Mother of The Bride: Tips Just for YOU!

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Top 8 Wedding Planning Tips for Moms

Wedding planning isn't just a big deal for the bride and groom -- it's also a major moment for their moms. Here's the lowdown on some of the biggest issues and mother of the bride duties you'll face during the wedding planning process.

1. Have the Money Talk

In the initial excited moments of an engagement, to-be-weds will be thinking the sky's the limit. We're not saying you need to put a damper on their enthusiasm, but you do need to be clear about your limits. (Unless they've also announced that they're paying for the wedding themselves, in which case hey, you're off the hook!) Talk with your partner, then have a sit-down with the bride and groom-to-be to talk about the wedding finances. Be clear about how much you're willing to contribute to their wedding budget: Remember, you're an M-O-M, not an A-T-M.

2. Play Your Part

You probably have tons wedding ideas, from that great wedding florist your friend's daughter used to the cake you saw a picture of in a magazine the other week, and that's totally great. That said, don't immediately assume you'll be taking the reins when it comes to planning the wedding. Suss out what your son or daughter's expectations are by letting them know that if they need help with anything, you'll be there for them. And if there's something you'd specifically like to contribute an idea to, speak up when the time comes. But speed-dialing the bride or groom-to-be for every last tidbit of wedding info? Let's just say there is such a thing as a momzilla.

3. Dress for the Occasion

Whether you're the mother of the bride or the groom, there are some easy rules of thumb to use when choosing your mother of the bride dress. First, follow the formality and style of the wedding -- if it's going to be a casual beach affair, you're going to have to nix that black velvet gown, even if it does look great on you. Second, if you're not sure, ask! Both the mother-of-the-bride and the mother-of-the-groom should get in touch with each other and the bride. The bride can help you by keeping you in the loop about her wedding gown, the wedding colors, and so on. And while you don't need to match each other (or the bridesmaids), it's usually a good idea for both the moms to have somewhat similar styles. The only major no-no? Skip the white (or any shade that's even close)! That hue is for the bride only.

4. Get On the Guest List

Be sure to talk to the bride and groom-to-be about their expectations for the guest list. Yes, they might be envisioning a mega-reception filled with hundreds of friends and relatives -- but they could also be thinking of an intimate outdoor affair with just a few of their nearest and dearest. Find out what their plans are for the guest list and your contribution to it (and remember, the other parents are going to want input, too!). Once you know about how many people you can reasonably invite, you can draw up your own guest list and provide it to the bride and groom. If they're not sure how many people will work, a good idea is to put a star next to the guests you feel absolutely must be invited (don't forget to factor in any plus-ones).

5. Pick Your Priorities

There probably are some things you would really love to see be part of the wedding, whether including your own mother's favorite flower in the bridal bouquet or getting your great aunt Gertrude a good seat for the reception. But if you make a big deal out of everything single little detail, all you'll accomplish is driving the bride and groom crazy -- and chances are, they'll figure out your M.O. pretty quickly and stop budging on their decisions. And they're right: It's their wedding, not yours. So here's a better plan: Choose a few things (say three) that you really, really want to be part of the wedding, and let the bride and groom know about them. Focusing on just a couple of items on the wedding agenda, the ones that really matter to you, allows you to pick your battles wisely rather than fighting it out nonstop.

6. Meet the Parents

If you haven't already, once the engagement's been announced its key for you to meet up with your son or daughter's soon-to-be in-laws. The newly engaged couple will likely initiate this, but if for some reason they don't, feel free to bring it up. Just say something light like, "Your dad and I are really excited to meet Jane's parents." If they live hundreds of miles away, that's one thing. But if it's just nerves about combining the families, be clear with your tone that you're supportive of the engagement and marriage, so of course you want to meet the new in-laws. Dinner at a nice but still casual restaurant is usually the best option; that way, no one couple has to feel the stress of playing hosts or worrying what fork to use, and everyone can just relax and get to know each other.

7. Be Their Backup

Sometimes, wedding guests can be a bit demanding -- wanting an extra serving at the reception, extensive face-time with the bride, or letting their ‘talented' youngster play a solo at the ceremony. You need to help out the bride and groom by being their first line of defense; or if that fails, being their backup. If guests come to you with complaints, deal with it tactfully by saying something like, "I'm sure Jane and Joe would love to be able to seat all of your children and their dates at the reception, but they're working with a limited budget and need to keep the wedding small. I know your being there really matters to them though, which is why they included you even though they weren't able to invite your whole family." A statement like this accomplishes three things: It makes the guest feel better, it lets the bride and groom off the hook without coming off badly, and at the same time, it doesn't give in to guests' pushy pleas.

