Many thanks to Destin Magazine!

On July 3rd of this year, I had the pleasure of having Lauren Gall from the Destin Magazine be my "shadow" for an event. The event was a magnificent beach wedding out in Seagrove Beach for an Arkansas couple named Lexi Brackins Dixon & Levi Dixon. The weather was sunny (thankfully, after calling in plan b tent due to the crazy rain the 2 days prior), roads were packed due to the holiday and I was determined to make this super cute, sweet and fun couple from Arkansas their dream wedding.
Check out this link as Lauren details "The diary of a wedding planner":
http://www.destinmagazine.com/
Current issue, Page 68

Ceremony Music

Choosing the right music for your wedding is a snap with these guidelines:
~Prelude: These are the songs that will be played as guests are arriving to the ceremony and just prior to the start of the processional. Typically these would be instrumental and soft.
~Processional: This is for the start of the bridal party. You will want one song for your bridesmaids and another song just for the "belle of the ball". I am seeing new trends for processional music which ranges from Dave Matthews all the way to rock opera style.
~Interlude: This music is played for any type of sand ceremony/unity candle during the ceremony.
~Recessional: Here's a chance for the bride and groom to really have fun & set the tone for the reception. Some popular choices are : Let's get the party started, Another one bites the dust or any other fun, upbeat song to get the guests ready for the party!
~Postlude: This is the song played as guests are leaving the service and making their way to the reception!

Kids and Weddings!

Of course we all love to see adorable, well behaved children in a wedding party.........what's cuter than that? If you're thinking about having little ones be a part of your big day, remember the trick is SUPERVISION!
~Flowergirls: Typically between 3 - 7 years old. A great flower girl choice is someone who is comfortable around crowds and follows direction really well.
~Ringbearers: Usually boys, but now girls are stepping in to this role also. Great walking partner for the flower girl. His job is to carry the faux rings.
~Reception: A great idea that I encourage all my clients to do, if they have a large number of children, is a "kid friendly" area. You can cover kids table in butcher paper and have crayons handy to keep them entertained. I always have a childrens buffet table filled with items that anyone would love, but especially kids........like mini cheeseburgers, fresh fish sticks, parchment cones filled with french fries and my famous mac n cheese. Children are much happier when they have a full stomach. If you're having smaller children, have your planner check into childcare for the event. Make sure they are from a reputable company and have plenty of references.

Keeping your Planner Happy

Having an event planner for your wedding is extremely helpful in keeping things running smoothly throughout the entire wedding planning process. Event planners have experience in pulling events together and therefore are more apt to helping you bring together everything you're envisioning. Planners are not superhuman though, and do need a little bit of help from you. Here are a few ways to help keep them happy:

~Always communicate, let her know your opinion, good or bad, so that things can get done efficiently

~Maintain time lines, time lines are important so no one's time is wasted, and so that pieces needing to be ordered are given plenty of time to arrive.

~Try to be consistent, decisions are important, and everyone is entitled to change their mind, but do your best to keep it minimal

~Be on time with money, keeping the deadlines for payments and deposits is extremely important in maintaining vendor bookings for the event

~Show her respect, she is doing her best to make everything just the way you want it, so if somethings isn't correct, tell her in an understanding, not attacking way

Sneaky Extras that could Break the Bank

Wedding cost's add up fast, but don't let these small details take you by surprise and make for unforeseen costs....
- Mail cost: Most people don't realize how expensive oddly shaped and over sized envelopes cost to ship, a fee that is not included in the stationers cost. Be sure to check before hand on the individual prices for postage before deciding on an invite look.

- Overtime: Be aware of overtime charges for vendors like photographers, dj's, videographers, catering staff, etc.... When originally booked, they quote an overall price, but when overtime kicks in, they usually begin charging an hourly rate. Most times that hourly rate is pretty expensive so check this one out!

- Rentals: Rental companies don't always include transportation of rental equipment in their original quote, be sure to always ask them for a final quote before booking, and a transportation fee specifically.

- Wedding dress: Often people forget about alterations needed for both wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses, be sure to factor in this cost because most of the time it is not included with the price of the dress

- Taxes: When budgeting for a wedding, most don't remember the additional cost of taxes that will be added to everything.

