The First Impression

You've found the person you love, picked a wedding venue, and selected a date. Now it's time to invite guests to your wedding! As you embark on this task, you'll quickly find out there's a whole new set of wedding invitation etiquette to learn. Sending out wedding invitations brings up all sorts of questions, from when to send wedding invitations to dealing with not inviting children. 

While TWW Events doesn't offer invitation services, we often refer our clients to a partner vendor, like Jill of Page + Parcel, who has a passion for all things paper. We love collaborating with her on wedding stationery that include save the dates, invitation suites, menus, escort cards, signage and so much more! 

To help take the guesswork out of choosing and ordering your wedding stationery, we've teamed up with Page + Parcel to answer some common (and often anxiety-inducing!) questions about the entire process.

Photographer: Gretchen Wakeman Photography

When should we send our save the dates and invitations?

Traditionally, save the dates are mailed 4-6 months in advance, with invitations going out around 6-8 weeks before the wedding date. So when is the right time to order invitations? I’ve found that 4 months before your wedding is the sweet spot for ordering. If you plan to mail your invites 2 months before your wedding, ordering them 4 months in advance leaves us with 2 months for design and production. Make sure to allow extra time to address the envelopes if you're handwriting them, or sending them off to a calligrapher. That may sound like a long time, but keep in mind that it can take up to 4 weeks for just the printing portion. Planning a destination wedding or inviting a good amount of out of town guests? You’ll want to start your order about a month earlier.

Occasionally we can hurry the process along, but it’s best to take your time. You don’t want to be rushed when you’re reviewing proofs. I know from experience that the quicker you try to do something, the more likely you are to overlook an important detail, miss a typo, or even approve the wrong quantity!

How long should we give our guests to RSVP?

The general rule of thumb is to set your RSVP date for 4 weeks after you mail the invitations, giving your guests time to receive the invite and send back their response. For a local wedding, with very few guests coming in from out-of-town, set your RSVP date for 4 weeks before your wedding date, allowing up to six weeks to RSVP. Wedding RSVP etiquette for destination dictates starting earlier. Request your RSVPs back 6-7 weeks before the wedding date. This will also give you a little extra time to track down people you haven't heard from to ensure everyone is accounted for.

Can we add our wedding website information to the invitation?

Absolutely! Your guests will be excited to see it! You can include the information right on the invitation, or you can add a separate card to the invitation suite that lists the website.

Can we include our registry information on the invitation?

I highly advise against it. It's considered in poor taste to include registry information your on your wedding invitation. You should, however, include the registry information on your wedding website.

What if we don't want to invite kids?

When a guest receives an invitation, they should not assume their children are invited unless the invitation is addressed to the whole family (i.e. The Anderson Family) or the children's names are specifically listed on the invitation. You are more than welcome to include a notation within your invitation suite that your wedding is an "adult-only celebration". If you want to have an adults-only wedding and a lot of your guests have children, you can consider hiring a babysitter to watch all the children while the parents enjoy the wedding so you still enjoy a kid-free reception and your guests won't need to scramble for a sitter. If you will be offering childcare services, note it on your wedding website so your guests can plan accordingly.

Photographer: Stephanie Heymann Photography

Should we invite guests we know can't come?

Once you've gone through the trouble of setting a wedding date, it can be a bummer to find out a friend or family member can't make it. However, if it's a guest you know will appreciate the gesture of receiving an invitation and will like having one as a memento, you should still formally invite them to be there with you to celebrate. Chances are they'll be thrilled to hear the details and will want to send you a gift, and that link to your wedding website will make finding your registry that much easier.

Any final words of wisdom to clients just about to start the process?

Many couples order their initial wedding suite of invitations, response cards, envelopes, and inserts and then forget the day-of paper goods until the last minute. Make sure to keep in mind table numbers, menu cards, ceremony programs, as well as thank you cards following the big day.

