I have been thinking about how I would address this topic and have a nice approach to it but the reality is….I am just going to get to the point and tell it like it is.
Many people will have wonderful intentions when they hear that you are getting married. However, because they volunteer does not mean that you need to have them complete the task in which they volunteer for.
I had a bride very recently email me a proof of her invitation and there were so many things wrong with it. I took the time to explain to the bride the right and wrong things and made the necessary corrections. While the bride was not knowledgeable about the etiquette of stationery I was able to teach her and for that she was grateful. Now it was time to touch base with her “friend” on the invitation she created.
This placed the bride in an uncomfortable position and she did not want to address it, eventually she did there was no avoiding it.
Point is many people will offer to assist you and you should not accept it’s okay if you tell them:
Thank you so much for offering to take care of x, y, & Z. I am starting the planning process and would love to outline everything before I begin making any decisions, I will get back to you on this at a later date.
Don’t feel pressured to accept everyone’s offer for help if you don’t know what they will put together for you. If you are a budget bride and would love the financial help it is okay to tell the person that you saw a style invitation that you fell in love with. Give them the verbiage and have them print it for you. If they are doing this task out of love it should not be what they put together.
This goes for any area of your wedding.
Bottom Line……learn how to say….I’ll let you know :)
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Candle Centerpieces
When designing your centerpieces there are endless options!Flowers can become very pricey if you get very elaborate. However for those brides that does not like flowers may be allergic to them, or for any other reason….here are a few candle light options. Consider the centerpieces below.
If you are trying to save on expense of flowers, you can DIY. However make sure to do a complete mock centerpiece on a table with linen to have an overview idea of how the table will look.
Simple yet creative designs can be achieved by using candles and decorating the surface around the base. Using candles a variety of heights add texture to the tables and creative a great romantic ambiance.Enjoy the pictures below and I hope you find some inspiration here.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Planners/Coordinators.....Tips on Hiring One
If you think a planner is more of a luxury for those that have a big wedding budget….good news….that is not the case!
There are many wedding planners and coordinators in the industry today; however it is your objective to identify a planner/coordinator that is a good fit for you and your future spouse. While there are many variables and qualities that you are looking for in your planner it is okay to take the time to interview a few and decide who is the best fit for your needs. Remember this individual will need to understand your vision clearly and will be your eyes and ears for your most memorable day.
So how much should a wedding planner/coordinator cost?
This is a very popular question! The cost of a coordinator will vary based on the services that you require and the services that they offer. If you would like assistance from start to finish this would be more expensive than having a coordinator for the month of your wedding. It is your choice if you prefer to have a coordinator find your venues and vendor and you give the final approval or just have a coordinator step in a few weeks before the wedding and finalize all the logistics and details.
How does the billing process work?
Some charge a percentage of your budget, hourly, or a flat fee. You should choose which method you prefer and compare the services offered as they may differ. Don’t hesitate to ask about a package deal for total services you are interested it. Typically the total charges can be paid in installments over a period of time.
What are the benefits of hiring a planner?
Hiring a professional can help you save time and money. Because planners are in the wedding industry there are many relationships that are established from working together with other vendors or through networking. Your planner can also be your negotiator and/or review contracts for you.
The bottom line is……you should determine what level of service that you would like to receive from your wedding planner/coordinator. Take the time to meet with them and layout your expectations as well as find out their expectations.
Happy Planning!
There are many wedding planners and coordinators in the industry today; however it is your objective to identify a planner/coordinator that is a good fit for you and your future spouse. While there are many variables and qualities that you are looking for in your planner it is okay to take the time to interview a few and decide who is the best fit for your needs. Remember this individual will need to understand your vision clearly and will be your eyes and ears for your most memorable day.
So how much should a wedding planner/coordinator cost?
This is a very popular question! The cost of a coordinator will vary based on the services that you require and the services that they offer. If you would like assistance from start to finish this would be more expensive than having a coordinator for the month of your wedding. It is your choice if you prefer to have a coordinator find your venues and vendor and you give the final approval or just have a coordinator step in a few weeks before the wedding and finalize all the logistics and details.
