Wedding Registry Ideas for Established Couples

Written by Maria Lawrence with Cuisipro Kitchenware.

Whether you're planning a second wedding or just want to celebrate with some friends, you can make your celebration extra special by creating a registry. Making a registry is simple and fun since you can add some of your own unique touches to make it even more personal. 

For the established couple, planning a wedding and creating a registry is important. You’ve already got most of the things you need and can afford to ask for fancy things that will make your life easier (and happier). There's no shame in being a little pickier about what you want from your registry.

Let’s have a look at some wedding registry ideas that you can consider!

BEd & Bath

The bedding section is a great place to start for couples who want to get quality bedding and linens without having to leave their home. You can also register for bath accessories, bathroom mirrors, and even some décor.

You can register for anything from the most luxurious silks to the coziest flannels. Couples may even want to create their own linen sets by registering for towels and washcloths in coordinating colors. If you have a theme that you’re going with for your wedding, it might be fun to ask guests if they would like certain colors of items or patterns on towels or sheets.

If you already have all the sheets and towels that you need but want something special for your honeymoon suite (or master suite), then we recommend registering for some bath accessories (a shower curtain, shower hooks, and bathrobe).

Kitchen & Dining

Established couples are often settling down after years of living together and sharing a kitchen. With that in mind, you can register for plates, baking essentials (e.g. baking sheets), and cups. Baking sets are one of the best wedding registry ideas for established couples. A baking set can include everything from measuring cups and spoons to cookie cutters and mixing bowls. You can even register for an artisanal bread maker if you're really feeling ambitious. 


But if you want to keep things simple, there are plenty of other options out there. For example, consider registering for a basket full of delicious ingredients that you can use in any recipe — from fresh fruit to nuts and spices. You could even register for a container of homemade jam — it's perfect on toast or scones (or even ice cream).


You can also add essential appliances to your wedding registry, such as a blender, food processor, electric kettle, etc.  

Home Décor

Home décor is another great gift option and one that can come at a high price. A wedding registry is a perfect way to ask for home décor items that match your style and budget.

You’re able to customize what you put on your wish list so that it best suits you. There are many different types of home décor — furniture, wall art, or accents such as pillows and blankets. These are just some examples of the many different things couples could ask for this holiday season. You can even ask for items that reflect your interests. For example, if you love reading books then why not register for some beautiful bookends?

High Tech Products

If you're looking to register for high-tech products, there are plenty of options. For example, a high-end coffee maker or fancy blender would be great additions to your kitchen. Or, if you have a home theater set up in your living room, why not get the latest model of your favorite TV or sound system? 

High-tech products are also an excellent gift idea for couples who like to travel. For instance, a portable laptop charger that works with all your devices’ charging ports would be helpful during your adventures together. The possibilities are endless!

Travel

You can ask for plane tickets, camping gear, or even a hotel stay. Traveling together is a great way to spend time together and it allows you to explore new places and enjoy each other’s company outside of your normal routine. If you want to get something with more longevity than just plane tickets, consider asking for travel accessories such as luggage, guides regarding a particular area, and some information on what you should see there.

Fancy Things

The first thing to do is to not feel guilty about asking for the things you want. Don't worry about what other people are asking for and don't worry about what they think, either. Your friends and family want to give you gifts they know you'll love, so there's no need to rein in your preferences or ask for something else if it's not on their radar. Asking for fancy things isn't a bad thing. It just means that someone else is going through all the work of picking them out and paying for them. You can even ask your guests to opt out of giving any gifts at all if that would make the most sense given your finances or other circumstances.

As you can see, there are many different ideas for wedding registries. Many people choose to register with friends or family members — and that’s okay. Determine your couple’s goals to see what you should include in your wedding registry. 

We hope this list has given you some inspiration for your own registry needs, whether they’re short-term or long-term ones. Double-check our list once you want to create a wedding registry. 

—Written by Maria Lawrence with Cuisipro Kitchenware.

Who is It’s Your Day Events?

We are a Seattle, Bellingham and Bremerton, WA based wedding planning, wedding coordination and design agency. What we do is at times difficult to picture because the services we offer are intangible. When you are scrolling through beautiful photos, with stunning flowers, and amazing cohesive design; the magic behind that is the planning, design, and coordination. This is what we do.