Oh, and a BIG pro tip.... don't guess on postage for your invitations! Take an entire assembled set to the post office to determine accurate postage before buying stamps! Don't forget, you'll need to stamp your RSVP envelopes too!

Photographer: Tara Nichole Photo

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Real Wedding // Tulika + Ashok

In the midst of all the planning and details, it's easy to forget what a wedding is really about: two people—and two families—becoming one. And when that union involves embracing tradition and culture with open arms, our romance-loving hearts get a little weak. Then when we saw the stunning images, we just about hit cloud nine. Prepare to fall in love.

The wedding weekend kicked off with a traditional Sangeet ceremony at the Hampton Inn, with the wedding reception held at the Wigwam.

Photography // Ushna Khan Photography
Videographer // Ben and Bluebird
Day of Coordination // TWW Events
Caterer // Ruchi
Cake // Lin's Bakery
DJ // In-The-Mix Entertainment

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The Emotion Factor

With so much happening on your wedding day, it’s inevitable that many of the details may be a blur. You’ve spent months organizing this incredibly special day and chances are you’ll fly right through it. You won’t see your mother-in-law shed a tear while you’re saying your vows. You might not see your parents dancing cheek-to-cheek while you’re mingling with guests. But a videographer can capture these moments on film, and allow you to watch them as though you were really there, and see even more moments than you were able to on your wedding day. Whether you want a documentary style video, or highlight reels and social media clips, a professional videographer creates a beautiful keepsake that lets you relive the magic of the day in living color. 

We've partnered up with Esthetics in Motion to help couples who might be on the fence about hiring a videographer realize there's more to a video than just capturing movement and sound.   

How long have you been a videographer?

Esthetics In Motion has been filming weddings since 2001. We started in Rochester, NY and transitioned out to Phoenix in 2004 and since then have been shooting weddings all over Arizona!

How would you describe your style?

We have seen the wedding industry evolve so much since 2001. Even then we were the company trying to separate ourselves from some of the bad stigmas cheesy wedding videography had from the 80s and 90s that carried into the 2000s. We would always make a point to stay on top of things with a progressive style and stand out. Luckily we our out of the era of bad video and into and era with the he ability to wedding stories with amazing imagery. We strive to push our creatives and make our films as unique to the couple and day as possible. Our approach is to offer modern and affordable cinematography with story in mind. Instead of simply just capturing random moments, we always aim to tell the story of the day through cinematic coverage paired with a documentary style to represent the day.  We love the process of seeing what content the day delivers to us and crafting a meaningful and aesthetically pleasing film from those moments.

What equipment do you use?

We use a variety of HD/4K cameras along with wireless microphones, audio recorders, lighting and modern editing software. Our goal is to use equipment that leaves a small footprint so we are not too distracting, but are still able to get the job done well. While equipment is important, we are firm believers that it’s the experience behind the equipment that matters. Wedding days move fast and there are a lot of moving parts. You can have the best quality camera but if you don’t have the skills and experience to capture the day properly then none of the quality matters! We guarantee if it came down to it our clients would rather have an amazing, story driven video and footage of all their events in standard definition versus 50% of their day missing but with 4K quality! Luckily we offer great quality and make sure to capture all the right moments, so we have that covered!

Do you suggest a second shooter?

Having a second shooter is definitely beneficial, but not always necessary. We highly suggest a second shooter if the day consists of multiple locations or the bride and groom are getting ready at different locations at once. You will also benefit from having a second shooter since you are getting more value and coverage of your day and allowing us to be two places at once to maximize coverage. We understand it’s not always in the budget so we give options with and without a second shooter.

How many hours do you recommend?

Our minimum on location coverage is 5 hours for, however we’d say the ideal amount of hours is the 8-10 range. We always suggest having us capture the getting ready moments and the first look if couples are doing that. When you factor in the time for that and taking us through all the main reception events plus some open dancing/partying for the highlights, 8-10 hours is usually ideal. We offer collections for 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours, although we can customize depending on the timeline for the day.