How does the billing process work?
Some charge a percentage of your budget, hourly, or a flat fee. You should choose which method you prefer and compare the services offered as they may differ. Don’t hesitate to ask about a package deal for total services you are interested it. Typically the total charges can be paid in installments over a period of time.
What are the benefits of hiring a planner?
Hiring a professional can help you save time and money. Because planners are in the wedding industry there are many relationships that are established from working together with other vendors or through networking. Your planner can also be your negotiator and/or review contracts for you.
The bottom line is……you should determine what level of service that you would like to receive from your wedding planner/coordinator. Take the time to meet with them and layout your expectations as well as find out their expectations.
Happy Planning!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Edible Favors!
When bride’s think about their favors it should reflect both the bride & groom or the theme to your wedding.
I am working with a Fall couple that has the theme of a city, so we are putting together items and snacks that the city is famous for. Times have changed from the small bag or favor with almonds or chocolates.
Be creative…..This Spring I had the pleasure of working with one of my fantastic brides on a wine themed wedding. For the favors the couple made homemade wine jelly for each guest and attached their monogram to each jar.
Maryland lovers…..Last summer one of my couples love Maryland crabs, their favor were crab shaped cookies with a crab shaped cookie cutter and the bride’s mother favor cookie recipe….how neat is that!
Thinking favor…..think food or a snack you will keep your guests talking!
I am working with a Fall couple that has the theme of a city, so we are putting together items and snacks that the city is famous for. Times have changed from the small bag or favor with almonds or chocolates.
Be creative…..This Spring I had the pleasure of working with one of my fantastic brides on a wine themed wedding. For the favors the couple made homemade wine jelly for each guest and attached their monogram to each jar.
Maryland lovers…..Last summer one of my couples love Maryland crabs, their favor were crab shaped cookies with a crab shaped cookie cutter and the bride’s mother favor cookie recipe….how neat is that!
Thinking favor…..think food or a snack you will keep your guests talking!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Orchid DIY Centerpiece
DIY Wedding Challenge: Curly willow and orchid centerpieces
I love getting new ideas for just about anything! There are so many people that are trying to cut expenses in every area. While I love real flowers and the excitment and fragrance that they bring to a room, here is a cute idea that may be inexpensive and a great idea for another bride or even for any event!
Enjoy this blog post from a Bride! The link to the original post information is enclosed at the end of this post.
Materials:
• Curly willow tip branches. (These I purchased from Whole Foods)
• Silk flowers... 9 per centerpiece. (Mine were soft touch orchids from Stats)
• Moss
• River rocks... 5 per centerpiece.
• Plaster of Paris
• Small pots to contain your centerpiece. (From Stats, these are actually paper mache.)
• Paint in your wedding colors
• Artistic Wire Ltd - Light brown, 28 gauge.
• Styrofoam discs that fit inside of your pot
• Hot glue sticks
• Tacky glue
• Curly willow tip branches. (These I purchased from Whole Foods)
• Silk flowers... 9 per centerpiece. (Mine were soft touch orchids from Stats)
• Moss
• River rocks... 5 per centerpiece.
• Plaster of Paris
• Small pots to contain your centerpiece. (From Stats, these are actually paper mache.)
• Paint in your wedding colors
• Artistic Wire Ltd - Light brown, 28 gauge.
• Styrofoam discs that fit inside of your pot
• Hot glue sticks
• Tacky glue
Tools:
• Wire cutters
• Hot glue gun
• Small paint brush for detail work
• Wire cutters
• Hot glue gun
• Small paint brush for detail work
Assembly:
1. Using your hot glue gun, secure the foam disc to the bottom of the pot and let sit for at least 30min to make sure it is attached.
2. Mix up your plaster of Paris following the directions on the container, and fill in the moat like area between the pot and the styrofoam disc. The plaster helps weigh the pot down to prevent the centerpiece from tipping over. Of note, if your styrofoam is not secure to the bottom of the pot, it may float up once your pour the plaster mix. At this point I suggest placing something heavy on the styrofoam to weigh it down until the plaster mix has dried completely.
