Top 6 Wedding Planning Mistakes

Photo Courtesy of: Christine Lim and Ruby Yeo

If you want your wedding planning to go smoothly, these are the top 6 wedding planning mistakes you can't afford to make!

1. Waiting too long to place deposits. You find a great place, but you're worried that something better might pop up. Rather than place a deposit, you decide to wait it out. Finally, you decide after weeks of waiting that you want the venue for your ceremony or your reception. When you whip out your wallet, you discover that someone else has already reserved your date.
   
2. Hiring the cheapest band. Do you and your guests a favor and at the very least listen to a demo first. You might also want to get recommendations if you are not familiar with local bands. Bad music can kill the reception!
   
3. Rushing through the rehearsal. All audio and visual tools should be checked at your rehearsal. Don't just practice walking down the aisle. Make sure you cover all the technical bases too.
   
4. Leaving the dress in closet untouched for months. This is a big one for brides who buy their dresses well in advance of their wedding. Try it on periodically to make sure you're not putting on or losing too much weight. Last minute alterations are pretty much impossible to get right.
   
5. Going over budget. Track your expenses closely, because wedding expenses can add up fast. Going outside your budget can have catastrophic consequences, leaving you with huge debts as you start your lives together.
   
6. Trying to do it all yourself. Even if you can't hire a wedding planner, you should be willing to delegate some of the responsibilities to your friends and family. If you don't as for help you run the risk of forgetting something really important in addition to making yourself crazy from the stress.

Do you have a special tip to share with a bride to be? Share it in the comments!

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Top 10 Wedding Blogs

Weddings are complicated affairs, and so much goes into their planning that we'd be remiss to talk about nothing but Pinwhirls and invitations and cupcake toppers all the time. In that light, we've created a list of our Top 10 Wedding Blogs. We're sure you'll find all kinds inspiration for making your wedding absolutely perfect.

Top 10 Wedding Blogs

1. Green Wedding Shoes: This blog has it all including galleries, DIY ideas, honeymoons, and vendor listings. We think you'll love the really unique features. (Did you see that Super Mario Bros. themed wedding cake? Too cute!)
2. A Practical Wedding: This blog is run by San Franciscan, Meg Keene. Originally a place for her to plan her own wedding, the site grew into something much more. We think you'll enjoy her advice & dilemma sections for sure.
3. Brooklyn Bride: If modern and elegant are what you're after, check out this blog. The tagline is "Planning a modern wedding in a world of pink flowers and poofy dresses." Don't forget to browse the galleries for inspiring ideas.
4. Weddingbee: There is a lot to do on the Weddingbee site. You'll want to read the blogs, browse the galleries, check out the classifieds, and get the low down on vendors by clicking around the vendor review section. Definitely worthy of a bookmark.
5. Junebug Weddings: This wedding blog makes the list because it's so extensive. They cover topics like wedding planning, wedding fashion, wedding ideas and more. Don't forget to view the 'What Junebug Loves' section while you're there.
6. Polka Dot Bride: Stunning photos make this Australian wedding blog worthy of a mention. Don't miss out on the expert interviews and inspiration boards. They promise to be excellent resources for brides.
7. 100 Layer Cake: Even more resources for the DIY bride plus a market place to peruse. It looks like the inspiration section will be live soon, so you might want to bookmark this site for viewing later too.
8. Pink Galoshes: The tagline here is "irreverant hip tips for the slightly naughty bride." We recommend this site for the bride who finds traditional weddings blasée.
9. Weddzilla: This is another great wedding blog with an ideabook and a users forum. From dresses and accessories to wedding photography, they cover everything wedding.
10. Relentless Bride: Read Amy Jean's insightful posts and weddings and life. Browse the popular posts in the sidebar for great wedding content.

That sums it up! If you have found other great wedding resources online, share the links in the comments.

Wedding Anniversary Celebration Ideas

Whether you're planning your parents' 25th or your grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary celebration, we've got party suggestions to help you make your next wedding anniversary extra special!