8. Tame a Bride(or Groom)-zilla

Sometimes, it's not just the guests -- the bride or groom can get out of line with their requests. If you've got a bridezilla (or a groomzilla!) on your hands, you need to give them a little perspective. While an important role for a mom is being a shoulder to cry on, if they're making everyone else miserable, a little tough love might be in order. If they're going ballistic over every last detail, listen to their tale of woe -- then remind them that the wedding is just one day. Their love and marriage are the important things, not whether the florist is going to substitute spray roses for the ranunculus. If it's more of an attitude issue, remind them -- jokingly -- that they want the wedding party to be smiling for the wedding photos! Then ask if you there are any tasks -- things the bride or groom might have taken on themselves, or things they're delegating to their attendants -- that you or another relative can help out with to try to relieve some of the stress.

-- Kate Wood

Read more: Mother of the Bride: Top 8 Wedding Tips for Moms - Bridesmaids mother of the bride - mother of the bride http://wedding.theknot.com/bridesmaids-mother-of-the-bride/mother-of-the-bride/articles/top-8-wedding-tips-for-moms.aspx#ixzz2VYkdX7w4

For Your Bridesmaids

50 Bridesmaid Gift Ideas

Your bridesmaids deserve much more than the usual keychain or strand of faux pearls. Get creative and personal with these unique ideas.

Photo: Susan Stripling Photography

Entertain her

1. Tickets to a musical or dinner theater
2. Magazine subscriptions
3. Headphones in her favorite color
4. Specialty playing cards
5. The latest best-selling book
6. A gift certificate to a movie theater or music venue
7. An e-reader like a Kindle Fire or iPad
8. A movie-themed gift basket
9. Tickets to a sporting event
10. A set of movies themed around a favorite actor, director or film era
11. A bottle of wine and a new board game

Pamper her

12. Silk pajamas
13. A Moroccan-inspired robe
14. Personalized stationery
15. A gift certificate to a local boutique
16. A monogrammed set of bath towels
17. A designer clutch
18. A gift certificate to a luxury spa
19. A designer makeup bag
20. A beauty gift package
21. A hair and beauty makeover at a local salon
22. A boudoir photo session

Make her something

23. Personalized jewelry
24. A scented candle
25. All-natural soaps
26. Holistic beauty treatments such as bath salts and scented astringents
27. A hand-painted platter or vase, designed at a local ceramics studio and personalized with her favorite colors
28. A knitted scarf, throw or other woolen delight
29. A hand-bound photo album or scrapbook
30. Assorted jars of homemade jam and scones
31. A personalized poem, framed

Play off her passion

32. A gift certificate for an introductory ballroom, salsa or flamenco dance class
33. Workout gear
34. A flight bag, camera case or classy travel kit bearing her initials
35. An introductory pottery class
36. A gift certificate for a session with a personal trainer, Pilates instructor, reflexologist or nutritionist
37. A hot new cookbook or a first-edition classic by Julia Child, dessert bowls or a state-of-the-art pepper mill
38. Gardening tools, a flowering plant or a gift certificate to her local gardening center
39. Vintage ashtrays, lace bureau scarves or Depression-era glass
40. A subscription to a niche magazine (like skiing or photography) and a matching accessory, like a hat and scarf

Wine and dine her

41. A French press with a pound of gourmet coffee
42. Sushi-making supplies
43. A fabulous bottle of bubbly, a nice ice bucket or a wine club membership
44. A gift certificate to a favorite restaurant
45. Luxe table linens, napkin rings and place card holders
46. Decadent chocolates
47. Caviar, foie gras or a gift certificate to a nearby gourmet grocer
48. A deluxe picnic basket
49. A cute apron
50. A collection of your favorite recipes with a tea towel or colorful colander

-- Amy Elliott

Read more: 50 Bridesmaid Gift Ideas http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/bridal-party/articles/50-inspiring-bridesmaid-gift-ideas.aspx#ixzz2W1uz5H7R

How to beat the heat on your wedding day

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Ceremony Advice, Reception Advice

By Megan Finley               

The bride fans herself while her bridesmaids try to blow cool air on her. Sarah and Williams' wedding took place during a heat wave. Oi.

