Today on Frugal Fridays: 3 Easy Tips to Help You Stay Within Your Wedding Budget.
Showing posts with label Wedding Planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wedding Planning. Show all posts
Friday, June 27, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Real Wedding: Swanky & Sultry DC Wedding
I remember my first meeting with the bride. She blew me away when she described her wedding venue: An Upscale Burlesque Restaurant and Bar in Washington, DC named SAX. I had never heard of the place and to be honest, I could not visualize how this would work for a wedding! But this girl knew exactly what she wanted, and her vision and ideas were very clear right from the start. During our first walk-through of the venue I was immediately blown away by the detail and richness of the decor in this place! It was like Interview with the Vampire meets Marie Antoinette. I immediately saw why the bride had fallen in love with this place. As the weeks of pre-planning went on, we discovered that the unorthodox choice in venue and theme did not come without it's challenges. The ceremony logistics alone were extremely challenging-the bride and groom were to exchange vows in huge glass enclosure right above the bar. But all in all the wedding was a huge success, and everyone had a blast. Congratulations once again to the fun couple, this was truly a memorable experience for all involved!
Venue: SAX-DC
Photographer: Charlie Shin Photography
Planner: A Bride's BFF
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Military Wedding Details and Etiquette
In honor of our men and women in uniform on this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, today's blog post is about Military Weddings.
Many people who have affiliations to the Armed Services may want to incorporate their respective military organization into their big day. I was actually surprised at the lack of information available about the etiquette and particulars of planning a military wedding. While not a completely comprehensive manual, here are three important aspects to keep in mind when planning a military wedding.
Attire
For the groom and any active military male bridal party participants, the ‘correct’ dress code depends on their rank and the formality of the wedding.
For a Black Tie wedding, commissioned officers can wear either their dinner or mess uniforms. For an even more formal white tie and tails wedding, groom and groomsmen should sport their evening dress uniform. If any male attendants are members of a different service than the groom, they just wear a uniform of comparable formality to his.
Whether the wedding is formal or informal, non-commissioned officers should wear dress blues or Army green. Military attendants who are part of the sword or saber ceremony are required to wear white gloves. The groom and best man do not wear gloves because they will be handling the rings. Boutonnieres are not worn with uniforms; instead, officers wear their military decorations.
Active military brides (and bridesmaids) have the option to wear either their military dress uniform or a traditional bridal gown.
The Sword or Saber Ritual
The grand finale of a military wedding ceremony is the formation of a sword or saber arch. Immediately following the pronouncement of marriage, before the couple heads down the aisle, the honor guard form two lines opposite each other. On the command of "draw sword" or "draw sabers," the steel is raised with the right hand, with the cutting edges facing up. The couple enters the arch, kiss, and then pass through. The newly married couple then salute the honor guard. Members of the honor guard then sheath the swords or sabers and return them to a carry position. Depending on your particular church’s rules and branch of service, the arch can be formed either outside or in the foyer of the chapel, synagogue or church.
The tradition of the bride and groom walking through the arch of swords is meant to symbolize the couple's safe transition into their new lives together.
If the bride is a civilian, another tradition is a gentle sword tap on the rear that she receives from the last swordsman as one of the attendants tells her, “Welcome to the Navy (or the appropriate military division). Grooms, should you decide to adhere to this custom, it would be prudent to inform your bride about the possibility so that she isn't unpleasantly surprised!
Cutting the Military Wedding Cake
Finally, at the wedding reception many military couples choose to use the groom’s sword or saber to cut the wedding cake. Make sure the sword/saber is cleaned before the cake is cut and is cleaned, once again, before it’s placed back in its sheath.
Lastly, if in doubt about the correct military protocol, simply defer your questions to the nearest military base personnel; I guarantee that someone there can point you in the right direction.
Source: US Marriage Laws, Weddings for a Living
Photo: Pinterest
Attire
For the groom and any active military male bridal party participants, the ‘correct’ dress code depends on their rank and the formality of the wedding.
For a Black Tie wedding, commissioned officers can wear either their dinner or mess uniforms. For an even more formal white tie and tails wedding, groom and groomsmen should sport their evening dress uniform. If any male attendants are members of a different service than the groom, they just wear a uniform of comparable formality to his.
Whether the wedding is formal or informal, non-commissioned officers should wear dress blues or Army green. Military attendants who are part of the sword or saber ceremony are required to wear white gloves. The groom and best man do not wear gloves because they will be handling the rings. Boutonnieres are not worn with uniforms; instead, officers wear their military decorations.
Active military brides (and bridesmaids) have the option to wear either their military dress uniform or a traditional bridal gown.
