The Posh Event Blog - A Blog for the Chic and Stylish Bride

Fashion Friday: Untamed Petals

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Happy Friday! As the week comes to an end we want to send you into your weekend with the gorgeous accessories collection from Untamed Petals. From headbands to belts, hair clips to purses and jewelry, Untamed Petals has it all. Their collection is great for brides, bridesmaids, mothers, flower girls, and, if you're like me, for those people who aren't getting married but are simply in love with their designs!

We'll start by looking at the belts. Ranging in price from $145 to $625, these belts can bring so much character to your dress!

Love them! Now moving on to headbands...equally as charming and gorgeous, they range in price from $68 to $298.

There are also hair combs, purses, and jewelry and flowers. If I could I would show them all but there are too many to choose from so you'll just have to head over to the Untamed Petals website and check it all out yourself!

Enjoy!!

-- Marry Welle

Wedding Inspiration: Ranunculus

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

We all know about my slight obsession with floral design at weddings. And as I continue to learn about different flowers and how to actually piece arrangements together, I have just been completely won over by one flower in particular - the Ranunculus. Oh. My. Gosh. Both gorgeous and playful, ranunculas come in a variety of colors. In a tight formation or in full bloom, this flower can stand completely on its own or serve as the perfect filler. So here are some great pictures of ranunculas to give you some wedding inspiration on the lovely Thursday!

Since 1910

Bouquet Wedding Flower

Eat Drink Garden

Enjoy!!

-- Marry Welle

Wedding Etiquette and Tips: The Plus One

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Getting your guest list down to the appropriate number in and of itself is tricky enough. But there is invariably the question about "plus one." Family members and friends have significant others that, although you may not necessarily be close to, they are most certainly going to want to bring along to your celebration. To help make this process easier, let's take a look at the manners gurus suggestions for the best ways to determine who gets a plus one.

Credit Crunch Bride

Emily Post - Emily Post says that spouses, fiancees/finaces, and live-in partners must be invited. Additionally, their names should appear appropriately on the invitation (do not refer to your cousin's fiance as his "and guest." Ask for and address her by name.). While these people are not optional for inclusion on the guest list, a person's boyfriend or girlfriend, especially if the relationship is relatively new, may be included or excluded at the bride and groom's discretion. It is also OK to refer to them as "and guest" but, personally speaking, there is a lot to be said for a bride or groom who takes the time to find out that person's name and includes it on the invitation. It is classy and will be appreciated by your guests.

Miss Manners - Miss Manners believes the same as Emily Post, but goes further by saying that "plus one" or "and guest" are simply not appropriate - you must find out that person's name at the very least and at the most send them their own invitation.

The important thing to remember is that your guest list is ultimately up to you. If you do not want all of your cousin's bringing their significant others, do not invite them. However, keep in mind how you might feel is you were invited to a wedding but your husband or fiance was not - would you still attend? Put a great deal of thought into how you will construct your guest list and stick to your decisions. You will feel more confident in who will be there to share your special day and your guests, who are obviously your dearest friends and family, will most certainly understand!

Feel free to leave any comments or questions in the comments section of this post!

Enjoy!!

-- Marry Welle

DIY Wedding Project: Homemade Dessert Boxes

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Hello and Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a nice weekend! We're starting the week off with a great DIY from my favorite DIY blog, Elizabeth Anne Designs. Finding the perfect way to store a food favor can be tricky and often times your options aren't all that appealing. This project takes a simple box and lets you personalize it to fit your style, theme and taste!

What you will need:

- Kraft paper boxes (these pictured are 6x6x4 - most can be found at a paper or craft store)

- Ribbon

- Glue gun and glue sticks

- Sewing machine

- Rubber stamps and ink pad

- Streamer paper

- Beads

- Sewing thread

- Scissors

1. On the inside top flap of the box stamp out your message - it can be "Thank You" or the couple's initials with the wedding date, whatever you want! Make it personal!

2. Set your sewing machine to the longest possible stitch and sew 1/6 inch from the edge along the streamer paper. You will need about one foot of stitched paper per flower.

3. Cut at each foot long mark and gently pull the string so that the paper gathers into a flower. Cut away excess paper and set aside.

4. Take the ribbon and cut two 3 inch pieces, making a V shape at the bottom (to prevent fraying). On the other side of the top flap (so opposite of where you stamped your message), glue the ribbons flat edge to flat edge.

5. Glue the paper flower at the center, topping its center with a bead.

Then fill the box with some tissue paper and your favorite treats!

When embarking on a project like this, set daily or weekly goals for yourself. Be realistic with how many boxes you can complete at a time and don't be afraid to enlist some help from friends or Dream Man!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this post!

Enjoy!!

-- Marry Welle

Photos by Jade + Matthew Take Pictures on Elizabeth Anne Designs

Fashion Friday: Jenny Packham

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:18:00 +0000

Meet Our New Interns

noreply@blogger.com (Tim Duncan) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

I am excited to introduce to you our new interns for Spring 2012. Please welcome Kancha Theeranaew and Christine Shieh to the team! Here is a little bit about them both…

Kancha Theeranaew

Kancha is originally from Thailand and is currently seeking her Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from Florida State University. She has also majored in Tourism while residing in Thailand. She comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience in her field and I am excited to have her on our team. Here are some fun facts about Kancha…

Coolest place you have ever been: Every place has its own characteristics and uniqueness but Amsterdam, Netherlands impressed me the most. It’s almost like Venice, Italy because there are countless canals and small stone bridges.