- Tips: Some people don't realize that tips are not included in the costs of the servers provided, be sure to allow for 15-20% gratuity after the event.


Just don't forget about the details that can add up and put you over the intended budget!

Chelsea and Daniel's Wedding

Chelsea and Daniel Lee had a beautiful wedding, and we wanted to congratulate them and give everyone a look back at their special day....

The reception area was outside under the beautiful trees at Eden Gardens. The theme was vintage & romantic with pale yellow and natural accents.

A beautiful horse and carriage took the bride into the ceremony and escorted the happy couple away from the ceremony to the reception site.................

Thank you so much for letting us be apart of your special day! Chelsea, you were such a blast to work with and I'm really happy for both of ya'll. Cheers!

Personalizing your Wedding Vows

Writing your own wedding vows can be a personal way to make them very special. Whether the bride and groom want to write their vows together or separately, it's important to make the decision early.

To help focus before writing your vows, try answering some of these questions:

-At what point did you realize you loved each other?

-What qualities of his/hers do you consider the most special?

-What is your ideal life together look like?

-What makes him/her so important to you?

-What does the significance of marriage mean to you?

-What do you think about when you hear the words love and commitment?


Pros and Cons for talking topics:

Pro - trying to write your vows when you can really concentrate

Con - forgetting to ask your officiant about anything that may have to appear in the vows

Pro - trying to start your vows by using a traditional wedding vow line

Con - writing everything in one sitting. Write, think about it, and write again

Pro - trying to use your favorite lines from love songs, poems, or other readings

Con - using too private stores that will make guests feel uncomfortable

Pro - showing the officiant your final copy

Con - forgetting to practice reading your vows aloud, speak clearly so everyone can hear you

I hope this helps when the time comes!

One Year Planner until the Big Day

A planner leading up to the day of your wedding is always a great way to keep organized and on track right up until the day of your event. Here's a draft of the things that should be done starting one year to the day of your wedding.

12 months - Dress shop in magazines, decide on a budget, and pick the date

10 months - Start browsing websites for caterers, DJs/bands, wedding planners, and florists. Start a rough draft of your guest list, and find your officiant

8 months - Book and put deposits on those hired to help make your day that much more special, make the final decision on your dress, and maintain your current physique

6 months - Make the honeymoon plans, place an order for your wedding rings and invitations, schedule meetings with vendors, and begin registering for gifts

4 months - Make final decisions on bridesmaids dresses and purchase them, schedule time/place for rehearsal dinner, make last minute changes to guest list, and finalize groomsmen attire

2 months - practice your hair and makeup, check information for marriage license, run through all the details for the ceremony, and send our the wedding invitations

6 weeks - Proof your vows and make final draft, send the newspapers your wedding announcement, and make copies of the program

2 weeks - Complete last minute details like getting your marriage license, last dress fitting, sending our play list to the DJ or band, and making speeches for the reception

1 week - Pack a separate bag for the honeymoon, wear your shoes around to avoid blisters on your big day, make plans to pick-up your dress, and touch base with vendors for final confirmation

The Day before - Have the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner scheduled, and get a manicure and pedicure (do not wax earlier than 4 days before an event!)

The Day of - check all honeymoon details, eat lightly throughout the day, and have a fantastic time!

Congratulations Patrick and Lauren

We had such a beautiful event celebrating the marriage of Lauren and Patrick. Here are a few early released photo's to let you see just how amazing it was!!
The wedding party had so much fun stopping traffic on the way to the ceremony, they made quite the entrance!The reception was absolutely gorgeous. Classy and elegant, with a touch of modern beachy style.

Once again, Congratulations Patrick and Lauren, and thank you. You were such a joy to work with and we had so much fun doing it.

Checklist for Guest's of Destination Weddings

When planning a destination wedding, it's important not to neglect your guests since they have traveled some ways to celebrate the union of you and your soon to be husband.

~Upon the arrival of guests to the destination location, look into local activities and attractions they might enjoy during their stay.

~Pick a central location of your wedding and reception and reserve multiple rooms in the same hotel so all the guests are staying together. Also if you have single guests, arrange for them to share a room with other singles. This allows them to feel more comfortable coming alone to the event and even ensures a larger turnout for the wedding.

