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a girl holding a flower with a wedding ring in it
  • Weddings
  • February 7, 2023

How to Involve Your Kids in Your Wedding

Your kids are a huge part of your life — of course, you want them to be a part of your big day! Whether you and your partner already have children together or you have kids from previous relationships, there are lots of ways to get them involved. 1. MAKE THEM YOUR FLOWER GIRL OR RING BEARER You may have already had this in mind — it’s a wedding tradition for a reason! 2. ENLIST THEIR HELP WITH DECORATING If you’re doing any sort of DIY crafts or decorations for your wedding, consider asking your kids to help out. This doubles as a fun way to spend time together before the wedding. 3. HAVE THEM WALK YOU DOWN THE AISLE Can a child walk you down the aisle? Of course! There’s no rule that parents have to walk you down the aisle. This is an especially meaningful way to include older kids in your wedding. 4. GIVE THEM A SPECIAL GIFT You’re probably already planning to exchange bride and groom gifts the morning you say “I do.” Why not get something special for the kids to open as well? 5. ASK THEM TO BE BRIDESMAIDS AND GROOMSMEN Your wedding party should include the people who mean the most to you. Traditions aside, your children definitely fit the bill. 6. GET THEIR INPUT ON THE CAKE There are plenty of ways to include your children in your wedding long before the ceremony. Children of any age will feel excited to come along to your cake testing. And they’ll be thrilled to tell guests they helped pick the cake! READ: The Benefits of Joining a Country Club 7. WRITE THEM INTO YOUR VOWS While you’re reaffirming your commitment to your partner, consider taking a moment to remind your kids how much you value your relationship with them as well. This is a nice touch for any ceremony, whether you and your partner have children together or you are blending your families. 8. HAVE A UNITY CEREMONY Lots of couples with children include a unity ceremony on their big day. You might choose to do a more traditional candle-lighting ceremony, but there are other options if you want to get creative. Maybe you can pour different colors of sand into a vase that you can keep in your home to remember the day for years to come. 9. PLAN SPECIAL PHOTO OPS WITH THEM Before the wedding, touch base with your photographer about any special moments you want them to capture. For example, you could set aside a moment to do a first-look reveal with your kids. You’ll never want to forget the moment they first see you before the wedding — it’s when things start to seem real! 10. LET THEM HELP YOU PICK MUSIC Whether you’re putting together a playlist for a DJ or compiling a list of requests for a band to perform, you should try to include a few picks your children will enjoy. As a bonus, you can have a dance party with your kids to relieve some of the wedding planning stress. 11. INCLUDE THEM ON YOUR WEDDING WEBSITE A wedding website is a great way to keep your guests in the know, especially if you have people coming from out of town. Have your kids help you think of some suggestions for fun things guests can do while they’re visiting. 12. STUFF GIFT BAGS TOGETHER Ask your kids to help you put gift bags together for your guests. Even young children can help with this task, and they’ll love spending that time with you. 13. HAVE A FIRST DANCE WITH THEM Whether or not your reception includes the traditional dances with your own parents, see if your kids would like to have a dance of their own. This is a memorable way to include your children in your wedding reception. READ: Top Reasons Children Should Play Golf 14. TAKE YOUR KIDS SHOPPING Make a fun day out of shopping for your children’s outfits for the ceremony. Let them try on a few outfits they choose and then get lunch together as a family. 15. GIVE THEM CAMERAS FOR THE RECEPTION Disposable cameras are great for young kids. You might consider instant cameras if your children are older. Even if they have smartphones, your kids will have more fun with cameras — and you can make a scrapbook together after the wedding. 16. HAVE A SPECIAL DRINK FOR THEM Whether or not the adults will sip alcoholic drinks during your reception, you should make sure the kids have something special to drink, too! A wedding is a perfect occasion to let them indulge in something sweet. 17. TOAST YOUR KIDS While we’re on the topic of drinks, consider taking a moment to have a special toast for your children. They’ll love knowing you’re thinking of them. 18. PUT THEIR FAVORITE FOODS ON THE MENU Having some kid-friendly food at the reception is important, especially if your guest list includes other children besides your own. Let your kids choose some of their favorites. 19. INCLUDE THEM IN THE INVITATIONS If your kids are older, see if they’d like to help put addresses on the invitations. Alternatively, you could make custom stamps with family pictures. 20. HAVE A SLEEPOVER THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING Before you and your partner make things official, set aside one last night to spend with your children. Watch one of their favorite movies, enjoy a few snacks and let them know you’ll always have time for them.