What do you enjoy most about event planning? The opportunity to build a connection with people.

Sweet or Spicy Foods? I love spicy food! Since I’m Thai and Thai cuisine is well known for spiciness, I can’t live through a week without a spicy meal.

If you had to choose a city to live, would it be NYC or LA? New York City! I feel my personality would fit best in the Big Apple.

What are you most passionate about? Besides cooking and baking, I have a strong passion for integrated marketing.

If you were a pair of shoes, what shoe would you be? High heels! High heels make a woman feel more confident!

Christine Shieh

Christine is a recent graduate of the University of California, Davis with a BS in Psychology & Communications. She is currently pursuing an associates degree in Hospitality Management. Christine is aspiring to become a wedding planner and also brings a wealth of event planning experience and knowledge to the team. I am very excited to have her. Here are some fun facts about Christine…

What is your favorite color? I know glittery and sparkly don’t count as colors, but I love them on makeup, nail polish, clothes and shoes. I do like gold, blue, purple and red.

What do you enjoy most about event planning? I think the best part of event planning is seeing everything fall together perfectly knowing that you helped make all this happen. I love researching caterers and venues and chatting with clients to make sure it is everything they want.

Sweet or Spicy Foods? Spicy! It might be the Asian in me, but I love Srircha sauce!

If you had to choose a city to live, would it be NYC or LA? I’ve been to Los Angeles and I love it so it may have an advantage. But New York City is one of the best cities in the world so I wouldn’t mind living in a fast paced world!

What are you most passionate about? I am most passionate about making a difference in someone’s life. Whether it’s volunteering with the elderly, planning a bride’s perfect wedding day, or being someone’s inspiration to be a better person, being able to make a difference is very important to me.

If you were a pair of shoes, what shoe would you be? I would be a Nicholas Kirkwood lace detail pump!

Wedding Inspiration: Crimson and Gold

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:30:00 +0000

As we still have a few months of winter ahead of us, I wanted to create an inspiration board that gives rich, warm hues without dwelling too much on the holidays. Right now I'm just loving gorgeous crimson paired with a vibrant gold. The two together are elegant and classic, tasteful and perfect for a wintery affair.

Antlers // Print // Necklace // Table Setting // Drinks // Feather // Shoes // Rug // Heart

Wedding Tips: Choosing a Veil

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0000

You have the perfect dress. So you obviously need the perfect veil to go along with it! But just as the search for the dress can be a bit tricky, finding the right veil is no easy task. Here are a few pointers to help make the search easier...

Dress Style. Your veil should compliment the detail and style of your dress. If your dress is very ornate, pick a more simple veil and vice versa if it's very simple. If there are strong focal points, make sure the veil doesn't cover them - pick either a shorter or more sheer veil.

Length. There are a number of lengths to choose from...here are just a few!

Birdcage

Tigerlily Jewelry

Shoulder

JJs House

Elbow

JJs House

Knee

It's A Brides Life

Cathedral

It's a Brides Life

Hairstyle. Think about how you want to wear your hair when trying on veils. Just because a veil looks good with your hair down at a fitting doesn't mean it will look good with an up-do on the big day! It's almost worth it to go try on veils after having your hair styled exactly how you want it for your wedding. Or if you find the perfect veil, be sure to bring it to the stylist as soon as possible to make sure he or she can come up with a style that fits both you and the veil!

Location. If you're having an outdoor wedding, consider how wind, grass or sand might affect the appearance of your veil in photos. A shorter veil would be a good option for these types of settings.

Good luck on the veil search and remember there is nothing wrong with holding out for the perfect veil to go with that perfect dress!

Feel free to comment and enjoy!!

-- Marry Welle

Some ideas borrowed from Wedding-Veil.com.

Wedding Vendor Spotlight: Snap Knot Wedding Photography Resource

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:30:00 +0000

Have you ever googled the term "wedding photographer"? Do you KNOW how many results show up? Searching for a wedding photographer can be extremely overwhelming as there are so many individuals and companies out there who offer different styles, price points and packages. But fear no more! In 2010, two grooms (yes, fantastic grooms!) set out to help make the photographer search process much easier and the result was SnapKnot.

Frustrated from their own search experiences, Mike Rheaume and Reid Warner, developed SnapKnot with the intention of making it both faster and easier for couples and photographers to find one another. "Our goal is to make SnapKnot the go-to choice for engaged couples looking for a wedding photographer and photographers to showcase their work and connect with potential clients," said Mike. "We believe SnapKnot can make the process fun and successful for both the couples and the photographers."

So how does it work? You simply pick a city and a price range. If you need a destination photographer, you can add that to your search as well. Once the search goes through little, there are visual results that allow you to see a small sample from the photographers.

After clicking on their link, you can connect with the photographer for free - all of their contact information is right there! Upon free registration with SnapKnot, there are ways for you to organize and archive photographers you are interested in. Piece of cake!

Be sure to head over to SnapKnot to check out this fantastic vendor that will surely help make your photographer search so. much. easier!

Feel free to leave a comment and enjoy!!

-- Marry Welle

DIY Wedding Project: Homemade Ring Bearer Pillows

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:05:00 +0000

Hello and Happy New Year! I realize we're a bit late in wishing that to everyone but with our amazing "How to Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days" campaign finishing up last week, we're getting back to regular posting here at The Posh Event blog. And we're going to kick it off with a darling little DIY project to personalize your ring bearer pillows. With the help and guidance of Martha Stewart, we'll do a step-by-step that you can tweak to fit your theme, colors or style along the way!