~ Set up a group event of some kind, bring everyone together for a picnic in the park or casual pool party, where you cover the expenses. This can also be a rehearsal dinner.

~It's a good idea to put together a welcome basket for all the guests, and arrange for it to be left in their rooms so when they arrive they have a warm welcome as well as know what it expect over the following days.

~Some things to include in the basket:

- The itinerary of the planned events
- A listing of local activities and attractions as well as contact numbers and locations
- Directions to the location of the ceremony and reception area so they are able to drop by before the event
- A message from you and your fiance welcoming them, and thanking them for coming, as well as formally inviting them to the group event

Weddings are once in a lifetime events that are most important when shared with the people closest to you, so take extra strides to make them feel important as well

Congratulations Keri and Grant

Here's a peek at the pictures from the event:





We had such a great time planning this wedding and the final result was a great event. The weather threatened us a few times, but we won in the end!

Keri was a beautiful bride and so much fun to work with. Her enthusiasm was the highlight of the event. Thank you for being so much fun!

Thanks again for allowing us to be apart of such a special day!

Finding your Perfect Wedding Dress

--Don't hesitate, start early - Finding your perfect wedding dress can take time. Buying off the rack does require less time, but the rule of thumb is to order your dress eight months before the wedding with plenty of time to make tweaks and additions if need be.

--Who should accompany you - Find a few people, like you mom, maid-of-honor, or soon to be mother-in-law, to come with you to find your dress. Too many people will make your decision much harder.

--Frankness is key - Be very straightforward with your consultant. Telling her about your budget and your style desire will make things much faster and easier.

--Be open to new possibilities - When looking for your dress, don't turn down anything that may not be exactly what you want. Try on several gowns of different styles to see what will look the best on your body.

--The little extras - Don't forget about your shoes, headpiece, jewelry, and alterations. These little things will add up, so don't forget the details!

The Toasting How To's:

Wedding toasts are meant to wish the bride and groom a lifetime of happiness. Here a few hints on how to make the perfect toast!

1) What: Toast's should always be about the bride and groom. Start by mentioning your connection to the couple and end with a wish for all the happiness in the world for them. Make sure to stay clean and upbeat!

2) Who: Most commonly, the best man and the maid-of-honor are the ones to give the toast. However, weddings these days are having anyone speak from fathers, to the bride or groom. Whoever the couple chooses to speak, always plan on the time and order of the toasts to be given - you don't want anything to be left unknown!

3)Where: Standing at the microphone to make your toast, or simply starting to speak at your table are both options for locations to give your toast. Just make sure to speak loudly and clearly so everyone can hear the wonderful words you've chosen to honor the bride and groom.

4) When: When deciding on when to give the toast, consider when you will have your audience's fullest attention. A few good times are right after the first dance, or before the first course is served. Be sure to let the toastgivers know when the toasts are coming so they can be prepared and ready to go.

5) How: Short and sweet is the best way to go! Anything longer than 3 minutes will lose the attention of most guests. Say all your good wishes, great memories, and adoring words, then sit down.

A tip for the Bride and Groom: When someone is giving the toast, stay seated and maintain eye contact with the toast giver. Since the toast is being given to you, dont drink directly after the toast to avoid looking as if you are drinking to yourselves - wait a few minutes and then join along with the rest of your guests.

Seating Cards

People usually confuse escort cards with place cards. Escort cards show guests table assignments and are usually placed near the entrance to the reception. Place cards are more specific and are placed directly on each table with seat assignments.

When purchasing escort cards, try using cards with envelopes, with the name of the couple on the front of the envelop and the table number on the card inside. This is a great way to save time and resources by easily being able to move couples around without having to make new cards.

The names on the cards should have titles for formal weddings, but for a more casual approach you can use first and last names only. Arrange the names by couple, and try to find the names of all "dates" that will be attending, this makes it a much more personal affair for the guests.

Get creative with the placement of the cards. If you are having an outdoor wedding, hang the cards from the lowest tree branches near the entry way to the reception area. You can always stick to your wedding colors by placing the cards on a bed of flowers or candy that match the color scheme. Look into customized M&M's as well as customizing candy wrappers, this way when the party's over the guests can enjoy the arrangement!