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  • Golf
  • August 2, 2022

When Should Kids Start Golf Lessons?

Kids can start taking golf lessons around the same time they can learn how to walk — the legendary Tiger Woods could swing a club effectively as a toddler. Ultimately, kids should start taking lessons as soon as they become interested in the sport. This will ensure they get a good baseline of fundamentals. Still, knowing when the best time is to have your child start taking lessons can be challenging. Golf is filled with various moving parts that demand close instruction. If you’re able to teach your child the right way to play, it can set them up for years of success. Below, we’ll take a look at the best age for kids to start taking golf lessons, as well as the benefits of lessons and signs that it’s time to find an instructor. WHAT AGE SHOULD KIDS START PLAYING GOLF? Though there is no ideal age for kids to start taking lessons, it’s best to have them start when they begin taking the game a bit more seriously. Many instructors teach a minimum age of around 5 years old, though this could be a flexible range that can swing lower if a child is showing a lot of interest at a younger age. Lessons at young ages like 5 could teach basic fundamentals and qualities like sportsmanship. But more thorough instruction programs in the early teen years can help break down the game and allow for vast improvements in the mechanics of their swing. It will mostly depend on how dedicated your child is and if they’re ready to take that next step with lessons. Here’s a breakdown of the various ages and how they may benefit from golf lessons. 2-5 At this age, golf should act as more of a playful endeavor than a serious sport. Great success usually comes with a sort of playfulness with your craft, so it’s important to introduce the game with fun and relaxation attached to it. Children can be introduced to various clubs and the most basic rules of the game. Although golf is quite a complex game, many children will likely be able to grasp a lot of the more fundamental aspects. You can even create small replica holes where kids can practice hitting a ball toward the target. This action will mirror the larger game and help them get a feel for how to aim and swing. At this age, lessons will likely be very basic and be geared more toward playfulness. This quality is important, as too much serious, complex instruction can turn younger kids off. The right instructors can emphasize fun and allow kids to learn the game in their own way and on their own time. This method lets kids truly discover the game on their own without being forced to learn it. 6-10 This is a great range to get your child involved in golf lessons. Starting this early can help feed their interest in the game while also helping them out with basic mechanics. At this age, many kids can follow instructions and understand the various intricacies of the game. Kids will be able to understand fundamentals and develop the basics before they pick up bad habits, like improper grip or swing techniques. While individual lessons can work great here, kids can also benefit from group lessons. Many programs take kids out on the course to play actual rounds, which is one of the best ways kids can learn how to play. Out on the course, kids can learn about golf etiquette and how to play the game with others. Though golf is an independent sport, much of it is social. Kids can learn about: Reacting to other players’ shots Being mindful of how you present yourself on the course Being careful not to step in anyone’s line on the putting green Keeping your composure even through a bad round In this way, golf lessons are a great way to teach kids about the game and a way to socialize with others. Ages 6 to 10 are a great time to start getting your child involved in golf lessons. READ: The Benefits of Joining a Country Club 11-14 At this age, kids may begin to show clear interest in golf. It may help to have a talk with them and see if they’re willing to pursue this sport more seriously. Around this time, kids may be playing a variety of different sports and be starting to lean into those that they like or are good at. If golf is one of those, lessons at this age can be very rewarding. Junior golf lessons will help kids take that next step to improve their swing. During this time, kids may graduate from using kids clubs to adult clubs. An instructor can help a child make this transition smoothly and show them how to evolve in their game. As preteens and young teenagers, kids in this age group will also grow a lot, which means there will likely need to be various tweaks to their swing. Experienced instructors will help make these adjustments while still teaching the fundamentals to propel kids to the next step, whether that be golf clubs, programs or academies. At ages 11 to 14, kids may be developing a sharper focus for the game and can benefit greatly from junior lessons. 