What you'll need:

Scissors
Pins
Thread
Two square pieces of fabric measuring 7 1/4 inches
Length of ribbon approximately 29 1/2 inches long
Pillow stuffing
Covered button
Small thinner ribbon (for ring attachment)

Pick a color combination of ribbon and fabric that reflects the overall theme and style of your wedding.

Take one of the squares and the ribbon and pin the sides you want seen so that they are facing each other. Sew that side. Proceed with the remaining three sides, folding the corners under as you go. Take the other square and with the "seen side" facing in, pin and sew all four sides as you did the with the previous square. Leave one inch unsewn. Flip the pillow so the sides are right side out. Take the stuffing and fill the pillow through the unsewn hole. After doing so, use a needle and thread to seal the hole. Sew the covered button to the center and tie the thinner ribbon around it to hold the rings. And there you have it, your very own, homemade ring bearer pillow!

Feel free to comment and enjoy!!

-- Marry Welle

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Favors

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:38:00 +0000

Plantamemory

At the end of the night or weekend, it's nice to send your guests on their way with a little expression of gratitude from you and your fiance. It doesn't have to be much, as the great party you just threw clearly cost a substantial amount, but a wedding favor is a great gesture that reflects nicely on you two as a couple. While there is no right or wrong favor to give, there are a few helpful things to consider when picking your favor!

Express yourselves! - Let the favor speak for you and your fiance. Perhaps your into photography so give everyone a disposable camera to document the night. Are you both coffee aficionados? Give some coffee-inspired favors! One cool new trend I've been hearing about is local wine-stores that allow you to make your own wine, bottle it and keep...or in this case, give away. Whatever it is that truly reflects your couple-personality, let that come through loud and clear in your favor!
Stick with the Theme - While this advice speaks for itself, take it to the extreme! Go local - if you're having a destination wedding, find something truly unique from a local town or market and give it as a favor.
Stick with the Colors - It may sound crazy, but favors will be photographed. Make sure they are packaged tastefully and in accordance with the overall feel of the wedding. Even if it means sticking some glowsticks in cute containers off to the side, at least they won't clash too terribly when sitting on top of your dinner plates!
Packaging - It's important to have the favor you want, packaging will follow (unless of course you've found the perfect bag or box, be less picky when deciding what to fill it with). Go to local container stores or look online at places like Paper Source to find cute packaging options that will more than likely come in a multitude of colors and sizes.
Budget - Goodness, this B-word keeps showing up everywhere! Favors should be more of a left-over part of the budget. They are certainly important and deserve to be included, but it's fairly easy these days to find favors to fit budgets of all sizes. Especially if you're a crafty DIY-er!! If your budget simply won't allow for large scale gift-giving, then go the charitable-donation route. It doesn't have to be a large donation, but something is better than nothing. Simply leave a notecard on every table indicating that a donation has been made in your wedding's honor to a charity near and dear to your heart!

So remember to be reflective, crafty and personal when it comes to determining the perfect favor to give your guests!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this post!

Some concepts and ideas borrowed from Planning Elegance.

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Linens

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:37:00 +0000

Memorable Events LLC

When I look at wedding pictures, I easily get distracted by so many things. But there are a handful of items that I look at with great detail, no matter what. One of those things is table linens. I love fabrics (a whole other obsession in my life besides weddings) and table linens are one fun detail to a wedding that typically get me excited (especially if they've been steamed...always steam your linens!!). There is absolutely nothing wrong with going with a simple white table cloth - with the right table decor, white can be a total wonder. But it's also fun to go with other options and here are a few tips to make this exciting, and possibly overwhelming, decision-making process a bit easier...

Budget - Linens should be included in your overall decor budget. If there is a linen you MUST have but it's going to be pricey, you'll be able to see how it might affect other aspects of your decor plan, like flowers and lighting. Look at multiple local rental companies and determine whose price ranges fit best into your budget.

Table Size and Number - As soon as you know how many guests you will have and, consequently, how many tables you will need, coordinate with the venue the best possible table layout. The venue may have a number of different table sizes for you to not only choose from, but also combine in any number of different ways to seat all of your guests. The table sizes are essential to being able to place any sort of linen order. Ask your venue or wedding coordinator which sizes they suggest or look on linen websites for specific measurements - you don't want cloths that drag too long on the ground or reveal everyone's ankles!

Memorable Events LLC

Color - If your budget allows you to do full table coverage, ask your rental company for all of their options in your specific color (and price range). From here you will see the amazing silk, satin, taffeta, linen, burlap...oh I could go on and on, choices you will have! If you decide to go with a solid color, or simply white, consider doing a runner for a little pop! Runners cost less but still bring variation and life to a tabletop decor scheme. Also remember how your flowers will look against certain table cloths - there is no order in which to pick one or the other, just make sure the overall scheme flows.

Napkins & Chair Covers - Linens are not limited to table cloths. Napkins are obviously a necessity but may be provided by your venue or catering company. If you want a certain color combination on your table top, be sure to consult with your venue or linen rental company to determine your options. Chair covers almost certainly require rentals so, like your tables, determine their size and shape before placing any orders.

Whatever you choose, ALWAYS ask for a sample of the material before placing any orders. Just because a certain pink ruffled taffeta looks good in a picture does not mean you'll like the material in person. Rental companies should provide sample books or have showrooms for you to come view. But most importantly, take advantage of this opportunity to incorporate fun colors into your decor plan and really make your event unique!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this post.