The Sword or Saber Ritual
The grand finale of a military wedding ceremony is the formation of a sword or saber arch. Immediately following the pronouncement of marriage, before the couple heads down the aisle, the honor guard form two lines opposite each other. On the command of "draw sword" or "draw sabers," the steel is raised with the right hand, with the cutting edges facing up. The couple enters the arch, kiss, and then pass through. The newly married couple then salute the honor guard. Members of the honor guard then sheath the swords or sabers and return them to a carry position. Depending on your particular church’s rules and branch of service, the arch can be formed either outside or in the foyer of the chapel, synagogue or church.
The tradition of the bride and groom walking through the arch of swords is meant to symbolize the couple's safe transition into their new lives together.
If the bride is a civilian, another tradition is a gentle sword tap on the rear that she receives from the last swordsman as one of the attendants tells her, “Welcome to the Navy (or the appropriate military division). Grooms, should you decide to adhere to this custom, it would be prudent to inform your bride about the possibility so that she isn't unpleasantly surprised!
Cutting the Military Wedding Cake
Finally, at the wedding reception many military couples choose to use the groom’s sword or saber to cut the wedding cake. Make sure the sword/saber is cleaned before the cake is cut and is cleaned, once again, before it’s placed back in its sheath.
Lastly, if in doubt about the correct military protocol, simply defer your questions to the nearest military base personnel; I guarantee that someone there can point you in the right direction.
Source: US Marriage Laws, Weddings for a Living
Photo: Pinterest
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
What Your Color Scheme Says About Your Wedding
Ensure that your guests will get the right message by knowing what different colors mean and the emotions they invoke. Then, just like your wedding décor, use color in creative ways to support your message and to create something memorable in your guests’ minds and eyes.
Blue: Peace, Trust, Dependability, Calm, Intelligence, Dreams, Thoughts, Imagination and Tranquility
Purple: Royalty, Luxury, Creativity, Spirituality, Wealth, Emotions and Devotion
White: Purity, Innocence, Empowerment, Goodness, Cleanliness, Humility, Reverence and Simplicity
Yellow: Hopefulness, Cheer, Optimism, Energy, Positivity, Purity, Clarity, Truth, Sustenance and All Things Wholesome
Green: Nature, Health, Renewal, Growth, Healing, Harmony,
Hope, Youth and Bounty
Source: Biz Bash
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
When Tragedy Strikes on Your Wedding Day
Not long ago I had a prospective bride contact me for Day-of Coordination Services. She decided to hire me as her Day-of Coordinator, so I sent her my contract to sign. After not hearing back from her for several days I emailed to follow up. Sadly, I learned that, her fiancé’s mother had passed away. And with the wedding just a few weeks out, now they weren't even sure if there would be a wedding at all. Gasp! My heart went out to her and her family during that difficult time.
Now I know what you’re thinking, this is not a topic anybody likes to discuss. But folks, these things can happen to the best of us. And it’s for this very reason that I decided to write this post about wedding insurance.
Wedding Cancellation Insurance
What is it? Do I need it? Well, the short answer is yes and no. Nobody could have predicted what happened in my bride’s case. This was obviously an unexpected tragedy. But the end result could very well end up being a cancelled wedding with lots of money thrown down the drain.
What Does it Cover?
Wedding cancellation insurance provides coverage for non-refundable expenses when the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, wedding or private event, reception or honeymoon, must be cancelled or postponed for certain reasons beyond your control.
Each policy is different so it’s important that you are very clear on what is and what is not covered in your policy. But a standard policy should cover the following:
Wedding Cancellation Insurance Does Not Cover "Cold Feet"
That is to say, wedding insurance policies do not provide coverage in the event that either the bride or groom changes their mind and does not want to proceed with the wedding.
What does it Cost?
I know, I know. You’re thinking jeez one more unexpected expense! But in reality, a standard policy should cost less than $200. In my opinion this is well worth the investment if say for example: you have a terminally ill relative, your spouse is active duty military, you’re planning a destination wedding, or if you’re dropping a load of cash on your wedding in general!
Do Not Confuse Wedding Cancellation with Wedding Liability Insurance
Huh? There’s more? Yes, wedding liability insurance is a specialty insurance policy designed to indemnify the named insured (typically the Bride and Groom) from certain types of claims arising from accidents taking place during the wedding, reception, and rehearsal. Such claims can range from damage to the facility caused by a guest or vendor, bodily injury to guests, and alcohol-related accidents they are found liable for.
Wedding Liability insurance can be purchased in addition to Wedding Cancellation insurance or separately. Some venues actually require that the couple purchase liability insurance and that they be listed as an additional insured party.
