Few things affect an event more than the music, yet many couples don’t go much further when planning their wedding music than choosing music for special moments like their grand entrance and first dance. There’s nothing wrong with taking time to find the right songs for those moments, but it’s actually what’s playing the rest of the time that will have the biggest impact on your guest experience… so it’s worth putting some thought into!
A great DJ or band will be able to tailor their selections to your wedding, so it may be worthwhile to ask them about how they personalize their service before you choose who to hire. Whether you give suggestions of a genre or ‘vibe’ you’re going for or you give specific songs, your musicians should be able to fill in the blanks to make it sound just right.
If you’re DIYing your wedding music, a little bit of time and thought can make a huge difference in creating the perfect wedding playlist. Here are 4 tips to help you have the best wedding music possible, whether you’re enlisting a professional or curating your own playlists.
You’ve likely taken the time to consider the atmosphere you want to set visually. The music that’s playing will play a huge part in achieving that desired atmosphere, so it’s worth taking some time to figure out.
Generally speaking, folk or acoustic music compliments a rustic wedding well. For a more formal vibe, both old and new jazz add just the right amount of class.
The music doesn’t have to stick to one genre all night, though! It helps to break up your wedding music into four stages: ceremony, cocktails, dinner, and after dinner. Each of these stages have different objectives - the ceremony music is setting the tone for a romantic and intimate moment. Cocktail music is what will welcome your guests to your reception and get them excited to celebrate all night long. Dinner music can be more subdued, to leave room for the conversations that will happen around the dinner table. After dinner, you’ll be bringing the mood up again to get people ready to dance as soon as possible!
With these stages in mind, find one to five songs that just right for each part of your wedding, and ask your DJ or band to find complimenting music.
If you’re DIYing your wedding music, you can use Spotify or Youtube to find similar music. If you play a specific song on either service, it will automatically follow that song with something similar. It works surprisingly well for compiling a wedding playlsit!
Setting an atmosphere is important, but the most important thing at your wedding is you! You and your partner are the whole reason for this celebration - so don’t be afraid to fill your wedding with personality!
There is always a way to fit in the music that you and your partner love, no matter what it is. A great DJ can find ways to incorporate even not-typically-wedding-appropriate genres or songs. For example, there are tons of amazing covers of all sorts of genres by groups like Postmodern Jukebox, The Vitamin String Quartet, and The Piano Guys. All it takes is a simple YouTube search to track down at least a handful of covers of your favourite song.
Many bands do live versions or acoustic covers of their most popular songs, which often lend well to weddings.
Lastly, remember that people will generally only get out of their chair to dance to music that’s familiar to them, so if you want to play music that most people won’t know, cocktails, dinner and after dinner is the place to fit it in.
Music that holds special memories or significance for your relationship can be very meaningful to include in your wedding playlist. Is there a movie, TV show or musical that is special to you? Find some songs from it that will fit at your wedding. The same goes for concerts you’ve been to or even songs about places you’ve visited together. On a day that’s focused on your love story, the music that has been part of that story is the perfect soundtrack.
For these significant music choices, it’s likely that most of your wedding guests will have no idea that the song holds meaning for you. On one hand, that can create a special moment for you and your partner to share on your wedding day. On the other hand, why not let your guests in on the moment? You can share your most special music with your guests by having the emcee share the story behind the songs you choose to include.
Now let’s talk about the really fun stuff - the dance floor! As we mentioned above, people only get out of their chair to dance to music they know. With that in mind, try to focus your dance floor music on what will get your guests dancing. It’s not the time for your most obscure music selections - fit that in during cocktails and dinner! If you want an awesome dance party, you’ll need to play the music your guests want to hear.
Consider what music your friends and family dance to at other weddings you’ve been to, or when you go out to a club. Chances are those same genres and songs will get them dancing at your wedding. Most often, the dance starts off with more of the older crowd on the dance floor while the younger crowd is at the bar, so try to include some all-ages dance floor hits to start off the night. Later on, when your younger friends have migrated from the bar to the dance floor, you can bust out the music that will really get the party going.
Lastly, there’s just something about nostalgia that creates a great dance party. No, your whole night doesn’t need to be throwbacks. But be sure to make note of the songs that bring back memories for your friends and family, and mention them to your DJ. It will help them choose more music that they know your guests will love. You can also sneak in some nostalgia-inducing tunes throughout cocktails and dinner. That song that you and your bestie played on repeat during your last road trip? You know she’s going to look over at you and smile when she hears it playing during dinner.
Here’s to awesome wedding music, and making new memories with your loved ones on your best day ever!
]]>We used a custom wooden sign that said "When your feet get sore... grab a pair and dance some more." We placed our Rescue Flats inside the drawers of a vintage dresser and decorated the top with candles and greenery.
]]>Krystle is corporate lawyer turned food, style and travel influencer/blogger living in Toronto, Canada. She describes herself as a dreamer, a free spirit, and a big thinker. One look at her Instagram account will have you wanting to jet to a beautiful tropical location, and eat ALL the food!
Krystle and her husband Alex were married last summer in Toronto and included Rescue Flats as part of their celebration. Here Krystle shares her best piece of wedding advice, how they incorporated Rescue Flats into their wedding, and their Rescue Flats display details.
