{"id":13444,"date":"2012-06-13T01:00:30","date_gmt":"2012-06-13T08:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theweddingyentas.com\/?p=13444"},"modified":"2012-06-12T21:25:04","modified_gmt":"2012-06-13T04:25:04","slug":"advice-from-a-professional-wedding-guest-save-the-dates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.bryanfriedman.me\/yentas\/featured\/advice-from-a-professional-wedding-guest-save-the-dates","title":{"rendered":"Advice From a Professional Wedding Guest: Save the Dates"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Carly Eskin has been attending weddings all of her life. She has been a bridesmaid, bridal shower organizer, and even coordinated her best friend’s nuptials. As far as weddings go, she loves creative venues, pretty color palettes, dancing the Hora, and busting her moves to Sly and the Family Stone\u2019s \u201cWe Are Family\u201d, even if she isn\u2019t part of the family. Her dislikes include mosquitos at outdoor venues, the redundancy of \u201cPlease RSVP\u201d, and being the only unmarried woman forced to go and catch the bouquet while Beyonce\u2019s \u201cSingle Ladies\u201d is playing. Carly is a native Angeleno. She writes, works, watches bad (aka amazing) television, and is obsessed with her niece and nephew. She is currently single and looking for her tall, chubby, bearded beshert, so help a girl out.<\/em><\/p>\n

************************************<\/center><\/p>\n

While I graduated with a B.A. in psychology, what I really have is a Ph.D. in being a wedding guest. I have been to a wide array of weddings. I have been to very spendthrift weddings and I have been to weddings that cost in the six figures. From destination weddings to backyard soir\u00e9es, grand hotels to public parks, I have seen them all. And, I take mental notes; very detailed mental notes. Needless to say, I know what a guest likes (open bar if you can) and dislikes (mosquitos at outdoor venues!). In my series, I want to share the usually ignored opinion of what we wedding guests appreciate and what we dread. <\/p>\n

Today it’s all about something that affects the lives of all potential wedding guests: STDs. Ya know, Save the Dates.<\/p>\n

As the old adage says, you only have one time to make a first impression. And, in the wedding world, that impression is usually in the form of a Save the Date. <\/p>\n

First impressions, much like that first date you had with your soon-to-be husband, set the tone for the forthcoming journey. And, as The Wedding Yentas resident wedding guest expert, I know that the most memorable Save the Dates are the creative ones! This is in no way to say that an elegant, letter pressed, simple Save the Date is the wrong choice, because I have seen some that just take my breath away. But, as a guest of the wedding, I always enjoy something that makes me laugh, smile, and makes me want to show others and say, \u201cThis was just too cute not to share!\u201d <\/p>\n

The following are some of my favorite examples and tips on how to please your wedding guests because after all, your wedding is being thrown for them, am I right? No? Whatever. <\/p>\n

Tip #1: Everyone loves pictures of you both as kids<\/strong>
\nTake Carly and Kurt here. Look at those punims! Who knew that one day that adorable little girl and that debonair toddler would one day find themselves in love with one another? I\u2019m sure Aunt Marcia is getting a kick strolling down memory lane. This is surely being taken to the \u201cbeauty shop\u201d to be passed around. Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play? Damn right it is. Sunrise, sunset! <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Tip #2: Be silly! <\/strong>
\nDid you both really just write on your face? Yes, you did. And I thank you for the chuckle and I will definitely be saving that date. I just hope they weren\u2019t silly enough to use a Sharpie. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Tip #3: Always be creative!<\/strong>
\nMy, my, that Kristy and Nathan are original. And, it\u2019s interactive! Jeez, I really feel like I\u2019m a part of this wedding. And I also feel like I\u2019m back at summer camp in the 6th grade. Need a noun? Always go for the sure fire laugh of Poop. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Tip #4: If you are skilled with a video camera and are able to figure out how to upload and edit your recordings, take advantage of yourself… or that college roommate you made fun of for thinking they were going to be the next Coppola. <\/strong><\/p>\n

I love this video. I haven\u2019t met these people, but I want to! And I also want(ed) to go to their wedding because if they know how to put together an awesome and funny Save the Date, think about the awesome wedding they will throw. <\/p>\n