The Natural Bride - To Straighten or not To Straighten?

With more and more women deciding to wear their hair in their natural state (myself included) this is the question that I am sure will come up in the planning process.  As a bride you spend a good amount of time thinking about how you envision yourself looking on your wedding day.  You find the dress you want and the accessories to match.  You also have an idea of how you want your makeup to look as well.  The only thing now is to decide "How should I wear my hair?"

In reading different blogs and websites, this is a popular topic it seems.  You would think the natural response would be to leave it in it's natural state. However, I see it is not that simple. The opinion of others can cause your decision to be a tad bit difficult.  One the one hand, you want to show off your curls, but you have people saying you should straighten your hair for you wedding. If you straighten your hair does that mean you are trying to hide? Are you not showing your pride for your natural locks? If you wear your hair natural and free does that make you less elegant? Does it take away from your bridal beauty?

Whatever decision you make, make sure that is what YOU want and no one else.  The only people that matters are you and the person you will be joined to. If he loves your hair in it's curly, afroed state then wear it big and proud. If you want to straighten it to get the look you desire, go for it. No matter what you do, it is yours and his day and that is what it's about.

                              

The Undergarment Breakdown

Every women wants to make sure they look perfect on their wedding day. She wants to make sure every hair is in place, her makeup is flawless and that she has the perfect manicure to show off her wedding set. Of course the main attraction will be the gown that will make her guests and new husband told their breath just a little as the doors open and she's walking down the aisle.

Now, one other thing that is just as important as the dress is what is worn underneath it. We all know there has been talk about undergarments as far as being a part of your "everyday" wardrobe. For this special day, you want to make sure that everything is in it's proper place. What woman doesn't want her waist tight and her boobs looking amazing? Whether you decide you only need a strapless bra or the whole long lined, bone in, ensemble, here are a few tips that will help you decide which undergarment will be right for you.

According to an article published by Brides Magazine, don't worry about your undergarments until after your first dress fitting. This comes after you've put on multiple options and decided which dress you want to get married in. Traditionally, most dress shops will have a bra that you can use when initially trying on gowns. What this does will someone put your body in a way that will resemble how you will look that day. It tells you determine which dress style looks best on your frame and how they fit. Once you've had your first fitting in the gown you've chosen, then you can then search for the undergarment that will be your own.

Step 1: Decide What Type

Once you have found your gown and initial fitting, decide what type of undergarments you need. Traditionally, most brides buy the strapless, long-lined bra.

This bra is what is used at bridal shops when women come in to try on their dress and since that works, you can just roll with it and more times than not, you should be able to purchase it at the boutique wear your get your gown from and the most common design. There are of course variations to the design and it just depends on what your preferences are.

Once you've decided on your top garment you also need to decide on your bottom garment and there is a variety of those as well whether you do a regular panty, boy shorts or a thong, you want to make sure that it's comfortable because nothing would be worse than getting the dreaded wedgie on your day and can do nothing about it. There will be brides who may decide that they will want to firm their lower body based off the fit of their gown. This would be the case for those brides who has chosen a dress that my fit close to the body and who may also not need to wear a bra. If that is the case then buying a pair of Spanx or other lower garments would be all you'd need. These come in varieties as well. you can get the high waisted brief or you can get the version that comes down to the knees for added foundation.

Step 2: Decide What To Pay

Like with anything else, you have to have a budget. Undergarments can go from very cheap to very expensive depending on brand. It would be very easy to spend a couple of hundreds on just the garments you will wear under your dress. That doesn't even include the wedding night underwear or anything you'd buy for your honeymoon. The bra alone could cost you $60 or more. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get the quality you want. Look at a lot of different options at different price points and decide what you'd be willing to spend. You are already going to be spending a big portion of your attire budget on the actual gown and any alternations needed, so keep that in mind.

Step 3: Time To Shop

Now that you've decided it's time to go shop. You won't be able to try on the bottom half of your undergarments, but you can most definitely try on different option for your bra. Just like you needed time to try on gowns before deciding, take a day to do the same for you underwear. You will want to go in a put it and see how you feel Ask yourself questions to determine if it's best for you. Is the boning too tight? Can you breathe? Is this something you'd be comfortable wearing all day? You have to remember that you gown, depending on the style, will be big with possible crinoline slip and will require you to have to maneuver a little differently than you ordinarily would. You don't want to add to it be also being uncomfortable. Once you've decided on your garments, make sure you wear them going forward to any other fittings you will have. Your garment choice may be different than what you wore initially, so there may be other adjustments to your dress.