15+ For kids ages 15 and over, golf lessons become even more integral and beneficial. At this stage, your child will likely have made a commitment to the game and may even be playing on a competitive team at school. Individual golf lessons can be instrumental in allowing your child to become even better at the game. A lot of golf is about confidence, understanding what you’re doing wrong and seeing how you can improve your game. Golf instructors can help kids understand what they need to do to become better golfers. A lot of golf revolves around putting the time in and practicing, but it also involves identifying small intricacies in your swing that are keeping you from shooting better scores. Finding out what those small issues are can help your child improve and also allow them to enjoy the game with greater confidence. For kids who are 15 years or older, golf lessons are essential. If you’ve started your child in lessons early, they may even already have a trusted instructor who knows their swing and can work to improve it. SIGNS IT’S TIME FOR YOUR CHILD TO START GOLF LESSONS To know when it’s the best time to get your kids into golf lessons, stay aware of a few signs: 1. THEY’RE BECOMING INTERESTED IN THE GAME There’s a difference between playfulness and becoming genuinely interested in the game of golf. If you notice that your child is frequently wanting to go golf or asking questions about the game, see if they’d be interested in taking lessons. Lessons can be a great way to feed this curiosity and let them learn if this is a sport they want to pursue. 2. GOLF COMES NATURALLY TO THEM For most of us, golf is a challenging sport that requires a lot of practice before we feel comfortable hitting a golf ball. Some kids, however, may have a natural knack for it and pick it up quickly. If this is the case, then lessons may be a way to harness that talent and allow kids to see what they can really do with it. 3. THEY’RE GROWING FRUSTRATED Sometimes, kids may get stuck in a rut in golf where they can’t figure out what they’re doing wrong. If they don’t know how to fix it, this frustration can turn into defeat and they may give up altogether. Lessons can help kids get out of that rut by showing them how to improve. Usually, it’s something that can be fixed with some tweaks and a little practice. BENEFITS OF GOLF LESSONS FOR KIDS Starting golf lessons for kids early has so many advantages. The earlier they start lessons, the more comfortable and confident they’ll likely be as they progress throughout their lives. Lessons are more than just learning about the game — they also offer kids life lessons they can take with them into adulthood. LEARN FUNDAMENTALS EARLY Many of us pick up golf lessons after decades of developing bad habits — one of the first things an instructor does is point out poor mechanics in our swing that we’ve likely become comfortable with. Children have an added advantage in that they probably haven’t developed these bad habits yet. Their swing is like a clean slate on which an instructor can develop a swing rooted in fundamentals. READ: Choosing the Right Golf Clubs for You DEVELOP PATIENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY Golf teaches patience and focus. If you have a bad shot, you don’t have time to dwell on it and think about what went wrong because the next shot is right around the corner. You’re encouraged to keep your wits, take a deep breath and focus on what’s ahead of you. This patience is a powerful lesson that kids can learn at a very young age by playing golf. Golf is also about responsibility. Aside from keeping track of your score, finding your ball and deciding what club to choose, golf is also a very independent game. Instead of a team sport, which spreads responsibility to an entire team, golf hangs accountability on one person — whoever swung the club. As a golfer, you have to take responsibility for good shots and bad ones. GAIN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE Interestingly, golf also teaches us how to control our emotions. Especially in lessons, kids may often hit many bad shots and battle through frustration. A lot of golf is about controlling that frustration and knowing how to use it as energy in the next shot. Part of becoming a great golf player is learning how to manage those bad shots and moving on to focus on the next one, which can help kids develop emotional intelligence. GET HEALTHY EXERCISE Whether you’re walking the course or in a cart, golf is great exercise. You’re outside getting fresh air and stretching, using nearly every part of your body to coordinate a swing that sends the golf ball flying toward your target. Golf lessons can be just as rewarding, teaching kids balance, power and control all at once. BE SOCIAL Though it’s often thought of as just an independent game, golf is actually very social. Most of the time, people will be playing with friends, colleagues or even in tournaments with many people watching. You can make many connections on the golf course that can lead to fruitful relationships or even promotions as an adult. If you’re able to play golf comfortably, you can help forge these relationships on the course and even impress people with your skills. Taking golf lessons at a young age can give kids a leg up on others so they’re ready when they step foot on the course as an adult. At the very least, they can make friends in their lessons they may not meet at school, expanding their social circles. PICK UP A GAME OF LONGEVITY One of the best things about golf is that you can play it almost forever — many older adults continue playing as they age. It’s a non-contact sport that emphasizes fluidity of motion, meaning that injuries are rare and the physical toll on the body is minimal. Learning how to play the game early will set your child up for a lifetime of success and allow them to play one of the few sports that defies age. FINDING THE RIGHT GOLF INSTRUCTOR With all of the benefits of golf lessons for kids, you could be looking for a way to get your child involved. One of the most important parts of golf lessons is finding the right instructor. You’ll want to find a place that offers experienced professionals who have a deep knowledge of the game. At Colonial Golf and Tennis Club, we offer what you need.

