In every life a little rain must fall and if it happens to fall on your wedding day you have to be able to roll with it and enjoy yourself! Here’s a mantra for the day:
Wedding Planning Mantra Of The Day
May 16th, 2012Here Comes The Son
April 11th, 2012I’ve walked away from my office and my blog for the past couple of weeks…first I was preparing for the arrival of our baby girl and then I had the pleasure of welcoming our SON, John Quentin, into the world on March 31st. He was quite a surprise since we had been expecting a girl for the past 6 months! We are over the moon in love with him and have been enjoying every minute.
So, while I usually dedicate my posts to wedding tips and real Vermont weddings today I just had to share our favorite creation so far. We’ll be spending the next couple of months focused on this little guy and then get all geared up for weddings in the end of June!
Wedding Planning Mantra Of The Day
March 28th, 2012Sometimes when we are planning a wedding it is important to check-in with what’s truly important. It’s not just about the details. It’s essential to keep your focus on the big picture and most importantly to focus on each other.
Here’s a mantra for the day…
Truth In Wedding Planning
March 21st, 2012Honesty. It’s something that I value greatly and I consider it part of my job to be honest with my couples throughout the planning process.
Planning a wedding allows for a lot of day dreaming (or at-work-internet-searching!) and the real life logistics of that dreaming sometimes needs to be brought into focus. Whether it’s a budget issue or a matter of dreaming so big that your vision will present a set of challenges in terms of implementation it’s up to your wedding vendors to tell you the real deal when it comes to your requests.
Your caterer may suggest that you rent a tent for your cocktail hour or that you add an additional item to your menu; your photographer may want to take “first look” photos prior to the ceremony so you can enjoy more time at your reception; your floral designer may recommend you use certain flowers for longevity or color availability.
It’s essential that you are comfortable with their level of expertise and value their advice. If you can listen to the feedback from your trusted professionals and know that they will work their magic for you on your big day then your planning process can be more enjoyable.
Tips For A Fabulous Wedding Party
March 14th, 2012Unlike the days when puffy sleeves and pastels were all the rage, it is totally fashionable to have a fabulous wedding party!
I first posted these tips in December 2009 and in my opinion they still hold true in 2012. Here are Six Tips for a happy and beautiful wedding party:
1. Consider having your girls wear different colors or styles of dresses (just in case everyone doesn’t feel she can pull off the color and strapless cut you may have in mind).
2. Coordinate the girls’ look with matching shoes & handbags.
3. Use bold, beaded jewelry to finish the look no matter what your style. Necklaces, bracelets and earrings all work to accomplish a matched style.
4. Perfectly match pashminas to your palette or add another pop of color to pull the look together. By the way, any of the aforementioned items would be thoughtful gift ideas from you to your maids!
5. Picture your groomsmen in matching suits (instead of tuxedos–particularly for mid-day ceremonies) with coordinating shirts & ties in your chosen palette.
6. Bridesmaids & groomsmen prefer to be seated with their dates instead of being separated by head table status. Everyone will love you for this one!
Hooked On A Feeling: The Ambiance At Your Wedding
March 7th, 2012When I first start talking with a couple about their wedding one of the details I want to know is “how do you want your wedding to feel?” Even if you don’t have a “theme” per se, you most likely have an idea of whether you’d like the atmosphere to be elegant & classic or casual & rustic or romantic & gardeny or something entirely different than anything you’ve seen before. The atmosphere you create for your guests will surely be remembered.
Take some time to think about how you want your wedding day to feel. Is it formal? If so, then perhaps you’ll have a glass of champagne handed to each guest as they arrive at your reception. Do you want a more casual, welcoming vibe? Consider a pre-ceremony cocktail hour or a lemonade bar to encourage guests to mingle and get acquainted.
If you start hosting the moment guests arrive they will recognize the special feeling and ambiance you’ve created.
