding to family and friends. The wedding website should be started early in the wedding planning stages, and it can be updated throughout the weeks or months leading up to the “special day.”

Here are a few of the items couples typically include on their wedding website.

Ceremony Information

Naturally your wedding website should include details of the ceremony itself. The date, time, and location, of course but other details such as theme, reception details, dress required, etc. For example, a beach or destination wedding may require less formal attire than other types of ceremonies. Include all pertinent information you can think of.

A Personal Touch

Here’s where you can share some personal details, such as how you met, your first date, or the specifics of your proposal story. You can upload photos to give the website a very personal touch, reflecting the love you share and the life you are planning together as a couple.

Tips for Travel Arrangements

For those required to travel to attend your wedding ceremony, you can simply their travel itinerary planning by posting beneficial information online such as recommended hotel accommodations, favorite restaurants, things to see, and places to shop. This is especially helpful for those who are unfamiliar with the area.

Gift Registry

Friends and family will appreciate being able to view your registry information online. It makes gift shopping so much easier for them.

RSVP via Internet

Another way to make things easier on your invited wedding guests is to allow them to RSVP online.

Hopefully you can get your wedding website launched early enough so that you can include the website address on your Save the Date Cards. PMCustomWeddings.com offers a unique collection of Save the Date Postcards along with beautiful wedding stationery and personalized wedding stamps. We know how special this event is for you, which is why we offer a collection that contains just the right designs for your wedding needs.

The Wedding of Your Dreams (On a Budget)

Aug 22, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Save the Date, Wedding Invitations, Wedding Planning , , , ,

planning your wedding on a budget
One of the major tips on wedding planning concerns a subject every couple must confront, like it or not, and that is the wedding budget. In a perfect world, every couple should have the wedding and honeymoon of their dreams, without regards to cost. Now, back down to earth.

In the real world, especially in these tough economic times, it is important to be realistic and avoid taking on a long term debt that may end up affecting a couple’s life together due to the financial strain it can cause.

You want to spend your married life basking in love’s glow, not burdened with debt and stressing over money.

Tips on Wedding Planning – The Guest List

Every wedding planner will advise that there is a cost per guest, and this will vary depending on many factors. The main expense is the reception, which includes not only food and beverages, but a caterer (optional), rental space, furnishings, decorations, entertainment, etc.

When making the guest list, it is important to remember that every name on that list adds to the wedding cost. You don’t want to leave anyone out, but you must also be selective. How close are you to this friend? Do you stay in touch with them? The guest list involves compromise from both bride and groom.

Since this is a major portion of the budget, around 45% of the total, it is easy to see this is an area where overspending should be avoided.

Tips on Wedding Planning – Research is Essential

Before any Save the Date Cards or Wedding Invitations go out, before even the first check is written, a budget should be determined. An inaccurate and unrealistic budget is about as worthwhile as none at all. It is important to research what items actually cost in order to create a reasonable and realistic budget.

Make calls to caterers for estimates; find out the rental cost for the ceremony and reception venues; decide if you can afford a wedding planner; price out wedding stationery, your wedding dress, decorations and flowers, the wedding cake, and the honeymoon.

Once you have the budget set, stay within it. If you spend more in one area, make up for it in another. Also, have a “contingency” in the budget for the unexpected things that arise, and there will be unplanned items that were omitted from the original budget.

Tips on Wedding Planning – Estimated Percentages

Keep in mind these are just estimates, and they can easily vary based on many different factors.

– Ceremony, license, entertainment, parking, transportation – 5%
– Stationery – 3%
– Entertainment (ceremony, reception) – 6%
– Reception (venue, food, beverages, cake, rentals, party favors) – 45%
– Flowers (ceremony, bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, reception) – 8%
– Photography, video – 10%
– Gifts for bridesmaids, maid of honor, groomsmen, parents – 3%
– Rings (bride and groom) – 3%
– Attire (bride, groom, jewelry, hair, makeup, shoes, accessories) – 9%
– Contingency fund – 8%

When you budget, don’t forget the special little touches that make your wedding unique. Check out the impressive collection of Wedding Invitations and Save the Date Cards at PMCustomWeddings.com, your source for personalized and stylish wedding stationery that will remain a treasure keepsake throughout your lives together.

An Affair to Remember – Announce It With Save the Date Magnets

Aug 08, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Save the Date , , , , , , ,

beach theme save the date magnet
You’re engaged! You are getting married and you want everyone to know. You’ve selected a date and you want to notify friends and family so they can make plans to be there on that special day when you and your fiancé tie the knot.

Save the Date cards have become a standard on the wedding “to-do” list. There are many styles and colors available so you can easily find one that blends well with your wedding day theme.

What are Save the Date cards? These cards are a way to notify wedding guests of the date, place, and time of your ceremony. They aren’t intended to be overly busy with too many details that might detract from their intended purpose. They are a stylish yet affordable way to alert guests far enough in advance so they can mark their calendars.

Another clever idea for announcing your celebration is Save the Date magnets. Your unique Save the Date magnets measure 2″ and come in either a square or round shape; they include an uploaded photo image of your choice. This is an excellent keepsake way for your guests to keep track and make plans to attend your wedding.

They attach easily to the fridge or a file cabinet and are large enough to be noticed yet small enough to blend in. Save the Date magnets are totally customizable from beautifully designed templates that allow you to design and order your magnets in mere minutes.