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an outdoor event planning tips
  • Events
  • June 14, 2022

Outdoor Event Planning Checklist

Hosting an outdoor event — whether it’s a wedding, private party, corporate retreat or something else entirely — offers a unique experience in a natural setting. Being outdoors for an event gives attendees the chance to enjoy the fresh air, natural sunlight, and beautiful views of nature. Most events require advance planning and organization, and outdoor events have their fair share of special considerations. If you are considering hosting an upcoming event outdoors, here’s everything you need to know to ensure your special day goes smoothly for you and all of your guests. TYPES OF OUTDOOR EVENTS When you think of outdoor events, weddings might be what first come to mind. As a beautiful and popular choice, many couples want an outdoor wedding. However, there are many other events that can take place outdoors — some great examples of private parties and gatherings to have outdoors include: Birthday parties Bar and bat mitzvahs Retirement parties Engagement parties Family reunions School reunions Wedding rehearsal dinners Bridal showers Baby showers Business gatherings and corporate events are also often outdoors. These can include company picnics, executive retreats, business luncheons, team-building events and more. You can host just about any event — large or small — outdoors, and you’ll reap all the benefits of the natural surroundings. OUTDOOR EVENT PLANNING CHECKLIST When you’re planning an outdoor event, there are many things to consider to ensure a successful, enjoyable event for all who attend. To get you started on the planning process, here are some of the top considerations for outdoor event planning. Venue and location Permits and ordinances Logistics Sanitation and waste management Pest control Weather concerns Guest comfort Rentals and vendors Food and beverage Communications VENUE AND LOCATION Your choice of venue can set the stage for your event and may be one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make when planning for your event. Consider the estimated number of attendees you will have, as well as the location, cost, convenience and other factors. You’ll want to weigh your priorities for planning while choosing your location. For example, a public park or beach may be free or low-cost to use as a venue, but you’ll have much more work and cost involved in organizing and hauling in everything from food to decor to furniture and utilities. You may also have to deal with other members of the public in that space. On the other hand, a private venue such as a golf course or event center may come with a price tag, but that cost includes many additional amenities that will make planning much easier. Do plenty of research, and tour your top choices to get more details and a feel for the event space. As you tour, ask lots of questions to ensure you have all the information you need. Find out if there are any restrictions you should be aware of, such as special hours, additional fees, use of outside vendors, rules on decorations, etc. You’ll want to know what is included and what you’ll need to plan to bring in yourself, or what other vendors you’ll need to hire. Once you’ve decided on your venue, book your date as early as possible to avoid any conflicts. PERMITS AND ORDINANCES While it’s definitely not the most exciting part of event planning, checking on permits and local ordinances is a must. Certain events in certain locations require permits, so make sure you have what is required for your event. Some areas require a permit simply to have an event at all, while you may need additional permits for food service, alcohol service, having tents or other structures in the space, use of sound equipment and fireworks or other special effects. Other things to be aware of are local ordinances regarding noise levels, quiet hours, serving food and alcohol and fire and safety codes. Be sure you know what the rules are beforehand. If you are using a private venue, most of this may not apply, and often the event staff will take care of it for you — however, it’s still a good idea to ask about all relevant regulations to cover all your bases. LOGISTICS Another important aspect of outdoor event planning is organizing all of the various logistics. This could include many different things, depending on your type of event and location, but some important things