I hope my Wedding Insurance 101 hasn’t put you to sleep, or worse scared the pants off you! I’m not going to tell you that wedding insurance is right for everyone, because it’s not. Ultimately, you will need to decide whether it’s worth it for you. Hopefully the information provided will help you make that decision. Hiring an experienced and knowledgeable wedding planner can also be a great resource. Questions? Comments? Let me know below.
Now I know what you’re thinking, this is not a topic anybody likes to discuss. But folks, these things can happen to the best of us. And it’s for this very reason that I decided to write this post about wedding insurance.
What is it? Do I need it? Well, the short answer is yes and no. Nobody could have predicted what happened in my bride’s case. This was obviously an unexpected tragedy. But the end result could very well end up being a cancelled wedding with lots of money thrown down the drain.
What Does it Cover?
Wedding cancellation insurance provides coverage for non-refundable expenses when the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, wedding or private event, reception or honeymoon, must be cancelled or postponed for certain reasons beyond your control.
Each policy is different so it’s important that you are very clear on what is and what is not covered in your policy. But a standard policy should cover the following:
- Non-refundable venue deposits, wedding photographs, attire, gifts and jewelry and damage to rented property.
- Serious disasters that may delay a wedding (i.e. the death or illness of a family member or member of the bridal party or a commercial transportation shutdown that prevents the honorees, parents, grandparents or children of the honorees from getting to the event).
- All types of natural disasters. Note: most plans will make a distinction between a rainy day and truly severe or catastrophic weather, such as a hurricane. Coverage will likely only apply if catastrophic weather causes you to postpone the wedding.
- Circumstances beyond your control such as an unforeseen military deployment or withdrawal of leave.
- No-show or bankrupt vendors, damage to wedding attire, damaged gifts and much more.
- Non-recoverable travel and accommodations for your honeymoon may also be covered if your wedding is canceled due to a covered reason under the policy.
Wedding Cancellation Insurance Does Not Cover "Cold Feet"
That is to say, wedding insurance policies do not provide coverage in the event that either the bride or groom changes their mind and does not want to proceed with the wedding.
What does it Cost?
I know, I know. You’re thinking jeez one more unexpected expense! But in reality, a standard policy should cost less than $200. In my opinion this is well worth the investment if say for example: you have a terminally ill relative, your spouse is active duty military, you’re planning a destination wedding, or if you’re dropping a load of cash on your wedding in general!
Do Not Confuse Wedding Cancellation with Wedding Liability Insurance
Huh? There’s more? Yes, wedding liability insurance is a specialty insurance policy designed to indemnify the named insured (typically the Bride and Groom) from certain types of claims arising from accidents taking place during the wedding, reception, and rehearsal. Such claims can range from damage to the facility caused by a guest or vendor, bodily injury to guests, and alcohol-related accidents they are found liable for.
Wedding Liability insurance can be purchased in addition to Wedding Cancellation insurance or separately. Some venues actually require that the couple purchase liability insurance and that they be listed as an additional insured party.
I hope my Wedding Insurance 101 hasn’t put you to sleep, or worse scared the pants off you! I’m not going to tell you that wedding insurance is right for everyone, because it’s not. Ultimately, you will need to decide whether it’s worth it for you. Hopefully the information provided will help you make that decision. Hiring an experienced and knowledgeable wedding planner can also be a great resource. Questions? Comments? Let me know below.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Unique Alternatives To The Basic Wedding Tent
It's always best to include a tent at any outdoor wedding or event. Tents provide shelter from the elements and can do a lot in setting the tone for your wedding. But selecting the right tent for your type of event is essential. Luckily, today tents come in many innovative and unique styles and options. Gone are the days of the old hum-drum frame and pole tents. Check out some of these snazzy tent options:
This Moroccan-theme tent includes arches and silk string drops on all openings and themed lighting.
Modular tents can be stretched around trees, structures, and rocks and has expandable tent poles that adjust to uneven surfaces.
Safari-style Tipi Marquee tents are canvas and wood structures that can accommodate a central open fire and can be joined into custom configurations to seat 500 or hold 800 for receptions.
This pole tent in a unique starburst shape is highly translucent and built with a curve-accented perimeter.
A wooden-framed tent with cloth canopies radiates the feel of a tropical oasis. The windows, above an adjacent roof, allow sunlight in during the day and indoor lighting to project out at night.
This Moroccan-theme tent includes arches and silk string drops on all openings and themed lighting.
Modular tents can be stretched around trees, structures, and rocks and has expandable tent poles that adjust to uneven surfaces.