Wedding Planning Crunch Time
February 29th, 2012As you flip the calendar to March tomorrow morning you may begin to feel the pressure of wedding planning crunch-time. Whether you are getting married in June or October you’re starting the home stretch of your planning process and whether you have every little detail decided upon or you’re still unsure what half of your wedding party will be wearing I hope you’re feeling good about your decisions so far.
If you’re feeling the pressure (from yourself, your family, your friends) try to take a step back and look at the items you truly have to cross off of your to-do list and tackle them! Don’t worry if you have to abandon a few DIY projects for the sake of saving your sanity. No one will know that you were going to cut out 150 leaf patterns for your place card display. Simplify.
Whether you are 3 months from your big day or have 7 months of planning ahead of you don’t let what time you do have slip away. Get all of your vendors on board, make those last moment menu decisions, prioritize what’s most important to you as a couple and don’t fret over things that are out of your control (like the weather for example!).
Remember the most important thing is that you are getting married and after the wedding is over that’s all that matters! Now, go forth and plan your perfect wedding!
Sweet little details can make your wedding more special…this bouquet is wrapped with lace from the bride’s dress.
Wedding Planning Mantra Of The Day
February 22nd, 2012Sometimes when we are planning a wedding it is important to check-in with what’s truly important. It’s not just about the details. It’s essential to keep your focus on the big picture and most importantly to focus on each other.
Here’s a mantra for the day…
Candy Bar At Your Wedding…And Why You Should Skip It
February 15th, 2012The candy bar buffet has been a trend in weddings for years now and I personally think it’s time for retirement. As a lifelong sugar addict I don’t usually talk people out of candy, but as a wedding professional who often sees couples working to stay on budget I find that this element of the reception turns out to be more waste than it’s worth.
Most adults who’ve spent the last several hours eating delicious food and imbibing in beer, wine and the like, and who’ve likely had a piece of cake!, are not looking to get their sweet tooth on with some Mike and Ikes or Sour Gummies. Presenting a candy bar as a “favor” to take home is lost on most people because the day after your wedding they are not looking to bombard their bodies with corn syrup, but rather looking to hydrate and reflect on the beautiful party you hosted.
If you really want a candy bar here are some things to consider:
1. You’ll need to buy apothecary jars to display the goods. You can assume that these will cost you anywhere from $20 to perhaps as little as $10 each. You’ll probably get at least 10 jars if you want to make a display. Oh, and don’t forget you’ll need to wash the jars before bringing them to your venue or planner.
2. You’ll want to have signage made for your candy bar. Depending on your DIY abilities or your stationer this will either cost time or money or both.
3. Unless your venue has an abundance of buffet tables you will likely need to rent a table and a linen for your candy bar display.
4. Scoops. You’ll need some scoops and/or tongs to serve the candy.
5. Bags. Guests need something to shovel that sugar in to so you’ll want to provide bags and twist ties.
6. Last, but not least you need candy! Soooo….let’s say you select 10 types of candies for your display…you’ll either shop in bulk at a local candy shop or buy online (in which case don’t forget to add on the shipping for the 30-50 pounds of candy you’re buying!). I did a little online shopping this morning and for an assortment of 10 different types of candies (good ones that I’d have bought when I was a kid and used to make weekly trips to the candy shop in the mall) my total came to $350. For candy.
Now, when I do some quick math I would conservatively estimate a $600 price tag on your candy bar experience. For about that price I could design an amazing floral arbor for your ceremony; or you could get an incredibly special wedding cake design; or you can add a nice little chunk onto your open bar tab; or make a donation to charity as your wedding favor.
If you are already sold on the candy bar idea I’d suggest you consider a dessert display instead with a jar or two of candy (if you must!) and an assortment of pastries, cakes, donuts and truffles. It’s a little more grown-up and likely much more delicious!
Here’s a cotton candy pink bouquet to add a little sweetness to my sour candy bar post! This bouquet includes garden roses, ranunculus, godetia and French tulips.
Wedding Planning Mantra Of The Day
February 8th, 2012