to think about include: Loading and unloading of any deliveries or rentals at the site. Planning for setup and cleanup. Securing directions and parking for all attendees. Organizing the layout and timing of events. Finding necessary utilities, such as electricity sources. Setting up sound and lighting equipment. Planning out any needed staff, like security or valet. READ: Tips for Planning a Rehearsal Dinner These are the details that will help your event run smoothly and are important to confirm well in advance of your important day. Because public spaces include an element of uncertainty, logistics for private events are often much easier to control. Venues like country clubs and event centers have dedicated staff who can take care of logistics and anticipate your event’s requirements. SANITATION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT When choosing an outdoor venue, consider if the site has restrooms available or if you will need to have portable toilets brought in. Even if restrooms are available, you may want to add more for a larger event. Make sure you have the right amount of restrooms for the size of your guest list or estimated number of attendees, and also have proper hand washing stations and hand sanitizers available. If you’re hosting your event in a public location, you’ll also need to plan ahead for dealing with garbage and other waste matter. Make sure that you have proper garbage and recycling receptacles clearly marked, labeled and in easy-to-find locations. You may also want to consider having a cleanup crew dedicated to picking up any excess trash or directing guests to the right receptacles. PEST CONTROL Pests are a part of nature too, but they can easily ruin an event if not taken care of properly. Your guests certainly don’t want the distraction of swatting at bugs all day at your event. If pests like flies and mosquitos could be a problem at your event, you may want to consider taking preventative methods. If you are on private property, such as a backyard, a professional spraying service can reduce pests just before the event. You can also use large fans, citronella candles or torches during the event to deter bugs. Consider setting out bottles of bug spray for guests to use themselves too, if they’d like. WEATHER CONCERNS An outdoor event can be a lovely way to incorporate nature into your special day. However, Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate. The weather conditions can be one of the most important aspects of planning an outdoor event, so you’ll want to monitor the conditions constantly. Plan ahead for the average local weather conditions, and keep an eye on the forecasts leading up to the event. Find out if your venue offers weather insurance in case of inclement conditions. And, most importantly, have a backup plan in case of bad weather — decide if you will cancel or postpone the event due to weather, or if you can move to a nearby indoor location if needed. Be sure to also communicate these plans to your guests so that everyone knows what to expect and where to go. GUEST COMFORT No matter what type of event you’re hosting, you’ll want to ensure that all of your attendees have the best experience. Consider the weather and other conditions at the venue to ensure you have what your guests need to feel comfortable and enjoy the event. Having portable heaters, fans or air conditioners at the ready, depending on the temperature, can make all the difference. You may want to have tents to offer shaded areas out of the direct sun as well. Instead of providing favors or swag bags at your event, consider providing supplies that enhance the event’s experience for your guests. If the weather is hot, be sure to provide plenty of drinking water and other cold beverages. You could also offer sunscreen, hand sanitizer, paper fans, sunglasses, or bug spray. If colder temps are possible on your event day, you may want to have stacks of blankets around for guests to wrap up in and personal hand and feet warmers if needed, or extra umbrellas and towels in case of rain. You’ll also want to think about accessibility for event attendees. If you will have elderly guests or anyone with wheelchairs or other mobility devices, consider how they will be able to get to your venue and what kind of terrain they’ll need to navigate. Brainstorm any special accommodations you can provide to ensure everyone on your list can be a part of your special event. These considerations may