Make Your Wedding Flowers Last

Here are a few ways to get the most out of floral decorations on your wedding day:

-Use the natural surroundings to your advantage by getting married in a space already blooming with flowers, such as a garden.
-Always use flowers that are in season, the prices are the most affordable.
-Make the center pieces simple, and use more green in the arrangements; a few flowers go a long way!
-Take advantage of flowering branches such as dogwood, apple, and cherry blossoms; the cost is almost half the amount of standard flower arrangements.
-Get creative...If there is a wedding before or after your party, contact the bride or coordinator of the event and see if the two of you have any of the same interests in flower arrangements, if so, split the cost of the arrangements, and reuse the flowers two weekends in a row!
-By avoiding major holidays, you can avoid the increase in flower prices due to high demand
-In addition to reusing flowers between different bridal parties, you can also reuse flowers involved in the wedding ceremony to decorate the reception area.

These are just a few things that can be helpful when deciding on a budget for floral arrangements, as well as the best way to get your money's worth!

Congratulations Kristen and Rich

Here's a sneak peak of last weekends wedding. Congratulations Kristen and Rich!

The setup was beautiful, with a black and white theme and a hint of apple green, it was quite the celebration. We were worried about the rain getting in the way, but things cleared up just in time for the ceremony to begin.

Alaqua Cinco Fundraiser!

We had a great time yesterday at Alaqua for their first annual Cinco de Meowo! Lots of fun was had and money was raised for a great cause that is very near & dear to my heart. Thanks Alaqua for all you do.......

Beach Ceremony Issues

Here are a couple of beach ceremony things to think about for all you DIY'ers.
~Permits....Please make sure to check local ordinances to make sure you file for any necessary permit. That information can be obtained on the beach locations county website Discovering last minute that you did need one is never a good thing!

~Wind....Beaches can be super breezy! It's best to keep your decor simple and make sure it can stand up to the wind. Discuss your concerns with your florist to make sure your flowers and arbor can withstand a strong wind gust.

~Rain....Plan B is an absolute must for beach weddings. Make sure your Plan B is rainproof for your own sanity (and the sanity of all your vendors).

~Noise....Between the wind, waves crashing, other people on the beach and birds, noise often plays a huge factor with beach weddings. Make sure your ceremony musician has a system that he can use on the beach for all events. Alot of times the sound system will need to be battery operated (there are rarely electrical outlets close by).Also, check to see if there is a wireless lapel mic for your officiant.

~Heat & humidity....During the summer months always consider how long your guests will be out in the sun prior to the actual ceremony start time....especially if you are running a shuttle service. Always offer cold beverages and shade, even if you have to rent a couple market umbrellas or pass out parasols.

~Sandy feet.... I realize the whole point of the beach ceremony is to have your toes in the sand, but your guests will probably not want that same sand in their toes for the entire reception. Set up a shoe valet, pass out flip flops or have an aisle created out of bamboo to keep your guests toes sand free and comfy!

Wine over Water Festival

Last Sunday was the Wine over Water culinary and wine festival in downtowon Carillon. I had a food booth there and we had so much fun meeting new potential clients and tasting other great foods from local caterers and restaurants. We served smothered crab cakes which is a panko crusted grit cake topped with a spicy crab cake and topped with andouille infused marsala gravy.....it was delicious! Special thanks to Chuck & Jeff from Hilltop Productions and H&M Event rentals for inviting us to participate in such a fun day!!

Sneak Peek at Chelsea & Daniel's wedding

Daniel and Chelsea Lee were married on Saturday at Eden Gardens in an incredibly romantic and picture perfect location at Eden Gardens Park. These are a few sneak peeks.............

Wine over Water at Carillon March 12 - 14

Next weekend come out to Carillon and enjoy local artist displaying their work & great food and wine. On Sunday, March 14th The Eventful Planner will have a booth setup for the brunch along with other chefs, caterers and local restaurants from 10 -2. It's going to be a great outdoor activity to soak up some sunshine and to have a good time in beautiful Carillon beach! For more information check out the website at http://www.wineoverwater.net/. Special shout out to Chuck Hinson from Hilltop Productions and H&M Tent and party rentals for getting us involved with this amazing event! Hope to see everyone there next weekend................