We professionally organize, plan, and coordinate the details.

We dot the i's and cross the t's.

We triple check it all once more. 

Then, when the day comes, we watch the wonderment and happiness on your face as your wedding day unfolds, just as you dreamed it would.

Bride in Recovery? How To Throw A Sober Bachelorette Party

 

Image via Pixabay

 

written by Brittany Fisher brittanyfisher@financiallywell.info

 

A bachelorette party is a staple event before a wedding. Sometimes, people view it as important as the wedding itself. The bachelorette party is the last hurrah, so to speak, for the bride's single life, and while there isn’t a specific way to do it, there are some favorite traditions.

 

These parties often involve alcohol, but a sober bachelorette party is a popular alternative for brides who don’t drink. The maid of honor is typically responsible for planning and hosting these parties, but taking into account the needs of a bride in recovery can make the job a bit more challenging. That does not mean, however, that you can’t successfully throw a memorable bachelorette party for the bride-to-be. It’s Your Day Events offers the following tips so you can pull off a great party to honor your friend.

 

With the Bride in Mind

 

As the maid of honor, talk with the bride about the details of the event. Things like the guest list and timing are often up to the bride, so her input is needed in the planning stages. Ask her about activities she’d like to do and if there’s anything you should avoid as a part of her recovery—places she used to go, triggers, etc.

 

Your bride may be okay going to a restaurant where alcohol is served and having guests that drink in moderation. Or your bride may want to completely avoid alcohol, and you may need to help her cope with any stress if she encounters a trigger during the festivities. Understanding her triggers and how others can help may need to be shared with the party’s attendees.

 

Trim the Guest List

 

Not everyone is going to be okay with the idea of a sober bachelorette party. Keep in mind that there may be some people who may try to pressure the bride into drinking or may be upset that she isn’t drinking. Make it very clear that it’s the bride’s party, and she is in charge of what she wants to do.

 

When inviting guests, state on the invitation that it will be an alcohol-free event for the bride, and also state whether or not alcohol will be permitted. While this may impact who does or does not attend, disclosing that information up front will help the bride tremendously.

 

Where To Go, What To Do

 

Talk with the bride and get her input when you brainstorm. Together, you can come up with some fantastic ideas for a sober bachelorette party. You can go for a girls’ weekend approach, where it’s more of a vacation over a few days than a party in one evening. A resort spa, an interest-related retreat, or a special event can each be an option for a sober bachelorette party because they don’t require alcohol to be fun.

 

Of course, you also don’t have to go out on the town or even leave the area. You can host the party at your home. This allows for more control over what happens, so it may be the best option to avoid triggers. The bride, depending on her interests, may also be more comfortable at someone’s home than out at a restaurant or spa.

 

If you feel overwhelmed planning a sober bachelorette, you can always get some outside help to put together a great bash. Wedding planners, It’s Your Day Events is well-versed in wedding-related gatherings, and they can work with you to create a memorable party for the bride-to-be.

 

If your friend in recovery is about to get married, as the maid of honor, you may be concerned about how to throw a great sober bachelorette party. But don’t worry, your friend asked you because she trusts you. Repay that trust by involving the bride in planning her bachelorette party. Whether you elect to do a weekend away with the bridal party, or have a fun and relaxing night in, these simple steps will help you throw the party she deserves.


Written by Brittany Fisher brittanyfisher@financiallywell.info


Who is It’s Your Day Events?

We are a Seattle, Bellingham and Bremerton, WA based wedding planning, wedding coordination and design agency. What we do is at times difficult to picture because the services we offer are intangible. When you are scrolling through beautiful photos, with stunning flowers, and amazing cohesive design; the magic behind that is the planning, design, and coordination. This is what we do.

We professionally organize, plan, and coordinate the details.

We dot the i's and cross the t's.

We triple check it all once more. 

Then, when the day comes, we watch the wonderment and happiness on your face as your wedding day unfolds, just as you dreamed it would.