Our Feature in the Winter 2012 Issue of Occasions Magazine!

noreply@blogger.com (Tim Duncan) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:39:00 +0000

I am over the moon excited to share our feature in the recent Winter 2012 Occasions Magazine with you guys! We had the honor of planning an uber chic Ladies Night / Anniversary party for a great couple and had so much fun planning it! Special thanks to Team Duncan for being my shining stars, Margaret A. Lemke Photos for capturing the event, and of course to Occasions Mag for showcasing our event! You can check out a sneak peak of the feature below or pick up the magazine which should be in newstands now.

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Rehearsal

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:28:00 +0000

Having a wedding rehearsal is a must - help parents, grandparents, ringbearers, flower girls, bridesmaids and groomsmen know exactly where to go and when to go there. See, that sentence in and of itself required a little coordination! So a rehearsal is very important and useful. It's also a great opportunity to have a little pre-wedding party with your some, or all, of your guests. There are a few options for planning a rehearsal:

Wedding party only - privately let them know via email or separate invitation
Out of town guests only - privately let them know via email or separate invitation
All guests - include information in your invitation packet and on your website so guests know where to go

Whatever you choose to do, treat your rehearsal dinner just as you would your actual wedding ceremony - focus on details, details, details. First figure out your budget. From the budget (which is traditionally provided by the groom's family), you can determine how many guests you will be having, and thus limit the party size to one of the groups listed above. From here you should...

Book your venue - keep it in the vicinity of your actual ceremony, regardless of you having an in or out-of-town wedding.
Determine the menu - will it be an sit-down dinner? Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres? Will you use the venue's services or bring in your own caterers? This will be a huge factor in your budget so negotiate it with the venue as soon as possible.
Pick toast-givers - send emails to these people so they come prepared the evening of.
Coordinate electronic requirements - many rehearsal dinners involve childhood videos or slideshows of some sort. Determine who will make these (perhaps you and your fiance, perhaps a family member or friend) and make sure the venue has all the essential equipment.
Decor - if special linens or flowers are necessary for the overall mood of your rehearsal, be sure to order them well in advance.
Photographer - most rehearsal dinners don't include professional photographers, but should you want one, book as soon as possible. It would probably be easiest to use your actual wedding photographer.
Invitations - send them out after the normal invitation but still soon enough for out of town guests to make the appropriate travel plans to make it to the party.
Transportation - be sure to have this lined up if you are moving guests from a hotel to a separate venue, like a restaurant or bar.
Theme - if you aren't so confident with making your wedding themed, the rehearsal dinner is the perfect opportunity to do so! Rehearsals can be formal or casual (typically more casual - it's a welcome for the weekend!). Get all necessary items collected and ready at least 2 weeks before the event. If you are renting chairs or any other equipment, hiring musicians or special performances, book those as soon as you book your venue.

To make the evening go smoother, talk to you planner (or helping friends and family) and give them the overall vision you have for the party. Additionally, using the same vendors for your rehearsal as you plan on using for your wedding will make for fewer contracts!

The most important thing to remember when hosting an event is to communicate your vision over and over and over!

Speaking of communication, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this post!

Some ideas and concepts borrowed from Real Simple.

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:28:00 +0000

Ahh, my favorite part of the wedding: Flowers! What kind do you what? Color? How many? Loads to think about but if you do it right, you'll get the most for your money and have lovely decor to boot!

Blush Events

Consult
Talk with your planner or local florist as soon as you can. If you have no idea what kind of flowers you want, describing your wedding vision to someone who knows more a great deal about flowers will help you get started. Ask for low, middle and high priced options so you can also start to envision what kind of budget you need to set aside for flowers. It is super important to remember, it's your wedding - if there is a flower you MUST have, want to have or just need to have, there are no right or wrong combinations. Stick with your gut and your wishes - don't be afraid to tell someone thanks but not thanks for the suggestions, neon orange Gerber daisies are my favorite and I want them everywhere!

Browse
Pick up magazines - look at different arrangements either in wedding magazines or floral magazines. There are some creations that you or your florist might never think of but are in fact totally feasible and attainable. Browsing and getting some sort of idea about what you want will allow you to go into your floral meetings with confidence and direction.

Budget
How extensive do you want flowers to be in your decor scheme? Are you just doing bouquets and boutonnieres? Will you have ceremony and reception floral decor? The more flowers, the more expensive. If there is an expensive flower you must have in your bouquet, be willing to be flexible in cutting back in other areas. Luckily there are so many budget friendly decor options these days, your florist and planner should be able to determine a scheme that will fit your budget and still display your theme, taste, and style.

Floral Factors
Color, season, access - these will all help you pick the right flower. Color is certainly your choice but be flexible if it's not the right season or that unique blossom is difficult to come by. Having special orders or non-seasonal flowers flown in can blow your budget. Don't be afraid to go easy either...we've featured a simple yet increasingly popular flower that can cover all aspects of wedding florals and years ago, many of us never would have considered it...Baby's Breath!

Design and Decor
Start with your bouquet - what do you want to carry down the aisle and see in pictures for years to come? From this floral combination, pick a smaller number for bridesmaids bouquets and a few similar blossoms for the groom and groomsmen. If your bouquet has a large variety of flowers, mix them up to make corsages and boutonnieres for parents and family. Similar principles can be used to design table decor. Not everything has to be as elaborate as your bouquet, and vice versa. Your bouquet just serves as the best focal and starting point because from there you can find complementary pieces that tie every aspect of floral presence in your wedding back to together.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this post!