Approximately how much are your services?

Our services generally range from $1800-$3950+. We have our standard collections and we can also customize the collections to better fit the day. Our standard collections are a good starting point and our clients can adjust accordingly based off of those if needed.

What advice do you have for clients looking to book videography?

It’s important to first decide if video is something you want and have the budget for. Just like with photography and much else, you get what you pay for. You want a company that has a history of filming weddings and knows how to properly film the event, not just selling you on the great HD quality and only have a couple events or customer reviews to show for it.  If video is not a priority for you and you’re just looking to have something captured without relying on a family member with an iPhone, there are options out there for that, but be aware of what you’re getting. Be conscious of the different tiers of quality out there and decide what’s right for you and your style. We pride ourselves in cinematic coverage paired with a natural documentary approach that many clients love. That being said we aren’t going to be the lowest priced like the “point and shoot” style coverage with music that some companies offer. It’s important to figure out your budget and style and see who offers the best fit within those parameters you’re searching for.

For more information, visit www.estheticsinmotion.com, or take a look at their Knot profile.

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Venue Spotlight // Verrado Golf Club

In our gorgeous state of Arizona, spectacular weather, golf courses and luxurious club houses abound. Yet there's something truly special that keeps the TWW Events team and our clients continually hosting weddings and events at Verrado Golf Club.

Located in picturesque Buckeye, Arizona, Verrado Golf Club offers one of the most dramatic natural settings of any venue in Arizona. This hidden gem in the West Valley boasts beautiful surroundings of the White Tank Mountains, making it an ideal location for weddings, rehearsal dinners, and wedding brunches. Their grille and banquet rooms provide an intimate setting, featuring breathtaking views of the 18th hole. The waterfall and cobblestone bridge make for an ideal backdrop for photos, and their distinctive facilities have a rich warm and elegant style, creating the perfect ambiance.

 

Offering a variety of spaces to host parties of 50 to 500, the Verrado Golf Club has designed affordable, yet lavish wedding packages to simplify your incredibly special day. They offer a large selection of menus, presented in a variety of ways. They also offer the option to custom curate a menu with their Executive Chef and Culinary Team, to provide an even more personalized experience for you and your guests.

Included in each of their wedding packages is a wedding coordinator to assist with all of your needs and make sure your day is absolutely worry free. Take a look at their phenomenal reviews on WeddingWire! Give them a call today to schedule your property tour. We know you won't be dissapointed!

Property Photos // Laura Segall Photography

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Real Wedding // Rustic Romance

What better way to send off summer than with this simple, romantic wedding? Not only do we love men and women who serve our country and dedicate their lives to helping others in need, but even more so when they dedicate their lives and love to each other! From the bride's stunning dress, the earthy ivory and dusty rose color palette, the absolutely adorable kids' place settings to the couple's one of a kind favors of homemade cookies for each of their guests, this charming affair is sure to make you swoon!

Venue // Trilogy at Vistancia
Photography // Danielle Paynter Photography
Full Service Planning // TWW Events
Caterer // Fresh from the Kitchen
Cake // Frosted Art Inc.
DJ // DJ Mars

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Real Wedding // Fun + Fresh

This charming real wedding brought to us by Ryan of Ryan Nicole Photography is classically lovely and brimming with thoughtful and fresh details! Committing their love for each other in a classic church wedding, Gabrielle and Jaerden turned it up a notch at the reception. While guests rocked the dance floor all night long donning their best attire and glow bracelets, they could satisfy their sweet tooth at the dessert table complete with brownie bites and Krispy Kreme donuts. To the surprise of everyone, the bride's sister, Jordan, even rapped her toast to the happy couple. She practiced for weeks, and it went off without a hitch (evidenced by the photo below of the bride laughing so hard she started tearing up)!