Featured Vendor Highlight: Char Beck Photography

Hey Y’all! Ashley here. I am excited to share with you, an interview of one of our favorite wedding photographers. The one, the only CHAR BECK. Keep reading to hear about how fantastic he is ~

 
Char Beck wedding photographer we work with as wedding coordinators
 

How long have you been in business? 

  • 13 years! :)

How did you get started in photography?:

  • My parents gifted me with a small point and shoot camera for my high school graduation. I had so much fun getting creative, finding cool angles to capture the world with, and eventually it led to getting a better camera and expanding my opportunities. I started taking facebook headshots for my friends in college for fun. Pretty soon after, people asked me, “how much do you charge?” I had no clue, so I met up with a few professional photographers and they shot me straight and gave me some invaluable insight.


Why wedding photography?: 

  • My parents mentored high school and college kids while I grew up, therefore year after year we had many weddings to go to as a family. By the time I was 18, I had been to over 50 weddings, so it felt incredibly natural for me to get into wedding photography. I had a lot of friends getting married right out of college, so a mix between word of mouth with them, and other people I graduated with ended up being the perfect combo to launch my business 13 years ago!

What do you love about what you do?: 

  • I love people. Photography is cool, but people are fantastic. If I had to stick to product photography or solo nature photography, I think I’d probably have to choose another career. Capturing people, helping them relax, showing them how great they look -- these are the things that give me motivation to get out of bed and do my job well. I love helping humans! :)


If I weren’t a photographer…

  • I would probably be a coffee-shop manager. I absolutely love hipster coffee shops and I think that would be another fun way to serve people well.


What is your secret sauce that makes you so awesome at what you do?

  • Anyone can carry a camera and know how to use it, but what makes me so good at what I do is I disarm people with humor, thoughtfulness, and a relaxed environment. I find that humor can disarm just about anyone, so part of that is my natural personality, but I’ve learned how to use fun little phrases or behavior to make just about anyone smile (without saying “SMILE”) -- when people are having a good time, they look like they are having a good time in their photos. 


What is one thing you wish all couples would ask before booking you?

  • I wish couples would ask me what my favorite whiskey was, and then give that to me as a tip when I deliver them life-changing photos --- haha I kid, I kid. No, but seriously, I try and be as thorough as I can on my website with my “About Me” and I feel like most couples, by the time they are booking me, have a great understanding of who I am and who they are about to hire. I suppose I would like to ask them, “Are you sure you know what you want in a wedding photographer?” And I hope I match that description. :)


What have you been doing to cope during these strange times? 

  • I’ve been getting outside and riding my bike. I love embracing the fresh air, even if it’s freezing out! -- From a business perspective, I did a TON of mini-shoots to pivot when weddings were cancelled or postponed in 2020.


Is there a wedding venue that is on your wishlist that you haven’t shot at yet?

  • Fremont Foundry or Within Sodo -- these are 2 venues in the Seattle area with more of a modern design that I would love the chance to shoot at sometime!


Anything else our readers should know about you?:

  • I freaking LOVE my job. I cannot believe people pay me to creatively capture them. Is that obvious yet? Feel free to reach out to me on my website (www.charbeck.net) and let’s get you or your loved ones some fantastic photos!

There you have it friends - reach out to Char if you are in need of an amazing photographer! As wedding planners, he is one of our favs!



Who is It’s Your Day Events?

We are a Seattle, Bellingham and Bremerton, WA based wedding planning, wedding coordination and design agency. What we do is at times difficult to picture because the services we offer are intangible. When you are scrolling through beautiful photos, with stunning flowers, and amazing cohesive design; the magic behind that is the planning, design, and coordination. This is what we do.

We professionally organize, plan, and coordinate the details.

We dot the i's and cross the t's.

We triple check it all once more. 

Then, when the day comes, we watch the wonderment and happiness on your face as your wedding day unfolds, just as you dreamed it would.



10 Best Wedding Blogs for Unique Couples

Wedding blogs are a great resource to find inspiration and hear the stories of real brides & grooms in their journey down the aisle. But finding wedding inspiration can be tough if you’re not interested in the traditional style of tying the knot. The beauty of getting married is joining together with the person you love, which also means that your big day can be whatever represents your relationship and style! More and more couples are finding creative ways to incorporate the uniqueness of their relationship into their wedding day because there is no “right'' way to throw a wedding!