Some concepts and idea borrowed from How to Choose Flowers for Your Wedding.

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Transportation

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:27:00 +0000

Once Wed

One of the trickiest wedding logistics is how to move everyone from point A to point B. How to get your guests from the airport to the hotel to the rehearsal to the ceremony to the...see?! Exhausting! What about how you and your groom will get around? Let's break it down to find the easiest, most efficient way to keep the weekend flowing!

In-Town Guests
If most of your guests already live in the town where your ceremony and reception are going to be located, well that takes care a lot of the work for you! Always, always, always include directions to all venues - maps are even better! Be sure to have a "Directions" section on your website.

Out-of-Town Guests
If you have any guests who are coming in from out of town, it's perfectly acceptable to put a note in their invitation with local transportation companies - car rentals, taxis, etc. Another great way to help them out is to put an "Out-of-Town Guests"tab on your website with every little bit of information they might need.

The most important thing to remember about providing information before your wedding is the more you provide early and ahead of time, the less confusion on the day of!

The Newlyweds
How do you and your husband want to get around? Bookings for a limo, rental car, horse and carriage, whatever, need to be booked as soon as your set your date. Find out rates - are they hourly? Does the transportation company offer wedding packages? Make sure they have agreed to be there from the end of the ceremony until after the reception. This contract will be one of the most important so make sure you and your husband are as thorough as possible. Be clear with expectations, times, distances and location.

Group Transportation
Maybe there is limited parking at your ceremony or reception venue. Or perhaps there will be a lot of alcohol served. Either way, thinking about transportation from a group standpoint is a important one for flow and safety for the day. If everyone is staying in a hotel, opt for large buses, like a tour bus or school bus - very common, very easy to coordinate. If people will be coming from a variety of directions, consider these options:

Pre-Ceremony to Ceremony - have a local meeting point. Have guests meet and park there and have a tour bus take them to the ceremony. That way they aren't leaving their cars overnight in a parking lot (for example, a church or museum) that might be needed the next morning but instead in a general spot (like a mall or business park).
Ceremony to Reception - use the same tour bus! Piece of cake.
Post-Reception - Provide the tour bus for those guests who left their cars and are able to drive home. But it is also worth it to go the extra mile and contact a taxi company ahead of time and tell them a large number of people will be needing taxis at this particular point. Similarly, let your guests know that the taxi option will be available. Maybe they'll just opt to take a taxi from venue to venue.

However you choose to do it, make things as easy for your guests as possible. They'll be able to enjoy themselves without having to worry about driving and you'll be able to enjoy yourself without stressing over people driving after a night of fun!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this post!

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Lighting

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0000

It’s amazing how much a simple adjustment to a room’s lighting can so dramatically change its mood, ambiance and appearance. Lighting is an important factor in your wedding’s décor plan, don’t forget about it!

Bride Bop

Use the venue’s natural or included lighting as your starting point for cost-effectiveness and ease. If you visit and all the lights are turned off, you might overdo what you choose to add. If you go when it’s completely daylight out, you might not use enough. Find out what the venue can provide – they may have a few lighting accessories that you can rent for a small price (or even simply borrow). Depending upon your budget and how detailed you want your lighting, there are two ways to achieve the perfect lighting scenario for your event: hire a private company or DIY. Each has its pro’s and con’s so let’s take a minute to look at them!

Some rental-lighting basics:

Fun Factory

Uplighting – this created by placing small par can lights on the floor and having them shine up the wall to create a color wash. Very classy and easy.

xslighting

Gobos – small glass discs placed over the front of lights that create an image or shape on a wall or ceiling. Super popular and fun

To make the most of your lighting rentals, I highly suggest bringing a member from the rental company along with you to the venue at the exact time as your event…but a few days or weeks before. If you know what you want, speak your mind very clearly and make sure you walk away from the meeting on the same page. If you are unsure what you want, ask them to provide a few suggestions that cover a number of price points.

Choosing to do the lighting yourself is a great budget friendly plan that allows you to truly create and execute your own vision. If you’re not a lighting expert, keep it simple and feasible. Learning lighting systems is not a 30-day project. However, putting candles in lanterns or stringing Christmas lights is a 30-minute, easy-to-achieve project. Enlist some friends and draw up your own plan.

Wedding Bee

Add tulle around some Christmas lights to give a more whimsical feel!

Save On Crafts

If you do choose to use a large number of candles indoors, check with the venue first. Due to fire

code restrictions, some places do not allow them – if the candles are going to be relatively hiding (like in a lantern or deep down in a wax candle-pit, it’s perfectly acceptable to use battery powered candles).

Whatever you do, do not forget to think about lights! They will add so much ambiance and help tie together the venue and décor!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this page!

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Honeymoon

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:17:00 +0000

Turtle Fiji

Although the honeymoon is the icing on the cake after the wedding, it is something that needs to be thought about and planned well before the big day. While I can only give so much advice about where to go, I can give plenty of advice about how to make getting there as easy as possible...

You and your fiance should decide how you want to spend your honeymoon just as soon as you set your wedding date. Top questions to ask:

Will you wait awhile after the wedding?
Will you go immediately?
How long can you both feasibly go away for?
What can you afford?
Who will pay?