3. Once your concoction has dried, you can paint your pot! Our main colors were chocolate and orange with accents of red. Hence, we painted the sides of the pot with the accent colors, and also painted the bottom with our names and wedding date so that guests who lived in town could have a souvenir to take home if they so chose. When you are done painting, let the pot dry.
1. Using your hot glue gun, secure the foam disc to the bottom of the pot and let sit for at least 30min to make sure it is attached.
2. Mix up your plaster of Paris following the directions on the container, and fill in the moat like area between the pot and the styrofoam disc. The plaster helps weigh the pot down to prevent the centerpiece from tipping over. Of note, if your styrofoam is not secure to the bottom of the pot, it may float up once your pour the plaster mix. At this point I suggest placing something heavy on the styrofoam to weigh it down until the plaster mix has dried completely.
3. Once your concoction has dried, you can paint your pot! Our main colors were chocolate and orange with accents of red. Hence, we painted the sides of the pot with the accent colors, and also painted the bottom with our names and wedding date so that guests who lived in town could have a souvenir to take home if they so chose. When you are done painting, let the pot dry.
4. Now it is time to insert your curly willow tips into the styrofoam. I find working with curly willow that's been allowed to dry out a day or two is easier to work with as it holds it's shape better and doesn't bend under the weight of the flowers. One of the keys is to remember these are relatively tall centerpieces, so you don't want the branches to be too thick to block guests view of each other. Once the branches are where you want them, secure with hot glue and let the glue dry for at least 30 min.5. Meanwhile, chose some of your river rocks, and if you so desire, paint them with meaningful words of what being married is to you. For us we chose words like "Love", "Trust", "Honor", "Friendship" and "Cherish".
6. Cover your styrofoam and dried plaster mix with moss. Use your hot glue gun to secure the moss in place. Then place flowers and river rocks as desired around the base of the curly willow branches. Once they are in the spot you like, secure them with your hot glue gun.
7. Pull your flowers off their wire stems. Using your brown artistic wire, secure the blooms to the branches where you desire. The pattern I used was two blooms at the base, three midway, and four higher up the branches for a total of 9. Once they are wired to the branch, glue the wire in place using a dot of hot glue or tacky glue. (Remember the glue will dry clear!)And behold! You have a unique centerpiece made for approximately $32 each.
Centerpieces in action at the event:
http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-wedding-challenge-curly-willow-and-orchid-centerpieces
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Maid/Matron of Honor & Bridesmaids- Their Roles
Does your Maid/Matron of Honor & Bridesmaids know their roles for the wedding?
Typically they pay for their dresses and shoes, but what else are they expected do?
This is where the Bride thinks about the tasks and assistance she may need at an early stage.
How many times do you watch a wedding show and the Bride is complaining that her Bridesmaids are not around to help.
The things in these cases we have to consider are:
Did the Bride communicate that she would like help with favors/tasks?
How far in advance did she communicate with her ladies if at all?
When you ask your ladies to be a member of your wedding party make it fun and cute. Here is a nice poem you can print on pretty paper and send out to your ladies:
Are you great with words? Craft a special poem to ask your girls to stand next to you on your special day. If you are struggling, search the Internet for some ideas to get started!
You have always been there; you're more than just a friend.
You're the one that I can turn to; you'll be there 'til the end.
As I walk down the aisle, to begin my married life
Please be my bridesmaid, as I become a wife.
Here is a bracelet to wear when we're together
It's more than just a circle; it means we're friends forever!
This poem comes from Miami Wedding Helper . You can purchase a card with this poem and a hot pink rubber bracelet stamped with "Bridesmaid" for $5.
After all your ladies accept this honor of being your bridesmaids, have your Maid/Matron of honor host the first meeting to celebrate and keep your expectations from them overall with due dates of items clear while enjoying the celebration.
Don’t be a challenging bride with a million guidelines, the first meeting is not the time for that. You don't want them to run away.
Let your Maid/Matron of Honor lead the team as she is expected to do in her role.
Enjoy the planning process; you should not have to worry about the Bridesmaids.
Happy Planning!
Typically they pay for their dresses and shoes, but what else are they expected do?