also include concerns such as sound and lighting adjustments, as well as dietary preferences and food allergies. If you’ll be serving food, you want to be sure there’s something that everyone is able to enjoy! READ: 8 Tips for Creating Social Media Buzz for Your Wedding RENTALS AND VENDORS Depending on the location you choose, the venue may be able to include additional amenities. And for others, you may need to take care of renting extra items yourself, including: Tents, stages and other structures. Tables, chairs and other furniture Sound, lighting and electrical equipment. Dance floors and stages. Dishes, glassware, linens and cutlery. At a public outdoor venue, you may also need to hire staff for cleaning, food and beverage service and security. FOOD AND BEVERAGE Most types of events will need to have some type of food and beverage available, and when you’re outside, there are a few special considerations for choosing what to offer. First, let the season and weather guide some of your choices. In the summer, you may want to have lighter fare, classic picnic foods, salads, BBQ and of course cold cocktails. During colder weather, consider hot soups, heartier meals, hot chocolate and hot toddies. Aside from planning your menu, consider how certain foods will stand up to the current conditions. Make sure you’ve got the right equipment and supplies to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot according to food safety guidelines. You may need to have coolers, freezers, food warmers and other equipment available. You don’t want your cheeses or ice cream melting in the hot sun before it’s served — or your warm soups going cold. COMMUNICATIONS From the beginning of the planning process, communications are key. You may want to have a planning committee that can help with all aspects of the event, and have a plan for frequent communications. Determine who will be in charge of which aspects of the event, and make sure to check in on progress periodically. During the event, especially if it is a large event, you may want walkie-talkies for your team to make communications easier. Communication is also important for your guests or attendees. Be sure that they know that it is an outdoor event so they can plan ahead and dress appropriately for the weather. Your guests will be happier knowing what to expect. You’ll also want to give clear directions to the event, and make sure that on the day of the event, you have clear signage so guests know where to go. HOW TO PLAN A SUCCESSFUL OUTDOOR EVENT Planning an outdoor event takes a lot of research, organization and coordination. It often comes with additional considerations and challenges beyond what it takes for planning indoor events. If you start planning early, assemble a team of helpers and follow all of the above tips, you’ll be set up for a successful event, no matter the occasion. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the event planning process, consider choosing a private venue, like a country club and golf course, that’s already knowledgeable and experienced in event planning. Going this route means you can avoid many of the top concerns about event planning, as the staff will take care of many of these things for you. This takes much of the stress out of the planning process and makes it easier for you to enjoy your special day, along with your guests. OUTDOOR EVENTS AT COLONIAL GOLF AND TENNIS CLUB Colonial Golf and Tennis Club can help you plan the outdoor event of your dreams. Whether you have an upcoming wedding, corporate event, shower, or other party or event, we can provide the perfect location for events large or small. Our gorgeous location is the perfect backdrop for a wide variety of outdoor events, and we offer indoor spaces to use for your event as well. At Colonial Golf and Tennis Club, we only book one wedding or event at a time, so it’s easy to move your outdoor event inside if needed, taking the stress out of planning around the weather. Our in-house catering means you don’t have to worry about outside vendors, and our team will work with you to create the perfect menu for your special day. Plan your event with us, and take the stress out of the planning process. We have many event packages to choose from, perfect for all sorts of events, and you can work with our dedicated catering director to craft the right menu for your event. We can’t wait to help you plan your special day — get in touch with our team today to get started.

