10 Reasons to Hire a Planner from a Bride

Yes, we know that the title "Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner" may become a bit repetitive on our blog but, we just had to share this story! This is from a bride's own perspective. No vendor or other planner but, a bride who praised her wedding planner and gave us 10 very good reasons why anyone getting married should hire one! Enjoy!

10 reasons to hire a wedding planner

 

I’ll be honest. I thought I could plan my wedding on my own. I was convinced that if I could plan a giant event all across the country and coordinate hundreds of bloggers at once for the Food Blogger Bake Sale, than why couldn’t I plan my own wedding?

Well, I was wrong. Way way wrong.
A few weeks into my engagement, I decided that as my gift to myself I would hire a wedding planner. I thought it was probably best to have someone that could help for coordinating everything and especially the day of the wedding. It would allow me to be way less stressed, and I convinced myself that it was a great idea.

And let me tell you something…. it’s the best present I’ve ever given myself! I asked Nicole, my fabulous, amazing, creative wedding planner from Green Ribbon Parties to put together a list of her top 5 reasons to hire and wedding planner. And then I put together my own list! So here it is… and I hope it helps some of you brides to be
Top 5 reasons why you should hire a wedding planner – from Nicole!

When you first get engaged people immediately start bombarding you with questions – Where are you getting married? Have you set the date yet? How much is your budget? Can my brother’s girlfriend’s cousin attend? And then, for the entirety of your engagement, the questions never end. They come from all directions, from parents and friends, to co-workers and even strangers! An engagement should be one of the happiest times of your life. You should be able to enjoy it, because after all, it is based on the fact that you have found your soulmate, the one you are going to spend the rest of your life with! This is the time you should be reveling in your love and not dodging questions and getting bogged down with emails and meetings! And that brings me to my list – the top 5 reasons to hire a planner.

1) Stress – A planner takes on the stress so you don’t have to. A planner will be the one to respond to all of the emails from various vendors and serve as the point person so you only have to deal with one contact. They will coordinate all of the meetings and be there to remember the details, plus ask the right questions. And most importantly, the planner will be there on the big day to make sure everything runs smoothly so you can be with you family and friends.

2) Prioritization – There are several guides you can find on the internet which will tell you what percentage you should be spending on every aspect of your wedding. I believe it is fine to use them to inform your decision, but I think it is also valuable to know what is important to you and put your money there. If food is your thing, then you might want to throw extra money into the catering budget. If you are a music lover, you might want to put a greater amount of money there. That’s why it is important to discuss what you (and this means anyone who has a say in the wedding) care about the most and in what order. A planner will offer guidance about what is within your price range and what will throw everything else out of whack. It is easy to get excited about all of the possibilities and make an uninformed choice, but a planner will serve as a great resource since they often know the acceptable range of what a service is worth.

3) Relationships with vendors – A planner is in the position to work on multiple events and they have established relationships with vendors of all sorts – photographers, florists, djs etc. Not only do planners spend time researching and meeting with vendors to know the best that’s out there for every budget, but they also refer couples to vendors constantly. As a result of all of these referrals, a vendor is more likely to negotiate with a planner since they can give them repeat business.

4) Experience – Most people are planning their wedding with no knowledge of how to throw a large-scale event. Of course there are books and plenty of tips from well-meaning friends and family, but a planner has seen many events. A planner is in the unique position to know what things should cost in every range. They can tell you if you are being cheated or if that “expensive” photographer really isn’t so expensive after all. They know what questions to ask your vendors and how to schedule the day so that you can get your photos taken, your guests fed, your speeches completed and everyone out on the dance floor.

5) They are required – More and more venues are requiring planners. Hotels used to have banquet managers to assist couples throughout the whole day, but this is an easy cost-cutting measure for venues. They get to cut their staff and have them go home and your planner will be the one to stay until the end of your wedding and make sure everything gets wrapped up – rentals collected, gifts delivered to your room, wait for vendors to come and pick up their items. Site coordinators offered up by the venues often represent the venue, not the couple. They will help you, but they will not advocate for you as aplanner would. In addition to traditional venues, many couples are now seeking out unusual spaces for their weddings – barns, art galleries, lofts – and all of these spaces need planners as well since they double as a wedding site and often have no one to help.