Your Names:
Krystle & Alexander
Wedding Location:
Design Exchange (located at 234 Bay St. in Toronto)
Photo Credits: Toronto Wedding Photographer Shlomi Amiga
Greenery was a major theme. The bouquets had lots of greenery, our tables had greenery running down the centre, and we had a large installation hanging from the ceiling above the centre of the dance floor covered in greenery and string lights. Our accent colour was periwinkle.
Marrying my husband!
Start planning right away and give yourselves more than enough time to plan. Establish a timeline and make sure to stick to it. Enjoy the planning process and don’t leave certain things to the last minute (like we did!).
Because they are so functional and cute! Our guests absolutely LOVED them. They were one of the highlights of the evening. All the women couldn’t stop raving about how it was such a nice touch and ingenious idea to include them. People were also very impressed with how we displayed them!
Yes, our giveaways were mini caddies of Sloane Tea. We had other special touches, like a cotton candy cart during cocktail hour, and an ice cream/popsicle cart during late night snack time.
We used a custom wooden sign that said "When your feet get sore... grab a pair and dance some more." We placed our Rescue Flats inside the drawers of a vintage dresser and decorated the top with candles and greenery.
Loved everything. Absolutely no complaints.
The comfort it provided me (the bride) and our guests, so they could enjoy the entire evening without the interruption of sore feet.
They were amazed!
This is the one single touch at your wedding that all your female guests will thank you for!
Emily Hall of Threads & Blooms (florist), Shlomi Amiga (photographer), Food Dudes (caterers)
THANK YOU!!!!!
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So many customers saw Cory & Jillian's work on Instragram and reached out with such amazing feedback that we wanted to share more detailed pictures here. Cory was kind enough to pass on some tips for creating the perfect Rescue Flats display.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for an additional checklist to help you recreate your own!
Ensure the overall vignette captures the wedding theme and style to create a cohesive experience.
Why not utilize home decor and accents such as chairs, side tables and a dresser to create an inviting setting for all your guests.
Add a whimsical sign to capture the light hearted moment and get people on the dance floor.
Whether it be selecting votives or functional end tables, a unique collection of items will make your vignette more visually appealing.
Floral arrangements will add a finishing touch that every guest will appreciate.
Provide tags for your guests to properly label their Rescue Flats heel bags once they have tucked their shoes inside.
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After celebrating the engagement and going through the initial emotions of being asked to be the maid of honor, have a conversation with the bride about what that role means to her. It’s always a good idea to get an idea of expectations, so you can come through for her in the best way possible.
With that in mind, we’ve got a few pointers to help you shine as maid of honor.
Your role as the maid of honor can easily be summed up in one task: support the bride! She’s chosen you as her right-hand woman for this season of her life. To-do lists and party planning aside, just think of this role as a time to kick your friendship game up a notch. Be excited for her! Bring the bubbly over to celebrate, ask questions about the wedding and how she’s doing, and show you're on her team.
It might get stressful or overwhelming, and being in a bridal party can be really busy. Just remember - this is temporary, but your friendship isn’t. When all the chaos is over, you’ll be able to look back on the memories you made together.
Everyone is different, and while some brides want their maid of honor beside them for every part of wedding planning, others are content to plan with their fiancée. The important thing is to check in often and let her know that you’re there if she needs you.
Be prepared to lend a helping hand the week of the wedding, or at least the day before. Whether you’ve had a large part in the planning or not, people are bound to ask you questions about the wedding, so try to be in the know about as much as possible. The more questions you can answer before they get to the bride means less stress for her.
Traditionally, the maid of honor is considered the go-to person for coordinating any team efforts of the bridal party. This goes both ways, and you may need to communicate the needs of the bridal party to the bride as well. Yes, you may end up feeling like a mediator at times, but you’ll be helping the experience go smoothly for everyone involved!
If you end up with too much on your plate, don’t forget to delegate tasks to the bridesmaids and groomsmen! Weddings are a team effort, and the rest of the bridal party is there to help.
The bridal shower and bachelorette party need to be planned, and it’s up to you to get the ball rolling!
When it comes to the bridal shower, there’s a good chance that the mother of the bride or another family member has something in mind. If so, you can offer to help with the shower, and in particular, you can help make sure the shower is what the bride wants. If mom is planning 12 bridal shower games and the bride has dropped a number of hints that she’s really not into that sort of thing… it might be a good idea to try to talk mom down to 2 or 3 activities max! Sometimes plans are a surprise, and your insight into what the bride wants might make you the person who can keep it a good surprise.
Pro tip: On the day of the shower, it’s really helpful if the maid of honor or one of the bridesmaids keeps a list of the gifts received, and who gave each one. It will help the couple with thank you cards later.
When it comes to the bachelorette party, though, there’s a good chance that you’ll be leading the charge! Communicate with the bridesmaids and share the tasks (see above!) and we’re sure you’ll plan a party that the bride-to-be will love!
On this day, you get to gush over your friend. Now’s your chance to speak up about all of the things you love about the bride and why your friendship is so special. Plan ahead to be sure you get to say everything you would like to. If the couple is opting for minimal speeches and you aren’t expected to give one, it’s a good idea to prepare a short toast anyways - it never hurts to have some kind words ready to share in a pinch!