Friday, April 4, 2014
5 of The Most Commonly Overlooked Wedding Planning Mistakes
For most people, getting married only happens once in their lives. And with all of the excitement about the wedding plans, couples often overlook these subtle details which they soon come to regret. Here, I offer insights into some commonly overlooked areas of wedding planning:
1. The Wrong Music
The right music can make a wedding day that much more meaningful, while the wrong music can make the big event memorable for all the wrong reasons. Music selection might seem like one of the easier decisions to make. But couples often forget to think beyond the reception when setting the musical tone for their wedding. When choosing music for the ceremony, couples should first consider the venue where they are tying the knot. In general, you don’t want to choose any music that’s too loud or over-the-top for the ceremony. Keep in mind that the music played during the ceremony can set the mood for the rest of the day.
2. Spending Too Much on Wedding Attire
Another commonly overlooked wedding planning mistake I see brides making is spending too much money on their outfit(s). As a rule of thumb, your wedding attire should not be more than 10% of your total wedding budget. This figure includes not just the dress, but also accessories (shoes, jewelry, veil, purse, lingerie, etc..) and the groom’s clothing as well! All of these little things add up, and before you know it you’ve blown ½ of your wedding budget on clothes alone!
1. The Wrong Music
The right music can make a wedding day that much more meaningful, while the wrong music can make the big event memorable for all the wrong reasons. Music selection might seem like one of the easier decisions to make. But couples often forget to think beyond the reception when setting the musical tone for their wedding. When choosing music for the ceremony, couples should first consider the venue where they are tying the knot. In general, you don’t want to choose any music that’s too loud or over-the-top for the ceremony. Keep in mind that the music played during the ceremony can set the mood for the rest of the day.
Weddings generally have a complete cross section of ages. At the reception, a general selection of popular music will ensure everyone dances and has a good time! Couples should ALWAYS make a list of do-not-play songs or artists are included in their contracts.
Another common mistake couples make with regards to wedding music is the volume. A DJ playing music that’s too loud or that has the microphone turned up too loud can kill a party. If guests can’t hear, talk or even think, those that want to have a conversation will leave the room. If you want the music up really loud, wait until the last hour to turn it up full blast; by that time nobody cares. The same applies if the volume is too low and guests in the back of the room can’t hear people giving toasts, speeches etc…
Another common mistake couples make with regards to wedding music is the volume. A DJ playing music that’s too loud or that has the microphone turned up too loud can kill a party. If guests can’t hear, talk or even think, those that want to have a conversation will leave the room. If you want the music up really loud, wait until the last hour to turn it up full blast; by that time nobody cares. The same applies if the volume is too low and guests in the back of the room can’t hear people giving toasts, speeches etc…
The best way to avoid this is by hiring a professional DJ with a wide range of experience in doing weddings. A professional wedding DJ will know what kind of sound system and the number of speakers he/she needs based on the size of the room. They should also know to show up early enough for proper setup and sound check before the wedding.
2. Spending Too Much on Wedding Attire
Another commonly overlooked wedding planning mistake I see brides making is spending too much money on their outfit(s). As a rule of thumb, your wedding attire should not be more than 10% of your total wedding budget. This figure includes not just the dress, but also accessories (shoes, jewelry, veil, purse, lingerie, etc..) and the groom’s clothing as well! All of these little things add up, and before you know it you’ve blown ½ of your wedding budget on clothes alone!
Think about it, if your entire wedding budget is $10,000 then you should not be spending more than $1,000 on attire. Doing this will only force you to have to make drastic cuts to other parts of your wedding that in the end will be more important to the overall success of your wedding day.
Budget brides especially, need to explore their other options when it comes to wedding attire including discount shopping, trunk sales, or renting their dresses and luxury accessories.
3. Forgoing the Rehearsal
I am sometimes shocked by the number of couples that don’t think they need to do a run-through of their wedding. It may sound trite, but people really DON’T know what to do when they are asked to take part in a wedding. Or worse yet, they may all have different opinions of what is right and wrong.
3. Forgoing the Rehearsal
I am sometimes shocked by the number of couples that don’t think they need to do a run-through of their wedding. It may sound trite, but people really DON’T know what to do when they are asked to take part in a wedding. Or worse yet, they may all have different opinions of what is right and wrong.
Are you going to have your bridesmaids walk down the aisle with the groomsmen? Are the groomsmen going to walk out with the groom and the Officiant? What about the kids? Where will each person stand? Where do they look? How do they exit?
You spend thousands of dollars preparing for your wedding and you only get one chance to get everything right. If there are going to be any issues, you want to know BEFORE the wedding … not during.
