Monday, January 25, 2016

Prestigious Occasions WINNER THE KNOT BEST OF WEDDINGS 2016



Prestigious Occasions NAMED WINNER IN THE KNOT BEST OF WEDDINGS 2016

Tenth Annual Best of Weddings Awards Honor the Top Wedding Vendors Across America

Towson, Maryland/January 12, 2016—Kay Fraser, owner and creative director of Prestigious Occasions Event Planning & Design is pleased to announce that Prestigious Occasions have been selected as a 2016 winner in The Knot Best of Weddings, an award representing the highest-rated wedding professionals as reviewed by real couples, their families and wedding guests on The Knot, the #1 wedding resource.

In 2016, only 2% of the 250,000 local wedding professionals listed on TheKnot.com have received this distinguished accolade. In its tenth annual year, The Knot continues its longstanding tradition of supporting local wedding vendors with The Knot Best of Weddings 2016, an annual by-couples, for-couples guide to the top wedding professionals across the country. To determine the winners, The Knot assessed almost one million reviews from real couples across the various vendor categories—venues, musicians, florists, photographers, caterers and more. These winners represent the best of the best for wedding planning professionals that a bride or groom would want to consider order to inspire, plan and pull off their own unique wedding.

“At Prestigious Occasions we love assisting our clients with creating memories that will last a lifetime,” Kay Fraser, owner and creative director.

The Knot has helped inspire and plan more than 25 million weddings. With a rich history of providing quality content and inspiration to couples, The Knot is making it easier for couples to connect with just the right wedding professional to create a wedding that is unique to them.


About
Prestigious Occasions is an event planning and design company. We provide professional wedding planning and styling services with a fresh and inspiring approach.
We are a Baltimore, Maryland based company servicing the Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia and beyond. With our proactive planning approach we work with you to design your wedding within your budget and with open and endless communication as we bring your vision to life. We like to meet with clients as early as possible in the planning stage to help guide you on the right path and identify the services that works best for your wedding planning needs.
Whether you are looking for creative designs for your wedding and would love a professional touch or simply prefer to have a professional planner on your team to execute your vision. We are here to begin working with you and take the stress away!

Prestigious Occasions
Event Planning & Design
722 Dulaney Valley Road Suite 384
Towson, MD 21204
410.783.8211


About The Knot
The Knot is the nation’s leading wedding resource with a marketplace that seamlessly engages, matches and connects couples with the right local vendors, products and services they need to plan and pull off their wedding.






Creative Surprise Proposals

As a wedding planner, one of my favorite things to hear is how did he propose and how the plan was created to make it happen. I also love to see the pictures if the fella was creative enough to hire a photographer. The pure joy, love, excitement and shock is wrapped up in one single shot and it is beautiful. If you want to surprise your lady in a creative way, here are a few tips:

  • Set  a date. Is there a special event, like a concert, show or anniversary coming up that will make it easier to get her out of the house and dressed up?
  •  Decide who you want to let in on the secret. Is your proposal something you want to keep between you, her and the photography? Or would you like to have close family and/or friends watching from the distance and can celebrate with you immediately after popping the question? These are things that will need to be worked out well in advanced, especially if family or friends live out of state.
  • Hire a photographer. Schedule an appointment with a professional photographer who has experience with surprise engagements and will know how to stay out of sight but get the best shots. 
  

Friday, January 22, 2016

Bridesmaid Shoes

Selecting your bridesmaid's shoes are just as important as selecting their dresses. There are thousands of shoes to choose from but knowing which ones are best for your ladies depends on them. 


  • Are the bridesmaids comfortable wearing heels for a long period of time? Even though they are able to change their shoes at the reception, they will be in them for several hours prior to the then. Consider a shorter heel for those ladies that aren't quite as balanced. It's much better to have different shoes on the them, then to have someone fall down the aisle. 



  • Suggest that your bridesmaid's practice walking in them weeks before the wedding day to break them in. If not, they are guaranteed to have blisters by the end of the ceremony.


  • Have them place bandaids on their heals and toes even if they have broken in the shoes. They will appreciate the extra padding. 