In all of the wedding planning excitement, it can get easy to get caught up in party plans and pretty details. Don’t forget to check in with the bride about how things are between her and her fiancé! After all, standing up for her is mostly about showing your support for her marriage, and the marriage that follows is a whole lot more important than the wedding day.
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But, at the end of the day, there’s one thing that makes your wedding unique and memorable: you.
No two love stories are the same. The best way to make your wedding stand out from the rest is to play up the the thing that makes it unique - the personality of the couple that’s being celebrated.
It’s easy to forget that many of your guests don’t know you as well as your closest circle of friends do. By incorporating your love story and personality into your wedding, it gives your relatives and friends a chance to learn about who you are and why this wedding day is so special.
First of all, choosing a theme will keep your wedding focused on reflecting your personality. We’re not necessarily talking about hosting a giant theme party (though we do love a good Gatsby-themed wedding!); it can be as simple as choosing a design focus that is true to you. Modern and industrial? Vintage glam? Southern charm? A true-to-you theme will help keep all of your wedding decisions in tune with who you are as a couple.
Whether it’s the place you grew up, or somewhere you’ve chosen as an adult, show off your love for the city you call home. If your wedding is in that city, filling your wedding with local treats is an easy way to bring it all together. If not, subtle nods to your hometown can still be included! Street maps, city skyline photos and vintage photos make great design elements.
Invite your guests to experience one of your favourite places by holding your reception at your favourite bar, cafe or restaurant. Booking a restaurant for a private function can be surprisingly cost-effective, and not only will you be able to host your friends and family at a place you love, you’ll also be able to re-live your wedding day every time you go back to visit. Plus, choosing an atypical venue is unique and sure to leave an impression on your guests.
Your wedding menu is another great place to let your personality shine through - great food is easily one of the most memorable parts of any wedding. The ways to make your wedding food unique and personal are practically endless! You could have the restaurant that you went to on your first date cater the wedding, or have dessert provided by a cafe that’s special to you. If you’ve traveled together, choose a menu filled with food from countries you’ve travelled to, whether that’s one place or many.
Rather than simply numbering your tables, an easy way to inject some personality into your wedding is to name your tables after something you love, like places in your favourite books, characters from a video game you enjoy together, or places that are significant to your relationship, like the street name of your first home together.
Nothing creates wedding memories like warm fuzzies, and one of the best ways to help your wedding guests feel the love is to share your story with them. How did you meet? When did you know that this was “it”? What makes your love story unique? What are your hopes and dreams for your marriage?
It can feel a little self-indulgent, but hey - it’s your wedding! Your friends and family are there to celebrate you, and sharing your love story gives them touching insight to the relationship they’re celebrating.
Of course, one of the best ways to tug on your guests’ heart strings is to include your kids in your wedding. If they’re old enough, have them give a toast to you, or get them to share how they feel about the wedding.
If there are songs or bands that are special to you, be sure to include that music in your wedding! Even if it’s not typical wedding music, your DJ should be able to help you work it into the playlist, whether it’s using an acoustic version or an appropriate cover. You can even include lyrics on your wedding stationery or in your vows.
Lastly, while sharing your love story with your guests, you can also honour the love stories of your family and friends. How has your parents’ relationship inspired you? Is there a couple at your church who have shown you what it means to have a strong marriage? Maybe your best friend has been one of the biggest champions of your relationship, always believing that you two were meant to be. As they say, no man (or woman) is an island, and your wedding is the perfect place to acknowledge those who made you who you are.
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Here’s to a fun wedding, creating memories with your loved ones, and dancing the night away!
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On the other hand, we’ve all been to a wedding where you feel like a spectator watching the festivities unfold. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it begs the question:
From small gestures to activities that include everyone, here are some of our favourite ways to make your wedding guests feel involved.
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But what about those of us who have massive families, or large communities of friends that your wedding day would be incomplete without? There has to be a way to create serious cozy and intimate vibes while including a huge group of wedding guests, right?
Luckily, the things that make a tiny wedding intimate can be recreated with a little planning and a lot of love - and we know you’ve got some of that to spare!
First of all, a lot of intimacy can be created by making everyone feel involved, a task which we covered in a recent blog post - you can check out all of our ideas here.
In the same way, personalizing the experience for your guests will make each person feel like their presence is noticed and valued. Touches like handwritten notes for each guest or place cards handwritten by the couple are perfect for this. Escort cards can also have a surprisingly personal effect. Of course, it’s easier to print a large seating chart, or to have no seating arrangements whatsoever… but there’s something about being greeted at the reception with your own name on an escort card that makes a wedding guest feel special.
If the idea of hand-writing three hundred place cards makes you want to throw in the towel entirely, we understand! Luckily, the most impactful ways to make a large wedding feel intimate have to do with minor adjustments to the design of your wedding. Adjusting the layout of the room or the seating arrangements will make a big difference, without necessarily increasing your budget (or giving you carpal tunnel syndrome)!
Here are some the easiest, most impactful ways to make your wedding feel more intimate simply by how you arrange your floor plan.