Our wedding is shaping up to be 4th of July weekend… and it's gonna be hot. I've kind of got my heart set on having at least part of our wedding day outside, but man, the heat.
I'm concerned about our elderly guests, and then those friends who may over indulge on drinks. I'd really rather not move everything inside. What do you think? -bluefoote

We already gave you some great ideas on how to keep warm on your wedding day, but what if it looks like your date is smack dab in the midst of a summer scorcher? I know it's hard for some of you to imagine being all hot and sweaty because it might only be April, but we know that some of you are already starting to plan your summer wedding. Here are a few ideas of things you can do to help you and your guests feel more comfortable on a hot wedding day.

Avoid the heat

Venue by the water, check. Fans as favors, check. Guests in shorts and flip flops, check. This is doing a hot wedding right. Photo by Carlos Carpentier.

• Adjust the time. Push the ceremony back so it's as late in the evening as possible. Think about a sunset wedding or a nighttime wedding.
• Keep it short. Have a short ceremony and then bring the reception inside.
• Find a venue near water. Lakeside or beach wedding anyone? Or, get married ON the water on a boat — the breeze from a moving ship should keep everyone cool.
• Shade is your friend. Definitely try to set up your ceremony in a shady location.

Cope with the heat

• Have a pool party wedding. Pool parties are the coolest parties. (See what I did there?) You can totally take the "first plunge" instead of a first dance.
• Fans and parasols. Turn your wedding programs into fans, or have fans readily available as favors. Or set out a bucket full of cheap paper parasols.
• Dress code. Dress in breathable fabrics and inform your guests to dress for the heat — shorts, flip flops, light cotton shirts, sun dresses etc.
• Hydration station. Have water, iced tea, and/or lemonade readily available

Photo by ME!

• Hose it down! Spray down any concrete, stone, or brick areas with a garden hose to it cool off.
• Rent tents. If there's no natural shade to be found, you can rent large tents to provide an escape from the sun.
• Misters. You can get yourself an outdoor mist cooling system, hook it up to your garden hose, and set these fabulous misters up anywhere.
• Frosty treats. Treat your guests to cool treats like popsicles or these awesome DIY ice pops:

Source: scentofgreenbananas.blogspot.com via Laurenellen on Pinterest

Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Rehearsal Dinner: Who Should Be Invited to the Rehearsal Dinner?

 

The rehearsal dinner guest list can include just the two of you, your immediate families, the wedding party, and the officiant and his spouse. Or, it can be a larger event, including all the out-of-town guests (or at least all those who will have already arrived in town for the wedding). It's up to you, but the reason many couples do include out-of-towners (especially when the rehearsal dinner is the night before) is so they're not left stranded in their hotel rooms. It's all about being a good hostess. However, it's your prerogative to want an intimate party (for budgetary reasons or just as a matter of opinion). If you know the out-of-towners will be fine entertaining themselves, don't worry about it. Or, ask another relative or friend to host a cocktail party for the out-of-town guests that evening. Another option is to have your rehearsal dinner two nights before the wedding, and hang out with your out-of-towners the night before.

Wedding Wire 2013 Bride's Choice Winner

 

How awesome! Thanks Wedding Wire Community for selecting us as a brides choice winner for the 4th year in a row!! Cheers.......

Trash The Dress

When you think of a wedding, the first thing that usually comes to mind is a bride in a white dress. After all of the work of salon visits, fittings, and alterations, it's no wonder that many brides want to do everything they can to keep their dress in its pristine condition after the wedding day. But some brides are taking a VERY different approach: They're wearing their wedding dress once more, with much less caution, for a dramatic photo shoot, better known as "trashing the dress.”

The wedding dress isn’t necessarily ruined. If you decide to give this a try, you and your wedding photographer will discuss just how trashed you want your dress before the damage has been done. The concepts are to relax after all the stress, let your creativity flow, and enjoy wearing your dress one last time in a liberating way. Some girls take a much gentler approach for their photo session by walking through the woods or swimming in a pond, while other girls go a bit more extreme by heading to a paintball field, changing greasy car tires, or rolling in muddy puddles. Brides who have embraced the trend say that they feel the shoot gives the gown new life instead of simply sitting in the closet. Plus, they'll have photos in their wedding album that can look as though they're straight from the pages of a high end fashion magazine. Who doesn’t want that, right!

The concept was born when Las Vegas wedding photographer John Michael Cooper became bored with more traditional wedding photo sessions, so he began asking brides to pose after their wedding day in unusual settings. The sentiment among many photographers is the same: Given the unique photos that result, it's a win-win opportunity for brides and photographers. Plus, it’s fun!

Easiest way to manage your budget!