Rehearsals often take longer than necessary because all of the wedding party doesn't show up on time. Anyone that is going to have any part in the ceremony needs to be present and on-time to the rehearsal. As the bride and groom you need to convey the importance of this to your wedding party. If they agreed to play this special role in your wedding day, then this is one of the responsibilities that come with that role. After all, this is YOUR wedding and YOUR money; and there are no do-overs!
4. TheGreat Outdoors
Who wouldn’t love a beautiful sunset wedding with an amazing backdrop of trees, mountains, gardens, or the ocean? But there is a price to pay for all of that beauty. Outdoor weddings do not come without their own set of logistical complications. Not only must you have a backup plan for inclement weather, but even if there is not a cloud in the sky guests hate itching, sweating, and freezing.
Rehearsals often take longer than necessary because all of the wedding party doesn't show up on time. Anyone that is going to have any part in the ceremony needs to be present and on-time to the rehearsal. As the bride and groom you need to convey the importance of this to your wedding party. If they agreed to play this special role in your wedding day, then this is one of the responsibilities that come with that role. After all, this is YOUR wedding and YOUR money; and there are no do-overs!
4. The
Who wouldn’t love a beautiful sunset wedding with an amazing backdrop of trees, mountains, gardens, or the ocean? But there is a price to pay for all of that beauty. Outdoor weddings do not come without their own set of logistical complications. Not only must you have a backup plan for inclement weather, but even if there is not a cloud in the sky guests hate itching, sweating, and freezing.
Because Mother Nature can be unpredictable, keeping your guests comfortable can become a challenge. Think about the location, time of day and the season, and try to anticipate what it might feel like to sit outside for 2-4 hours. Then, provide an arsenal of commodities such as fans, parasols, sun screen, bug spray, mosquito traps, flip flops, pashmina scarves, heaters and refreshments to keep your guests comfortable.
5. Open Bar Rip-Offs
Most weddings include an open bar. Mainly because conventional wedding etiquette says that it is customary, and because couples want their guests to have a good time without worrying about having to reach into their pockets. I am personally neither for nor against open bars at weddings. But what I do caution against are certain tricky money pitfalls with the way you serve alcohol to your guests.
If you’ve selected an open bar package by the hour, then the billing is pretty straight forward and you will pay for the number of total guests x the number of hours the bar will be "open". This option is usually the most costly, but also the most straight forward and easy to calculate.
If however, you've decided to bring your own alcohol (and your caterer/venue allows it), you will need to be conscious of corking fees. A corking fee is a fee you are charged every time a bottle is opened and can run anywhere between $5-$20/bottle or more! These corking fees can easily be a big money pitfall because you pay for any open bottle, even if only one drink was poured!
5. Open Bar Rip-Offs
Most weddings include an open bar. Mainly because conventional wedding etiquette says that it is customary, and because couples want their guests to have a good time without worrying about having to reach into their pockets. I am personally neither for nor against open bars at weddings. But what I do caution against are certain tricky money pitfalls with the way you serve alcohol to your guests.
If you’ve selected an open bar package by the hour, then the billing is pretty straight forward and you will pay for the number of total guests x the number of hours the bar will be "open". This option is usually the most costly, but also the most straight forward and easy to calculate.
If however, you've decided to bring your own alcohol (and your caterer/venue allows it), you will need to be conscious of corking fees. A corking fee is a fee you are charged every time a bottle is opened and can run anywhere between $5-$20/bottle or more! These corking fees can easily be a big money pitfall because you pay for any open bottle, even if only one drink was poured!
Liquor is by far the biggest money maker for caterers, hotels and banquet halls. The solution to this can be very simple - just tell the caterer that you will authorize x number of bottles to be opened. After that, you've got to OK each one.
To avoid scams that are sometimes pulled with both open bars and BYOL bars, make sure you have someone in charge of counting the quantity of alcohol that was brought in, and then how much is leftover at the end of the night. This should later be compared to the final bill to uncover any discrepancies.
If you decided to go with a Consumption Bar option (where you will be billed for exactly what your guests drink), drinks will be tallied up by the bartenders and you will be billed after the reception. With a consumption bar, you can avoid breaking the bank by agreeing to a maximum dollar limit, at which time the bar turns to a cash bar.
As with all other components of your wedding, but especially this component, be sure to get everything in writing as to how liquor will be handled at your reception.
If you decided to go with a Consumption Bar option (where you will be billed for exactly what your guests drink), drinks will be tallied up by the bartenders and you will be billed after the reception. With a consumption bar, you can avoid breaking the bank by agreeing to a maximum dollar limit, at which time the bar turns to a cash bar.