If you follow these 3 steps, I believe that you should be able to successfully find what will work for you. Remember the saying, you get what you pay for. Spend whatever is in your budget. As long as you feel like you could do it for the long haul with all the standing, sitting and dancing you will be doing, you will come out a winner. The most important thing is when you step into that dress, you know you will be a vision of beauty as you walk down the aisle.

The Plus Size Dilemma

So, your honey asked you to be his wife. You (and your planners) have been working hard to plan your wedding but there is one part to the process that you are nervous to dive into - the wedding dress.  It's hard enough going from shop to shop looking at dresses that eventually seems to blur together.  You, however, have an added challenge.  You are a plus size beauty and that seems to just add to the journey.  You question could there possibly be a dress out there for you that will make you feel like the princess you always wanted to be, or a dress that will also show off those curves that you are oh so proud of.  With the below 5 tips, you should be able to find that dress you envision yourself walking down the aisle in.

1. Embrace Your Body

First things first, Love the skin you're in! Far too many go on these crash and extreme diets in order to look "super skinny" on their wedding day. I can understand using your nuptials as a way to motivate yourself to get healthier. More power to you, however, you don't want to look back on your pictures a year from your wedding and not recognize the woman in them. Stay true to who you are at the size that you are, and embrace it. Set realistic goals for yourself if you choose to hit the bridal boot camp without losing the identity that is you.  Now, if you are a plus size beauty who is not making a big deal about your sexy size 20 frame, be happy with that decision and K.I.M (keep it moving)

   2.   Know What Works For You

This is key when shopping for clothes, so it is not different when shopping for your wedding gown.  If you are a naturally top heavy woman, then a strapless dress may not be the best choice for you. If you want to draw a little attention to the area, then perhaps a sweetheart neckline might be the one.  If you are voluptuous on the bottom half, a ballgown may not be the right fit. If you want to show off hips that may not be as defined as others, try a trumpet skirt and A-line gowns are flattering on just about any body type. Also, know how much sparkle you want. You want to stand out, but let's not go for disco ball. If sparkle is not your style and you want simplicity, find unique elements in a dress that suit you. It could be ruching around the waist or a scalloped hem. It all depends on your style and taste.

   3.    Start Your Search Earlier Than Advised

Being a plus size bride present unique situations.  The main one being the availability of the dresses.  Many articles will tell you, which I have found to be accurate, that not very many bridal salons carry sample size gowns over a size 12.  Although the dress you have your eye may come bigger, actually being able to try it on probably will not be an option for you.  If you can find a place that either specialize in larger sizes or carry designers whose focus is dresses for the fuller frame, you are in for a bit of a ordeal.  There's no need to worry though; starting early will help keep you on track to wedding time. Some say to start shopping at lease 6 months ahead of time for your gown.  For the plus size beauties I would say allow yourself 9 months if that is possible. This would help when ordering your dress as well as any necessary alternations that may need to be done to the gown. Now, more so these days women are planning entire weddings for 6 months, if not less, from the time of engagement.  If you fall into this category, time is truly of the essence, and yes, it can be done.

  4.    Be Prepared

As with anything, this is very important. Start searching the Internet for dress ideas. Have a certain designer in mind? Check out their website to see what they offer the plus size bride. Print out pictures to use as reference. One sure way to cut down time is to call the salons before you go. Say you saw this Vera Wang creation that you absolutely love, and guess what, they have the size 16 you need. Make sure you utilize the store locator to see if there are stores in your area.  If there is one, call the store to see if they have that specific style number or styles that may be close.  By doing this, it will eliminate the tedious task of doing going from shop to shop trying to find something. Once you have chosen your store of choice, go in focused. You will see a lot of dresses, but don't become so distracted that you spend time putting on dresses that are not in your budget or fit your style type.

  5.   Be Comfortable

No matter what garment you wear, you want to make sure that you are comfortable. Make sure that your alternations are not too tight. You want your dress to fit you like a glove, but you also want to be able to sit comfortably and more importantly breathe. Remember that foundation is key, so take the time to shop for quality undergarments as this will also help you with your fit as well as comfort.  If you are wearing a strapless down, make sure that it fits tight enough so that you are not pulling at it all night.  Wedding gowns can be a heavy thing to wear in itself with your crinoline slip so don't add to it by a dress that does not fit properly.