When given the option, many of your wedding guests will walk in to your wedding ceremony and plant themselves somewhere near the middle or back. At a large wedding, this means that the bulk of your guests will be seated far, far away from the action.
By arranging all of the seats in a circle around the ceremony, no one is too far from the “I do”’s. Rather than feeling like a sports fan who’s stuck in the nosebleeds, each and every guest will be able to share in the intimacy of your wedding vows.
Easily one of the most intimate seating arrangements, extra-long banquet tables have a way of creating a cozy, familial feeling no matter how many people are present. An added bonus is that they look classy and dramatic, too!
If long tables aren’t an option, see if your caterer offers family-style service. Food is brought to each table for guests to share from, rather than having to head to a buffet. Passing dishes around the table makes everyone feel like family.
Sometimes the only banquet room big enough for a large wedding is one that’s actually far bigger than you need. If this is the case, why not make the room smaller? Bring your head table backdrop 25 or fifty feet forward, so that guests are closer to the action, rather than being spread out to all corners of a giant wedding venue.
It’s easy to assume that if you want a big dance party, you need a big dance floor. However, most DJs will tell you that one of the secrets to an awesome dance party is actually to keep the dance floor small. First of all, it makes the dance floor appear more full than if dancers are spread out over a huge area.
How will this affect the intimacy of your wedding? If the dance floor is too big, there’s a good chance that small groups of friends family will form all over the dance floor, with people dancing only with people they already know. When the dance floor is smaller - and therefore packed with people - your guests are forced to dance beside one another and to mix and mingle, making new friends and creating memories as a group. Don’t you want to see Grandma busting a move alongside your college friends? We thought so.
If all else fails, use candles to set the mood. Nothing makes you feel like you’re at a big sterile event like fluorescent overhead lighting! Turn those lights off, and create a cozy intimate candlelit wedding.
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The first thing you need to know about your wedding timeline is that you must hold it loosely. It is inevitable that things will take more or less time than planned, that unexpected festivities or surprises from your loved ones ay pop up, or one of your vendors is running ahead or behind schedule a little. And that's okay.
All the same, it doesn't hurt to include specific times on your timeline anyways. But the most helpful thing you can do is tell your wedding emcee or DJ which items have times that are non-negotiable.
Dinner is usually a given, as your caterer will have gone to great lengths to ensure that food is ready and hot, right at the correct time. Another important element that may be time-specific is your photographer. Are they booked until a certain time, or are they flexible with when they leave? If your photographer and videographer are going to leave at a specific time, you’ll need to decide what parts of the reception need to happen before then, in order to make sure they’re captured professionally.
Always leave buffer time, and plan more time for everything than you think it might need, especially speeches and toasts. Even if you tell each person giving a toast that they must keep it under five minutes, there’s a pretty good chance that mom and dad will get carried away and tell some misty-eyed stories and lose track of time. Don't sweat it! Sharing that moment with your loved ones is once-in-a-lifetime. Dessert can wait.
On the other hand, in the event that speeches are all shorter than the time allotted, it will mean that the timeline will move forward faster and everyone will be partying it up on the dance floor sooner. We’re definitely down with that!
Well, we can’t blame you for wanting to get out there and cut a rug as soon as possible. So how can you make your dreams of a marathon dance party a reality?
First of all, you can do speeches and toasts during dinner. This won't work if it's a buffet, as the constant flow of guests getting out of their seats will be too distracting. However, If you have a family style or plated meal, there's nothing wrong with listening to toasts while enjoying your dinner.
Speaking of dinner, we're guessing that the amazing food you spend all that time selecting is going to leave gas guess satisfied. Rather than serving dessert right away, you can go right into the speeches while guests’ bellies are nice and full. Then, once the dance party starts, it's a great time to pull out creative dessert options like s'mores bars, build-your-own-sundae tables and whatever else your heart desires.
There’s a good chance that your photographer has dreams of snapping a few intimate photos of you while the sun is dipping below the horizon and the light is warm and golden. Check online to see what time sunset will be on your wedding day, and inject a little time in the schedule to allow you to sneak outside for a few photos.
If you still have questions, don't be afraid to ask your DJ, caterer or photographer for their input. They’ve seen enough weddings with all sorts of timelines to know what to expect and they would love to help you finalize your timeline.
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The first thing you need to know about wedding traffic flow is that there are a few items that always draw a crowd.
Food, the bar, bathrooms, and a photo booth or other hands-on entertainment will have people flocking towards them, no matter what.
With that in mind, you can get to work creating a floor plan that will create the kind of celebration you’re envisioning.
What is your vision for your wedding reception? Is it a elegant and relaxed soiree, where people are spread throughout the venue enjoying themselves? Or is your dream an epic dance party where every single guest joins you on the dance floor? Let those visions inspire you as you decide how to manage the traffic flow at your wedding.
Of course, here at Rescue Flats, we’re partial to a wedding with a killer dance floor. In terms of your floor plan, if you want the dance floor to be packed, make sure it’s central.
When the dance floor is somewhere where everyone can see it, those who are still in their seats will see how much fun everyone’s having on the dance floor, and feel enticed to join in. If it’s tucked in a corner, where guests need to look over their shoulder to see it, people will be less likely to make the effort to join in on the party.
