Thank you notes...The Who what when & how's?

Greeting's blog family!
As I come to the close of yet another busy wedding season, I pondered how many of my couples remembered to send out thank your cards to their guests thanking them for their presence, gifts and overall thoughtfulness. This got me to thinking..hmmmm.. I wonder if they even know the proper etiquette regarding Thank you cards. Well if you have ever worked with me you know that I am all about Proper Etiquette so I thought this would be an appropiate time to share my good old friend Emily Post's tips regarding this subject.


When should notes be written ? ... I am soo glad that you asked this question! Let's ask Emily!

Contrary to popular myth, the happy couple does not have a year’s grace period. All thank you notes should be written within three months of the receipt of the gift. Ideally, a response should be written on the day you receive a wedding gift. If that’s not possible, set a daily goal. It’s a lot easier to write three or four notes a day than to have to write a hundred notes in a month after the wedding!

On to the next question..What type of Stationary should I use?

First of all, stationery is the operative word here: No fill-in-the-blank cards, no pre-printed cards, no phone calls, no emails and PLEASE no generic post on your website!

Tannie..Do I have to send everyone a note that attended my wedding or just the ones that gave me a gift? Wow...I am so glad that I have you thinking..Great question! Here is the answer to this one! This is along list so get ready!!

• Anyone who gives you an engagement, shower or wedding gift, even if you have thanked them in person.
• Individual notes should be written to people who contributed to a group gift.
• Anyone who gives a gift of money: cash, checks, contributions to savings accounts and donations to charities. Mentioning the amount is optional, but it does let the person know the correct amount was received. You should mention what you plan to do with the money.
• Your attendants. A warm personal note attached to your gifts to your attendants will let them know how much you appreciate their efforts and support on your behalf.
• Anyone who hosted a party or shower for you. Ideally these notes should be written within two days of the event. Each host or hostess should be thanked individually with a note and a thank you gift.
• People who house or entertain your wedding guests. A note and a small gift should be sent to anyone who houses or entertains out-of-town wedding guests.
• People who do kindnesses for you. The neighbor who accepts delivery of your gifts when you are at work; the cousin who supervises the parking at the reception – anyone who assists you before, during or after your wedding.
• Suppliers and vendors. You don’t have to write everyone you hire for services, but anyone who exceeds your expectations will appreciate a courteous note of thanks.
• And lastly but certainly not least.....Drumroll please.......Your parents or whoever is hosting your wedding.

In closing I would like to list the top 10 D0's & Don'ts in writing thank you cards:(in no particular order)

1. Do personalize your notes and make reference to the person as well as the gift.
2. Do remember that a gift should be acknowledged with the same courtesy and generous spirit in which it was given.
3. Do be enthusiastic, but don’t gush. Avoid saying a gift is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen unless you really mean it.
4. Don’t send form letters or cards with printed messages and just your signature; don’t use email or post a generic thank you on your wedding web site in lieu of a personal note.
5. Do promptly acknowledge the receipt of shipped gifts by sending a note right away or calling and following up with a written note in a day or two.
6. Don’t mention that you plan to return a gift or that you are dissatisfied in any way.
7. Don’t tailor your note to the perceived value of the gift; no one should receive a perfunctory note.
8. Do refer to the way you will use a gift of money. Mentioning the amount is optional.
9. Don’t include wedding photos or use photo cards if it will delay sending the note.
10. Don’t use being late as an excuse not to write. Even if you are still sending notes after your first anniversary, keep writing!

Source: http://www.emilypost.com/weddings/etiquette/postings/wedding_thankyous.htm

Business as Usual!

Good morning blog family!
I hope that you enjoyed our guest blogger, LaKeisha Cotton Johnson. She was great and I promised this will not be the last time you guys hear from her! I think we will keep her around for a few follow up blogs. just to see how married life is treating her.

Now that I am back I am refreshed and ready to blog. I have some great topics to discuss so please stay tuned.

GREETINGS BLOG FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!!!I AM MARRIED!!!

The wedding was absolutely beautiful... Tannie and I attempted to log in and blog while I was getting ready, but it was too much going on at the moment. The wedding ceremony went by extremely fast and everything was GORGEOUS. I want to thank Tannie, Keisha with Keisha's Kreations, Jay and Aubrey with 4 sale by Photo, Cake Affairs, Sebrina with Always Floral, Gerald Blacher the DJ, LeJardin for a wonderful venue, and Monarch Limousines for our wonderful departure car. I want to especially thank my parents for all they have done and my bridal party. This would not have happened without all these important people.

I have enjoyed blogging for the past week and I want to thank Tannie for giving me the opportunity. I hope my words were encouraging and hopefully you can avoid some of the issues that I had to encounter during my planning process. Happy Wedding planning and now I need to get back to my Husband....yes that's right....my Husband...

It's been fun!

GREETINGS BLOG FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!IT'S WEDDING DAY BLOG FAMILY.

