Table fun

Prior couples have come up with some really fun and creative ways to name and number their guest tables. Perhaps some of these will work with your theme or wedding style, or are something you can relate to, as well, or maybe they will get your creative juices flowing toward brainstorming your own. Share with us your ideas!

1. Try familiar places: schools, trips, where you met, first date location, where he proposed, etc.
2. Hometown landmarks: Every town has many to choose.
3. Favorite movies or celebrities
4. This may be a good way to memorialize those people you wish could have been there; all the grandparents or others that are gone but not forgotten.
5. Sports offers endless choices. Pick a sport and use their teams, Pick all your favorite teams from all sports, or choose all your favorite players.
6. Floral names: Roses, Orchids, etc.
7. Wineries
8. Desserts
9. Pictures of you two holding the different numbers, or pictures of you both at those ages.
10. Beaches or beach related items.
11. "I Love You" in different languages.
12. Favorite songs/Band names.

These are just a sampling of what I have witnessed, and some other ideas include colors, hobbies, season words, items from your heritage, animals, honeymoon location details, and favorite vacation spots. Some ideas I found others using:
We have: The cheeky table The noisy table The naughty table The silly table The nerdy table (for my friends with phds!) and others I can't remember just now.

We are going to name each table after a city we've visited together and put a picture of us (in addition to other centerpiece, haven't though that far ahead lol).

We named our tables after film directors. We laser-cut names from wood that I designed to go with the kinds of movies they make, and we put a little card on the base explaining who the director was and what we liked of theirs. we are going to be naming our tables after Love stories (ex: The Notebook, Pride and Prejudice, ect...) and on the tables we will have the actual books in hard cover that one guest from each table will be able to take home with them (we will place a penny under one plate at each table and whoever has the penny can keep the book) ... FH and I will also be handwriting special notes on the inside cover of each book explaining why we chose that story and what it means to us.

All of our tables were named after love songs with the word LOVE in it. I put the names in picture frames. 

One I especially thought sweet was found at http://www.weddingbycolor.com/jodie319/milestones/57844 Poster Jodie319 said: We wanted to do something different than just plain numbers, so we are using words(that have to do with marriage) with a little quote underneath them. Click on the photo on that page to see them.

Table names are frequently an overlooked item, Whether you choose to use a theme or numbers, get creative; it will add a personalized touch to your reception. Have fun!

Kind words

A few weeks ago, while recovering from surgery, I received a card in the mail from a couple that I officiated for last year. They had no idea that I had recently had surgery, or would need some words of encouragement, but they arrived at the perfect time. Here is what they wrote:

"Carleen, We wanted to thank you for making our wedding day so special! Our ceremony was absolutely perfect - from the readings you provided us to choose, the time you took writing our ceremony out in the order we discussed, to adding our personal story, our ceremony was one of a kind and was my favorite part of our big day. We have received numerous compliments and kind words regarding how beautiful, unique, personal and interesting our ceremony was. We are so happy we chose you to be a part of our day - you are wonderful and we will continue to recommend you! Thank you again, PS Thank you also for sending us a copy of the ceremony and our adorable vow cards (in our wedding colors!). What a beautiful touch - you are so sweet and thoughtful!"

Their gorgeous ceremony took place at Blue Dress Barn, planning by Stella Event Design, photography by Studio 6.23 and video by Coastline Studios.

Welcome Veronique!

From the first week that "With This Ring Wedding Ceremonies" was established (by Rev. Carleen), after first working through another minister to obtain ceremonies, the phone has been ringing. I have been so blessed to be able to work with so many couples planning their future together.

However, on occasion I am having to turn couples away that were really hoping to have "With This Ring" involved in their ceremony. It has been hard to send regrets to those couples, but I would refer them to others in their area of SW Michigan, in the hopes that they would be able to find one of my colleagues able to work with them.

It was on my heart for awhile to look for someone to work along side me, someone that I could trust to deliver the same type of personal care and commitment that I offer.

As with all good things, they are brought to us in the time that is right. It is with great pleasure that I announce the addition of Veronique Jewell to "With This Ring Wedding Ceremonies"!

Please view the new page on my website for more information on Rev. Veronique. http://www.withthisringwed.com/About-Rev--Veronique.html

I am honored and excited at the possibilities for both of us and our clients by this partnership! Please join me in welcoming Veronique to With This Ring!