When you look at your budget, the easiest way to cut down on your budget is my controlling your guest count. Most couples struggle with who they should and shouldn't invite, and they can't seem to find a good place to draw the line. Do you invite your entire office? Your Mom's sister's best friend? Your babysitter's family? Once you look at your bottom line, making the guest count manageable becomes a big priority.

 

The guest count controls the amount of food, wait staff, seating and rentals that you will need for your wedding. These factors all bring up the cost very quickly, so we came up with a few ways you can make your guest list a bit more manageable:

-For quicker responses from guests, include postage for RSVPs. They are more likely to throw it back in the mail if it doesn't require any extra effort from them. Anything that makes it easier for them to respond is a must.

-If you have guests you are unsure about inviting, wait until you get some responses from guests who are unable to attend. Once you have a base count, you will have a better idea of how many of your "possible extra" guests you can invite. Phasing your invitations is smart and it allows you to send a second round.

-If you are trying to keep a small guest count, do not include an option on RSVP cards for additional guests. Make sure that the invitation doesn't infer that people can bring a date. If it is for a family, just be sure to address the envelope to the family, or the individual it is intended for, and keep a count of how many people were invited. 

-If your RSVP date has passed, simply call your guests to see if they will be able to attend. It is a little extra effort, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. You don't want to end up paying for guests that will not be there. If your going to pay the price, you might as well have someone else in their spot.

There are always easy excuses for not inviting guests, such as budget and venue constraints, and most of the time, that is an issue anyway! It’s your wedding and you need to enjoy your company, so don’t feel obligated to invite anyone you don't want It should be a memorable day with your best friends and family! Happy planning!

How to choose your wedding colors

The colors you choose for your wedding day set the style and tone for your entire event! What do you want your guests and you to remember?! You can use color in your bridesmaids' dresses, decorations, cake, favors, flowers, accessories, table linens and even the invitations! Choose colors you love, but also keep in mind:

·         Where is the wedding and reception? Choose colors that complement the setting if you can. Consider the carpeting, drapery and decor, etc.

·         What mood do you want to create? Vibrant colors add drama, while soft colors evoke a more romantic atmosphere.

·         What time of year will you marry? The season may influence your color scheme. Spring and summer colors tend to be lighter, while fall and winter colors are generally darker.

There has been a lot of research done on how colors affect our moods and emotions. Colors mean different things in different cultures, so avoid focusing too much on them, and choose the colors that you like. The following two tools can help you choose a coordinated color scheme.

·         Color Wheel - A color wheel helps you choose coordinating colors. There are three color-choosing strategies that will ensure you pick a well coordinated, beautiful color scheme.

o    "Complementary" colors means choosing colors that are opposite each other on the wheel, such as red and green. The contrast is usually has good visual appeal.

o    "Analogous" means the colors lie next to each other on the wheel, such as red, red-orange, and orange. Since they are so similar in tone, they will blend well.

o    "Monochromatic" means variations of the same tone, such as bright red, dark red, etc..

·         Color Palette Generator Tool - This handy (and fun!) tool allows you to upload your favorite photo and generate an instant color palette. You can then print and select your favorite colors from the chart

Tips: Try to limit your main colors to two or three so as not to look too jumbled and stay consistent with your colors throughout the wedding site. Use a few subdued colors for an elegant look.

2012 Wedding Color Trends

The table below includes popular wedding color choices for the upcoming seasons:

	aqua	tangerine	lilac	mustard	antique blue
	deep red	latte	lavender	charcoal	sage

 

Do Me a Favor

Tired of getting the same old wedding favors? Your wedding guests deserve the cutest favors, from the cutest wedding! Here are some unconventional wedding favors that we know will be a hit.

We love the idea of doing favors that really mean something. If you have guests coming from near and far, how about sending them home with not only a favor, but also a souvenir? This Bride was from Georgia and sent everyone home with a jar of homemade peach preserves and the south's best kept breakfast secret: Grits! 

The perfect hangover kit for your guests the next morning 

Heartfelt favors are something everyone will enjoy and want to take home. This couple sent their guests home with a baseball cap, blackberry jam made by the bride, and coffee from the groom's hometown. 

"Mint to Be"

 These white orchids are beautiful. We've also seen Mint and Thyme favors. ("Mint to Be" "Thyme of our lives"etc.)  Gorgeous, elegant, adorable.  Something guests can enjoy for a long time. 

Sending your guests home with ready to make
chocolate chip cookies: um, YES PLEASE 

 

Goodie box full of herbal tea and shortbread cookies to compliment.