Top 5 reasons why you should hire a wedding planner – from Gaby!
1) Sanity. Let’s be honest here – planning a wedding, and coordinating all the vendors is hard work. Not to mention you most likely have a job, and hobbies, and other obligations that keep you busy. I’ve been super hands on in my wedding planning process, but Nicole keeps me sane. I know that I can send her an email randomly throughout the day about some small details of the wedding and she’s going to respond with an answer shortly and reassure me that all is going to be okay! Not to mention the month, week and day of the wedding. I think this is going to be the busiest time for me! Between all my upcoming pre-wedding travel and work, I know Nicole has my wedding in mind and she’s going to keep everything running smoothly.

 

2) Focus. I, along with many other brides I’m sure, tend to get overly excited about every last detail I see on pinterest and all the wedding blogs. I’m constantly adding things to my to-do list and making more work for everyone involved. And here’s the deal. I’ve gotta stay on focus. I have a vision, and sometimes adding too many details can get a little busy. Having a planner, who has done tons of events and knows what’s needed and what’s silly, will keep you on focus and ensure that you’re paying attention to the important things and not wasting time on anything else!
3) Peace of Mind. All I want to do on the day of my wedding, before the ceremony, is relax with my mom and bridal party, drink some sparkling wine and maybe take a stroll through the set-up of the wedding and check everything out. I know that I don’t want to be on the phone with the lighting people, trying to figure out where they are and why they didn’t arrive on time. This is probably one of my most favorite things about having a wedding planner. They take care of all that for you! Knowing me, I’ll probably want to hear a little bit of what is going on, but I know that Nicole is going to have it covered

4) Tie Breaker. Sometimes Thomas and I can’t decide on something. Maybe its a color. Or maybe its the way somethings works timing wise. Or maybe it’s the way the ceremony is going to run. Nicole is always there to give her trustworthy opinion and break that tie. She knows what works and what keeps an event moving!
5) Honesty. I know I can ask her any question and she’s going to tell me her honest opinion. And that’s exactly how I want it. I don’t need someone to side step around my feelings, I need an answer so I can make a decision and move on to the next decision that needs to be made. Not only does this make life easier, but it cuts waaaaaaay back on frivolous emails

 

So there you have it! Our top 10 reasons on why you should totally have a wedding planner! I hope this helps some of you bride-to-be’s out there!! Wedding planning should be fun – and I’m so happy I have help

Maid of Honor: Your Duties

Maid of Honor: Her Duties in Detail

Help! What do you do as the maid of honor? Don't worry, we've got your job description down to a science.

Photo: Laura Beals Photography

 

The maid/matron of honor is part worker bee, part emotional lifeboat. Chosen for your energetic, get-the-ball-in-motion qualities, you should also remember that listening to the bride, making her laugh, and offering emotional and logistical support are also part of your honor attendant package. Here's what's expected:

• Lead the bridesmaid troupe. It's the maid/matron of honor's (MOH) job to direct the other maids through their duties. Make sure everyone gets their bridesmaid dresses, go to dress fittings, and find the right jewelry. Also provide them with the 411 on all prewedding parties.
  
• Help shop for dresses (the bride's and the bridesmaids'). And the MOH pays for her own entire wedding outfit (including shoes).
  
• Offer to help the bride with prewedding tasks, from addressing invites to choosing the wedding colors and nodding enthusiastically when she waxes poetic about wedding cake.
  
• Spread the news about where the bride and groom are registered.
  
• Help the bride change for her honeymoon and take charge of her gown after the ceremony. Arrange for storage in a safe place until she returns.
  
• Lend an ear. Whether it's about the planning, the marriage, or the registry china patterns, the MOH should assure the bride that she has someone with whom she can share her thoughts. Even if she seems to dwell on the same subjects repeatedly, the MOH keeps listening.
  