When deciding on the style for your Save the Date magnets, you want yours to stand out enough to draw attention and at the same time to blend with the tone of your ceremony. For instance, if you are having a coastal wedding, a perfect design fit would be the “Hearts in the Sand” beach themed magnet.

Whether your wedding theme is modern or contemporary, in bold or subtle colors, we have just the right design for you. Express your unique style in perfect taste using a selection from our impressive collection of Save the Date cards and Save the Date magnets. You want your wedding to be unforgettable and so do we!

 

Create Unique Wedding Stationery with Personalized Wedding Stamps

Aug 03, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Custom Photo Stamps, Thank You Cards, Wedding Stamps, Wedding Stationery , , , , ,

custom wedding photo stampsWhen your wedding is coming up, you’re going to be sending out plenty of correspondence. There are notes, thank you cards, invitations and other items that will be sent out before and after your wedding. You can make correspondence more personal when you use personalized wedding stamps.

Personalized wedding stamps are available in a wide variety of styles and designs. Stamps are used to send out thank you notes and invitations. They are also used on response cards that are sent out with invitations. You can enhance the look of your envelopes by using stamps that have a wedding theme.

One of the benefits of ordering personalized wedding stamps is that you can choose the exact amount that you need for the item you’re sending. For example, rather than having to add two stamps to a heavy invitation envelope, you can order a stamp with the precise postage necessary.

Postage stamps come in a wide variety of styles and in different sizes. You can choose from many different wedding themed designs. There are stamps to suit every wedding theme and color choice. Since you need to purchase postage anyway, why not buy postage stamps that enhance and personalize your envelopes? When you buy stamps, consider all of your needs so you will purchase enough for all of your requirements. It is helpful to weigh the completed envelope to determine the precise amount of postage required. If you are unsure, take the envelope to the post office to have them tell you the postage that it will require.

Besides choosing from the many various wedding stamps available, you can also choose personalized stamps. You can choose your own photo image to be used on the stamps. This allows you to create a very unique and personal touch for your wedding and thank you envelopes.

PM Custom Weddings offers a large selection of wedding stamps, including monogram stamps, and custom photo stamps to personalize all of your wedding mailings.

Tips for Planning Romantic Beach Weddings

Jul 26, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Save the Date, Wedding Invitations , , , , ,

beach theme save the date cardsIf you love the romance and splendor of the beach, you’ll enjoy planning a lovely beach wedding. Beach weddings can combine simplicity with elegance to create a beautiful wedding in a gorgeous setting. Romantic beach weddings do require some forethought. The weather plays a big role in the beachside wedding. Research the weather patterns and prepare for any possible alternative.

When planning a wedding on the beach consider the area. Some parks and beaches have special areas such as gazebos that are designed specifically for these types of events. There may be the need to reservation and there may be special fees involved. A rental company can provide and set up the chairs and tents if required.

There is usually a breeze blowing at the beach, so keep this in mind when planning the ceremony. If the waves are loud, you may need microphones to allow the guests to hear the wedding vows. A beach wedding can be a more simplified affair than a traditional church wedding. The wedding attire may be streamlined and the couple may walk barefoot.

Guests at beach weddings can dress more casually than when they attend church weddings. Be sure to provide some special instructions to guests so they understand the attire that they should wear. Provide some flip-flops so guests can take off their shoes to safely walk on the beach.

When planning your wedding on the beach, find out the rules that govern the area. If a permit is required, obtain one. Find out if you can bring in seating and tents, even just for the ceremony. It is essential to have a backup plan in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. Provide directions to the site along with specific information so guests know what to expect at the wedding site. A beach wedding is a lovely option and one that will provide you with beautiful memories.

Shop our selection of beautiful beach wedding invitations and beach theme save the date cards, and your guests will look forward to your special day on the beach!

Planning Fall Weddings

Jul 25, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Fall Weddings, Wedding Invitations, Wedding Stamps , , ,

fall in love postage stampsThe autumn season is one of the best times of year to have a wedding. Fall weddings allow you to choose from a variety of colors and themes so you can truly have the wedding of your dreams. The weather in the fall is better than any other time of the year. The days are warm, yet the evenings are crisp and clear. The rainy season is usually over, so you can expect good weather for your wedding.

Fall weddings lend themselves to wonderful floral arrangements and table centerpieces. Choose dried arrangements as a more interesting variation on flowers. You can also combine a variety of natural items to create affordable and appealing displays. Straw and pumpkins make attractive options and can be placed in groupings that are quite stunning to look at.

When planning fall weddings it isn’t necessary to keep the colors neutral. In fact, it is nice to have a burst of color. Don’t feel as though you need to stick to dark colors and heavy fabrics for the bridesmaids dresses. You can easily choose lightweight fabrics and soft colors if you choose. The décor can be done tastefully by using natural materials of fall including leaves, straw, pumpkins and gourds. These materials are very affordable yet allow you to make a nice setting.

Autumn nuptials are becoming more popular. Because there is less demand for venues, catering, flowers, and other wedding necessities in the fall, you may be able to have better choices and lower prices than if you had your wedding during the peak wedding month of June. If you’re planning a wedding with a short time-frame, consider an autumn wedding. You’ll likely be able to choose the venue you prefer without having to wait a year or more as you must do with summer weddings.

Shop our selection of beautiful fall wedding invitations and fall wedding stamps to really set the theme for your perfect day!