For more unique favor ideas, visit http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/

Happy Planning :) 

To toss or not to toss?

If you are a bride who is interested in forging your own path, and you prefer to avoid the bouquet toss, there are many new alternatives that still engage your audience and will leave a lasting impression! That IS the whole point of throwing your expensive flowers at a group of rowdy girls, right?! ;)

Some brides think that tossing the bouquet comes across as silly and childish, so they'd prefer to do something else, which is totally acceptable. A very popular option is the anniversary dance, which is a very cute way to involve the audience and show the value of commitment! The DJ will ask all the married couples to join the bride and groom on the dance floor. They will play a romantic song (or fun- depending on the mood you're going for) and eliminate couples depending on the amount of time they've been married. The last couple remaining on the dance floor, the one married the longest, would then be presented with your bridal bouquet! Some girls feel much better about passing on their bouquet in this manner.

Another cute idea is to give your bouquet to someone who is extremely special to you, or someone who was a huge impact in your marriage...maybe even the person who set you up! Some brides want to spread the wealth, so they will chose to break up their bouquet into many smaller groups and give them to their bridesmaids or special wedding guests. This is something they will all remember and definitely cherish.

If you want to do something a little less traditional, and are going for a "fun" vibe, you could use a pinata and have all the single guests (or ALL of the guests if you prefer) take a whack at it! The inside can be filled with candy, the bouquet, the garter, party favors....etc, or all of the above! This will be talked about for years to come.

Have fun with it...it's all about engaging the guests and enjoying yourself, so find something that channels your personality and you can't go wrong!!!

Finding the Perfect Place for your Big Day!

So you’re engaged, now what? First things first…where are you going to get married? Finding the perfect venue is usually the first step in the planning process, and then the rest of the wedding details will easily fall into place! When you are looking for a venue, there are a few things to keep in mind:

·         A Roomy Fit. This may seem like such a logical concept, but having a room that is large enough to hold your guests is essential!  It’s important to keep in mind that a space looks much larger empty. All of the wedding details- dance floor, bar, tables, chairs, cake tables, etc-take up a lot of space, and you want to allow the guests to have some extra room to move around. The best way to judge the size of a room is to see it set up for an event similar in size in the same room. Many times venues will allow you to stop by early on the day of a wedding to see how it looks all set up.

·         Areas for eating, drinking, and dancing. There should always be separate places for these activities to take place. When you’re standing in the space, try to imagine where each activity would take place. You want the party to flow. If the room is a strange shape, or it is just too small, the wedding will feel cramped! Try to think of what would block guest’s views, or what activity should be located next to another.

·         Privacy. This is something that is more important to some people than to others. If you would like to have your wedding in a public park or on the public beaches, it is important to keep in mind that people may be walking through during your wedding. If you prefer something more private, opt for a private beach or pay for a venue that is exclusive for events.  Some restaurants and smaller venues may allow you to buy-them out, to accommodate guests only. Also, make sure to ask about the security they provide, if any. Some venues hold more than one event at a time, and you may hear them. If this is something that you prefer to avoid, try to schedule your big day when there isn’t something else going on next door!

·         Lighting. This may seem to be a very miniscule detail, but lighting can make or break your wedding! If you’re getting married during the day, make sure that the venue has lots of windows. If it is taking place in the evening, make sure that the room isn’t too dim and check to see if the lighting can be controlled for the big entrance, dancing, and dinner. If the wedding is outdoors, are candles allowed? Where can you put them? Always be sure to visit the site the same time of day as your wedding. You want to make sure that you are pleased with how it appears visually to both you and your guests.

·         A Great View. It is always a plus to have a beautiful backdrop. Guests will love it, and it makes for beautiful pictures to remember your special day! If there isn’t a view necessarily, look at the place’s décor or architectural details- all of these things give the venue a little something special.

·         Ample Outlets. Be sure that you do a walkthrough of the room to make sure that there are plenty of places to plug things into. The entertainment will use the majority of the outlets, so make sure that their area of the venue has plenty of places for them to hook up. If the venue doesn’t host many weddings, be sure to find out their policy on bringing it outside electricity!    

·         Good Acoustics. Make sure the venue doesn’t echo too much. That could cause the band to sound funky, and it could also make it difficult for the guests to hear each other speaking! It’s good to remember that a tile or wood floor tends to amplify sounds, whereas thick carpet will muffle them.

