Making Your Guest List

One of the most important but probably least fun aspects of wedding planning is completing your guest list. Believe it or not, this list will be used in a multitude of ways...more than you would expect!

My best advice is to create your list in Microsoft Excel. Most people have computers that use Excel, or a compatible program. It is quite easy when a shower hostess calls you for names & addresses of guests to copy & paste out of this list into a fresh document for her. Also, you can print labels or anything that you need an address for quickly via Excel.

Be sure to make each column a separate item. Here are some we suggest:
Title
First Name
Last Name
Suffix (Like Jr. or Sr., for example)
Adress
City
State
Zip Code
Country
Phone Number (If they don't RSVP your wedding coordinator will need to call them.)
Email Address
A List or B List (in case you have to narrow down later)
Guest Of (Bride, Groom, Bride's Parents)
Out of Town (Yes or No)
Child (Yes or No)
Notes (Vegetarian, Do not seat near Grandpa, etc...)

Getting started in this direction will make your planning process much easier. If your wedding team uses wedding software like we do, this information will aid you in planning seating arrangements, maintaining RSVP's, getting welcome bags out, and even help group guests based on their flight information. Yes, that is out there!

From your mother to your shower hostess, your MIL-to-be to your wedding planner, but most importantly you, keeping your guest list thorough and organized will keep everyone happy!

Kylie & Brett's Engagement Site

I just can't get enough of Kylie & Brett's wedding/engagement website! They are using Benfield Photography for their wedding photographs and this custom designed website came along with their package.

I am thrilled that this couple is a part of my J.Bailey family. We have a lot of fun together and we rock the budget! Their "What I love about him/her" sections just made me cry! I hope you enjoy getting a little glimpse into their wedding...

Kylie & Brett's Website!

Something fun coming VERY soon...

Check back tomorrow (or maybe even sooner) for something very fun, sassy, and cute coming your way!

A sticky situation

As I am planning away for my sweet younger cousin's wedding shower, I began thinking back to what is was that I loved during my own. And then there were the things that didn't go so well. These were extremely few & far between, but the biggest issue was that by the time the gifts got passed, loaded into the car, and back to mom's house...it was inevitable that someone's card had fallen off their box or that their gift didn't make it onto my list. You sit down to write your thank you notes and realize, "Who is this cookbook from?" Uh oh...

It happens to the best of us!

I came across a quick & easy solution to this problem. Consider making labels for each gift. As you open the card, ask your sidekick (bridesmaid, sister, mom) to write the gift giver's name onto a label and then once it is open, attach the sticker. These can be as simple as some white labels you purchase at Wal-Mart, or as cute as some custom gift tag stickers. Of course, you want someone to keep a list of gifts and the giver for you as well, but this is a sure-fire way to ease the stress of a mystery gift!

Happy planning!

Oh my...

I want to apologize to those of you who received multiple emails from me today. Apparently my email server was having problems and most of the people on my list received repeat emails up to 4 times. My apologies! I hope that the problem will be quickly resolved!

It's Up!

My big news is that my brand new website is up & running for all to enjoy! I hope you will find it more appealing, easier to browse, and full of great information for you.

Go check it out! www.jbaileyoccasions.com

New website coming soon!!!!!

Great news! After lots of hard work we are approaching the launch of our new website! You will find it to be quite user-friendly, and a better showcase of our work. I can't wait for you to see it! Keep checking back for the official launch announcement!