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!