**Creating a Wedding They’ll Talk About for Years**
As a former wedding planner, Splendor owner, Nilufer Soucek, has some suggestions for making your wedding truly unique and an experience that your guests will recount for years.

Shawl as Place Card & Favor

1. Set-up a fun photo booth at your reception. Ask guests to cut one photo from the strip and include it in your guest book along with a personal note. You can share the book and photos with your guests at a future anniversary!
2.  If you’re planning to use place cards at your reception, combine a favor, place card and chair decor in one. Adorn each female guest’s chair with a personally-embroidered shawl and some bling (see photo to right).
3. Do a fun, choreographed dance with your bridal party.
4. Offer locally-made items in the food, favors, and welcome baskets. Include stories about why you chose the item or what you love about your wedding city.
5. Hire a magician to entertain your guests during cocktail hour. It will generate some great conversation!
6. Incorporate photos and music from the weddings of your parents and grandparents.

Whatever you do to make your wedding unique, just remember to include your guests and have fun with it!

A few tips on wearing a shawl:

• During the day, wear the shawl as a scarf around your neck.
• In the evening, wear it around your shoulders as a wrap.
• Twist two shawls of different colors together for a unique look.
• Learn different ways to wear your shawl for the most versatility.
• Add shawls of different weights to your wardrobe, including silk and wool. You’ll be able to adjust for the seasons!
• Consider wearing a shawl with various outfits: winter coat, summer dress, formal gown, casual top and jeans. They’re truly adaptable accessories.

Have some questions on how to wear your Splendor shawl? E-mail us for free advice!