Welcome Bag Ideas - Seattle

If guests will be staying in a hotel while attending your wedding, consider having Welcome Bags placed into their sleeping rooms. Hotels are typically happy to provide this service free of charge.

Popular items to include in Welcome Bags are;
• A walking map of the area.
To print a free Downtown Seattle Walking Map, visit http://downtownseattleevents.com/tips/maps/Icons%20of%20Seattle.pdf • Brochures for popular area attractions.
• A Calendar of activities for guests to attend
• Local Food Samples
o Starbucks and/or Seattle’s Best coffee samples
o Aplets & Cotlets http://www.libertyorchards.com/
o Smoked salmon
• Beer Samples from a local brewery
o Hood Canal Brewery http://www.hoodcanalbrewery.com/beers.html • Wine or juice from a local vineyard
o Flying Fish Merlot http://www.northwest-wine.com/Flying-Fish-Merlot.html
• An ornament or small souvenir reminiscent of the area.
o A mini ferry boat
o An ornament in the shape of the Space Needle
o Seattle Sounders, Mariners or Seahawks sports souvenirs
o Mount St Helen’s glass
o Seattle Magazine
• Use a postcard of the area to write a welcome message

For more gift ideas that are unique to the Northwest, visit http://www.madeinwashington.com/

Activities For Out-of-Town Guests

If a large percentage of your guests will be traveling from out-of-town, recognize that they are spending a lot of time and money. Many may be taking rare vacation days off work.
As a thank you, consider scheduling activities for them to participate in throughout the week.

Site Seeing Adventures
If guests are new to the area, provide them with a list of popular local attractions. Create a calendar of when they should attend certain activities so wedding guests will bump into each other throughout the week. The benefit to this is that they’ll have people to socialize with while allowing you free time to finalize last minute wedding details.

Delegate to Relatives
Aunts & Uncles, the Father of the Bride and other relatives who are involved with the wedding but have free time throughout the week may be happy to attend an activity with out-of-town guests. For example, the Father of the Bride might take guests golfing. An Aunt may lead guests on a wine tasting excursion or schedule a day at the local spa for female guests. As each guest would pay their own way, this is an opportunity to entertain them without a financial obligation.

Rehearsal Dinner
Traditionally out-of-town guests are invited to the Rehearsal Dinner as a thank you for traveling to the wedding (They aren’t invited to the actual Rehearsal itself and its not necessary to buy them a gift).

Wedding Brunch
The Mother of the Bride typically hosts a Brunch on the morning after the wedding for out-of-town guests. It can be a casual affair at her home or held in a restaurant. The Bride and Groom may or may not attend depending on their honeymoon travel plans.

The week of your wedding will be a busy time. By pre-planning activities to keep guest occupied you’ll cut down on your stress by knowing that they happy and being entertained.

Inexpensive Reception Venues

Bh
There are many cost effective local wedding venues. The secret is in knowing where to look.
Typically owned by the State and/or Parks Department, they are available for a fraction of what privately owned venues charge.

Heritage Hall
Located in the heart of Kirkland, Heritage Hall’s beautiful columns make a classic backdrop for wedding photos. Wedding ceremonies may be held in the Gazebo in the park across the street or in the private rose garden behind the Hall. Prices start at just $60/hour. For more information visit http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/parks/Facility_Rentals/Heritage_Hall.htm

Marina Park Pavilion
Located on the water in downtown Kirkland, the Marina Park Pavilion is a large gazebo. Able to accommodate up to 100 guests, prices start at just $35/hour. For more information, visit http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/parks/Facility_Rentals/Marina_Park_Pavilion.htm

Alki Beach Bathhouse
Located right on the beach, the Alki Bathhouse has panoramic views of the water and the Olympic Mountains. With accommodations for up to 100 guests, prices start at only $50/hour. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/Reservations/Alki.htm

Golden Gardens Bathhouse
Located on the sandy beach at Golden Gardens, this Bathhouse has westward views that capture the sunset looking over the water. With accommodations for up to 295 guests prices start at only $150/hour. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/Reservations/GoldenGardens.htm

Point Defiance Rose Garden
The lush gardens at Point Defiance Park offer two wedding ceremony locations, the classic Rose Garden and the Gazebo.
The Rose Garden is available for only $400 and includes seating for up to 100 guests. The Gazebo can accommodate up to 50 guests standing and is also $400.
http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=180

Point Defiance Lodge
Located next to the Point Defiance Rose Garden, the Point Defiance Lodge holds up to 100 guests. http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=178