Planning a 25th or 50th Wedding Anniversary Party


Is the big celebration going to be a surprise? If you so, you want to make sure that your wedding anniversary invitations remind everyone that the party is a secret!

Here are some must-haves for the big event:

• A slide show illustrating the couple's lives together from the day they met to the most recent photos of them with friends and family.
  
  


• Cakes or cupcakes. We love the idea of replicating the original wedding cake in some way, but you could also use more contemporary cupcake toppers to match a specific theme.
  


• Decorate with larger matching Pinwhirls imprinted with the couples' names and anniversary date for an extra special touch.
  


• Hire a band or a DJ to play the couple's favorite songs. Don't forget to find out what special songs should be included. What song was played at their wedding? What song did they first dance to? What song do they call "their" song?
  


• Don't forget to book a photgrapher! Just like the wedding, the anniversary celebration is something you'll want to remember through photos and video.
  


• Ask the couple to share a special moment or favorite memories from their years together. They can share this as a toast, make it part of the slide show, or include it on the party invitations.

What other tips and suggestions do you have for those celebrating milestone anniversaries? Share them with readers in the comments!

Classic Games for Children's Birthday Parties

If you're celebrating your child's birthday with a big party at home, don't forget the games! Birthday cupcakes, cupcake toppers, and party favors are important, but the kids will really love the chance to play together and be active.

Here are some great classic games you might have played at birthday parties when you were growing up.

Musical Chairs

For this game you need one less chair than you have children and a CD player or iPod to start and stop the music. Start with every child moving around the chairs while the music is playing. When the music stops, all the kids should try to find a seat. The child left standing after all the others are seated is eliminated from the game.

For the second round, remove one more chair and repeat the process. Keep doing this until only one child remains. This game is fun on its own, or you could award a small door prize or even a paper crown to the winning child.

Pin the Tail on the Donkey

This is a simple but well-loved favorite. One at a time, each child is blindfolded and given a paper tail. He or she is then spun around a few times before trying to pin the tail in the appropriate spot on the picture of a donkey. The child who comes closest wins.

Fruit Basket Upset

For this game, each child needs to be assigned to a group. Traditionally, fruits like apples, oranges, and bananas have been used—but you could change it up to match your party theme if you want. If the party is all about dinosaurs, you could have a group of triceratops, a group of T-Rexes, and a group of pterodactyls, for example. Assign groups before you start.

Next, form a circle with one less chair than you have children. The child without a seat will stand in the center and call out one of the group names. All of the children in that group must move to a new chair, and the child in the middle will join them in trying to take one of the open seats. The next child left without a seat takes the center spot for a turn at calling out a group.

At any point in the game, a child could call out, "Fruit Basket Upset!" and all of the children my find a new seat. The game ends when all the kids are exhausted!

What fun birthday party games did you play when you were a kid?

Tips for Planning the Perfect Fall Wedding

We love autumn weddings! (Well, we just love weddings. Period.)

Fall weddings are at once classic and elegant, but sometimes brides are at a loss as to how they can tie the bold, rich colors of fall into their wedding ceremony and reception. Here are some ideas you can use that are both traditional and contemporary:

Use A Striking Accent Color

Deep reds, browns, golds, and oranges are all beautiful colors and symbolic of autumn. But you don't have to go overboard with color. Choose just one or two of these bold accent colors paired with a soft neutral. Your accent pieces will really pop, yet the overall effect will be classy and chic. Browse our Pinwhirls pinwheel paper selections for your favorite fall colors.

Mix In a Part of the Harvest

For wedding favors and decorations, we recommended steering clear of pumpkins and gourds for your centerpieces, place settings and aisle decorations, as they are a touch cliché. Instead, try incorporating wheat, grapes, apples, and leaves into your wedding décor.

