Questions during final planning stages

dpantaleoni

Hey guys, So, as we are trying to finalize everything for the wedding, I have several questions. If anyone can help out, I'd really appreciate it. TIA!! (1) How many programs did you have? We have about 194 people total (including parents, bridal party, us). (2) Did/are your grandmothers (we have 2 attending, and no grandfathers) walk down the aisle with the bridal party? If not, how did you handle it? (3) What did you write in your thank you notes for your OOT bags? (4) Did you have a different song for the organist to play for the recessional (i.e.: one for parents, one for bridal party and one for you)? (5) What did you get your parents as gifts? We have NO idea what to get. I was thinking of getting hoodies for my mom and FI's mom to wear getting ready that say mother of the groom and mother of the bride on them. No clue what to get the dads. (6) I really wanted to get a James Bond.007 garter since FI is such a James Bond nut. Any ideas where I might be able to find one? Thanks in advance everyone!!!

starshollow

1) I did 100 programs for 150 people.  It seemed to be enough.  I did have a few leftover.2) Our grandparents walked down the aisle first.  They were either paired grandma/grandpa or grandma/uncle.  Since you have 2 attending, maybe have them walk down together?3) I made a newsletter with a thank you, information about the wedding, things to do in the area, and a crossword puzzle.  I can send you a copy if you want.4) We had one song for everyone else, and then a different song for me.  (We didn't have parents walking down separate.  We had a jewish ceremony, and it is custom that the bride and groom are escorted by both parents)5) We didn't get them gifts.  We are giving them albums as gifts.  But we did consider restaurant gift certificates.6) no idea.  I got a sports garter from www.funweddingthings.com

ToiKenne

1.  We had one program for every single guest but our church printed them for us because they had every word of the service in it.  They were ugly but saved me the trouble.2.  My grandmothers did not walk down the aisle with the bridal party.  They are too old and fragile so my brothers (who were groomsmen) ushered them to the pews before the ceremony began.3.  "Thank you for traveling such long distances to attend our wedding.  We are so excited to have you share this special time with us!  We hope you haev a relaxing and enjoyable weekend."4.  Organist & trumpeter played the same song for the everyone during the recessional.  When the song ended, went immediately into another one while everyone exited the church.5.  We got my mom a smoky quartz, diamond & white gold ring to match her dress.  We got DH's mom an aquamarine & white gold ring to match her dress.  Got DH's father some Cuban cigars from our honeymoon in Aruba.6.  Look on Ebay.  I got my Yankees one there. 

JBDamonM

1.) We had 171 people and 125 programs, and plenty left. You don't need to do one per person (unless it's a special circumstance like ToiKenne just referenced!) You could probably get away with 125....Just tell the people passing them out ahead of time - one per couple!2.) Had One Grandmother - and she walked in first.... SHe was not acknowledged during the reception announcements.....3.) Didn't put anything in there. Most of the OOT guests were either my college friends or people who were local but didn't want to drink and drive! I just didn't think it was necessary.4.) Yes - one for parents, one for bridesmaids and one for me. You definetly want your own - b/c you want the pause to allow everyone to stand when you walk in....and a little drama is great. I hired a trumper... and he played Trumped Vouluntarty and got everyone to stand first by using the trumpet - it was BEAUTIFUL!5.) I got my mom a Snapfish album full of pictures through the years and a purse to match her dress she was wearing to the wedding. Dads got engraved money clips.6.) definetly try ebay!happy planning - you're almost there!

ToiKenne

No I am confused about question 4 - did you mean processional?  Recessional is on the way out. 

dpantaleoni

Sorry guys!! I meant processional!

Knottie07763429

1) 175. We had one placed on each chair and we have maybe two leftover? If you are handing them out I would go for around 135-145 programs.2)Unfortunately no.3)I just put a little note together thanking people for being there. I also included some info about restaurants, shopping and the shuttle. Check out time too!4) Yup we did. One for moms, one for BP and one for me. Then we had an interlude in between readings so the readers would have time to change up and also a song for our sand ceremony.5)Nothing yet. We are getting them albums after we get our pro pics back.6)I googled and couldn't find anything!OH! I meant to get back to you on FB I hope you can still use this:http://www.seatingarrangement.com/

banana468

1) We had a program for every guest.  We printed our own so it wasn't a big deal to buy another pack and print them out.2) Our grandparents had corsages (or bout for DH's grandfather)  and they walked in on their own to a reserved pew.  My grandmother was 90 when we were married (and she's 92 now).  At her age, she doesn't need to wait in any lines.  :-)    Plus, this helped things move along a bit quicker.3) We didn't do OOT bags.4) We had a different song for processional for parents and then one for the BMs and my father and me.   For the recessional, it was all one song.5) I wouldn't do monogrammed gifts since they're only good for the one day.  We gave our parents photos after we were married. 6) Try ebay for the James Bond garter.  OR, see if you can DIY if you find any kind of 007 fabric. 

dpantaleoni

Thanks for all the advice!!! Stephy...Thank you so much! We haven't done the seating chart yet b/c I still have family who hasn't rsvp'd!!!

Knottie07763429

The program on that site made it SUPER easy. I highly recommend it!

blondie157

1) didnt do programs 2) no grandparents 3)hospitality suite instead of bags, so im not much help so far :-( 4)there are three songs for the processional: parents, bridal party, and bride(and jst one song for the recessional) 5) got my dad a tie tac, my mom a necklace, FI's parents got a trip to maine that was a combo gift with a few other milestones for them 6) ebay!