Who will pay for your trip is an important question to address - it is traditional for the groom to pay for it. If you want to stick with tradition, then that's perfect. However, being a travel-fiend myself, I know pooling resources together will allow for a more exotic and fun experience.

Since planning the actual wedding takes up a great deal of time and resources, don't be afraid to put your honeymoon off for awhile. You can collect vacation from work, more money to cover costs and side-adventures, allowing the trip have as much build up as the wedding. You have more time to really plan for the honeymoon and ensure that the memories you make on that trip are as memorable as what brought you there!

If the ability to travel after your wedding is more important than the wedding itself, don't be afraid to keep your ceremony and reception very low-key and tightly-budgeted. There are some couples out there who live to travel together and those experiences are more meaningful to them than throwing a big party. You do not have to justify this type of decision making to anyone - just go for it!

If there is a particular area of the world you are set on seeing, always check to see what types of honeymoon packages or deals local resorts might offer. If you're not entirely sure where you want to go, speak with a travel agency in your town to get some ideas...it's their job to plan trips and get you the best deals, take advantage of them!

Most importantly, remember this is a trip all about you two as a couple - find a place or places that offer couple activities. You have no plans to make, emails to write, or appointments to keep - focus on each other 100% so you come back fresh, happy and thrilled to be starting your life together!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this post!

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Cake

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Planning Elegance

The yummiest part of your day! Here are some tips on how to pick out and design the coolest, tastiest, most memorable wedding cake ever...

Book Early...as nice as it would be for bakeries to have the ability to give you a wedding cake on demand, they often allot a few cake spaces per weekend. Check with your favorite bakeries well in advance to make sure they can accommodate your weekend.
Taste Early...and I might say, often! Although that's not always realistic, do be sure to get in for a tasting of either what you have your heart set on, or what the baker might recommend. Bring your Fiance for sure, but it's worth it to check with the baker to find out if bringing a friend or two is alright as well. Obviously you want to pick out something you love, but it's OK to think about the guests as a whole as well. If there is one that you MUST have but you're pretty certain everyone else will not like creme de menthe and coffee, make that flavor just your top tier - after all, just you and your husband will be eating it on your first anniversary and you won't have to worry about complaints of a bad cake!
Deposit Early...some bakeries only hold places for clients who have made their deposit. Do not assume that a tasting or verbal agreement reserves your cake for your weekend. Deposits and contracts are the starting point once you've picked out your baker.
Consider costs...the typical cost for a cake is $2.00 per serving. The bigger the cake, the longer it takes to make, the more detailed, the more expensive it will be. If it's simple in design and flavor, it will be less. Communicate your budget expectations to your baker and see how they can work with and for you to get exactly what you want within your parameters. Additional costs may arise if there are dietary restrictions or considerable travel for the cake's delivery.
Communication...make sure the baker has the clearest possible vision as to what you want your cake to look like. Use pictures and approval signatures to show this understanding and agreement. If you want lavender purple, give him or her the exact shade in a picture, along with both of your initials or signatures showing review and promise to meet that expectation.
Define the details...if you want a certain type of flower, shape, or creature on your cake, check with the baker if he or she is able to make it. If not, either consider another baker or another detail. In today's baking world, it seems like anything is possible. So don't be afraid to be specific about a detail that means a lot to the presentation and theme of your wedding cake. At the same time, understand flexibility is key when it comes to art and transferred vision.
Day of cake cutter...work out beforehand that someone, either from the venue staff, your planning team or perhaps from your family, will be cutting the cake for the guests to enjoy. You don't want to have a formal cake-cutting and then the monstrous creation sit there untouched for the remainder of the night!

Should you and your husband choose to also have a groom's cake, the same advice applies for smooth baking and business!

The other thing to remember is you don't have to have a cake on the dessert table! Cupcake towers, cookies, homemade pies, macaroons and everything in between are completely acceptable and all the rage! Not to mention, much more cost effective and creative! Here are a few dessert tables to provide some inspiration!

Wedding Bee

Glorious Treats

Style Me Pretty

Love My Dress

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this post!

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Wedding Music

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:53:00 +0000

When guests leave a wedding, there are typically only a handful of things they remember: your dress, the food and the music. The music! Music makes the party so picking the right performers is vitally important to the overall atmosphere and direction for the evening. Maybe you want the DJ who played at your high school prom. Perhaps you’ve been to amazing wedding after amazing wedding with the town’s best Motown band. Either way, do not take this decision lightly. Sit down with Dream Man and figure out exactly what you want to be hearing and boogying to with your friends and family.

It all comes down to one question: Band vs. DJ. Let’s look at the contenders…

Band

Bella Gala

There really is nothing like live music. Seeing the performers get into every song makes it personal not only for them, but for you. Your wedding is their sold out concert for the night – your guests are the fans and they are putting their heart and soul into their performance for you all for the night. Nothing can replace that sort of intimate interaction. I’ve left more weddings raving about the band than any other aspect. Simply put, bands bring something extra and fun to a reception.

However, there are things to remember about a band. Their repertoire is going to be more limited – they probably can’t play David Guetta’s latest mix or do Single Ladies just like Beyonce’s version. If there are certain songs you want to hear, make sure they can play them, don’t just assume. Ask for a demo CD to get an idea of their live sound before hiring them. As they are a live band, their set-up and sound checks are going to be more complicated. Make sure they come set-up well before the reception (maybe even check out the venue at least one time before) and know if set-up and break-down are included in the fee for the evening or count as extra hours. As I always say, the more that is communicated, the better the relationship with the vendor and the smoother the evening will go.