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Monday, January 18, 2016

Wedding Day Food Trucks

You have seen them and may have even eaten from them before. Food trucks have become increasingly popular over the years and now they are the next big thing at weddings. It's a unique way to serve feed your guest dinner or as a late night snack.
Here are a few things to consider before hiring one for your big day:

  • First, set a date. If a food truck is a must at your wedding, make sure to select a date that there is less chance of snow or cold temperatures. Asking your guest to throw on snow boots to get their food might not be the best idea.
  • Keep the Menu simple. This will allow for quicker service and avoid long lines.
  • Hiring enough staff. Knowing your guest count is extremely important when hiring a food truck for your wedding. This allows them to prepare enough food and bring in more trucks if needed. If your guest count is over 75 people, you will need more that one truck.
  • Schedule a tasting of your menu. This will allow you time to select your menu. Make sure to choose a vegan as well as children meals if necessary.
  • Don't forget Dessert! Consider a cupcake or ice cream truck as dessert for your guest.
  • Select the location of the trucks. Make sure to place the trucks in close proximity to the reception area so guest are walking a long distance to get back to their seats.
Photo Credit: Pinterest

Friday, January 15, 2016

Eco Friendly Weddings

Most of us are trying to do our part and leave the earth better than when we left it. Many couples are trying to use that concept while planning their wedding. It may take a little extra planning but can be done beautifully. Here are a few tips to help get you started:

  • Set up a wedding website for your guest. This will be a place they can get all of the answers they need from dates, times, hotels and you can even add in organic and/or farm to table restaurant suggestions in the area. 
  •  Send e-vite invitations instead of paper for obvious reasons but mainly because the invitation is usually thrown away once your wedding is over. If you must have a paper invitation, have it printed on recycled paper. Also include a recycle bin near exits at your reception.
  • During the planning process, make a list of decor ideas that you can look for at thrift stores or antique malls. 
  •  Mason jars are a great candle holder or vase to use throughout the ceremony and reception. 
  • Use chalkboards and window panes for menus and signs instead of having them printed. 


Monday, January 11, 2016

Bridesmaid Dresses

Bridesmaids dresses have come a long way over the past 20 years and aren't we all grateful for that! Gone are the days of puffy sleeves, hideous colors and dreading the day you would have to wear "that dress". In it's place have come beautiful colors, flattering lengths and stunning styles that can easily match anyone's taste. Whether you allow your bridesmaids to choose their own dress from a select color palette, choose a color for a select style or they wear the same dress and color, the possibilities are endless.


 






Friday, January 8, 2016

Second Wedding Dress

Brides are choosing more and more to have a second look for their reception and for many different reasons. They have fallen in love with two dresses, they maybe wearing an heirloom dress for the ceremony but want to reflect their personal style at the reception or they may wear a more traditional gown for the ceremony but want a show stopping style as well. Another reason brides choose a second dress is for comfort. Wedding dresses can be a bit bulking and heavy depending on the style you choose and you may want to be a little more free when dancing the night away. Whatever the reason, there are endless possibilities when it comes to a second look.

 Who could forget Princess Kate's stunning evening wedding gown!



A tea length dress is a perfect choice as a second dress. It has a vintage feel and is the perfect length for dancing.
 

The two in one dress gives you the option of a beautiful and full ceremony dress and a simple reception dress just by releasing a few buttons. You could glam up the second dress with a shawl, jeweled belt and fabulous jewelry.



The train adds glamour to this gorgeous dress.
 

Monday, January 4, 2016

Fun Cocktail Hour Activities

You and your spouse have said I Do and everyone is ready to celebrate so why not get the party started during cocktail hour! There is no need for your guest to stand around waiting for the reception to start when they could be playing games, taking pictures or playing I spy.

Leave disposable cameras with instructions on how to play "I Spy". This is a great way for your guest to interact and get to know one another. And think of all of the awesome pictures you will have to look forward to! Make sure to have basket out for your guest to return the cameras after cocktail hour is over.



What guest wouldn't want to play games like Foosball, Skeeball, Corn Hole, Croquet, Jenga or Ring Toss! The games can also be for guests to play during or after the reception.



Having a photo booth is becoming a must have for couples and why not?  So much fun can be had being silly, using props and seeing how many people you can fit into one photo!