Aces & Eights Fundraiser

This is where we started when decorating the airport hangar for our first annual Aces & Eights event last weekend out at Destin Jet. After 2 days of work and lots of help from volunteers:

I had such a blast working on the committee for this event. Special shout out to my other commitee members and their websites:
Kim Moore ~ http://www.linensbythesea.com/

Lauren Gall ~ http://www.lgall.com/

Erin Drake ~ http://www.eeidesigns.com/

Daralyn Chase ~ http://www.destingroupevents.com/

Prebble Q Ramswell ~ http://www.prebble.com/

Also thanks to the Destin Fire Rescue Foundation members and all the volunteers and attendees that made this THE event to be at in Destin last weekend! Be sure to check out http://www.destinpokerevent.com/ in the next couple of weeks for more pictures and I hope to see everyone again next year!

Henderson Park Inn

My husband and I spent a wonderful night at the Henderson Park Inn Bed & Breakfast in Destin recently. After we checked in we were escorted to our room which had a bed tray with fresh fruit, flowers, chocolates and a bottle of red wine waiting for us. The rooms were very spacious, bed was super comfy, the view was amazing and the amenities were absolutely the best!! We had such a relaxing night. If you are looking for a place to stay in Destin then check out this picturesque inn right on the beach. Tell them The Eventful Planner sent you!

The updated versions of a guest book

Can you believe the old school guest books? They were almost as boring as the old 3 ring binder photo albums. Here's a few ways to update this tradition to make it your own:

1.River rocks~Have your guests sign rocks and display them in large glass jars.

2.Photo booth~Have a photo booth set up to take pictures for the HD hour and then let guests assemble them in a book and sign them.

3.Typewriter~Have a vintage typewriter with a long scroll of paper inserted and let guests type a sentiment.

4.Wish tree~Tall glass vase filled with tree branches that guests can tie their wish to...love this one!

5.Polaroid~ Set up a polaroid table and assign someone to take guests photos.......clincher is to have all the guests holding a chalkboard that they wrote a message on for the couple.

6.Blankie~Have the guests sign quilting squares that will later be made into a blanket or stitched for a wall hanging.

The possibilities are endless so get creative and make your "sign in" your own!!

Destination Wedding Rehearsal Dinners

~Who pays? Traditionally, the grooms parents pay, but I've seen aunts, cousins, even the wedding couple foot the bill.
~Do we invite everyone that came in town to the dinner? Yes, you should invite everyone to a "welcome" party. If it's not the actual rehearsal dinner then you should have some sort of event after or before to include everyone! It's a great time to meet n greet with all your guests that have driven a long distance, taken off from work, that you haven't seen in a long time, etc... You have so much going on all weekend that it's a great time to speak to everyone that is attending so you aren't too overwhelmed at the reception.
~Where should it be held? I am a huge fan of not using the same venue for both events! Save the "wow" of the location for the wedding. With that being said, there's always dinner cruises, restaurants, state parks......the list goes on, but always make sure it's an easy trip from where all your guests are staying.
~Should my planner, officiant, musician, etc....that were at the actual rehearsal be invited? It's a way of thanking them for being part of such a memorable and special occasion. It's not necessary, but it a really nice gesture.

Lesley Foley Photography

Quick shout out to my friend Lesley Foley, a great photographer here in the Destin area. I attended a bridal expo last weekend in FWB and she was the first vendor booth I passed and she did such a fab job on it that I had to post a pic! Check out her work at www.foleyphotography.com!

Curing a hangover

Ok let's face it, most brides, grooms and their bridal party do tend to overindulge at the rehearsal dinner. Here's a few tricks to lessen the pain for the day after:
~Hydrate. Force down as many fluids as you can, water and gatorade are always the best. Avoid caffeine which will only dehydrate you more.
~Sleep. Rest is one of the best ways for your body to recover so sleep in as much as possible the next day!
~Eat Sensibly. Of course you'll be craving greasy foods the next morning but it's so much better to refuel with complex carbs like a bagel, lean protein or fruit.
~Last but not least, "hair of the dog". No I'm not talking about the last shot of whiskey in the bottle next to your bed! Bloody mary's.....while your body is dealing with the new alcohol the tomato juice and celery are full of vitamins.

CHEERS!