Posts

Writing Thank You Notes, Tips from Knots ‘N Such, Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

/in /by

Feature image by Amy Nadine Photography. Knots ‘N Such is a Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist

Even before you get married, it so important to go ahead and plan writing thank you notes. Every gift deserves a hand written note from the bride and groom to express gratitude for those people celebrating your nuptials.  Knots ‘N Such, a Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist, is here to provide you some helpful hints to make the thank you note process easier and doable.

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

Photo by McCardell Photography

1. Know the Timeline
For gifts received prior to the wedding, it is customary that you have two weeks to write and send the thank you note. Gifts received on or after the wedding, the timeline lengthens a bit to three months.

2. Have all the “Write” Materials
Pardon the pun there, but before you even receive the first gift, it’s so important to have all the materials you are going to need to write your notes. Save your guest list from wedding invitations to have handy when addressing thank you notes. Also go ahead and order your personalized stationery or stock up in stationery from your favorite paper source store. You may even have pre-wedding stationery and take a personalized thank you photo at the wedding to use for post-wedding gifts. Bulk order stamps (the ones that are already sticky-take it from me, they are a lifesaver and will save your tongue).

3. Set a Routine
It may help to have a comfortable writing station somewhere in your home. Turn on your favorite TV show or music. Enlist your significant other to write a certain number of notes a night. Make it a routine and knock them out little by little, so you’re not stuck with a large number to write at one time.

4. Pen a Personalized Note
Each note should have a personal touch that references the couples gratitude, the specific gift they have received, and how the gift and/or the giver have/will impact your life. Be specific with the gift, and in the case of cash, maybe highlight that you are saving for your first home or it will be a great benefit for the honeymoon. Hav “writer’s block”? Search for thank you note samples online to help spur writing and go from there.

Rustic Gift Table and Guestbook

Photo by Casey Rose Photography

Take it from me, you are surrounded by many gracious people who will be glad to celebrate your wedding. Look at thank you note writing as a chance to thank the awesome people that have surrounded you with open arms. I promise you can do it, just make a plan ahead of time and follow through with your routine. Contact us today for help in the wedding planning process, and we would love to help you pen that perfect note of gratitude.  Happy thank you note writing!

XOXO,
Amy

Being a Bride with a Budget, Tips from Knots ‘N Such, a Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist

/in /by

Feature image by Casey Rose Photography. Knots ‘N Such is a Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist.

Happy 2018 everyone! Today we want to dive into that underlying “B” word of wedding planning: budgets.  Weddings do take money, and that number sometimes can be an overwhelming factor in the planning of their wedding.  First of all, let us tell you nearly every bride is on a budget.  Big or small, there’s always a limit.

Bride and Groom's First Look

Photo by Thirteenth Moon Photography

However, there are two types of brides when it comes to budget etiquette, and in an effort to help you plan and execute a wedding on your budget with grace and style, we want to help you understand the two categories.

The first is that “bride on a budget”.  This is the bride who understands that any budget has a limit, researches her options thoroughly, and is content with the options that are presented to her.  This bride will look back on the wedding planning experience and rejoice over the final product.  The second is a “budget bride”.  Like the first bride, this bride recognizes that she has a budget, yet struggles to be content with what money can buy for her budget.  This bride will look back on the wedding planning experience and be discontent with the final product. She doesn’t appreciate what her budget can buy, so is forlorn.

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

Photo by Ultimate Images

When looking at the two types of bride, it’s easy to see that the bride on a budget is what we want for every bride, no matter the budget they have for their wedding.  Here are some tips to help you in your budgeting and planning for your wedding:

  1. Know and set your realistic budget from the very beginning (educate yourself on the cost of weddings in your area, determine what you can afford by setting priorities). If you determine a large wedding is nearly impossible, there’s no shame in having a small intimate affair or elopement. It’s actually quite trendy these days!
  2. Make a list of areas of the wedding and your budget for each category.  Here is a worksheet that can help you get started from the magazine Real Simple Budget Worksheet (do this before contacting any vendors)
  3. Research vendors that are in your budget area (staying within your budget area will help with disappointment later when you receive that estimate). Be realistic with your expectations.
  4. Visit open houses and bridal fairs to gather more information in your planning
  5. Contact vendors that meet your criteria to set up meetings
  6. Realize that vendors are there to educate and support you. Yes, we must be able to support ourselves so must price our products and services to do that. This is a career not a hobby for us.
  7. Before signing a contract, go back to that budget and make sure that you are focusing on those important details from Tip #1
  8. Finally, enjoy the process and look at the options you have and know that your day is going to be special
Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

Photo by McCardell Photography

Knots ‘N Such, a Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist, wants to share this information with you, not to scare you off from contacting vendors or dreaming big, but to help you know your budget and not look back at wedding planning as a daunting time.  Our hope is, no matter the budget, you are the bride who is satisfied with every option and gets to the day of their wedding a bride beaming with pride knowing this is the day for them.  Happy wedding planning friends!

XOXO,

Amy

Flowers In Your Menu? – Tips from a Raleigh Wedding Planner

/in , /by

Poppy Belle Design is a Raleigh wedding planner & florist. Feature photo by McCardell Photography.

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

McCardell Photography

An ancient tradition, a formal tradition, a yuppie tradition—call it what you will, the edible flowers in the punch at a recent wedding were a blast!

Maybe I’m biased given my double identity as a florist, but seriously, dare to be different, anyone? The couple floated those light blooms in those drinks and guests just drank it up (pun intended).

Edible flowers aren’t exactly a new thing—the Romans used to adorn their dishes with petals and greenery—but they’re not overly common, at least not outside your five-star restaurant. But believe it or not, a lot of flowers make the potential list. From lavender to honeysuckle, locally grown blossoms can add some pizzazz to your menu in a very subtle way.

And it’s not limited to the punch bowl, either.

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

McCardell Photography

Flowers most commonly accompany entrées, especially meat dishes. But I’ve also seen them dressing up a gorgeous wedding cake (or insert your chosen dessert here) or filling out an otherwise tiny appetizer.

Most of the flavors are pretty subtle. The ideal itself is pretty subtle; some guests might not even realize you’re supposed to eat them. But it’s certainly an off-the-beaten-path way to incorporate more flowers into your big day. And your friends and family will get a kick out of it, too!

Portfolio Items