One sneaky way to ensure that the dance floor is packed is to place the dance floor somewhere that the natural flow of traffic crosses. If your guests have to cross the dance floor every time they head to or from the bar, they’ll be much more likely to join in on the fun.
If space allows, consider placing the photo booth on the edge of the dance floor. Photo booths are always surrounded by people laughing and goofing around, so it’s great when that mood overflows onto the dance floor. If guests are already on the dance floor waiting for their turn in the booth and an awesome dance song comes on, they’re bound to get their groove on.
If you’re planning a lounge area, keep it close to the dance floor! If people get into a comfy chair and they’re far away from the dance floor, it may be hard to get them back out there. Placing an eye-catching lounge area close to the dance floor will let guests catch their breath in comfort, before hopping up when the next great song comes on.
Lastly, keep the bar as close to the dance floor as possible! Guests are bound to congregate around the bar, and if they need to walk across the entire room to get to the dance floor, there’s a good chance they’ll just head back to their seat instead. It’s no secret that alcohol and dancing go hand in hand, so ensure that the traffic can flow freely from dancing to drinking - and back again!
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The first thing we need to tell you about your wedding emcee is this:
do NOT wait until the last minute to choose someone!
As we said above, good things take planning, and a wedding emcee that has to ‘wing it’ (because they haven’t had any time to plan) is not going to be the best option.
So, how do you pick the right wedding emcee?
The emcee is the first person that your guests hear from at the reception, and their mood will set the tone for the evening. Focus less on choosing someone who is funny, and more on someone who is upbeat and confident. After all, jokes can be written into the script if you want them there, but a warm personality can’t be faked!
They need to take their responsibility seriously to do a great job. Choose someone who you know you can count on to be on time and prepared. That friend who’s the life of the party may have your guests entertained, but he also has to be on top of what needs to happen next!
If you’re drawing a blank for emcee options while reading this, don’t worry - you may be able to hire someone to do the job. Many wedding DJs include emcee services in their packages, or as an add-on. Failing that, your wedding planner may be able to point you in the right direction.
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If, however, you have been able to pinpoint just the right person to take charge of your wedding reception as the emcee, we’ve put together a list of pointers for you to pass on to them. Download it now by signing up below!
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There are a few typical ways to make your grand entrance. As with all of your wedding plans, feel free to make it your own!
Option One
The first option for your grand entrance is to have the bridal party enter first as a group, and take their seats, before the newlyweds (that’s you!) follow them into the room. This is a pretty simple way to organize your grand entrance, since no one has to worry about what order your bridesmaids and groomsmen walk into the room. With this entrance, you can either have one song for everyone, or a different song for the bridal party than for the bride and groom.
Option Two
The next option, which takes a little bit more organization, is to have each member of the bridal party introduced by name as they enter the room, with the newlyweds entering last - to thunderous applause, of course! For this to work, the emcee will need to coordinate with the bridal party to ensure that everyone enters in the correct order.
Some couples even choose to include a short story about each member of the bridal party as they walk in. You can also choose a to have a separate song playing for each member (or pair) of the bridal party as they enter the room. Both of these options can be a really fun way kick off your reception!
Option Three
The absolute simplest way to make your grand entrance is to only introduce the newlyweds. For this option, the bridal party can either enter behind the couple as a group or enter casually during cocktail hour, and have already taken their seats before the grand entrance. This works especially well when the bride and groom are sitting at a sweetheart table, since the bridal party probably won’t be all heading to the same place when they enter the room.
A few tips…
Whatever option you choose, be sure to write it down and give the plan to either your emcee or DJ (or both!), since they’ll be working together to make it happen.
Choose your cue! Remember, your DJ, band - or whoever will press play on your grand entrance song - can start your grand entrance music at whichever point in the song you like. Depending on the size and layout of your venue, you may only take 15 seconds to reach the head table from the door, so it’s better to choose to start the song at its chorus or most exciting part, rather than walk in to a subdued intro and miss out on the best part of the song.
If you want to really set the tone for a fun reception, be sure to choose a really upbeat and fun grand entrance song. You and your bridal party can even dance your way into the reception rather than walking!
Some couples choose to walk into the room and straight to the dance floor to complete your first dance. This can be a super romantic way to begin the reception, but be aware that it can lead to a slow start on the dance floor, as the first dance traditionally signals that the dance floor is open. If you do choose to go this route, simply talk to your DJ about how you can kick off the dance floor with a bang - they will definitely have some ideas for this.
However you choose to enter your reception, we hope it’s the start of your best night ever!
]]>When it comes to the big day, we can’t think of a better time to focus on celebrating your bridesmaids. They won’t be expecting it - our guess is that they’re focusing on celebrating you! However, you’ve got an entire day with your girls by your side, so why not show them some love?
Here are some ideas on how to celebrate your bridesmaids on your wedding day:
Start your day by thanking them for being there for you, and getting pumped to spend the whole day celebrating together.
While we just love the look of matching floral kimonos for getting ready, consider going the extra mile and getting your bridesmaids gifts that are unique to their personality or your relationship with them.