Use Warm Metallic Elements

From napkin rings to candle holders, you can use warm metallic decorations for added elegance. Copper, bronze, and gold colors add shimmer and light to your wedding and reception while keeping with your fall or autumn wedding theme.

Add the Warmth of Candlelight

Candlelight not only brings coziness and warmth to the intimate setting of your wedding, but it also enhances the room by adding a golden glow. The flickering of candles can also add movement to the setting. Go for pillar candles in the neutrals and accent colors you have chosen for your wedding.

Fall wedding planning isn't difficult. In fact, we think it's inspiring! Use your imagination to play with different combinations of fall wedding colors and then bring that palette to the rest of your wedding from the bouquets to the wedding cake!

Fun and Safe Tips for Celebrating this 4th of July

Summer is our favorite time of year here at Pinwhirls. With the 4^th of July just a couple of weeks away, we thought it would be a great time to share some backyard party and cookout tips. As always, we'd love for you to share your tips and ideas (or just tell us what you've got planned this 4^th of July) with us in the comments.

Fireworks: Make Your Celebration Fun for All Ages

Adults and children alike love the fun of fireworks. Sparklers are always a great hit, but sometimes little ones are scared of these fireworks or they're just too young to handle them on their own. For the younger kids, we recommend handing out summer toys like our Pinwhirls pinwheels. The twirling motion will be captivating, entertaining, and safe. Plus the kids can take them home when the party is over.

Be Weather-Wise

July can really be hot and muggy. Beat the heat at your party, cookout or picnic by seeking out shaded locations for your event. Or you can create your own shade with tents, awnings, or patio umbrellas. 

Bring plenty of sunscreen. If you're going to be poolside this July 4^th, monitor how long you're in the water. Many sunscreens need to be reapplied in order to offer full protection.

Remember Food Safety

The extreme heat can make your favorite foods spoil quickly. Make sure your cookout or picnic foods are safe to eat. If you need to brush up on your food safety tips, visit FoodSafety.gov. Right now, they're highlighting Barbecue Basics.

If you're looking for recipe ideas, we recommend stopping by the Real Simple website and checking out their Cooler-Friendly Picnic Recipes. They've compiled a list of 14 yummy recipes that are great for picnics or cookouts.

So what are your plans for the 4^th of July holiday weekend?

How to Celebrate Dad All Day Long This Father's Day

A father carries pictures where his money used to be.  –Author Unknown

Our fathers sacrifice a lot to make sure that we have everything we need. Even with mostly empty wallets they raise us and provide for us, and that's cause for a special celebration!

Father's Day is right around the corner, and we've got some tips to help you plan a full day of celebration. You don't have to spend a lot of money to celebrate your Dad this year, but you can make sure the whole day is a great one for him!

Happy Father's Day from Pinwhirls.com!

How to Celebrate Your Dad All Day Long

Celebrating Father's Day in the Morning

·      Let him sleep in! There is no better way to start a great day than to feel fully rested and refreshed. Make sure the house is quiet until it's time for Dad to rise and shine.

·      Make his favorite breakfast. When Dad finally makes it to the kitchen, have the table set, his coffee waiting, and his favorite meal piping hot at the table. (You could even make a centerpiece with Pinwhirls you customize just for your dad. 

Celebrating Father's Day in the Afternoon

·      Make plans to do something your dad really enjoys – maybe a walk at the park, followed by a picnic or a few hours of fishing at his favorite spot.

·      Take care of Dad's chores for him. Whether it's time to clean out the garage or mow the lawn, make sure Dad has the day off from chores.

·      Give your dad a special gift and or a Father's Day card. It doesn't have to be pricey, but it should be thoughtful – something your dad is sure to appreciate.

Celebrating Father's Day in the Evening

·      Plan a fun activity at home. You can have a family game night and let Dad pick his favorite game, or you can watch his favorite movie and break out the popcorn and candy.

If you can't be with your dad this Sunday, make sure you give him a call Sunday morning.

Tell us what makes your dad great!