Here are 10 wedding blogs that are filled with creative inspo!



1.Ethical Weddings

This one’s for our sustainable kings and queens! If throwing an impactful party while treating our earth kindly is important to you, head to Ethical Weddings for some fantastic wedding ideas as well as tips on finding ethical vendors.

photo by The Outlovers

2. A Practical Wedding

We all strive for practicality, right? This blog has an abundance of real wedding stories, advice for couples in all stages of wedding planning, even a free wedding planning E-book & spreadsheets! This blog is a gold mine for DIY brides (hello article on dyeing your own veil), small wedding/elopement brides, even large formal wedding brides! 

photo by Stephanie Rogers

3. Rock N Roll Bride

Rock N Roll Bride describes themselves as “The ultimate guide for alternative brides”. Head to their site for the coolest sequin-covered brides, great ‘something blue’ alternatives, even their podcast The Confidence Club for episodes on mental health, self confidence and positivity during a pandemic.

photo by Gaby J Photography

4. Offbeat Bride

The Offbeat Bride is all about creating a wedding that’s authentic to you and your partner. In search of reception ideas? The Offbeat Bride highlights reception dancing alternatives (smores and bonfires you say?), micro weddings, even real weddings with a “books” theme!

photo by Shannon Hodges Photography

5. Unique Rebels Union

The Unique Rebels Union pride themselves in being a resource for creative weddings and events. They house a wealth of colorful inspiration that’s sure to get your creative juices flowing.

photo by Fleming Photo

6. Green Wedding Shoes

Your one-stop-shop for creative wedding inspiration! From unique wedding favors to luxury picnic ideas to vintage wedding inspo, this blog will knock your socks off!

photo by The Brothers Martens

7. Way Out Wedding

For all you modern couples out there… WOW is here for you! Way Out Wedding is an incredible resource for incorporating cool, bright, modern elements into your big day.

photo by Joanna Bongard

8. Ruffled Blog

For the whimsical garden bride… Ruffled has an amazing array of garden-inspired real weddings that are sure to make you swoon!

photo by Perez Photography

9. Magpie Wedding

Find unique resources ranging from gothic romance inspiration to mental health support on your wedding day. 

photo by Emma-Jane Photography

10. June Bug Weddings

For our boho-loving brides! June Bug Weddings has a wide array of boho weddings from earthy & minimalist micro weddings to a bright & bold citrus-colored affair. 

photo by Aurelia Baca Photography

I hope you find these helpful!

Marin Sasaki & the IYDE team


Who is It’s Your Day Events?

We are a Seattle, Bellingham and Bremerton, WA based wedding planning, wedding coordination and design agency. What we do is at times difficult to picture because the services we offer are intangible. When you are scrolling through beautiful photos, with stunning flowers, and amazing cohesive design; the magic behind that is the planning, design, and coordination. This is what we do.

We professionally organize, plan, and coordinate the details.

We dot the i's and cross the t's.

We triple check it all once more. 

Then, when the day comes, we watch the wonderment and happiness on your face as your wedding day unfolds, just as you dreamed it would.

Contact us for any wedding planning, wedding coordination or design needs!

Hiring: Assistant Wedding Coordinator (2 Positions: Bellingham & Seattle, WA)

Assistant Coordinator 

2 Positions: Bellingham & Seattle, WA

Pay $17-25 per hour

The assistant coordinator will be responsible for assisting with weddings and events on (typically on) weekends. Additional roles and responsibilities are available, such as blogging and social media contribution. 

The ideal candidate must be polished, self-motivated, loves weddings, enthusiastic, detail oriented and comfortable being on their feet/active most of the day. They must be able to self-manage and work independently. This is a Woman, Best Friend, Co-Owned business.

You would be able to work from home on any assigned tasks, such as blogging or vendor research. The time commitment is approx 1-2 hours a week for non-wedding day work. Occasional attendance at staff meetings required, approximately monthly/quarterly. On weeks we have weddings the time commitment is approx 10 hours.