  
• Host or cohost a bridal shower for the bride.
  
• Attend all prewedding parties.
  
• Keep a record of all the gifts received at various parties and showers (or delegate a bridesmaid to handle this).
  
• Plan the bachelorette party with the bridesmaids.
  
• See to it that all bridesmaids get to the rehearsal; coordinate transportation and lodging, if necessary.
  
• Make sure that all bridesmaids get their hair and makeup done, get to the ceremony on time, and have the correct bouquets.
  
• Hold the groom's ring during the ceremony. Safest place to put it? On your thumb.
  
• Arrange the bride's train and veil before the ceremony begins and just after she arrives at the altar. The MOH might also need to help her bustle the train for easy dancing at the reception.
  
• Hold the bride's bouquet while the couple exchanges vows.
  
• Sign the marriage license as a witness, along with the best man.
  
• Stand next to the groom in the receiving line (this is optional; the bride may decide to have attendants circulate among the guests instead).
  
• Play hostess along with the other bridesmaids at frequent points during the reception: show guests where to sit, direct them to restrooms, tell them to where to put presents, invite them to sign the guest book, etc.
  
• Collect any gift envelopes brought to the reception and keep them in a safe place.
  
• Make sure the bride takes a moment to eat something -- refresh her drink, get her a plate of food from the buffet table, or instruct the wait staff to keep her entree warm.
  
• Dance with the best man during the formal first-dance sequence and possibly be announced with him at the beginning of the party. Also dance with other groomsmen, the groom, and others.
  
• Toast the couple after the best man. (This is optional, but it is a nice touch.)
  
• Troubleshoot emotional crises. In most cases, this will require lots of tissues, hugging, and hair-smoothing. The MOH continues to be a trusted friend, a good listener, and a smart advisor.
  
• Keep the bride laughing. For the stressed-out bride, laughter can be as effective as venting.
  

-- Wendy Paris

Read more: Maid of Honor: Her Duties in Detail – Bridesmaid Mother of the Bride – Bridesmaids http://wedding.theknot.com/bridesmaids-mother-of-the-bride/bridesmaids/articles/maid-of-honor-duties-in-detail.aspx#ixzz2XFfBMlZP

Wedding Cakes!

Wedding Cakes: Our Top Tips

Do you know everything there is to know about wedding cakes? The more informed you are, the better the decisions you will make. We've got you covered with our top tips.

Photo: Artisan Events/Amanda Sudimack

Taste the Cake

As you start setting up appointments, find out when each baker's next tasting is scheduled. At tastings, clients are invited into the bakery to sample exemplary cakes, ask questions, and review portfolios. This is an excellent opportunity to meet bakers and fully understand the range of their abilities.

If you're using fresh blooms, triple-check with your florist that they have not been sprayed with pesticides. Make sure all inedible decorative elements are removed before the cake is sliced and served.

Select a Style

Deal with the cake after all decisions about dress style and reception decor have been made. These elements can serve as a blueprint for the design and structure of your wedding cake. Choose a cake that's compatible with the style of the venue, the season, your gown, the flower arrangements, or the menu. If you want colorful accents (such as sugar flowers or icing ribbons), give your baker fabric swatches. The cake should be part of the wedding, not a glaring sideshow.

Size It Up

Generally, three tiers will serve 50 to 100 guests; you'll likely need five layers for 200 guests or more. If the reception is in a grand room with high ceilings, consider increasing the cake's stature with columns between the tiers. (A "stacked" cake is one with its layers stacked directly atop each other, with no separators.)

Price It Out

Wedding cake often is priced by the slice -- the cost varies, but generally ranges from $1.50 to $15 per slice (though this is a very general and loose estimate). The more complicated the cake (based on intricate decorations or hard-to-find fillings), the higher the price tag. Fondant icing is more expensive than buttercream, and if you want elaborate molded shapes, vibrant colors, or handmade sugar-flower detailing, you'll pay for the cake designer's labor.

