I don’t get it. Why would you take on a project that can cost you anywhere from $10,000 to, well, as high as you want to go without having a professional by your side?

Here is the thing, would you take on a major home remodeling project without hiring a general contractor? Of course not. I know, you are asking how are those even remotely the same. Let me ask you,

“How are they different?”

• Both have budgets in at least the 5 figure range. That is a LOT of money.
• In both instances you want a high degree of personalization. In short, you want YOUR dream to be executed.
• Both will require a long list of sub-contractors that you have most likely never dealt with before.
• Both require tight scheduling to make sure everything comes together on time and on budget.
• Both are going to have glitches and unexpected issues pop up that someone is going to have to deal with.
• The results of both are going to be with you for a long, long time.

Am I beginning to make some sense here?

All those things listed above are what a wedding planner does.

• They know which vendors are reliable and match your style.
• They help you translate your dreams to the people who are going to make them come true.
• They know all about how your venue works in terms of timing and convenience for load in.
• It is their job to keep that timeline on track so, for example, the flowers show up after the tables are set up, dinner is served hot and the MC know when to do the first dance.
• It is their job to keep all those sub-contractors working together on the right plan.
• They are there to look you right in the eye and say “Yes you can have that, but you are going to have to give up XYZ”
• They are there to handle those last-minute glitches and issues in a way that you don’t even know they happened.

There is a wealth of information online today on how to plan a wedding, but until you actually do it, you have no idea of everything involved. Seriously, when you look at it in this light, why would you even think of not hiring a wedding planner for one of the days you are going to remember for the rest of your life.

Sure, I could watch HGTV, DIY Network, House Crashers and This Old House until my eyes bleed but one episode of Holmes on Homes or DIY Disaster will cure my ass of thinking I can remodel my kitchen on my own!

By: Christine Boulton
Wedding Dish | Think Like A Bride

Thanks, Christine, for the informative (and oh-so-true) insight!

SpottedInk on Etsy.com

SpottedInk on Etsy.com

Check out the SpottedInk shop on Etsy.com to get yours!

Interns must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s/Master’s program at an accredited college or university and provide documentation from their school stating they are able to receive academic credit for this internship. The internship requires a minimum of 12 hours in the office each week, and you must be

You may be asking, what’s the difference? An internship is designed for a student to shadow in the office and during events for 4-5 months. An apprenticeship is an intense, hands-on two-day experience designed for those that have already completed coursework or have worked in the wedding industry.

For more information on these opportunities, please visit this page: http://www.firstcoastweddings.com/internships-and-employment/

We thought we would re-post an article we wrote on the subject not too long ago on the other benefits on wedding insurance.

There are several companies that provide wedding insurance, but here is some information from Wedding Protector Plan.

If you would like to see a brochure, click the link below:
http://www.protectmywedding.com/pdfs/Wedding_Insurance_Information_Wedding_Protector_Plan.pdf 
And for rates, click here:
http://www.protectmywedding.com/pdfs/wedding_event_insurance_rates_liquor_liability.pdf

Stephanie Ashwell Photography

Destination weddings have grown to be extremely popular in the wedding world. The fun of the destination allows a couple to combine the best of an adventurous honeymoon with their ceremony and reception. A big pro to having a destination wedding is that it creates an enjoyable atmosphere for your guests. Weddings bring together the people closest to you, so why not extend the time everyone’s going to spend together?

An ideal example of a wedding destination is the Florida Keys. To be even more specific, the Islamorada Key is a location many couples have experienced their weddings. Islamorada is perfect because it is a laid back and a relaxed destination with commercial amenities, tucked away in tropical landscapes and surrounded by clear, clean, blue water.

Here are a few  tips for having a picturesque destination wedding in Islamorada:

• Select a resort that will fulfill all your wedding needs that all your family and friends can stay in. An ideal resort is Le Siesta Resort and Marina. It has plenty of rooms, and has multiple locations to choose from for your ceremony and reception.
• Be sure to have welcome bags filled with fun treats that represents the Florida Keys that your guests can use during their stay.
• Make sure to have a timeline for all the events that will be taking place. Your guests will need to know when they’ll have time to relax and when they’ll need to be at important events.
• Be prepared for all types of weather. The Keys can definitely have it’s fair share of heavy winds and rain, so plan to have a backup plan just in case.

Image from theknot.com

Today escort cards can be found in all types of shapes and sizes. They can be placed on fruits and vegetables like limes and pumpkins, objects such as keys or horseshoes; the possibilities are endless. It’s very easy to make your escort cards fit to whatever your wedding theme is.

One fun trend that couples are using is hanging their escort cards by string and mini clothespins. After the guests have taken their cards, they’re asked to replace their cards with a Polaroid of themselves taken in a photo booth. This is a fun way for new guests to see who’s already arrived by their pictures.

• Don’t consume alcohol before the ceremony. If you do want to partake in the bubbly before you walk down the aisle, only drink  half a glass. If you drink too much your buzz will show on your face for all your guests to see and will show on your wedding photos.
• Arrive early to your venue. If it’s possible, get ready at the venue, because if something were to happen and you’re late to your wedding site, it could cause the whole schedule to run late.
• Don’t forget to take any regular medications. It’s easy to forget taking a pill when there’s a hundred things going on.
• Make sure to eat and drink plenty of water. You need to be hydrated to prevent headaches and fainting. Make sure to eat foods that won’t make you feel bloated.
• Don’t go crazy and start taking your stress out on others. If you’re yelling at your vendors, wedding party, or family because things aren’t going your way, that’s all anyone will remember when the day’s over.

The lanterns can either be released at the end of the ceremony to symbolize the new marriage, or the guests can release them during the reception. However you decide to use them, one thing is for sure; your guests will remember them for years to come!

Image from nsri.org

A unique gift for the groom to give his bride would be something to symbolize their future together. Add-on jewelry is ideal for representing  a couple’s future. The groom purchases a bracelet or necklace with a starter bead/beads and every year for the couple’s anniversary the piece of jewelry is added on to.

There are many jewelry brands that that hold this concept and range in price depending on what materials they’re made out of. Here are some examples of jewelry brands.

Chamilia Charms

Image from chamilia.com

Pandora

Image from pandora.com

Add A Pearl

Image from addapearl.com

Brighton Charms

Image from brighton.com

DaVinci Beads

Image from coppinsgifts.com

Here are a few examples of great groom gifts.

Men’s watch

Image from citizenwatch.com

A day of golf

Image from strack.com

Tickets to his favorite sports team

Image from nflfootballstadiums.com

A tablet

Imagefrom amazon.com

A cigar bar at your reception

Image from elizabethannedesigns.com