This is an extremely part-time position with potential to grow. Currently, we are looking for someone to start as an apprentice, shadowing us and learning the ropes (paid training), pay is $17/hour for the duration of the apprenticeship.  We are seeking the right candidate to grow with us, to be hired on as an assistant coordinator for 2022 with further growth opportunities (associate planner, etc) in the years beyond.  Apprenticeship lasts for approximately the first 4 weddings or 90 days, whichever comes first. After that, we/you will have the opportunity to reflect on your experience so far and decide if you'd like to be hired on permanently. If hired on as assistant coordinator, pay will increase, DOE. Growth opportunities are available if the candidate is a right fit to join the event planning team as an Associate Coordinator (leading your own weddings). We are looking for someone to stay and grow with us and be a part of the IYDE team/family.

Responsibilities: 

- Assist Lead Planner at weddings (this is a multi-hats position and can include everything from placing table numbers to setting up chairs, getting the DJ a plate of food, to floofing the bride's dress before she walks down the aisle)

- Client and vendor communication

- Vendor research & networking

- Blogging

- Assist in planning market events, such as industry open houses

- Have a seat at the table in team meetings & provide your valuable voice

Desired Skills/Experience:

- Excellent written and oral communication skills

- Must have your own vehicle, cell phone, and laptop.

- Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure with limited time frame

- Detail oriented with exceptional level of accuracy and follow-through

- Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment

- Works well within a team oriented environment

- Flexibility to work from home, some weekend availability required. 

- Ability to prepare written reports and correspondences, and presentations as required

- Agile at prioritizing and managing multiple projects

- Must possess strong communication, time management and collaboration skills; confident, self-starter, independent thinker

- Associate or Bachelor's degree in related field highly preferred

{Extra bonus point for candidates with previous event or wedding planning experience!!!}

We have weddings all over the Puget Sound, so if you are willing to travel you will have more hands-on opportunities.

-Estimated assistance at 8-15 weddings in the 2022 season.

Compensation:

-$17 an hour to start (for approximately first 4 weddings/90 days) & increase after apprenticeship period

- About 75% of our clients provide gratuity on the wedding day as well

-Yearly bonuses, company meals and gas stipends


Please send your cover letter, resume and portfolio {if applicable} by email. Deadline is 1/30/22. We will contact you if we would like to schedule an interview. info@itsyourdayevents.com



Holiday Greetings to All Our Clients

Sara & her son, Finn (2)

Hello! Season’s Greetings!

It’s that time of year…the Holidays are upon us. We wanted to send out a little hello, and give some updates. Some of you we are in the throes of planning with and have been connecting with quite frequently, while a few of you, we got most of your planning done in 2019 and we have been patiently waiting for your new date in 2022 (thanks Covid!)

What’s new with us? We have been busy! 2022 is going to be our busiest season yet. In fact, we are not accepting any new clients through late September 2022. Christina & Sara are both expecting baby #2! Sara is due around March 1st and Christina around April 7th. Christina’s daughter Sophia just turned 3 and we cannot believe how fast our toddlers are growing! Other than that, we are enjoying life as much as we can during these continually tough times.

Christina & her daughter Sophia (3), Ashley & her daughter Lennon (2.5)

A Note on Holiday Hours and General Availability: Starting 12/24, we will be on Holiday vacation with our families, basically through 1/3/22. During this time, we will be spending a lot of time with our families & friends, including some mini trips out of town for each of us. Ashley will be checking emails on 12/27 & 12/28, and Christina will be checking emails on 12/30 for anything urgent. Please put URGENT in the subject line if you need a reply during this time. Other than that, we are also hoping/expecting you to enjoy some R&R during this time as well.

Mercer and her husband Nick and baby Shay (6months)

General Availability Side Note: We know a lot of our couples email us on the weekend, because that is when they are free (not working) - although we sometimes work on weekends as planners, the weekends we do not have events (like right now, through most of winter) we are NOT typically working on the weekends. Our kids are home and we are busy enjoying life. Please expect a few extra day response time for any emails sent on Fridays or over the weekend.

That’s it for now…we wish you the most wonderful season, and here is to a Happy 2022 to all of us…lot’s of amazing weddings coming up and we are so excited for you!




CHEERS!

Team IYDE

Ashley, Christina, Sara & Mercer