That reality has led to a disagreement or two over the years, as both the bride-to-be and her future husband make their case for who makes the cut. To help avoid such disagreements, couples should consider the following tips when paring down their guest list.

* Make a master list as early as possible. It’s impossible to pare down a guest list if there’s no list to begin with. Once the planning process begins, couples should separately write down all the guests they would like to invite. Once each is finished with their list, the hard work of paring that list down can begin.

* Consider who’s footing the bill. If Mom and Dad are paying for the wedding, then their suggestions for the guest list should carry most of the weight. Weddings are very expensive, and if Mom and Dad are paying they should have a significant say who will in attendance. The same principle can be applied if the couple is paying for their own wedding. If the costs are being split down the middle, then both the groom- and bride-to-be should be allowed to invite the same number of guests.

* Ask that kids stay home. Many couples request that their guests leave the kids at home. While nieces and nephews might make the cut, it’s perfectly acceptable for couples to state their preference that children not attend. This can be noted on the invitation, addressing friends as “Mr. John Doe and guest” or “Mr. and Mrs. John Doe.” Guests should take the hint, but if any RSVPs with their kids, be sure to call them immediately and explain the situation. Friends and family should understand the preference, particularly in the current economic climate.

* It’s not a reunion. Couples are often tempted to invite long-lost friends to their wedding. But cost-conscious couples must recognize their wedding is not a reunion. If the goal is to keep the guest list under control, only invite close friends and family members who have kept in touch with over the years.

* Stick to your guns. Couples vary greatly with what they want out of their wedding. Some want a grandiose affair they can share with their whole family and all of their friends. Other couples want a more laid-back affair with only those closest to them in attendance. Whatever their preference, couples should remain firm and not feel guilty no matter how many guests they choose to invite or not invite.

* Cut back in other areas. If it’s proving simply impossible to agree on a reduced guest list, consider inviting everyone and cutting back in other areas. Before signing any contracts, closely examine each one for items that can be removed without drastically changing the ceremony and celebration. Chances are there are savings to be had, and those savings might make the difference between inviting and not inviting another friend or family member.

Glass Containers – Make everything look more polished, plus you don’t have to put out big bucks buying them. Lara’s Theme rents all sizes.

Rope – Can be bought at you local hardware store but adds that extra touch you have been looking for.

Shells, Coral & Driftwood – Nothing says your at the beach like these elements. An added bonus is that after the wedding these items can be incorporated into your home decor.

Layering Linens – Choose different colors of blues with different textures like the ones above from Chairs for Affairs.

Kate Middleton hung-up a poster of Prince William in her bedroom when she was 13 years old. She had a schoolgirl crush on him, and she didn’t care who knew it! At the time her father worked for British Airlines. Her mother had been a flight attendant. They were probably amused at their daughter’s new found teen love, but knew there was no chance of their daughter ever meeting him, much less dating him. Royalty only associated with royalty, or at least aristocrats.  When the future Princess Diana hung a poster of a prince on her wall, she had already met him a few times. Prince Charles – William’s father – and Diana’s family were practically neighbors with the Queen at her country estate. But as shy as Diana seemed to be when the world met her, she was still an aristocrat, a direct descendant of King Charles. The woman that will now marry Diana’s son has no such title or lineage.

The wedding dress that Kate will wear remains a mystery to us until she emerges from her Cinderella carriage and walks down the aisle of Westminster Cathedral in London. Her father will be by her side, her mother in the audience. They are descendents of miners and laborers. The Queen of England will watch her first grandson marry. One wonders her thoughts about William marrying a woman with no title. English royalty has been struggling to change its view about such things for a while now. They have had to. The modern world has pressed down on them hard. Prince William will be standing at the end of a long aisle watching his bride move toward him. One can’t help but wonder if his thoughts will wander to his mother, Princess Diana, whose casket was carried down this same aisle 14 years ago.

We will never know the thoughts and emotions of those there that day, but I think will we clearly see the innocence of boy who had gone away to college and met a woman that he would choose to call his bride and later his queen. This is a fairy tale wedding, without doubt. We hope, as we do for ourselves, that it has a happy ending.

There is nothing worse than biting into a tiny bit of finger food and having it gush/squirt/or crumble all over your party dress. Avoid foods that are too flaky or contain a lot of liquid sauce inside. Sushi is good as long as it is not drippy. Stuffed mushrooms are another stable but elegant finger food.

Dips can transform ordinary raw fruits and vegetables into a novelty. They can ad diversity, elegance, and even a little fun to your menu without vastly increasing the cost. Some good dips for sweet food are: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, caramel, cream, plain white chocolate or flavored white chocolate. Lime is a popular flavoring for white chocolate. For savory foods ranch, cheese, salsa, or artichoke dip are excellent compliments.

Remember finger foods will not fill up your guests. Often a lot more food is consumed at parties where only finger food is served because they never feel satisfied. I would recommend serving finger foods in company with a more substantial food. Also keep in mind finger foods are all labor intensive to some extent so they can be some of the costliest things your caterer can offer. If money is not such a concern finger foods can add elegance to your event.

Willy Wonka would have approved of this wedding inspired after his candy wonderland. Candy spilled out of the walls while guests were given golden ticket escort cards and stood in amazement at the chocolate waterfall.

Photographers:

Diana M. Lott Photography

SMS Photography

Eclectic Images

Clink – Wedding Planning

Merveille Events – Florist

Michelle’s Patisserie – Cakes

Paper Place – Stationery

ILIOS – Lighting

Environmentally friendly ideals are now permeating all aspects of daily living. Many people want to take the concept further and ensure their nuptials — and subsequent reception — are good for the planet as well.

Although there are no firm statistics onthe number of green weddings being held each year, emerging trends point to the growing interest in eco-conscious weddings. Individuals who already do their best to recycle, reuse and reduce want to employ those same values on their wedding day.

There are many ways to employ a green mindset to wedding planning and execution. Largely the carbon footprint of a wedding can be reduced simply by scaling back and avoiding over-consumption. Here are some ideas to think about.

1. Reduce travel. Research indicates that more than two-thirds of emissions in the U.S. are produced by energy consumption and transportation. By reducing guests’ need to travel far for a wedding or offering transportation that can accommodate several people at once (like a bus), carbon emissions will be reduced.

2. Shop for floral alternatives. Flowers would seem “green” in themselves. However, many blooms available at florist shops are grown in hothouses with the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, something that is not very good for the environment at all. Brides opting for something more eco-conscious could consider alternative options, such as bouquets made of sustainable succulent plants and centerpieces full of organic fruits and wildflowers.

3. Opt for mixed seating arrangements: Instead of formal escort cards indicating firm seating arrangements, couples are saving paper by allowing guests to choose their own seats from mix-matched options, such as long, communal benches and comfy sofas.

4. Skip the paper. Though etiquette experts frown on abandoning paper invitations for electronic ones, many couples are doing just that. For those who still prefer paper, print invitations on recycled paper. Reduce other wedding stationery needs by posting information on a wedding Web site shared with family and friends.

5. Go small scale. Instead of inviting every last cousin and distant uncle, couples are opting for more intimate affairs, including only the people they are closest to, which saves on cost and helps the environment.

6. Trim some of the wedding day fat. Some couples opt for an all-you-can-eat buffet and then a subsequent dessert bar later on in the evening. Stuffed guests may end up wasting more food than eating it. Instead of all-you-can, go for a more traditional meal.

7. Choose a charitable party favor. Instead of a party favor that collects dust on a shelf, couples are choosing to gift with organic products or a donation to a charitable organization in the guests’ names.