Point Defiance Pagoda
Located in the Japanese Garden, the Pagoda is a replica of a 17th century Japanese Lodge. To view pictures and more information, visit http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=240

Seymour Conservatory
The Seymour Conservatory is one of only three Victorian-style conservatories on the West Coast.
The Conservatory Gazebo can accommodate up to 100 guests with prices starting at $175/hour. The Conservatory itself holds up to 50 guests with prices beginning at $250/hour.
For more information visit http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=195

Titlow Lodge
This craftsman style manor can accommodate up to 220 guests. Peak-season prices start at only $200/hour. http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=194

For an extensive list of additional government owned venues throughout the Seattle area, please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/ceremonies.asp

How to Include Children in Your Wedding

Children add whimsy and innocence to wedding celebrations. There are several ways to incorporate a child’s personality and charm into the festivities;

Wedding Artist
Younger children may enjoy being assigned the task of coloring pictures of the wedding. Set up a small table in the reception site with paper, crayons or watercolor paints. Tell the child that she is in charge of paining everything that happens during the reception. After she finishes each portrait, have an adult write a description of what it portrays on the back of the painting. By the end of the evening you’ll have a charming depiction of your wedding day as seen through the eyes of a child.

Favor Host
If the wedding reception will have fewer than 60 guests, ask a child to deliver wedding favors to each guest personally. Handing out ‘presents’ is fun for kids and will make them feel important.

Guest Book Greeter
Welcoming guests as they arrive at the wedding ceremony, the Guest Book Greeter invites everyone to sign the Guest Book. Best for children age 12 and up.

Program Attendant
A good project for outgoing children from age 12 and up, the Program Attendant greets every guest and hands them a Program as they enter the ceremony site.

Performer
If a child has fun performing in front of large groups, they may enjoy singing a special song or reading a poem during the wedding ceremony.

Coin Bearer
A coin bearer carries a pillow with 13 gold and silver coins down the aisle during the wedding ceremony. The wedding coins symbolize prosperity and harmony for the Bridal Couple. For more information visit http://lovelywed.com/blog/2006/12/coin-bearer-explained.html

Ringbearer
A traditional role for young boys, the ringbearer participates in the wedding ceremony and carries a pillow bearing a (faux) wedding ring.

Flower girl
The Flower Girl’s walk down the aisle is one of the most charming parts of the wedding ceremony. If she is old enough, the Flower Girl may scatter rose petals. Younger Flower Girls may be pulled in a wagon or simply walk down the aisle carrying a basket of flowers or wearing a garland of flowers in her hair.

Junior Bridesmaid
Pre-teen and teenage girls enjoy being included in the bridal party as Junior Bridesmaids. With dresses that compliment that of the Bridesmaids, they carry bouquets and participate in the ceremony. To learn more about this role, visit http://www.pashweddings.com/content/articles/104/1/Junior-Bridesmaid-Roles-and-Responsibilities/Page1.html

Junior Groomsmen
Pre-teen and teenage boys may be included in the wedding ceremony as Junior Groomsmen. Dressed to match the Groomsmen, Junior Groomsmen may assist the ushers in seating guests and later stand with the Groomsmen for the ceremony.

Bubble Manager
At the end of the reception, have a child pass out bubbles or confetti to guests prior to the departure of the Bride and Groom.

Children will remember being included in your wedding for years. To make them feel special, consider each child’s personality and how it will best be incorporated into the celebration.

Duties of the Maid of Honor

While coveted, the position of Maid of Honor carries a lot of responsibility. In addition to her time, there’s also a large financial commitment.

The Maid of Honor typically;

• Plans the Bachelorette Party
• Hosts a Bridal Shower
• Assists the Bride with wedding details prior to the wedding day
• Purchases her Bridesmaid Dress
• Buys a Wedding Gift
• Buys a Shower Gift
• Takes Off Work For the Rehearsal
• Is responsible for managing the Wedding Emergency Kit
• Provides Emotional support for the Bride
• Signs the Marriage License
• Holds the Bride’s bouquet during the ceremony
• Carries the Groom’s ring during the wedding ceremony
• Gives a Toast

It’s easy for the Maid of Honor to feel obligated to spend hundreds of dollars on the wedding. Be proactive in talking with her about how much time and money she can comfortably provide. Then ask the other bridesmaids to support her where possible.

Ensure that everyone has joyful memories of your wedding, including the friend you want to Honor most.