Hopefully these few tips will help aid in the dress shopping adventure. Most importantly it will help you to pick the gown that makes you feel confident and as you walk down to meet your soon to be husband that all your dress will reflect how you wanted to feel at that moment.

                   

What's Your Signature?

One aspect of your wedding that could become costly are your beverages, specifically your alcoholic ones. There have been mixed thoughts on if you should have an open bar or if you have a cash bar. Most will say having a cash bar is a big "no-no". If you tend to agree and want to offer free cocktails for your guests there is a way to do that without busting your reception budget. Trying to stock up a bar can get quite pricey so instead of offering all the possible combinations, why not considering serving a couple of signature drinks instead? You can easily pair them with a simple beer and wine service and save on cost.

This is something that is becoming more popular for weddings as well as other events. One might ask "What makes it signature?" The drinks that you choose are reflective of who you are as a couple. You can pick drinks that when people have them they are something that could see the two of you drinking. The nice part about it is that your signatures do not have to be an alcoholic beverage if you don't want them to be.

When thinking of how to pick your signature, there are a few ways you can go with it. One way is to pick a signature that goes with your color scheme. You can make a drink a variety of colors these days by mixing the right things together. Maybe you have decided to go with a tiffany blue color palette, choose a beverage that not only tastes good, but will also display the blue you're looking for. Maybe you have the tropics in mind, pick something that displays the colors of an island get away.

This is your opportunity to be creative both with the look and the taste, and it also gives whoever will be tending your bar a chance to use their creative skills in making something perfect for you.

Another option could be selecting a His & Hers combo. Women tend to like their drinks to be on the fruity side, and most men aren't down for that. So, in order to make you both happy. Choose a drink that will make him and the fellas happy and one that will satisfy the palette of the ladies in attendance. Perhaps bourbon is more his speed and you're move of a vodka or gin type girl. You both can get what you want.

Here's a couple of ideas that might work:
For Her try a Pomegranate Martini and for Him he might like a classic Rob Roy



Now if alcoholic beverages are not your thing, have fun creating some fun and fruity ones. These would be great for any kiddos that might be attending your event. These would be your signature "mocktails" to add some flavor to your celebration. You can still dress them up in a champagne flute or martini class.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun with it. Pick a day for you and your significant other to go do a drink tasting with the bartenders you choose for your day. Maybe you can incorporate it with your dinner tasting if your catering and bar service are being provided by the same company.  Focusing on serving a couple of drinks can save you some money and your guests will still have fun with some refreshing choices.

Be an Appy Couple

In a previous post we talked about a way for people keep up with your wedding via the world wide web and a wedding website. Since we are in the technology age, I figured, why not take it a step further? It seems like everything now a days has an app, so why not take advantage of that and possibly make your lives easier at the same time.

We were doing some web surfing and came across something interesting. There is a website called Appy Couple (hence the title of the blog post). With this website you are able to create and app and a website together. Sounds like a 2-for-1 if you ask me. So we looked a little further into this to see what all it is capable of doing.

• You can tell your guests all of the logistical details
• You can give people a calendar of events
• You can send messages to specific members of your bridal party
• You can share where you have registered
• Guests can share pictures that took with you
• So much more!

Think about those conferences you went to that had apps and how easy it was to get what you needed. Now you can do that for your guests. There is a one time fee depending upon which package you choose and your guests would just download it from the App Store for iPhone or Google Play for Android phones. They put in your wedding code and then they are ready to go. 

Below is a short demo to see it. If you like what you see check out www.appycouple.com to learn more.

I'm Engaged! Now What?

So the love of your life asked you to marry him (Congratulations!) As you're getting used to your new status all sorts of things will be going on in your head. You have to tell your family and show off that beautiful piece of jewelry that will forever be worn. Once you've gotten through that and you're sitting down thinking "I have to plan a wedding! What do I do?" First things first, pick up the phone and call us (no, seriously).  Before that happens though, there are a few things that you need to decide on. The below list will help give you a starting point to begin planning the day of your dreams.