I apologize for not blogging yesterday, but I had a lot of things going on. I got my hair done, my nails done, had a wonderful rehearsal last night, and a great rehearsal dinner. All my family is here and it has been great. I woke up this morning, went to the spa, and just finished eating breakfast with my bridesmaids. Now....I am relaxing. I just had a wonderful conversation with my husband-to -be............he is sooooo sweet. I am excited and I cannot wait.......I have wonderful news......I was just informed by Tannie that I will be blogging up until I walk down the aisle........(how great is that)...Up to the minute coverage.....

Until wedding time blog family......... Lets get it!

GREETINGS BLOG FAMILY!!!!!!

THE COUNTDOWN

DAY 2

Blog Family......I have two days left until MY BIG DAY.........I can tell you that I will have a lot of things going on in the next couple of days.....starting today. I will try and update the blog up until the day of with information on what I am doing. Today, I am at work for a half a day because more people are on their way to Houston and I find peace in my office. Lionel and I were able to complete 75 of the 250 favors that we have to make........Pray for us....I have my bridesmaids coming to help me tonight. Our goal is to have them done before rehearsal tomorrow night. I just received a phone call from the limousine guy asking if we were still getting married. Of course I told him "Yes," but he stated that he just wanted to make sure that I didn't hit Lionel over the head..........(too funny). I had to contact Al's formal wear this morning because we had a suite issue, but all is well now. We are just praying that all the suits come back in the right color and the right size........(that would be a disaster if they don't )........Please continue to pray for the rain to stop..................(rain would not be a good thing)... I want to end this blog with a letter to my single life......(when you are engaged and you are filling out a form, there is not a box that states "engaged".....you are either married or single).....so like I said.......to my single life....

Dear Single Life,

I am sure going to miss you! We have been through a lot together. I will try to forget the bad times, but I will never forget the good times. It is time for me to move on now because I have found the man that God created for me. Please don't be sad, I am almost certain that there are many others in the world that will enjoy you as much as I have. Until we meet again....which hopefully will be never, I wish you all the best.

LaKeisha

Until tomorrow Blog Family..... It's been fun..

GREETINGS BLOG FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The picture today is of a person that means the world to me, my mother. I would have posted a picture of my parents together, but my father isn’t really a picture person. My parents have been married for 29 years and my fiancé and I look up to them for guidance and as an example.



MONEY….MONEY…….MONEY…..WHO PAYS FOR THIS FAB WEDDING?

Blog family this is a very sensitive topic for me because it’s a lot of preconceived notions about who is supposed to pay for the wedding. In the past, the bride’s parents would pay for the wedding and the groom’s parents would pay for the rehearsal dinner. Now a day, the bride and groom pay for their own wedding. I have always dreamed of having a huge wedding and my father has known this for years. What father wouldn’t want to pay for his daughter to get married? As I stated earlier, I love my parents unconditionally and I didn’t want to put the burden of paying for my wedding on them, but of course, my father could not contain himself. My fiancé and I sat down with my parents and we divided up who was going to pay for what. Of course, my fiancé and I got the biggest chunk, but we were able to handle it. My parents have been wonderful! When I added things, I would ask my daddy and he would get it for me……(you may say I’m spoiled, but I don’t agree). My parents are even paying for the rehearsal dinner…..(some of you may be asking where does the groom’s parents fit into the equation). My fiancé father has been deceased for years and he was raised by his father’s side of the family. He never really had a close relationship with his mother. Well, blog family, my fiancé mother lives in Houston and they have an okay relationship…(lets just say it is different). When we told her we were getting married, she was happy. My problem is she hadn’t paid for anything nor has she offered to help with anything in regards to the wedding. Now I understand that some people are not able, but at least offer to do something even if it does not require money. His mother and I have an okay relationship…I am cordial (that’s really all I can say), but don’t come to me asking to add people to the list, asking why a particular person didn’t get an invitation, asking why kids are not allowed at the wedding, or asking why a list is going to be at the door, if you have not paid for anything (now I know I am speaking the truth)? The main people that complain and the main people that have an issue with everything is those who hadn’t put a penny……….that’s right……..a penny towards anything. To be honest with you, I was not expecting anything from her. It just saddens me to see my fiancé face because he is so embarrassed. He wishes that she would at least be involved a little bit, but she hasn’t. When he asked her if she would pay for something (and this was just a test), she said that it’s not her job and that my parents were suppose to pay for everything……….Oh blog family, I became angered, but as I stated yesterday, don’t sweat the small stuff. I do appreciate his father’s side of the family because they sent money to help out and we didn’t even ask them (that’s a blessing). These people has never met me in person, just phone conversations and they just up and decided to send us some money to help pay for the wedding. I hear my fiancé talk to his friends and say that his mother’s side of the family has not offered to pay for anything nor help with anything. At my bridal shower, they were there for about 30 minutes if that and then they left. Then they had the nerve to say that they were not acknowledged when they walked in……….(what did they want? An announcer to say their names?....Yeah right). My fiancé has a better relationship with my parents then he has with his own family. It’s sad, but we are able to manage. I try to encourage him that he cannot change the way they are……..me, I just don’t go around too often……The moral of the story is don’t expect anything from those who just don’t get it. It’s not worth it…

POINTS TO REMEMBER:
-Don’t expect anything from those who just don’t get it. It’s not worth it
-Don’t sweat the small stuff..
-Budget is the key….sit down and plan who is going to pay for what…I promise it will make things easier.
-REMEMBER…….to check the blog everyday for my wonderful words!