Ceremony // First Southern Baptist Church of Buckeye
Reception // The Wigwam
Photography // Ryan Nicole Photography
Full Service Planning // TWW Events
Cake // Frosted Art Inc.
Hair // Brittany Lawrence
Makeup // Sarah Marcotte
DJ // Fanning Flames Entertainment

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The Best Version of You

On your wedding day, it's your moment to shine and you want to look and feel more beautiful than you ever have in your life. You also want to make sure that your look represents your style and the style of your wedding. We headed straight to the source, chatting with Owner of Thairapy Salon, Melissa Maas, on how every bride can have the confidence that your wedding day will run smoothly and that you will be the beautiful bride you have always dreamed of!

Photographer // Megan Cash Photo

Why is it important to have hair and makeup done for your wedding?
It's so important to have your hair and makeup on point for your BIG day as you will have the pictures around forever, a constant reminder of the amazing day it was! You want to make sure it’s the best version of you!

Photographer // Megan Cash Photo

How far in advance should you book hair and makeup?
Bridal hair and makeup should be booked at least 6 months in advance to ensure complete availability for that specific day for the bride and her wedding party. If travel arrangements also need to be made, booking far enough in advance ensures you'll be able to hire the hair stylist and makeup artist you want!

Why is it important to book a hair and makeup trial?
A preview appointment is crucial as you want to be comfortable and achieve your ideal look. This appointment allows the stylist the opportunity to communicate directly with you, to play and get creative! Your wedding day hair and makeup is a collaborative effort between bride and artist to ultimately create that “perfect” look.

How much time should a bride plan for hair and makeup? 
Always allow at least one hour for makeup application and one hour for hair styling. Timing will inevitably vary based on factors including, but not limited to, desired style (whether simple curls or a more formal style), artist, day-of timeline, etc.

What is the difference between air brush and regular makeup? 
The difference between airbrush makeup and regular makeup depends on what you’re looking for! Airbrush is a light-weight makeup applied through an air gun machine that produces a thin, soft even layer of makeup. Airbrush makeup is non-transferable, meaning that slight rubbing or brushing against something or someone will not cause the makeup to come off of the face. This also is a desirable feature especially when you have a special event and don't want to worry about your makeup wearing off. Traditional makeup comes in the widest variety of any other makeup, with every shade available. It’s also the most versatile of all the makeup; it can be as basic as a sheer tint of coverage, or combined with other properties to create a makeup that targets specific problems. Ultimately, your personal preferences will be the biggest factor in choosing what you wear on your wedding day.

Photographer // Megan Cash Photo

Any other tips for brides to ensure their bridal beauty is absolute perfection?

• We always ask that hair be “yesterday “ hair, meaning not washing it the day of as it holds style better when it is not freshly clean. 
• Come with a clean face for makeup application. 
• Communication is key to your stylist when doing your hair and makeup. 
• Pictures speak 1,000 words: bringing pictures of hair and makeup styles that inspire your desired wedding day look is a great way to show the stylist what you’re looking to achieve.
• Go for it! Wearing a little bit more makeup than usual bodes really well for stunning photos. Even though it may feel a little uncomfortable initially, your photos will be flawless!  
• Timeless and classic is always a safe bet! Your wedding day is not typically the best occasion to try something trendy or new.

When everything is said and done after your trial, your stylist has finished your hair and makeup, has gone over the details of your wedding and you have spoken up about any concerns you may have, you should now have a sense of calm, confident relief and excitement about your wedding day hair and makeup. If you don’t, do something! I don’t think that brides realize how important their bridal beauty vendor is....it's not JUST about hair and makeup! Your stylist is typically the first vendor you see and the one you spend the most time with before you walk down the aisle! 