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  • Weddings
  • March 25, 2022

When to Send Wedding Invitations

Getting married is an exciting, happy time filled with romance and endless possibilities. Planning your wedding can be just as exciting, as you’re gathering all your friends and family into one place to celebrate together. It will also come with some must-do tasks as you keep track of food, guests, the venue and more. There’s usually one common question everyone comes to during the planning process — when should I send out wedding invitations? This is a great question, and usually, you don’t think about when to send out wedding invitations until it’s time to consider it. With a bit of help from this guide, you can get simple answers to these questions and enjoy the time spent planning your wedding. WHEN SHOULD YOU SEND OUT WEDDING INVITATIONS? Typically, you should send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the ceremony. If you’re inviting guests from out of the country or planning a destination wedding, you might want to give them some extra time, such as 12 weeks. The right timeline will be a little different for each situation, so if you think your guests might have to make more travel arrangements to get to your wedding, err on the side of caution and send your invites earlier. You might want to include some essential information on your wedding invitations, such as: Plus-ones: You can specify whether you want specific guests to bring plus-ones to the wedding. Adding “and guest” to the invitation lets someone know they can bring along a date. Remember, there’s no need to add a “plus-one” for every guest. If you’re looking to keep the headcount down, there’s no harm in inviting someone solo. Dress code: The wedding invitation is also a great way to let people know about the dress code. You can include the attire in the bottom corner of the invitation — “black tie,” “casual,” etc. This will give guests some detail so they’re not panicking or calling you about what to wear. You can also make the invitation’s design fit the wedding’s atmosphere — a neat, black and white card with fancy writing could suggest a more formal event. Website: If you have a wedding website, you can include it on the card. This platform is a great way to point people toward more information if you don’t want to clutter the card with too many words. READ: 8 Tips for Creating Social Media Buzz for Your Wedding WHO SHOULD RECEIVE A WEDDING INVITATION? Everyone on your guest list should receive a wedding invitation. If you’re hosting a big wedding, make sure you have an organized, systematic way of sending out invitations. You don’t want to forget someone or accidentally send a duplicate invitation. Putting together your guest list can require a little more thought than other steps of planning your wedding. Remember that it’s your wedding and your day, so you deserve to choose who you want to celebrate with. Once you’ve compiled a guest list, send out your invitations and exhale — the hard part is over. WHEN SHOULD THE RSVP DATE BE? It’s a good idea to have RSVPs due one month before the wedding. This deadline will give you adequate time to set the seating chart and get a final headcount for catering. It will also give you time to contact those you haven’t heard from. A quick call to those who haven’t responded will ensure you’re getting the right number of guests. Again, it’s better to be cautious and put dates earlier so you’ll have more room to plan. Anything that prevents scrambling in the days leading up to your wedding will be helpful. WHAT TIME SHOULD YOU PUT ON YOUR INVITATION? Set your wedding time for 30 to 45 minutes before you actually want the ceremony to begin. Establishing an early time will make sure guests won’t run too late to the ceremony, and you won’t force people to wait in their seats for hours on end, either. Your guests will be waiting for a bit if they show up early, so it’s good to have some activity planned to keep them occupied before the ceremony begins. This activity could be something as simple as serving drinks or hors d’oeuvres or having everyone sign your guestbook. Having something going on will put parameters around that waiting time so you don’t have people aimlessly milling about for too long. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS If you have been through the wedding process before or have done some research, you’ll know that wedding invitations aren’t the only invites you’ll be sending out. With all the activities surrounding weddings, you’ll likely send out at least a few different cards to your guests. Here are several you might want to keep in mind. READ: How to Choose a Wedding Catering Service SAVE THE DATES Save the date cards should be sent out six to eight months before your wedding day. Sometimes they can be sent as early as a year — it depends on how much notice you want to give your guests. Save the dates might seem tedious to some, but they help prepare your guests and allow them more than enough time to reserve a day on their schedule for your wedding. BRIDAL SHOWERS After you narrow down a date for the shower, you can start thinking about when to send out bridal invitations. Send bridal shower invitations six to eight weeks beforehand. Usually, the maid of honor or the bridesmaids will host the bridal shower, and it can include a tight-knit group or a large get-together with friends and family. Whatever you decide, make sure whoever you invite to the bridal shower is also invited to the wedding. REHEARSAL DINNERS Send rehearsal dinner invitations three to six weeks before the event. These should go to close family and friends who are in the ceremony. During the rehearsal, you can have a walkthrough and smooth over any lingering questions before the big day. THANK-YOU CARDS Thank-you cards are a simple and kind way to show your appreciation for those who were generous on those long days during the wedding planning and on the wedding day itself. It’s a good idea to send thank-you cards to anyone who gave you a gift either leading up to the wedding or during. When you send these will depend on when you received the gift. For gifts received during the wedding, send a thank-you note within three months.

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