THE COUNTDOWN

DAY 3

OMG!!!!!!!!Blog Family………….3 days and counting… I am so excited and ready for the festivities to begin. Tannie called me yesterday stating that she is revamping the table arrangements. Fine by me, I trust her. Guests are already starting to arrive in Houston….WOW already? Could they have waited a couple of days? All my hotel accommodations are booked. Tannie and I didn’t realize that the rooms would go that fast. We actually had to add rooms to my wedding room block…(It’s great to be loved!). Today………….Blog Family………….is my fiancé birthday. I want to wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY….what a wonderful way to end his birthday week with a wedding. Also, my mommy birthday is Friday….we are going to celebrate real BIG this weekend..


Until tomorrow Blog Family……….It’s been fun.

GREETINGS BLOG FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The picture posted is of my bridal party and I really like this picture. We were so coordinated with the exception of two people……..(some people just don’t get it). This picture was taken at my “Lipstick Jungle Bridal Shower”



BRIDESMAIDS…….THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY!!!!

If any bride has had major issues with bridesmaids, Its been me! I originally started with 10 bridesmaids, but now I am down to 8 (not my fault of course). You realize a vast amount of things when you are getting married. One of the most important realizations that I learned is everyone that you think is happy for you, are not really happy for you. These certain individuals will try to do whatever they can to ruin your special day (HATERS…..enough said).Another realization that I learned is that I have very few close friends. I have a lot of associates, but only a few can be actually called friends. I now know that you have to be very careful about who you call a friend. Now, I am not a bridezilla, but I am not going to let you control what happens at MY wedding. I admit that I did have some demands for my bridesmaids, but they were few, far, and between. I was considerate because I know that we are in a recession (this word really is overused) and they were allowed to pay for things over a long time span. Bridesmaids were informed up front that if they had any issues, communication is key. Tell me about it, I promise we could have worked some things out. Bridesmaids were dismissed from my wedding because of non communication and because one was just messy. I will not get into specific details about the bridesmaids that were dismissed from my wedding because they may be reading this blog and once again I AM NOT MESSY. If you are reading this and you were apart of my bridal party, I wish you all the best in your life endeavors, there are no hard feelings. I love you and God Loves you.


“WELCOME TO THE LIPSTICK JUNGLE”

My sister and mother had the pleasure of hosting my bridal shower. My sister came to me one day and asked me what I wanted the theme of my bridal shower to be. I told her that I had some colors in my head, but I didn’t have a theme. It came to me in a dream that zebra print and fuscha pink would go great together. I immediately called Tannie for a theme and we brainstormed for about 10 minutes and came up with “Lipstick Jungle.” When I gave my sister and mother the theme and the color scheme, they ran with it. Everything was zebra and pink, balloons, invitations, table décor, etc… My bridesmaids even wore fuscha pink. Guests were given special made boxes with zebra and pink that included things that you would need to survive in the lipstick jungle (zebra tissue, bottled water, hand sanitizer, candy, and lipstick). Cupcakes were even specially made for this occasion by Ann with Kakes Xcetera……….thanks Ann, the cupcakes were a huge hit. Ann even made a cupcake stand with zebra around it (It was so cute and creative). Don’t believe me, see for yourself. Pictures posted below. Enjoy!

POINTS TO REMEMBER:
-Know that people are not always happy for you when you announce that you are getting married (especially if they are in the wedding)
-Be careful of who you call a “friend.” (they may not be much of a friend in the long run)
-Don’t sweat the small stuff, just kick them out. I promise they can be replaced. The wedding will go on with or without them.
-Have a wonderful bridal shower and enjoy yourself!
-REMEMBER to check the blog everyday for my wonderful words!



THE COUNTDOWN:

DAY 4

It’s getting closer and the excitement continues to build. I am so ready because it has been a long 19 months of planning. My fiancé is being very secretive about something…….(hmmmmmmmm) Yesterday when I spoke with him, he told me that he was doing something for me, but he wouldn’t tell me what. I LOVE GIFTS….and he knows that. He refuses to tell me what it is………but, I will be sure to let you know when I know. People continue to call me and ask can they be added to the list….You know my response was “NO.” Why would you call me and ask me the week of the wedding if you can come now? You couldn’t come then, so what has changed? Nothing on my end has changed and therefore the answer is no. Blog family we all need to join together and pray for those who do not understand. Also we need to pray to GOD that it does not rain on my BIG DAY……


Until tomorrow Blog Family. It’s been fun!