As with all other components of your wedding, but especially this component, be sure to get everything in writing as to how liquor will be handled at your reception.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
How to Simplify Your Wedding Guest List
When you stop and consider all the things you have to spend money on for your wedding guests (food, favors, venue space, etc...), you realize that the size of your guest list can make or break your wedding bank. We've all heard it over and over again..."the easiest way to cut down on your wedding expenses is to cut down the wedding guest list".
But how, exactly, do you determine who makes the cut? Answer: check out what is probably the best wedding hack I've seen in a long time. It's called Guest List in 30 Seconds--and it's awesome!
But how, exactly, do you determine who makes the cut? Answer: check out what is probably the best wedding hack I've seen in a long time. It's called Guest List in 30 Seconds--and it's awesome!
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Wedding Monograms
Are you stuck on figuring out ways to personalize your wedding? Consider a wedding monogram. Hands down there is no easier way to personalize the look of your wedding than by slapping your initials all over it (in the loveliest of ways of course).
Monogram Uses
There is an endless list of possibilities on where and how you can use your wedding monogram. It’s commonly used on everything from invitations, napkins, cake toppers, menu cards, favors and of course in gobo lighting (that big lit up monogram you commonly see projected on reception dance floors and walls).
Things to Consider
Since the monogram encompasses both the bride and grooms initials, both of you should be very involved in choosing the monogram for your wedding. Monograms come in so many styles and fonts that you will really have to carefully consider which one will best reflect your unique personalities and the tone you’re trying to create for your wedding.
Where to Find Your Monogram
This will largely depend on your budget. Your first choice would be to hire an experienced graphic designer, give them your ideas and ask them to help you create a custom monogram for your wedding. A cheaper alternative would be to choose from ready-made monograms. You can find lots of these on places like Etsy.
Once you have your wedding monogram ready, the fun begins as the possibilities on where and how to use it are ENDLESS.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Wedding Planning Tip: Cocktail Hour Hors d’oeuvres
Do not skip hors d’oeuvres at your cocktail hour. There’s nothing worse than guests drinking for one or two hours with not enough food to eat.
Not sure whether to serve stationery hors d’oeuvres or passed hors d’oeuvres? As a rule of thumb, especially in a more casual atmospheres, stationery hors d’oeuvres are ok as long as there is enough to go around, and you set it up in a way where your guests don’t have to “stand in line” to grab a couple of appetizers (i.e., multiple stations or at least long double-sided tables).
Always make sure your hors d’oeuvres are displayed in an attractive manner and not just thrown on a tray and haphazardly placed on a table. If you can, go ahead and splurge on passed hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour— they make a great first impression!
Friday, March 14, 2014
Does the idea of all the attention on you as a bride freak you out?
Does the idea of all the attention on you freak you out? Many of the brides I work with tend to be on the introverted side. But that's ok! Here are some tips from Blissful Bride Coach Jennifer Gilchrist who is doing a 30-day series on becomming a blissful bride. Check her out:
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Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Real Wedding: Unconventional Wedding Venue Couple Shirani & David
Piggybacking on my last post about unconventional wedding venues...I want to give a big shout out to my newest clients Shirani and David who will be celebrating their nuptials at SAX DC (a burlesque lounge). Yes, you heard right, a burlesque lounge! Complete with dancers and all. When I first discovered what type of venue my client had chosen I was like HUH?! But it's not like what you would think at all!
At our venue walk through last week I got to see it for myself. The atmosphere was amazing! The entire venue was decadent and romantic and sexy (but in the best way). The whole restaurant is gold and very lux and VERY impressive looking! Think Marie Antoinette meets Interview with the Vampire. Yup, after one look I completely changed my mind.
And the BEST part is...drum roll please...the stage, which is not a stage at all is a glass-enclosed burlesque stage box right above the bar. This also happens to be where my couple will be saying their "I do's". That's right, in a glass box high above a bar for all to see!
The logistics will be a bit challenging, as I'm starting to find out, because this venue is anything but typical for a wedding. But the venue staff (shout out to Angela) is awesome and has lot's of great ideas. In short, this wedding is going to be AMAZEBALLS! And maybe at the end of all of this I'll become an unconventional wedding expert lol.
What kind of unconventional wedding locations have you planned (or would like to plan) a wedding at?
Photo credit: SAX DC, Yelp
At our venue walk through last week I got to see it for myself. The atmosphere was amazing! The entire venue was decadent and romantic and sexy (but in the best way). The whole restaurant is gold and very lux and VERY impressive looking! Think Marie Antoinette meets Interview with the Vampire. Yup, after one look I completely changed my mind.
And the BEST part is...drum roll please...the stage, which is not a stage at all is a glass-enclosed burlesque stage box right above the bar. This also happens to be where my couple will be saying their "I do's". That's right, in a glass box high above a bar for all to see!