Find Ways to Save

Order a small cake that's decorated to perfection but can only feed a handful plus several sheet cakes of the same flavor to actually feed the guests. Stay away from tiers, handmade sugar flowers, and specially molded shapes. Garnish with seasonal flowers and fruit for an elegant (but less expensive) effect. If you'll have a dessert table (or another sweet) in addition to the cake, consider a cake sized for half your guests. Servings will be smaller, but the fee will shrink too.

Get the Facts on Frosting

Buttercream or fondant? That's the main question. Buttercream is often much more delicious. But if you love the smooth, almost surreal-like look of fondant as much as we do, consider frosting the cake in buttercream first and then adding a layer of fondant over the entire confection.

Consider the Weather

If you're having an outdoor wedding in a hot climate, stay away from whipped cream, meringue, and buttercream: They melt. Ask your baker about summer icing options; You might want to go for a fondant-covered cake -- it doesn't even need to be refrigerated.

Mind Your Magazines

Keep in mind, magazines (like ours) have food stylists, editors, and assistants working nonstop to keep the cakes looking perfect. These people spend hours fixing the sweating, dripping, leaning, or sagging that can happen to a cake after it's been sitting for a while. And if what they do doesn't work, they can fix it with Photoshop. They also have the luxury of creating cakes from stuff that isn't edible -- most cakes in magazines are iced pieces of Styrofoam, which certainly doesn't taste very good. So don't expect your cake designer to be able to replicate exactly what you see in print.

Take Note: It's All in the Details

When it comes to decoration, adornment costs run the gamut. The most inexpensive option is fresh fruits or flowers that, in some instances, can be applied by your florist for a minimal fee. On the high end are delicate gum paste or sugar paste flowers, which are constructed by hand, one petal at a time. But here's the bottom line: All add-ons -- including marzipan fruits, chocolate-molded flowers, and lace points -- will raise the rate. (For the record, we think it's worth the cost!)

Encourage Cake Collaboration

If you want to garnish your cake with fresh flowers, find out if the cake designer will work with your florist, or if you are responsible for the blooms. If the florist is running the show, will she have time to adorn the cake? Be wary of elaborate floral accents if your reception space decor is labor-intensive.

Get Him Involved!

The popularity of the groom's cake, traditionally a Southern custom, is on the rise. The bride's cake -- the one cut by the couple at the reception -- is traditionally eaten as dessert. The groom's cake is usually darker and richer (often chocolate) and nowadays crafted to show off the groom's passions and obsessions. Give slices to guests as a take-home memento or cut and serve both for dessert.

Go Mini?

Many bakers agree that the idea of a mini cake (where each guest gets his or her own) is a great idea -- in theory but not always in practice. Not only does each cake require its own decoration (often as intricate, if not more, than one that's four times its size), each will require its own box. Unfortunately, boxes don't come in mini-cake sizes. Often the bakery must construct individual boxes in which to transport these cakes. Multiply by however many guests you'll be having, and you'll see what a costly, time-consuming feat this actually is. That said, if you can swing it, they look amazing being passed around by waiters on sleek silver trays (and of course, they taste just as great too).

Get It On Display

Your cake will likely be on display before it's cut and consumed. Make sure there is a designated cake table that allows the most elegant presentation possible. A round table is perfect for round cakes, but a linear cake design may call for a rectangular table. Figure out your options. Once you have a cake table, have fun dressing it up: Drape it with sumptuous fabrics and decorate it with motifs, colors, and flowers to match the cake (your florist can help).

Top It Off

There are many beautiful and unique ways to top off your cake, so you can avoid plastic figurines (unless you're going for cool-kitsch). If you have an heirloom piece -- especially a fine porcelain antique -- work with your baker to integrate it into an appropriate design. A pair of sugar or gingerbread cookies can look charming atop a country wedding cake. Finely sculpted maple sugar or marzipan figurines are quaint. Other alternatives: a bouquet of sugar flowers, a cascade of icing ribbons, or even a sugar block carved out to reveal your new monogram.