DJ Fellowcraft

If you like non-stop music with smooth transition from one song to the next, a DJ might be the way to go. With the simple click of a mouse, a DJ can play Billie Jean or Shout and bring your entire wedding party to the dancefloor…and keep them there for the remainder of the evening. DJ’s can play the exact version of a song you want to dance to with your new husband or father.

Just as with a band, see what kind of songs the DJ does have available. While they have access to a large number, it may not be some of the exact ones that you want. Find out if they have their own equipment – you may have to end up renting some essential pieces for them, which will tack costs onto simply hiring them for the night.

Whichever way you decide to go, take this decision very seriously. Bad music can hurt the evening, but great music can make the night!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this page!

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Menu

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:52:00 +0000

Buzzle

Following last week's post about catering your reception, another question follows...what kind of food should you have?! Choosing your menu can seem just as overwhelming and confusing as trying on dresses so here are a few tips to help make it delightful and delicious!

Time of year: watermelon and barbecue might not be as enjoyable during the dead of winter! Similarly, a heavy beef dish isn't going to go down so easily on a hot July day. Think about what you would cook yourself for a small dinner party and see how easily it can be replicated.
Time of day: an afternoon reception does not necessarily require a full sit-down meal (unless that is what you want). You can just as easily have appetizers and hors d'oeuvres to cover the food during those few hours. However, an evening reception does include a full meal - if guests are going to be attending your event from 4 pm until well into the evening, it is your duty to make sure they are well-fed...especially if there will be a large amount of alcohol being served.
Stick with your theme: Ahh, my favorite piece of advice. But seriously, the theme is the driving force. It helps narrow your options and keep you on track. Seafood near the sea, hearty dishes in the mountains, vegetables and poultry at a vineyard. This may seem boring but narrowing down your ideas to these options is simply the starting point - from here room for creativity is endless!
Stick with your budget: If having filet mignon is your dream for your wedding, then look to other areas for budget cuts (florals, lighting, photography). Always, always check with your caterer or venue as to which is more cost effective: sometimes a buffet is, other times individual plates are. There are many different ways to keep meals delicious and still within the budget: for example, pasta dishes are satisfying and fun. Serve unique and well-prepared vegetables as sides to something simple, like chicken.
Serving appearance: As has already been mentioned, meals are primarily served via buffet or individually plated meals. You can also do family style, where the dish is placed in the middle of the table for guests to serve themselves. You can also do fun food stations: salad, pasta, vegetables, etc.
Dietary Options: If you are concerned that some of your guests will have special dietary needs, include a way for them to indicate that on your RSVP. Vegetarian options are typically always included, but in today's age, there might be more that you should know about. You can say "A vegetarian option is available, if you have any further requests please let me know." Most guests will respect this accommodation but don't be surprised if you get a few special requests. Consider them fairly and accordingly, but don't be afraid to stand by only providing a vegetarian meal as the dietary option.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this page!

Some ideas and concepts borrowed from "Choosing the menu for your wedding reception" on weddster.net.

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Dress

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:53:00 +0000

Selecting your wedding dress is definitely one of the top decisions to be made in planning your wedding. As with many wedding considerations, everybody goes about this process differently…

Do you study designers online and search for stores that offer that line? Do you simply go to local bridal shops and dive in with reckless abandon? Go by yourself initially and then return with your entourage? Who is in your entourage? Mother? Grandmother? Sister(s)? Attendants? All significant thoughts to consider… Your time frame should help in the plan – planning months in advance? Then you can methodically go about this process with the help you choose to employ. Decide to get married with just a few months to plan? Then you may opt to fly with little assistance and less interference.

To help get you started, here are a few tips for finding a dress that flatters your body shape!

Pear-Shaped: Look for a skirt that starts at the waist and flows to the floor. Spaghetti straps or a V-neck top will make the upper-body look more slender.

Plus-Sized: Pick a waistline that starts just under the chest. Don’t pick materials that hug your figure but rather that sit nicely on your figure. Anything to bulky will add pounds, anything too tight might be unflattering.

Tall: Keep it simple, but make sure it truly fits your silhouette. Skirt to the floor, sleeves past the wrist…you don’t want it to look like your borrowed it from a shorter friend.

Petite: Find a dress with a high empire waistline to make the dress longer. Keep detailing to a minimum, centered on the upper bodice. Steer clear of ball gown style dresses.

Your dress is one of the best expressions of your own personal style on your wedding day. Many other decisions, like menu, décor, or music will be made in conjunction with your fiancé. Take this opportunity to make one aspect of the day all about you. Don’t be afraid to remind those people who come dress-shopping with you of this very thing – they are there more for support than for opinion.

The same is true for alterations: don’t be afraid to stick to your preferences when explaining to the alterations person what you wish your dress to be like. If you plan to make many changes to the dress, get it to the seamstress as soon as possible.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this blog!

All images and some concepts and ideas borrowed from Real Simple.

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Catering

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:51:00 +0000

Candlelight Catering Orlando

If you’re a foodie like me, food is going to be such an important part of your wedding. If you’re not a foodie, fear not – there are still so many amazing ways to make the most of the edible portion of your big day. But before you select each dish, you must figure out who is going to provide the delectable treats. Food will most likely come from one of three sources:

A Private Catering company – Very standard, definitely gives a lot of options.
The Venue itself – If this option is available, probably the easiest choice.
You! – Highly ambitious, but I say go for it. Recruit friends and family to help out for sure!