New Permanent Invitation Pricing!!!

With This Ring ~ Cherry Blossom Designs is proud to announce that I will now offer 30% off any order at or over $100 and 20% off order below $100!

That can really add up to significant savings when purchasing your Save the dates, Invitations, Response cards, programs, napkins, thank you's and other day of stationery. Accessories are included in this offer and we have sand ceremony elements, guest books, cake toppers/cutting sets, flower girl and ring bearer items, and gifts for your wedding party, to name a few.

The savings don't just apply to wedding items! Use this for all life's events: graduations, new baby, holidays, or any reason to throw an event! Order Christmas cards by Dec. 1st, please! We have an amazing turnaround of only 5 business days from order placement! With a search feature and something for every style and budget, you are sure to find a selection to your liking.

Items can be viewed online, but there are far more accessory items in the catalog. Call or email to have those items viewed in person or sent by email attachment. To receive the discount, do not complete a checkout online. I will need to have you email me the order. Items ordered online will not be discounted.

Happy Children at your Reception

Many forum posts ask others if they plan on having children attend the wedding and reception. For a lot of couples, and for varying reasons, they choose not to have children attend. This is definitely a personal choice and one each couple must decide for themselves.

If you do choose to have children attend, there are two very important things that you can do to help ensure those young ones are having a good time without "breaking the bank" or your centerpieces!

First, always see if the caterer can provide a lower cost children's meal or buffet choice, too. The price can save you around $5 or more per person over the adult offering. That can be a significant savings. A recent child buffet included choices of mac and cheese, potato smilies, and chicken nuggets.

Young ones like to dance, and will probably occupy the dance floor for a portion of the evening, but they get tired, too. Provide a spot for them to congregate and play quietly. Here is a great table set up for kids to entertain themselves with coloring books, crayons and easy "glue-free" crafts! The children (and adults) at this wedding loved it!

Personalization and Details

I began working with Rachel & Chris last November. They live in Arizona and were coming to Michigan to be married at her parent's lakeside vacation home. Due to distance, we planned everything by phone and mainly email.

They hired Merry Me Events for coordination and planning, Matterhorn Catering, Driving Reign band for entertainment, and Heather Gollatz Dukeman for photography. Not sure who did the flowers, but I loved her bouquet.

The couple added many personal touches and details to their ceremony and reception. He proposed to her on Saguaro Lake and they had monogrammed Saguaro cookies and the table numbers were on Saguaro cactus.

The ceremony began, like most, with Grandparents and then moms being seated. Then it took a fun departure from the norm. Once the moms sat down, fireworks were set off. With a loud bang and a burst of sparks in the sky, the groom and groomsmen were signaled! They were out on the lake and the boat carrying them came full speed to shore! There was a shot glass for each waiting on the dock, and they toasted upon departing the boat. Once they walked up the aisle, our ceremony proceeded with the bridemaids and followed by our stunning bride and father.

There were laughter and tears all throughout the ceremony, and my congratulations go out to the happy couple. You did it your way, and I commend you!

Congregation Blessing the Rings

There is a lovely ceremony addition called "Congregation Blessing the Rings".

Some couples choose to pass their rings around through the congregation, where they are treated with reverence. They are usually tied together on a pretty ribbon, slid onto a pretty handkerchief, or placed in a sheer fabric bag and tied shut. As each person is passed the rings, they offer up their silent prayer, blessing or wish for B. and G. for their new life together.

There are friends and relatives of your congregation that know aspects in relation to being married that you want to know. This is part of the reason that you invite them to participate in your ceremony & to offer you their support. You may look at their marriage & think, “How, does he/she live with that person?” However, if they’ve been making it work for a long time, even if it’s not a relationship you want to mirror, chances are they know something regarding being married and staying married, and that you do want to copy. They have insight which you could hear & even grow from.

The rings you will wear serve as a reminder of the pledges you made on your wedding day, and are an outside symbol to the world that you have a life partner. Asking a blessing from individuals and couples will only enrich your married life.

After the wedding ceremony, you may want to ask your guests to write down what they wished or prayed for you. It can be wonderful to have those “good vibes” to reflect on later, but sometimes it’s just enough to have the thought put into the rings.