Lock Down Delivery Details

Cake delivery takes coordination. Complex cakes may not necessarily be delivered in final form. Allow time and space for assembly, if needed. Refrigeration may also be required. For more on last-minute details, review our Points for the Contract.

After the Wedding...

Avoid freezer burn! Even if you take the most painstaking packaging measures, eating the top tier of your cake on your first anniversary sounds far better than it tastes. Think about indulging on your two-week or one-month anniversary, and treat yourself to a fresh cake in the same flavor when you've survived the first year. If you must adhere to tradition, wrap the cake in plastic wrap, then bag it in an airtight baggie. Stay away from aluminum foil -- it might not protect against freezer burn as well as plastic wrap because it's not an airtight material.

Read more: Wedding Cakes: Our Top TipsTheKnot.com - http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-cakes/articles/our-top-wedding-cake-tips.aspx#ixzz2W7OyofTT

Why YOU Should Hire a Wedding Planner

10 Reasons You Should Hire a Wedding Planner

If you think wedding planners are only a privilege the rich can afford, think again. Here’s 10 reasons to reconsider.

by The Knot

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A wedding planner could just be the best thing you spend money on. We spoke to wedding planning specialist and director at Wedding Belles and Beaus, Marie Costigan, to find out why you should hire a wedding planner. Here’s her top ten reasons:

Reason #1. You deserve everything to be perfect on your big day.

It takes a lot of time and hard work to pull a wedding together perfectly. A wedding planner has organised a wedding a hundred times, and with practice comes perfection. They know the right people to talk to, how to get the best prices, what should (and shouldn’t) be in a contract, and how to ensure that every single detail is prepared for your big day.

Reason #2. You’re not very good at sticking to a budget.

Money is one of the hardest aspects of planning your wedding. Who’s paying, how much, when is your bill due and how do you ensure you don’t spend too much of it? A wedding planner is like a financial adviser or an accountant who specialises in weddings. They know how much things should cost, roughly what percentage of your budget will be spent in each area, whether, and when payments will need to be made in order to secure services or products.

Reason #3. Your wedding planning experience should be enjoyable, not stressful.

Whether your engagement is long or short, you should enjoy every moment of that special time with your dream man. Most importantly, you do not want to turn into a neurotic Bridezilla who can’t sleep, can’t eat, can’t work and is constantly stressing about how much work there is to be done. Since it’s our job, a wedding planner has time and the skills to deal with everything on your behalf. All you have to worry about is taking care of yourself and enjoying your engagement period.

Reason #4. You don’t want to spend hours finding suppliers and trying to figure out who is trustworthy.

It’s daunting to know how many suppliers are out there (and how many people it takes to make a wedding a success). Knowing who to trust and who is right for you is one of the hardest tasks of planning a wedding. Once you find a great wedding planner however, the rest is much easier. They can recommend suppliers they’ve worked with before and know how to get the best prices, and the best results, from them. “Even if we have to use a new supplier, we know how to find the best one for your style and price.”

Reason #5. You don’t want to worry about forgetting to plan or pay for something.

Wedding checklists can be pages long, so it’s no surprise if you’re worried about forgetting something. Luckily a planner knows what needs to be done like the back of their hand! They will keep track of all your deadlines and remind you when things need to be done and decided on. Nothing will ever be missed, and there’s no danger that something won’t turn up on the day because of poor preparation.

Reason #6. You both work and you don’t want wedding planning to take over your life.

Planning a wedding takes a lot of time, even more if you do everything yourself. Having a wedding planner is like having a personal assistant whose sole responsibility is doing all the running around for your wedding.

Reason #7. You have a great venue coordinator but they don’t take care about any of the other details.

You’ve already found your venue and you get on really well with the venue co-ordinator (the person who takes care of all the logistics of the venue and often is provided as part of your wedding package). She’s great and has got everything under control, she’s even given you a recommended list of suppliers that they work with. But keep in mind, that’s generally as far as her services extend. A wedding planner goes beyond these tasks and can help you manage your budget, mediate disputes with your family, tell you what flowers are in season on your wedding date, take you to meet the other suppliers, research prices, and anything else you wish.