Tap into some of that high-school nostalgia and pass them a note while you’re getting ready. Take the time to write out what you love about them, and why you’re grateful for their friendship. We don’t do this often enough!
Perhaps we’re biased, but giving your bridesmaids a pair of flats to keep in their purse on the big day means that they can slip out of their heels whenever they need to. They’re just as good for in between bridal party photos as they are on the dance floor!
Write out introductions for each bridesmaid that your emcee will read out, or introduce them personally. Remember that many of your family members won’t know your bridal party or why they’re important to you, so this is a great time to brag about how awesome your girls are. Don’t forget to acknowledge their achievements and milestones! Weddings have a way of overshadowing everything else, so it’s a great time to step out of the spotlight for a moment to acknowledge your friend’s recent promotion, educational achievement or personal milestone.
To keep the party rolling for your bridesmaids, let the bartenders know that they have ‘skip-the-line’ privileges.
You know what song will make your bridesmaids go crazy on the dance floor. Pre-request their favourite songs, and have the DJ give them a shoutout when he/she plays their song.
If a take-home service is included in your limousine booking, but you and your new spouse are staying at the same hotel as your reception, get your bridesmaids home safe and sound in the limo. Better yet, book a hotel room for your girls. They’ll be able to party all night, knowing that they’ve got the perfect place to crash.
]]>Nearly every single guest who took a pair of Rescue Flats told me how thoughtful of a wedding favor it was. It really meant a lot as the impression we wanted to leave our guests with was how much we appreciated them as people who have been a major part of our lives and who we are. It was a small token to show our appreciation to the people we cared for most.
]]>Sophia and Sam were married in New York. Here, Sophia shares the importance of staying true to what you really want when planning your wedding, their Rescue Flats display details, and why they chose Rescue Flats over flip flops.
Your Names:
Sophia & Sam
Wedding Location:
New York City (Tribeca 360)
Photo Credits: Shira Weinberger Photography
We wanted to make sure our wedding had a chic, sophisticated, and elegant feel. We focused on keeping colors neutral and timeless (white, black, and silver) and focused on décor that was chic. Our dress code was black-tie in keeping with the elevated feel, but at the end of the day we wanted everyone to have fun. Our band, the MCs (who were two great friends of ours) and the speeches (there were 8!) really set the fun, warm, and sophisticated mood. I had a few guests tell me afterwards they felt it was like the Oscars, which really meant everyone had a great time celebrating with us.
Seeing everyone we loved and cared for in one room and getting to celebrate with them.
Do whatever your heart desires. There are a lot of moving parts and people involved, but at the end of the day, you’ll be the one left reminiscing about your big day, and so long as you stay true to what you want for your special day, you’ll never go wrong.
I had seen at previous weddings I attended, people give out flip-flops for people to continue to dance the night away. As I wanted a more sophisticated look for my wedding, and the after-party was at a club after (actually the club my husband and I met at!), we wanted to encourage everyone to party on, but to not get denied entry because of their footwear. I scoured the internet for a great solution, and Rescue Flats kept coming up. Rescue Flats were the most complete package for me. It was easy to just order a box, and have a suggested number given to me based on the number of guests I had. It was really one of the easiest decisions I made, and in planning my wedding, that was a HUGE benefit.
We provided everyone with a box of 3 Laduree macarons that had our initials S&S on them for them to take home and enjoy at the end of the evening.
We used the boxed displays and they were lined up on a table right in front of a decal that included out initials and our hashtag. We used our own custom tags that also included our S&S logo as well as “Thank You” which we added to the string part of the heel bags. It worked out perfectly.
My husband had more reservations that I did. However, after he saw them, and noticed how many guests used them (we were left with only 3 afterwards!), he realized how much value they were for our guests.
Nearly every single guest who took a pair of Rescue Flats told me how thoughtful of a wedding favor it was. It really meant a lot as the impression we wanted to leave our guests with was how much we appreciated them as people who have been a major part of our lives and who we are. It was a small token to show our appreciation to the people we cared for most.
As mentioned above, they loved it and thought it was an incredibly smart and thoughtful gift.
There is no doubt, your guests will love these and it was very easy to order, display, and use. One of the easier decisions to make!
We loved all of our vendors!
Venue: Tribeca 360
Florist: Bride & Blossom
Hotel: The Beekman Hotel
Photographer: Shira Weinberger Photography
Decals: IDoWeddingDecals
Videographer: The Candi Project (watch the video here)
Music: Reception Band (The Karen Lloyd Band from Hank Lane), Cocktail Hour Jazz Band (Nightingale Jazz Band), and Ceremony Pianist (Sunny Choi)
Invitations: Custom-made by Love by Phoebe (based in Vancouver, Canada) & Calligraphy by Letterlust Designs (Tanya Troung – also based in Vancouver)
Wedding Favors: Laduree Soho NY Additional Décor: (S&S wooden sign and Seating Chart): Jules and Jenn Designs
]]>After all of the planning that’s gone into your wedding, of course you want your guests to enjoy your reception as long as possible. But how do you make your reception last all night long? We’ve got a few pro tips for you!
Timeline
A well-planned timeline is one of the best ways to keep your celebration going on into the wee hours. We highly recommend consulting with a wedding planner to create the best timeline possible!
