Our Favorite Wedding Hacks

If there's one word that does not describe wedding planning, it's: simple. So, this month we are offering up all sorts of wedding hacks - or given the month, treats! - to make planning your wedding just a little less tricky! 

INVITATION HACKS

Number the back of all your RSVP cards. Put a tiny number on the back of each card and then number your guest list accordingly. If guests don’t write their name on the cards (or their writing is illegible), you’ll still be able to figure out whose it is!

Print out two address labels per guest/couple you invite. Use one set of labels for the invitations, and save the other for thank you notes after you receive gifts. 

GROOMS' PARTY HACKS

Ask members of the wedding party to take a low-dose allergy pill on the wedding day as a precaution. You never know when there could be an unexpected reaction to pollen or food. 

This one's the easiest and the hardest: avoid drinking until after photos! 

CAKE HACKS

Get a 2-3 tier cake for display/cutting and then serve guests from a sheet cake that’s hidden in the kitchen.This will allow you to have a beautiful cake without going way over budget.

Freeze the top tier of your cake uncovered for about 20 minutes before wrapping it in foil. If you’re planning on eating your cake on your first anniversary, make sure you can actually enjoy it! This trick will prevent any icing from sticking to the foil when you wrap it and stick it in the freezer.

RECEPTION HACKS

Extend the burn time of votives or tea lights by freezing them the night before.

Dryer sheets can help keep bees and bugs away at outdoor weddings. Tuck them into your suit, or you can even hide them in your centerpieces. 

WARDROBE HACKS

Bring a second, or even third, shirt. You're going to sweat through it, spill something on it or maybe even lose it, so good to have back ups. Buy a fancy one for the ceremony and photos. Then one or two other comfy ones that you can slip into when things really get going on the dance floor. 

This age-old one never gets tired because more gents than not forget to do it. Break in your shoes at least a week before the wedding. 

FLOWER HACKS

For lush, full arrangements, at half the price, mix faux and real flowers. Buy faux, large-scale flowers, like peonies and compliment them with smaller, real, fragrant ones. 

For equally lush, but simpler arrangements, begin buying miniature orchids months before your wedding. You can spread out the expense and, given that orchid blooms can last up to four months, you can really accumulate enough for a gorgeous floral statement. Best yet, you can let your guests take them home.