Reason #8. You need help making your vision a reality.

No matter whether you know exactly what you want, have a vague idea, or no idea at all, a wedding planner can help you define the look, style, mood and emotions you want to create. They know the latest trends and are inspired daily by other brides, suppliers and the industry. They can visualise what will work in your venue and know how to bring your desired mood to life.

Reason #9.You’re struggling to meet the demands of your friends and family.

Does your family have a different idea of how your wedding should look? Many brides have to deal with a plethora of conflicting opinions from their friends and family about how the wedding should unfold, and it can be hard to please everyone. Not to mention stressful. A wedding planner will deal with your family’s expectations, show you the available options and can be relied upon to give you expert advice so you make an informed decision.

Reason #10. You’re planning a wedding somewhere other than where you live.

Planning a destination wedding has it’s pros, but it’s hard to organise suppliers that you’ve never met or imagine a space you’ve never seen in person. A wedding planner with experience in organising abroad weddings has a trick or two up their sleeve for getting the job done the way you want.
“The truth is, planning a wedding takes a lot of time, energy and focus,” says Costigan. “Sure, some bits of it are fun and exciting, but then there’s the endless research, details to remember, payments to make and so on which aren’t so much fun but are very necessary. Using one of our wedding planners means you’re in control. It’s definitely your day, your way, but you have a specialist working on your behalf to do the legwork, reduce your stress and ensure every detail is your kind of perfect.”

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.

Groom "gift" duties

It seems like your spending should be over, right...over the course of the last year, you’ve had to buy her a diamond, promise to shun all other women until you die, accepted her mother as your own (great!), and now, on top of all these obstacles, you need to get your fiancée another gift?

The system is definitely broken. But it's still the system—and you’ve made it this far—so you might as well play along.

There is SOME good news though...

1. There aren’t many rules to worry about. It’s not like the engagement ring and the “two months salary” rule you unfortunately had to follow.

2. It’s a rare opportunity for surprise. After months of budgets, invoices, and spreadsheets, it’s clear that very little about wedding planning is romantic. This one item, since it’s the only secret, can be a rush of romance.

So what should you get? Stick to the Rule of 2 Ps: Permanence and Personal. It needs to be timeless. And it needs to be about your relationship. And as for timing? Again, there's no hard and fast rule. But the general idea is to give her the gift on either the wedding day or the night before the wedding.

Here are a few ideas that should meet the criteria:

JewelryAdd a personal touch with an inscription or by selecting something that matches the engagement ring or wedding theme. It could be a bracelet, earrings, necklace—basically anything.

Framed Sentimental PictureShe’s not allowed to not like this. 1) Find a photo of the two of you before you were engaged. Not a boring pose, but something active like horseback riding, splashing water on the beach, crowd-surfing a mosh-pit, whatever. The idea is that the spirit of your relationship is carried through the wedding ceremony. 2) Splurge for a good frame.

Personalized Wedding Magazine CoverCareful, this can be cornier than a bad chick flick. So think about whether your girl is into that kinda thing. Personalie it by writing clever jokes on the cover that only she will get.

Keepsake BoxYou can engrave whatever sentimental stuff you want on the top of the box, and then she can use it to store her jewelry, perfume, or other goodies.

Personalized Photo AlbumIt nicely sticks to the rule of P's and gives you extra credit on the Personal. Look back at your relationship and pick out the photos that tell a story, in chronological order, from your early days to this current era of domesticity. Write a caption for each.

 

Family heirloomOnly if the heirloom is her taste—get someone else’s second opinion.

No matter what, in addition to getting one of the above “proper” gifts, we also recommend the following:

The Bonus Fun GiftSmall, token, utterly non-sappy. Something silly and flirty that will make her laugh. Maybe it’s a trashy book or guilty pleasure DVD. But it must be something fun that helps counterbalance the other Hallmarky stuff. It’s a reminder that underneath all the layers, you are still you.