·         Plenty of Parking. Make sure the site is near a parking lot, garage, or big empty street that allows parking. If parking is a problem, look for other ways to get everyone to the party. Can a shuttle bus or vans take guests from the ceremony to the reception?

Good Luck Venue Hunting! Have fun with it. This is where you'll spend the most important day of your life :)

Introducing: Honeymoon Pixie

Besides the joy of seeing the bride walk down the aisle, the anticipation of waiting for the couple’s first dance, and eating unhealthy amounts of cake, one of the most traditional parts of wedding preparation is selecting and giving a gift to the new bride and groom. These gifts normally center around household accessories and kitchen gadgets. Something we seldom think about, however, is this: Unless it's something the couple has expressed really needing, chances are they already have it or have no need for it. 
Many brides I know are still trying to find room for the plethora of wedding gifts they received. 

So let us ask you this: Why not give something they bride and groom can cherish forever? 
...how about an awesome honeymoon? Yes please.  

Introducing Honeymoon Pixie, a honeymoon gift registry. 

Honeymoon Pixie is just like any gift registry, however instead of registering for household items, you register for gifts to go towards your honeymoon. These can include things like a bottle of champagne, a romantic dinner for two at a restaurant on site, or even resort activities like parasailing or snorkeling. The list goes on. 

Your wedding guests visit your unique registry website and purchase gifts for your honeymoon. If you choose not to use a gift you receive, you can request to have the gift funds be sent to you at any time! 

When Honeymoon Pixie's founders, Andrew and Gina Marino, got married, they said they decided on a local honeymoon to help keep costs down and to stay within their budget.  While this was romantic and memorable, they wished they could have splurged on a more exotic honeymoon. 

Looking back, they say they would have preferred a monetary gift to take that honeymoon that they always dreamed about instead of receiving gifts they didn't really need. From there, the Marinos decided they wanted to ensure that other couples had an easy solution to this common dilemma-and Honeymoon Pixie was born!

We love love love this idea! Visit Honeymoon Pixie today to start your very own registry. Soon, you can be on your way to the honeymoon of your dreams.
http://www.honeymoonpixie.com

Happy planning :)

Congrats to Courtney and Adam!

Here are some more pictures from Courtney and Adam Wade's wedding aboard the Solaris. Thank you to HBB Photography and Florals by the Sea for your amazing work! Cheers!

Sweet Treats

Lately we've spotted a lot of candy buffets at wedding receptions. This is a great way for the bride and groom to share some of their favorite treats with guests. Many websites allow you to customize candy with your colors or monogram, but you can always pick your classic favorites, or even throw some baked goods into the mix. You can also provide guests with bags or boxes for a fun and easy wedding favor. (image from Google)

Fun Floral Trends

Lately we've spotted some creative alternatives to traditional wedding flowers. Switching out bouquets or centerpieces for these fun options is a great way to personalize the look of your wedding. Not only can this be a fun DIY project, but they also make great keepsakes from your big day. Some of our favorites are pictured below:

Clockwise from upper left: 1. Tissue paper blooms are versatile and can be used for arrangements and almost any decor 2. Paper flowers offer an unlimited variety as you can choose between prints, solids and textures 3. The "Brooch Bouquet" is a great way to incorporate family heirlooms and adds a perfect vintage touch 4. Balsa wood flowers go great with rustic styling, but can easily be updated with modern touches such as bright feathers (All images from Etsy)

Best of Wedding Wire 2011!

The Eventful Planner is pleased to announce that we have been selected to receive the prestigious annual Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Awards 2011! The Eventful Planner stands among the top 5% of wedding professionals in the Wedding Wire community! The Wedding Wire network includes leading wedding planning sites including Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding & Wedding Bee. For more information, check out our profile at www.weddingwire.com.

2011 Wedding Trends

2011 Here We Are....unbelievable. I'm not sure how it came upon us so quickly, but here we are!
Here's your sneak peek at the top reception trends for the new year!
IN ~ Lounge seating (comfy sofas & ottomans) instead of assigned seating
IN ~ Passed mini desserts, cotton candy stations & ice cream bars instead of wedding cakes
IN ~ A good old fashioned bicycle getaway for the B & G
IN ~ Two dresses, yes that's right girls. One for the ceremony & another for the reception!
IN ~ Private Homes & Outside Venues over resort ballrooms
IN ~ Comfort Foods, "green" foods & interactive food stations that let the guests get in on the culinary fun!!

Here's hoping all you 2011 brides try a new idea of your own! Who knows?? You could be the next trendetter! Cheers..............

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!

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