Pick your food type based on other wedding details. It’s fairly obvious seafood is going to be great at a coastal wedding, as will beef be at a more rustic wedding. However, if food isn’t the focus, don’t be afraid to keep it simple and standard.

If you’re going with the Catering Company, them exactly what you’re looking for. If they feature a specific dish that you MUST have, ask them what they recommend as great compliments. Most importantly, request a tasting as soon as possible. If you’re unsure about anything speak up as soon as possible so they can either work to accommodate your requests or you can pick something else.

Some Venues require that you use the food only from their establishment. Same rules apply: get in as early as possible for a tasting. They might be less flexible with recipe changes so it’s important that you feel confident with exactly what you are choosing from their menu options.

Lastly, if you decide to do your food yourself, start planning from the very moment you make that decision. What are you going to make – how much and how long does it take to make? Who can you recruit to help you? If you’re having a wedding with more than 50 guests, I would not suggest this attempting doing the food on your own, you’ll have far to many other decisions and projects to be tackling before the big day. But if you feel confident in overseeing all the other logistics for the days and you want to put your own personal touch on the food, the cook on!

One important thing to check with vendors when it comes to catering is their alcohol policy. Some Venues and Catering Companies require that all alcohol from your event comes from them. Occasionally they will allow you to supply your own. If you supply your own, it’s important to make check venue policies about alcohol being served: they often require a paid certified bartender to oversee all during-event alcohol distribution.

The most important thing is to keep all lines of communication open as often as possible. If you think of a question, ask your vendor sooner rather than later. This way, all issues can be solved well ahead of the wedding and the only thing you’ll be worrying about is enjoying your yummy food!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this blog!

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Photographer and Videographer

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:54:00 +0000

Design By Indy

With the internet making information so accessible these days, finding the perfect photographer or videographer is so much easier. But, understandably, it can simultaneously feel overwhelming. Where to start? How to start? And most importantly, who? Here are some tips to help make the process easier and more efficient!

Friends and Family – Ask among friends and family. There are SO many photography and videography companies, chances are someone you know, also knows someone out there. This will not only get you started in a good direction (you’ll most likely trust the reference of a friend much more than something on the internet) but it might end up being more budget friendly.
Other Vendors – Ask other vendors if they recommend anyone they have previously worked with. They can probably recommend more than just one, which will give you more price points and give you a little peace of mind that your vendors will get along on the big day!
Internet – Hit the blogs! Look over “Real Weddings” or Snap Knot and pick out a few favorite photographers. Contact them and get as much information about their services as possible (I’ll go over important questions in just a moment…). If they seem great but don’t fit your location or budget, ask if they recommend anyone in your area. The photographer and videographer network is expansive – they’ll more than likely know someone somewhere!

When contacting the photographer or videographer, there are a few important questions that you should a) be able to have answered via their website or b) should be informed of in your first correspondence. In order to get as much information as possible about their services, be sure to give them as much information as possible about your expectations. This information should include:

Date
Time (don’t forget to mention if you want extensive pre-wedding shoots)
Location
Bridal Party size
Guest Party size
Engagement photo expectations (will you want them or not – sometimes they are included in a photographer’s package price)

Location could add transportation fees for some photographers. Large guest parties might require 2^nd or 3^rd assistant shooters, which will cost more (and require you to provide more vendor meals).

Similarly, you should get the following information from the potential photographer:

Travel fees (and/or accommodations)
Meal expectations
Number of photographed hours before ceremony (cost per additional hour at the reception)

Keep the lines of communication open. If you see a particular shot or styling on their website that you love, share that and tell them you would love something similar. The more they know about your expectations, the better they can accommodate them on your wedding day…and consequently the happier you’ll be with the results!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this blog!

Plan the Perfect Wedding in 30 Days: Officiant

noreply@blogger.com (B) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:30:00 +0000

Dex Knows

Besides your wedding party, one other very important person will be standing with you and your fiance during your wedding ceremony: your officiant. For some couples, choosing who that person will be is easy, for others, a bit trickier. Here is our advice in making sure you have the best and most significant person help you say "I Do!"

If you're having a religious ceremony...

A pastor or religious leader who has been present in either one of your lives for a significant period of time is the most common choice. A childhood priest or rabbi is someone who knows you and who will make you feel more comfortable before and during the ceremony.
If you're getting at a location where you have never attended religious ceremonies before, go and meet with their religious leaders as soon as you can. Sit down and talk with them - they want to know more about you as a couple so they can personalize the ceremony to be meaningful and memorable. Don't be afraid to make special requests for recognition of deceased family members or a certain way to read the vows. It is simply extremely important that you familiarize yourself with the person who is going to marry you if you've never interacted with them before.

If you're having a non-religious ceremony...

The obvious choice here then would be a friend or family member who is recognized by the State in which you are marrying. If you have a family friend who is a judge or maybe a boat captain friend (because in some states, boat captains can perform marriages!), ask them - keep it personal! Even more interesting, in Colorado, for example, couples may even marry themselves without anyone presiding over the ceremony.

However you choose to marry, wherever it may be, give extra special consideration as to who will lead you through your vows. Make sure they understand the importance of their role - honesty and trust between you as the couple and your officiant will make everything so much more enjoyable and meaningful!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a message in the comments section of this post!