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Your DJ Should Do More than Just Play Music

For a single moment, forget your endless to-do list for your ceremony, wedding vows and walk down the aisle. Behind all the details of exactly how your big day will progress from guest arrival to sparkler exit, your wedding is still a party. Albeit, the most exciting and momentous affair as you and your partner commit your love for each other, but ultimately a party. Like any other party, its success weighs heavily on a few key variables, one being the music and the DJ/MC running the show. Choosing the right DJ plays a critical role in ensuring the flow of your event runs smoothly from one perfect moment to the next.

Kevin Causey, Owner of Fanning Flames Entertainment, offers up some tips to help you set things up so that you can relax and enjoy your big day!

How far in advance should a bride and groom start looking for a DJ?
Booking a DJ for your wedding should happen as soon as you know your date and venue. Getting the right “match” or “fit” is important.  DJs vary widely in style, experience, and communication skills.  A wedding DJ should keep the focus of the evening on the Bride and Groom, not on the DJ.  Making excessive announcements, saying goofy things about guests, etc., may be great for a retirement party, but is probably unnecessary at best, and inappropriate at worst at a wedding. Once booked, you can wait until 2 months prior to your wedding to work through the details.

Do you suggest doing the first dance right after the grand entrance or waiting until after dinner?
The wedding timeline is more than just a way to make sure all of the special events happen. It controls the emotion of the night. A balance between tradition and personal style always works well.  Traditionally, the toast follows dinner, or is part of dinner. Likewise, the couple’s first dance is the “opening” of the dance floor for the remainder of the evening. Think about your guests for a moment. Having attended a ceremony, then a cocktail hour, celebrating the wedding party with a Grand Entrance is the perfect way to signal the official start of the reception. While the first dance can happen in that moment, saving the first dance for the moment after the toasts accomplishes two things: the first dance happens with guests at their tables after dinner after paying attention during the toast, and the first dance provides the perfect segue to the father-daughter dance. It’s perfect to see the father of the bride walk to the dance floor and take his daughter’s hand from the groom.

What is the best time for the toast?
Before we stray too late into the night, it’s important to remember that the toasts are not speeches at a frat house, but should reflect the bond between the bride and groom.  Consequently, a traditional Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor toast is sufficient. If a father would like to speak, have them speak after the Maid/Matron of Honor.  At the conclusion of the toasts and just before the first dance is the best opportunity for the groom to address the guests, if he wishes. It’s always nice to have either the Father of the Bride or the Groom thank the guests for attending and being a part of the ceremony and celebration.

What do you suggest when the photographer needs to leave early and wants to fake a sparker exit?
Coordination between the DJ, photography, videographer, and planning is really important to the success of the evening. Having a photographer leave early often makes the timing of events like the cake cutting, anniversary dance, etc, awkward. To the guests, a sparkler exit is the end of the night, almost regardless of when it happens. Staging it earlier disrupts the dance floor, and the guests start thinking about leaving. Rarely does the party recover from emptying the room.

Where is the best place for brides and grooms to looks for songs and ideas for their wedding?
If you’re wanting a killer dance floor mix, pick a DJ you can trust instead of googling for “wedding dance songs.” A good wedding DJ will understand your tastes in music (share what you like as dance music, and music in general) and mix that information with what works in a wedding setting.  Weddings are not nightclubs. Wedding guests are family, and more like a family reunion with a mix of ages, dance abilities, and music tastes. Wedding guests often only dance at weddings, and their high school prom. You’ll want to stick with songs they recognize instead of relying on a club beat.

Finally, hire a DJ you can trust. DJs will get requests from guests, and have a huge control over the reception and its success. An experienced wedding DJ can handle requests appropriately, weeding out “Before He Cheats” requests without making the bride the “bad guy.”

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First Comes Love, Then Comes Cake

Sure, planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but of all of the tasks you’ll need to check off your wedding to-do list, picking out your wedding cake is definitely one of the most fun. You'll get to enjoy tasting delicious cakes, fillings and frostings with literally NO GUILT. You have to know what you'll be serving your guests, right?!?! Brittanie, Owner and Designer of Abbie Cakes shared with TWW Events her insider tips on how to make your confection commitment, well, a piece of cake.