Ultimately the perfect wedding timeline will strike a balance - it’s best to have a timeline that flows well (it keeps things moving!), but doesn’t rush through the festivities. Avoid lulls in your timeline, so guests don’t start to get bored. If they’re left waiting for something exciting to happen, they’re likely to start thinking about leaving.
Having a printed program for each guest or a timeline posted on an easel can help keep guests informed about everything the night has to offer, and they’ll stick around to experience it. Your emcee or DJ can also announce what’s to come. If guests know that there’s a delicious late lunch on the way or a sparkler exit to be part of, they’ll want to be there for it.
Comfort
It won’t surprise you to hear that we think that keeping your guests comfortable is super important. After all, that’s the whole reason we created Rescue Flats! We know that comfortable guests are free to enjoy themselves and dance the night away.
It’s not just comfortable feet that keep guests at a party, though. Ensuring that there are plenty of food and drinks available is one of the best ways to keep your guests’ feeling great.
It’s also important to ensure that your venue is a pleasant temperature. Too hot, and people won’t be able to stay on the dance floor for long; too cold and they’ll be thinking of getting home and tucking into a warm bed. Fans or mist bottles can be great for hot climates, and there is no shortage of cute ways to keep your guests cozy at a winter or cool-weather wedding!
If your friends are the type who will definitely be Instagramming all of the action, keep them happy by providing a charging station. They’ll be able to stay on the dance floor without worrying about ordering an Uber before their phone dies. And you’ll get even more photos posted with your wedding hashtag - everyone wins!
Entertainment
Guests are bound to stay all night if there are fun things to keep them entertained. Photo booths are one of the best types of wedding entertainment - it’s definitely a wedding trend that isn’t going anywhere! Most photo booths offer unlimited prints, so guests can keep thinking of funny ways to use it throughout the night… and we can guarantee that they’ll get more and more ‘creative’ as the night goes on (and as the drinks keep flowing!).
Lawn games for an outdoor reception can also provide great entertainment, as well as special musical performances or flair bartending.
Party all night!
Lastly, the absolute most important factor in making your reception last all night long… is that the newlyweds are celebrating all night long! You’re the guests of honor, and the reason that everyone has gathered. Your guests will be looking to you for cues on how to celebrate - you are truly the life of the party. If you spend most of the night sitting at tables and chatting, there’s a good chance that your guests will too.
So if you want an epic dance party, get on the dance floor! Try not too spend too much time outside of the reception. If you have to leave for photos or to get a bit of fresh air, try to keep it brief. If your guests think you’ve left for the night, they’ll follow suit.
It also helps a lot to greet each guest personally at some point, whether it’s in a receiving line, or visiting each table during dinner. If guests haven’t been able to greet you personally, they may feel disconnected from the party, and feel like they can leave early without being noticed.
We hope your reception lasts well into the night! For more tips on having an awesome wedding reception, check out these posts:
Just being able to provide something for people at the wedding that made them feel like we had thought of everything and they were taken care of! I didn't want them to feel like they had to leave for one second to go up to their room to change shoes!
]]>Tanya and Richie were married on October 14th, 2016 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Here Tanya shares how they made their guests feel welcome and their wedding feel intimate, their Rescue Flats display details, and their advice on how to share your wedding vision with your vendors.
Your Names: Tanya & Richie
Wedding Location: Four Seasons - Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Photo Credits: Pen / Carlson
We wanted people to feel like they were witnessing a story as it was being told, so we encouraged guests to live in the moment and soak up all the details we meticulously planned that make for good storytelling later. We also wanted the weekend to celebrate not just us, but also all of the people who had had an impact on our lives before each other and together as a couple. Every guest was a character in our story we told that weekend.
The overall look and feel of our wedding was Old Hollywood glamour coupled with Old Western masculinity. The color scheme was black and copper with hints of antique gold and blush. Our wedding did not have any one theme but rather combined many that tell the story of us.
When Richie and I took our photos together before the wedding, it was like we were finally at peace. The planning and events leading up to that moment had been years in the making, and you can even tell by the expression on our faces how much relief we felt to finally be there, celebrating us. With the mountains in the back, it was just us in our place. So much of the wedding had been about celebrating everyone in our lives, but that moment was just about us.
Your vendors are not mind readers! Just because your vendors are fabulous at what they do, doesn’t mean they know exactly what you’re looking for unless you tell them. If you have a specific vision in your head about how something should be – make sure that they understand it by getting it down on paper with inspirational photos to back it up. Don’t be afraid to be specific and particular.
I always bring flats to a wedding to dance in later and sometimes that can be a pain if you don't have a purse big enough to put them in that works with your dress! I wanted our guests to bring just themselves in a fancy outfit and nothing else, so we provided the rest!
Oh my, yes!
Our Party Provisions table featured sunglasses, Rescue Flats and heel bags, cigars with custom “Hartman” labels I ordered from Etsy, and matchboxes that I decoupaged with a few of our favorite Paris engagement photos.