Unexpected pamperingThis isn’t a gift, per se, but in the final days leading up to the wedding, surprise her with a breakfast in bed or candlelit dinner. Cook. Get champagne. Flowers.

Your Top Tier on Your One Year

I've talked to numerous friends about the tradition of the Wedding Cake. Most of you know the deal- boxing up the top tier after your wedding, freezing it, and eating it on your first anniversary. Adorable idea right? Imagine: a romantic dinner over candlelight, sipping champagne with your special someone while indulging in decadence that sends you on a buttercream-filled journey back to that beautiful day.....ahhh, could not get much better. As wonderful as that sounds, that journey can take a "chilling" turn from warm and fuzzy to, well, cold and still fuzzy-when you unwrap your cake to find a freezer burned mass with the consistency of a week-old toasted bagel in front of you.
We've done some research, and have found what we think is the best way to preserve your cake so it can be delicious 365 days later.

Here at the EP, we always delicately box up your top tier and send it home safely with you. Once it's home, our friends at The Knot recommend that you should do the following:

1. Remove the sugar flowers and set them aside.
2. If your cake is on cardboard, remove and put on a plate, or wrap the cardboard in plastic wrap. This will prevent your cake from tasting like cardboard. (Yuck!)
3. Chill the cake well before wrapping it up so that the icing hardens. This way it won't stick to the plastic wrap and make a mess.
4. Wrap the cake in several layers of plastic wrap -- not aluminum foil, which can cause freezer burn. Make sure to wrap it as tight as possible. Some bakerys recommend getting a sealing device for the best results.

Remember:

Some cakes freeze better than others. The more delicate the cake ingredients, the drier your cake will become in the freezer. Cakes with a longer shelf life: Chocolate, hazelnut, almond, and carrot cake. Cakes that may not last as long in the freezer: white cake, cake with fresh fruit, and cakes with whipped cream fillings.

Consider Ordering A Copycat Cake

If you have a cake that won't hold up in the freezer, do as many couples do and order a fresh cake tier in the same flavor as your original wedding cake for your one-year anniversary. Even if you have a heartier cake, Sylvia Weinstock, of Sylvia Weinstock Cakes in New York, recommends storing cakes for no longer than two months, and forgoing the first-anniversary tradition. Like anything else, after a year in the freezer, any cake will be a bit stale. If you do decide to save your cake for the full year, focus on the nostalgia, not the flavor. 

*for more ideas on preserving your wedding cake, visit www.theknot.com. 

As always, happy planning,...and happy eating! 

What a wonderful day for the the girls at EP! We are excited to announce that we are officially Wedding Wire rated for 2012! We are thrilled to be starting off the 2012 wedding season with a bang. Thank you to all of our amazing brides for showing us the love this year!

Here are just a few of our newest reviews from some pretty outstanding brides. We are so happy that we could be apart of making your day perfect!

Read all of our Wedding Catering, Wedding Coordinators Reviews at

Make sure to check us out on Wedding Wire & read all of our reviews!

The Bride's Guide to Plan B

In the spirit of the inches upon inches of rain mother nature decided to bless the southeast with this past week, we figured it was the perfect time to blog about something all brides should be aware of: Plan B.

We're talking about B, as in back up plan, & its something every bride should have. It is always smart to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. We've put together a few tips so you can have smooth sailing on your special day, rain or shine!


1. Location: choose a location that will beautiful, rain or shine.
2. Venue: If you are having an outside reception, make sure there is enough room in your rented space to bring in a tent, just in case of any last minute showers. 

3. Have an idea of where you will hold the ceremony if rains. Do some research, and look for a place close to your original ceremony location so it will be convenient for guests.

4. Invitations: It is never a bad idea to include a rain card with the invitations, or put the alternative ceremony location on the lower right-hand corner of the invitation.