The logistics will be a bit challenging, as I'm starting to find out, because this venue is anything but typical for a wedding. But the venue staff (shout out to Angela) is awesome and has lot's of great ideas. In short, this wedding is going to be AMAZEBALLS! And maybe at the end of all of this I'll become an unconventional wedding expert lol.
What kind of unconventional wedding locations have you planned (or would like to plan) a wedding at?
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Non-Traditional Wedding Venues
Reception halls and hotel ballrooms are not the only locations for wedding receptions. Today anything goes. A budget conscious bride may be able to find eclectic, wedding-friendly options; many of which may surprise your guests (in a good way). When selecting a non-traditional wedding venue it’s important to keep in mind the following:
Not all choices will end up costing less. The secret is being able to recognize the bargains.
Watch out for “hidden costs”. A non-traditional wedding location may be cheaper or free to rent, but also know that many times they will pose additional logistical challenges that a traditional wedding venue will not. The costs of making these locations event-ready, is where a lot of the “hidden costs” will come to light. Examples include Porta Potties, tables ,chairs, tents, electric generators, insurance, permits, and security. Additionally, many vendors will charge you extra for the additional staff and equipment needed to setup in a particularly challenging location.
Hire the right planning help. If you’re considering having your wedding in a non-traditional location, the best piece of advice I can give is to employ the services of a professional and experienced wedding designer and planner. They will be able focus on the services you need for each stage of your event (from electrical outlets, sink with water, refrigeration, etc.). This way you can more easily compare the total cost between your different options.
Not all choices will end up costing less. The secret is being able to recognize the bargains.
Watch out for “hidden costs”. A non-traditional wedding location may be cheaper or free to rent, but also know that many times they will pose additional logistical challenges that a traditional wedding venue will not. The costs of making these locations event-ready, is where a lot of the “hidden costs” will come to light. Examples include Porta Potties, tables ,chairs, tents, electric generators, insurance, permits, and security. Additionally, many vendors will charge you extra for the additional staff and equipment needed to setup in a particularly challenging location.
Hire the right planning help. If you’re considering having your wedding in a non-traditional location, the best piece of advice I can give is to employ the services of a professional and experienced wedding designer and planner. They will be able focus on the services you need for each stage of your event (from electrical outlets, sink with water, refrigeration, etc.). This way you can more easily compare the total cost between your different options.
Source: My Online Wedding Help
Friday, February 28, 2014
Wedding Etiquette: Thank You Cards
Are thank you cards are going
out of fashion? I hope not; a big Thank You should never go out of fashion!
Proper
wedding etiquette states that you should send out thank you cards within 2
months of the wedding.
Check out this article from our friends at Jam Paper for information
on how to address your thank you cards and thank you card wording examples.
The biggest mistake people
make when writing their thank you’s is sending out generic thank you cards.
Couples should take the time to thank those who attended in a personal way, just
like your guests took the time to attend your wedding. Handwrite your cards if
possible, as this always offers an extra personal touch.
Lastly, it’s not JUST the
Bride's job to write the thank you’s. If the bride is writing the card, she should
mention the groom by name in the thank you note and sign her name to the note.
If the groom is writing, he should mention the bride by name in the note and
sign his name. If neither name is mentioned in the note, it is signed with both
names regardless of who is writing the thank you.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Fusion Indian-Greek Wedding
This couple did an amazing job at representing both of their cultures and religions into their Jewish-Hindu wedding. Two ceremonies elegantly wove the bride's Greek Orthodox roots with the groom's Indian heritage. Their wedding planner—Alexandra Strawn of Cherry Blossom Events—dubbed the wedding“Bollywood goes Greek”.
When they began to plan the wedding, they knew they wanted to incorporate both of their cultures and religions, as they had both been raised with strong ties to each. After a ton of debate the couple finally decided to abbreviate both ceremonies and do them at the same time. They believed that would be the best way to honor their traditions most fully and allow all of their friends the chance to see both sides of our cultures.
How did they pull it off? The couple started off wearing traditional Indian wedding garb, with a baraat (an Indian groom’s wedding procession) and a celebratory Indian ceremony under a mandap, a traditional Indian wedding canopy. Then, the mandap was transformed, covered with olive branches and the bride changed into a white gown groom donned a suit for the Greek Orthodox ceremony. How clever!
How did they pull it off? The couple started off wearing traditional Indian wedding garb, with a baraat (an Indian groom’s wedding procession) and a celebratory Indian ceremony under a mandap, a traditional Indian wedding canopy. Then, the mandap was transformed, covered with olive branches and the bride changed into a white gown groom donned a suit for the Greek Orthodox ceremony. How clever!