Since we were planning to be outside, we had brought brown and white faux fur blankets to be draped on the back of the ceremony chairs. The blankets featured tags I made using linen and our wedding logo stamp. To each blanket was a note I printed encouraging guests to give the blankets a little love and then donate them in their community to “spread the love we feel tonight” – a nod to our processional song: “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”
Our welcome boxes were one of my favorite elements of the wedding and I think really helped set the tone for the weekend the way that our invitations did. We took a lot of care making sure that guests had a little bit of everything they could need and a LOT of information. No one was going to be left in the dark! The welcome box was intended to be part of the experience of arriving in Jackson, so each part was carefully orchestrated to require a couple extra seconds to unpack.
Yes - we definitely used the box! Since I gave out about 15 pairs to my bridesmaids and family before the wedding so I knew they'd have them, we were able to get the rest all into one box. We had our own signs made and they were displayed on our Party Provisions table.
They were so pretty - and worked with my colors perfectly that I never looked back! What I liked most was the color and the nice display box that was organized by size. I also LOVED the heel bags - a great touch.
Just being able to provide something for people at the wedding that made them feel like we had thought of everything and they were taken care of! I didn't want them to feel like they had to leave for one second to go up to their room to change shoes!
LOVED them! There have been a few of my friends who have given out flip flops - but this wedding was so much more formal that the Rescue Flats were the perfect alternative to that. In fact, I wish I would have gotten more. I was amazed at how quickly they were taken from the table.
Make sure to follow them and get their newsletters so you know when they're having a sale. And be sure to get a pair for every woman at your party - because EVERYone is going to want a pair!
Venue: Four Seasons Jackson Hole
Event Coordinator: Lindsey Nickel, Lovely Day Events
Photographer: Pen / Carlson
Florals: Lily & Co.
Bridal Dress Shop: La Jeune Mariee
Bridal Dress: Legends Romona Keveza
At midnight, the plan was to play a last dance and then an encore! We figured everyone would want just one more song before heading to the after party on the terrace to wind down. Well, instead of everyone chanting “One More Song” – everyone started chanting “One More Hour!” No one wanted the party to end. That’s the beauty of everyone staying at the place where you’re hosting the event – guests can be carefree and make the celebration really last.
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Rescue Flats let everyone cut loose during the ceremony! We had a bubble gun exit where everyone was dancing and I’m glad everyone could really dance around and not worry about tripping or getting bubble soap on their shoes.
]]>Angela and Roberto were married last fall in San Antonio. Here Angela shares why they had their wedding the week of Thanksgiving, their Rescue Flats display details, and their best wedding planning advice.
Your Names:
Angela & Roberto
Wedding Location:
The Hotel Emma - San Antonio, Texas
Photo Credits: Wedding Photographer Allison Jeffers
We chose the week of Thanksgiving for our wedding because we wanted to start our life by sharing what we are thankful for with the people we are thankful to. Pumpkins and pomegranates overflowed from the tables to the ceremony instead of traditional flower arrangements. We opted for 4 long dining tables instead of small round tables so everyone felt equally welcome. It was important to us that our first family dinner was fun and comfortable with food people would enjoy, so we served dinner family style! We got engaged in Italy and we wanted to incorporate that moment so we served our favorite wine from that trip at our reception.
I loved how every moment of our wedding reflected who we are as individuals and as a couple. Like every part of our wedding, my husband and I wanted the ceremony to be personal. We chose to have a short ceremony officiated by my Aunt. We kept the identity of the officiant a secret and it was a really wonderful moment when she came out and surprised everyone. Our dog, Gardener, walked my sister down the aisle (another fun surprise) and wore a garland around his harness in lieu of a boutonniere.
Always do what makes you and your fiancée happy, even if others accuse you of flouting tradition. The first day of your life with your partner is an amazing celebration and the only de rigueur at your wedding should be doing what makes you happy.
I saw Rescue Flats featured on The Knot Instagram page. At previous weddings, I noticed when couples provide flip flops they didn’t tend to get used because they are hard to dance in and don’t match the formal wear. Rescue Flats look great with women’s formal wear and come with a heel bag to keep your occasion shoes protected.
We had a caricature artist, Erica Missey, do caricatures of our guests instead of having a photo booth. My husband and I had a caricature done on our engagement trip in Italy and this was another element we brought back from Italy to our wedding.
We displayed the flats on an elegant farm table decorated with the bridal bouquets and an acrylic sign my dad designed reading, “Shall We Dance, A Little Treat for Your Tired Feet”.
I knew instantly that I wanted Rescue Flats for my wedding. The happiness and comfort of our guests was the most important thing to us and I knew these would be practical and would not detract from the décor or theme. Plus, I love anything gold!
Rescue Flats let everyone cut loose during the ceremony! We had a bubble gun exit where everyone was dancing and I’m glad everyone could really dance around and not worry about tripping or getting bubble soap on their shoes.
Everyone loved them! No one had seen them before and they were such a hit that my aunt bought two boxes the next week for my cousins wedding!
Rescue flats are perfect. They get people talking and dancing!
We had a blast on our day because we planned what we liked. Including our dog, elements of our engagement trip, a custom family crest, a family member as the officiant, a cake that wasn’t white (gasp!) and bubble guns (double gasp!) made us happy. Our wedding was as unique as we are; and because we had fun, so did all of our guests!