Anetra Gibbs-Kotey 4/12/19 Anetra Gibbs-Kotey 4/12/19

DIY Ghost Tower Floral Centerpiece

Today I wanted to share a DIY project I’ve been working on — Ghost Tower Floral Centerpiece.

This centerpiece was made from acrylic/plexiglass (base & pillars), glass crystals, artificial flowers and hanging glass globe candle holders. This design was inspired by the crafty Sherly Cormier of Elegant Creators, and although “homemade”, this centerpiece is sure to wow the guests at your wedding reception or other special event.

Standing at over two feet tall, this piece is pretty grand, so if you love elegance and bling this is a great addition to your tablescape . This tower can also be customized by using flowers in your event’s color scheme, LED lights instead of tealight candles, fresh florals in place of silk and you can always add even more crystals.

click through the images Below to see more images of the centerpiece and table decor.

Anetra Gibbs-Kotey 2/1/19 Anetra Gibbs-Kotey 2/1/19

WHAT TO DO WHEN GUESTS DON'T RSVP

OK, OK… this may be a little extreme, but it is how we may feel.

Any prospective guest who receives an invitation is obligated to reply as soon as possible, yet so many don't. Some forget, others procrastinate and then others just don't care to respond. When hosts don't receive a timely RSVP, it can make them feel as if the invitee is waiting for something "better" to come along. Many times something as simple as not sending an RSVP is a reason why some relationships suffer because the hosts' feelings may be hurt. It is then up to you, the host, to call friends to ask if they plan to attend. In all actuality, if you want an accurate headcount, you have no choice but to call anyone who hasn't responded and ask whether they plan to come to your event. Though this conversation may be awkward, try to be friendly, not accusatory.

It's such a shame that even having been sent the yes or no card and a pre-stamped, pre-addressed envelope, some guests don't just drop it in the mail, but your guests are busy with the usual day-to-day stuff too. It's frustrating, yes, just don't stress about it.

Here's how to deal with guests who don't RSVP on time:

Following Up with Guests Who Don't RSVP

Call, email, or text — or do whatever you're most comfortable with. If it is someone you don't know very well have your partner, parent, or Maid of Honor help reach out to those late-responders. Now, what do you do when wedding guests don't RSVP or respond even after contacting them? Well, whatever, but honestly, you tried; most likely they won’t be in attendance, although, It would be nice if they would tell you one way or another. That’s just how it goes sometimes. Don't sweat it.

No RSVP? No Worries!

Planning a wedding is stressful enough without allowing non-responsive guests to add to it. Yes, it's rude and frustrating, but relax and let it go. An RSVP is pretty standard for weddings, still, some guests disregard it. When wedding guests don't RSVP, don't take it personally, some wedding guests don't RSVP because they need to wait until the last minute to make travel plans; while others are still trying to confirm babysitting arrangements. Worst case, their invitation may have gotten lost or misplaced, which makes the follow-up important.

How to Handle Guests Who Don't RSVP but Then Show Up Anyway

That's just rude! A huge worry is always what to do when wedding guests who don't RSVP just SHOW UP?!

Yes, it can happen, but it is very unlikely. It's good to give guests the benefit of the doubt… Maybe they just forgot or thought they RSVPed and they randomly show up. Many venues will have an allowance for a few unexpected guests (though you'll need to pay for them on the final bill), even at the very last minute. If you see someone looking around for an escort card to no avail, chances are they didn't RSVP.

This is when it's very helpful to have a day-of coordinator on hand in instances like this, as they can quickly seat guests and speak to the caterer and you don't have to deal with these issues.

Anetra Gibbs-Kotey 1/8/19 Anetra Gibbs-Kotey 1/8/19

The Perks Of Hiring a Planner

Preparing for your wedding takes hundreds of hours of time and commitment. Between booking vendors, choosing the décor and the grueling task of settling on your final guest list — most couples’ time is spent working out these tedious details and not enjoying the process.

With a Wedding Coordinator on hand, the bride and groom don't have to take on all of the responsibility alone. Whether you're both swamped at work, overwhelmed by the many decisions you need to make, or you simply think a professional can weed through the options better than you can, hiring a wedding planner can help make the process much easier and more enjoyable.

Here, are some advantages of bringing in a professional to plan your special day.

Planners can help with your budget constraints and legal contracts.

Most couples have a strict wedding budget. We can then stretch your budget and help you get the most for your money by crunching numbers and scoring discounts, therefore, getting you the best deals. We'll also keep you on schedule, ensuring you cross everything off your to-do list in a timely manner. Sometimes discounts don't appear on paper. If something isn't right behind the scenes, more often than not, we will get a vendor to add to or overcompensate for any issues on your behalf. Vendors aim to please us so we bring them more business.

Planners will fight for your wedding vision and keep everything on track.

In addition to helping couples with their budget and supervising sticky details like legal contracts, the most important perk of a planner is having someone who'll fight for your wedding vision from start to finish. Unlike most other vendors who tackle more than one wedding per day or per weekend, a planner is focused only on your special day and will push to make sure everything goes according to your plan.

Planners can keep things stress-free.

Hiring a wedding planner allows you to allocate the more time-consuming responsibilities to a professional. Your planner can schedule appointments, deal with vendors, and keep track of your budget. According to most vendors, working with a wedding planner instead of directly with the bride or groom or their parents can keep things streamlined and stress-free. Planners having these built-in relationships with vendors can also cut costs.

They'll offer advice in sticky situations.

How much should you ask your bridesmaids to pay for their dresses? What are you supposed to do if your mom and mother-in-law disagree about any wedding related details, especially when their money is invested? When should you send out your save-the-dates? Invitations? A professional wedding planner has seen it all and will be able to guide you through similar situations that arise while preparing for your big day.

Planners can help you coordinate the entire day.

A wedding that has been divided into multiple venues or even multiple rooms with their own coordinators may require less overall coordination. Even if a venue offers an in-house coordinator, that person will likely only be coordinating the specific details that venue is responsible for providing, like food or the event space itself. They may not be focused on helping you juggle all the little details that will make your special day so special which is the last thing you and your fiancé want to worry about on your wedding day.

If any issues arise during the ceremony or reception, your planner will be the first one on the scene and you won't need to worry about anything except enjoying your special day with loved ones.

In some instances, full wedding planning may not be practical or even possible for everyone. Maybe your budget just won't allow it. If a couple has already booked their major vendors and only decides to consult a planner mid-way through the process, most planners still offer partial or customized packages that can fit your needs.