5. Most importantly: DONT panic. (Tears dont mesh well with make-up :) Rain on your wedding day does NOT mean your marriage is destined to fail (dont believe us? Take a look: http://www.dasinfo.com/rain-on-wedding-day) See, told ya :)

We dont like to accept this unfortunante fact, but we cant control the weather. In that case, just be prepared, take a deep breath, and have fun with it! Happy planning!

It always helps to hire an awesome wedding planner like The EP ;). We always have your back. This is from  on of our weddings on a rainy weekend. In case you were wondering, the bride and father stayed dry. Tammy? Not so much haha

For the Overstocked and the Overspent

Save Green and BE Green with Recyled Bride

Do you really have a need for 150 battery operated tea lights? This question is for you ladies planning on a budget (who very well may need 150 tea lights), OR those of you stuck with truckloads of decorations that you will never use again, and it could possibly be the coolest things we have seen since sliced bread. 

It's called Recycled Bride, and online marketplace where brides can buy and sell gently used as well as new wedding decorations, dresses, and much more.

Through Recycled Bride, you can purchase items such as battery operated candles and votives, assorted types of garland, centerpiece supplies, and more for much cheaper than in stores. When you're wedding is over, simply sell it back, along with any other wedding decor. Simple as that! We think it is genius, and hope you will too. Visit today, and as always, happy planning!

http://www.recycledbride.com

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Much More than Maids

Show your bridesmaids some love! 

I'm sure many of you saw the motion picture "Bridesmaids" this year. Though we laughed at the ridiculousness of each situation and enjoyed the comedic talents of an award winning cast, did you find the situation relatable? Many of us have been that bridesmaid. No, your bridemaids will probably not get food poisoning while dress shopping, and we can HOPE that no one in your wedding party gets tackled by an air marshal and detained in an airport, but don’t be fooled. Weddings can be stressful on your bridesmaids, and it's important to remember those special ladies who work so hard to make your wedding perfect. 

Bridemaids gifts are a perfect reminder of your appreciation for their time and attention before AND after your wedding day. While shopping, keep each individual maid in mind by choosing imaginative and stylish gifts that come from the heart that will fit each of their personalities. Here are some unique ideas to get your wheels turning. Happy shopping!

Getting your bridesmaids something that they can wear or use on your wedding day is especially popular. 

Bridesmaid's survival kits are great gift ideas. They are customizable and show just how much care you took into putting together each gift. 

Find these towel wraps along with many other personalized accessories at http://www.exclusivelyweddings.com/Weddings/Wedding-Party-Gifts/Bridesmaid-Gifts

Adorable custom invites from the talented Ms. Paige Burton. Visit her Etsy page to order and make your invitations one of a kind, just for you! 

Fun & Fabulous Springtime cocktails

It's YOUR day so why not have a signature cocktail that screams YOU?! Fun, refreshing & delicious, these springtime cocktails just can't go wrong.

http://blog.purentonline.com/index.php/2010/04/30/champagne-and-vodka-berri-sophisticated-cocktail-recipe/

http://www.drinkoftheweek.com/drink_recipes/mixology-monday-strawberry-basil-mojito/

http://www.marthastewart.com/350012/ginger-margarita

What a year we have had!!

What an incredible year we had in 2011. Thanks to all our past clients as well as our future brides who trust us with such a memorable occasion. We were lucky enough to have won
"best of"on the Emerald Coast from EC Magazine for event planning
"best in Destin" by Destin Magazine for wedding planning
and the Brides Choice 2011 and 2012 award for catering & event planning.
We also have featured weddings in the current Knot & Gulf Coast Bride....with 2 more HUGE
national magazine features coming out this summer.
LOVE LOVE LOVE what we do and are so excited for the new year!
Thanks everyone:)

"Best of" event planner on the Emerald Coast

THANKS TO ALL READERS OF EMERALD COAST MAGAZINE WHO VOTED THE EVENTFUL PLANNER BEST EVENT PLANNER FOR 2011. WE ARE THRILLED TO BE HONORED AND REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED US THIS YEAR!

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