How much cake should be ordered?
We recommend serving no more than your expected guest count. There are many factors that will contribute to guests deciding to eat a slice of cake: dietary restrictions, people watching their waistline, and time of cake serving (if later in the reception, many guests will be too busy mingling and dancing to eat cake!). We often suggest ordering a cake with a few servings under the expected guest count.

How many flavors do you suggest ordering? 
We are all about giving your guests options! You don't want to overwhelm them with options, but it is always nice to have more than one choice for preference, dietary restrictions, etc. If you're having multiple tiers, we recommend different flavors/filling combinations per tier. Another option is to have the same flavor of cake in all of your tiers, but mix up the fillings in each tier for a little variety!

Photographer // Lily Photography by Dusty Perez
Cake // Abbie Cakes

Since it is so hot during the summer what do you suggest for taking care of the cake? 
We believe that buttercream is what cake dreams are made of! We would not want you to have to forego buttercream just because of the weather. We recommend the cake be delivered and setup immediately prior to the reception. For indoor receptions in the summer months, we often deliver the cake 2 hours prior to the start of the reception. For outdoor receptions, we will deliver approximately 1 hour prior to the start time. If your cake is delivered earlier in the day and then stored in a refrigerator, same timelines apply for bringing it out and setting up on the cake table. Because Arizona is so HOT even indoors, the cake will come to room temperature quickly. So don't take it out too early!

Do you suggest the couple bring a picture of their concept to the design meeting? 
We are all about the creative process at Abbie Cakes! There are SO many beautiful cakes out there, especially on Pinterest, which is a go-to for many couples planning a wedding. We encourage brides and grooms to bring those pictures that they’ve pinned and saved for us to see! However, more importantly, we would LOVE to see your invites, color scheme, decor, textures and/or fabrics you will be incorporating in the wedding. We want to create a unique, custom design that suits your wedding perfectly! These details will help guide us in the creative process.

What’s the latest trend in wedding cakes? 
Textured buttercream designs and semi-naked cakes with fresh blooms are here to stay! However, something else that is catching on quick is hand-painted designs! Oh, how we love the creativity with edible paints! Another trend is a cake table with multiple cakes! The fun with this is being able to create a variety of designs that all tie into the wedding details. Of course, variety in flavors as well!

Cake // Abbie Cakes

Photography // Lieb Photographic
Cake // Abbie Cakes

What other suggestions would you give a wedding couple? 
Trust us! Creating stunning, unique, and delicious cakes is our passion. We want to collaborate with you and your wedding team to deliver the perfect addition to your special day! Also, if there is a budget you have allotted for your wedding cake and desserts, let us know. This is very helpful in creating a design, as some techniques and design elements can cost more than others.

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Kristin + Richard // :60 Sneak Peek

Thanks to the amazing talent behind the lens at Serendipity Cinematography (Taryn and team, you rock!), Kristin + Richard are able to relive the best day of their lives in a gorgeous 60 second trailer as their sneak peek before Taryn creates pure magic for their full length film. TWW Events was hired by this adorable couple for day-of coordination at Trilogy at Vistancia as well curating stunning floral arrangements. Enjoy a little sneak peek!

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Real Wedding // Classic Romance

There is something quite lovely about a classic romantic wedding. One with beautiful succulents (an Arizona wedding must!) and a bright color palette. Elegant touches of gold accompanied by the perfect shade of navy blue. A beautiful bride in a gorgeous gown (albeit with rockstar-worthy heels!) and a classic yet rustic naked cake garnished with fresh flowers. This lovely desert soiree has all that and more. Simple, stylish and stunning never goes out of style. 

Cheers Shannon and Megan!


Venue // Verrado Golf Club
Photography // Missy Wilson Photography
Planning // TWW Events
Florals // TWW Events
DJ // Fanning Flames Entertainment

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