This is where the Bride thinks about the tasks and assistance she may need at an early stage.
How many times do you watch a wedding show and the Bride is complaining that her Bridesmaids are not around to help.
The things in these cases we have to consider are:
Did the Bride communicate that she would like help with favors/tasks?
How far in advance did she communicate with her ladies if at all?
When you ask your ladies to be a member of your wedding party make it fun and cute. Here is a nice poem you can print on pretty paper and send out to your ladies:
Are you great with words? Craft a special poem to ask your girls to stand next to you on your special day. If you are struggling, search the Internet for some ideas to get started!
You have always been there; you're more than just a friend.
You're the one that I can turn to; you'll be there 'til the end.
As I walk down the aisle, to begin my married life
Please be my bridesmaid, as I become a wife.
Here is a bracelet to wear when we're together
It's more than just a circle; it means we're friends forever!
This poem comes from Miami Wedding Helper . You can purchase a card with this poem and a hot pink rubber bracelet stamped with "Bridesmaid" for $5.
After all your ladies accept this honor of being your bridesmaids, have your Maid/Matron of honor host the first meeting to celebrate and keep your expectations from them overall with due dates of items clear while enjoying the celebration.
Don’t be a challenging bride with a million guidelines, the first meeting is not the time for that. You don't want them to run away.
Let your Maid/Matron of Honor lead the team as she is expected to do in her role.
Enjoy the planning process; you should not have to worry about the Bridesmaids.
Happy Planning!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
New Look for your Guest Book
We’ve all seen the traditional guest book where each guest signs his or her name on a line, recorded for posterity, and end up being rarely to be viewed. For the couple that would like to try something a little different. It’s okay to be creative and do something unique that reflect you both!
Wishing Tree
A wishing tree is a fun décor piece that can be customized to match your wedding colors. Guests simply write a special message or wish for you on small cards with ribbon affixed to them. The wishes are then hung from the tree and then removed after the wedding and placed into a scrapbook!
Photo Booth Guest Book
For a fun and interactive activity, have guests take pictures in the photo booth and place supplies on the tables for guests to then adhere to a scrapbook with a special message! These pictures get more fun as the night goes on!
Art for Your Home
Instead of having guests sign a matted picture of the two of you, why not change things up a bit and create a custom art piece for your home? Use a historic picture of the venue where the wedding reception was held and guests signed their names around it. A map of the city where the two of you met or were married, a painting of a place that has special significance for you, a family crest, etc – the possibilities are endless for what you could have matted and signed in lieu of a traditional guest book.
Engagement Album Guest Book
You are likely to have an engagement shoot captured by your wedding photographer prior to the big day. Some photographers offer an engagement album that can also double as your guest book with lots of space left around the pictures for guests to sign their name or leave you a little message. Best of all, the book itself becomes a wonderful coffee table décor piece in your new home together where you can smile at the pictures of the two of you while also reading your guests’ special words to you.
Wishing Tree
A wishing tree is a fun décor piece that can be customized to match your wedding colors. Guests simply write a special message or wish for you on small cards with ribbon affixed to them. The wishes are then hung from the tree and then removed after the wedding and placed into a scrapbook!
Photo Booth Guest Book
For a fun and interactive activity, have guests take pictures in the photo booth and place supplies on the tables for guests to then adhere to a scrapbook with a special message! These pictures get more fun as the night goes on!
Art for Your Home
Instead of having guests sign a matted picture of the two of you, why not change things up a bit and create a custom art piece for your home? Use a historic picture of the venue where the wedding reception was held and guests signed their names around it. A map of the city where the two of you met or were married, a painting of a place that has special significance for you, a family crest, etc – the possibilities are endless for what you could have matted and signed in lieu of a traditional guest book.
Engagement Album Guest Book
You are likely to have an engagement shoot captured by your wedding photographer prior to the big day. Some photographers offer an engagement album that can also double as your guest book with lots of space left around the pictures for guests to sign their name or leave you a little message. Best of all, the book itself becomes a wonderful coffee table décor piece in your new home together where you can smile at the pictures of the two of you while also reading your guests’ special words to you.
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