Photo Credits: The Happy Couple
Source: Washingtonian
Thursday, February 20, 2014
The 411 on Having Children at Your Wedding
Children, no matter how adorable they are, can be a bit of a wild card when it comes to big events. So do you include them in the festivities or not? And if so, how do you keep them happy through all of the days events?
In this post I'll share a few tricks that may help to avoid near-disasters when it comes to kids and weddings.
Kids in the Wedding Party
In this post I'll share a few tricks that may help to avoid near-disasters when it comes to kids and weddings.
Kids in the Wedding Party
- I understand how much you’d love for your adorable two-year-old niece to totter down the aisle amid hundreds of “awws” from your smiling guests. But the more likely scenario is that he or she will end up a) crying, b) falling, c) coming down with a paralyzing case of stage fright, or d) all of the above. Solution: choose attendants between the ages of four and nine that can carry out the job in a more predictable and mature fashion than tiny tots can.
- Once they have performed their roles on the wedding day, allow them to sit with their parents in the audience; don’t keep them up at the altar with you and the rest of the adult attendants. This will ensure an attack of “restless child syndrome” won’t be on display for all to see.
- Incorporate the use of child attendants in the rehearsal to make them as comfortable as possible with their role in the wedding.
- If all else fails, don't underestimate the power of sugar. Have an arsenal of sweets on hand in case bribes are necessary to make it down the aisle and to sit still afterward. Just remember not to choose anything messy, like chocolate.
- Kids in the double digits are probably too old to be flower girls and ring bearers. But they can still be included in your party, either as junior attendants or by handing programs to guests as they are seated before the ceremony.
Kids at the Reception
- Little ones often have picky palates and might even throw a fit if the food’s not to their liking. Rectify the situation by pre-planning a children’s menu for any guest under the age of 12. Chicken fingers and fries or pizza are always crowd pleasers.
- Try to have some sort of entertainment for the kids, if possible, so they can eat their dinner, do a little dancing, and then head off to the pre-arranged babysitter to allow Mom and Dad to enjoy a few kid-free hours.
- If a babysitter isn’t in the cards, put out some small-scale activities at the designated kids’ table. Just a simple paper tablecloth and crayons or other non-messy activities can do the trick.
Source: Washingtonian
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Wedding Planning Tip: Menu Tastings
Make sure to ask if a menu tasting is included in your contract with the caterer or if there is an additional cost for this. When serving dinner or having a buffet for 100 guests or more, it's essential to have a "tasting" with your caterer (although you may want to have one even if your wedding is smaller). The caterer schedules a tasting so that you can sample the foods that will be served at the reception from the hors-d'oeuvres, to main course, to the cake (if included in the package). At the tasting, you can make any applicable changes. Don't be afraid to speak up if there is something you don't like or something you want to change. This is your opportunity!!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
How to Thank Your Parents for Your Wedding
One of the nicest trends that has become a part of many weddings in recent years has been the addition of printed words thanking the parents for the wedding. Here are some ideas on how to honor thy mother and father:
Add a thank you poem to the wedding program. The words of thanks don't have to be in the form of a poem. They can simply express your gratitude, although a poem is nice.
For those who have limited budgets, simply saying the words of thanks in front of the assembled guests is just as appropriate--such as after the wedding speeches and toasts.
Honor your parents with music. Ask the DJ to play your parents wedding song (or favorite song) and allow them to have the spotlight for a dance.
You can never go wrong with a thoughtful gift. Some ideas include a gift card, arranging for a nice weekend or a night out on the town, putting together a video using family photographs, a photo album of wedding pictures, your favorite photograph from the wedding in a personalized engraved frame, or a gift they can wear after the wedding.
Bottom line, no matter how you go about it, don't forget to show your appreciation to your parents for all the help they've given you with your wedding!
Add a thank you poem to the wedding program. The words of thanks don't have to be in the form of a poem. They can simply express your gratitude, although a poem is nice.
For those who have limited budgets, simply saying the words of thanks in front of the assembled guests is just as appropriate--such as after the wedding speeches and toasts.
Honor your parents with music. Ask the DJ to play your parents wedding song (or favorite song) and allow them to have the spotlight for a dance.
You can never go wrong with a thoughtful gift. Some ideas include a gift card, arranging for a nice weekend or a night out on the town, putting together a video using family photographs, a photo album of wedding pictures, your favorite photograph from the wedding in a personalized engraved frame, or a gift they can wear after the wedding.
Bottom line, no matter how you go about it, don't forget to show your appreciation to your parents for all the help they've given you with your wedding!
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