When and Where 

These two W's are about the most important thing to figure out. This is where you and your honey sit down and pick your date. Do you want a Fall or Summer wedding? Do you want an evening or a brunch affair? Will it be a Friday or even a Sunday? One tip would be to try and avoid major holidays if you can. That could inflate your costs and significantly reduce your guest list (which actually might not be a bad thing). After you decide on the date, the next important step is location. will you get married on the beaches of Jamaica or in the church you grew up in? Do you want to have both the ceremony and reception in the same venue?

How Much

This question is actually way more important than the other to. This is where you set your budget. Both of you have to realistically think how much you want to spend. Will the both of you being paying for every solely on your own or will you be asking your parents/family to contribute? One thing to mention about that is if you decide to ask family, be prepared to also accept their suggestions as well as their money. Budgeting is so very important throughout this process, make sure you allow enough for a wedding planner (yes, I said it again). Whatever company you hire, it is the job of the planners, consultants, etc. to keep you on budget. With that, you have to be willing to let them do that. Trust when I tell you, you don't want to be trying to pay off items for your wedding and you've been married for a couple of years.

Use Your Imagination 

This where the fun begins! This is where you start thinking about the look and feel of your wedding. Start thinking about what colors would look great together. How many people do you want standing next to you on the alter. What event space captures your vision? Do you want roses or daisies? Start looking in magazines or in this age of social media Pinterest to grab ideas. Start a wedding board a pin your little heart out.

If you start with those things, then when you decide to bring in your planner, you will have a lot of the "pre-work" done already. You're life is going to get crazy very quickly and depending upon how long you and your mate are giving yourself between the engagement and the wedding, things may go very quickly. Make sure you prioritize and seek help when you ready.

Oh, the last thing....ENJOY IT! You're engaged, take time to really let that settle in. think about and cherish that moment before diving right in.

Unplugging Your Wedding Ceremony

In the era of social media, what we've seen more and more are people who are really quick to record and post all sorts of things on social media whether it's Facebook, Twitter and the ever popular YouTube. One of the things that has become more popular being publicized are weddings as they happen. This can affect many aspects of your ceremony and could potentially ruin a happy time in your life.

Now don't get me wrong, we're not saying people shouldn't capture your moment. People will want to remember your day for themselves later on. However, if you as the couple, do not set some guidelines, it can get out of control.

We read one story from a photographer who had an experience at a wedding where a lot of the shots taken during the ceremony were ruined because guests kept stepping in front of her trying to get shots and recording video. In the long run that will affect couples because it will reduce the number of photos that can be used. That is something that we know no one wants to happen and it causes frustration for the vendors that are hired for the sole purpose of capturing the moments. There was another instance where a bridesmaid took a photo of the bride and posted it on Facebook before the ceremony, well the groom was on Facebook scrolling through his feed to kill time and saw the picture. Well, so much for the first look as his bride is coming down the aisle. Another aspect of this all is as a bride and groom, do you really want the internet to see your ceremony and your dress before you want it to? You should be the ones to put out the first images of your ceremony.

There are ways that you can politely tell your guests that you would prefer them not to take pictures of your ceremony while at the same time letting them know at the reception, take as many pictures and post them. These examples can provide some guidance.

Create a Sign

As your guests enter the venue, display a sign that lets them know your request for them to not take photos and video during your ceremony. There are clever ways that it can be said and so that people will know you truly want them to just sit and enjoy the ceremony.

Make an Announcement

In the event that your guests don't see the sign, have your officiant make an announcement prior to the beginning of the ceremony. That way your guests cannot say they didn't know if you happen to see a photo on social media after you've taken steps to prevent it. It can also be mentioned that although you'd like to keep photos out of the ceremony that they are more than welcome to take pictures at the reception. Most times during receptions people are seated at their tables so it won't inhibit the photographer's view.

Create a Reception Hashtag

Make a sign for each one of our guests that lets them know now that you're at the reception, have fun taking pictures and capturing those fun moments. It can be a simple card that you lay at each place setting to let them know snap away and event give them an avenue to collect them such as #JonesWedding for Twitter, Instagram and any other outlet traditionally used. Most times during receptions people are seated at their tables so it won't inhibit the photographer's view, but I'd still make it clear for guests to stand clear of the professional as they are trying to get those memorable shots.

These things could be very helpful if you decide this is the avenue you want to take for your ceremony. If you don't mind people posting to Facebook and other social media outlets as it's happening then that is great. This if for those who have considered incorporating this into your ceremony in order to make it intimate and somewhat private for the time being. At the reception, prepare to say "cheese" and smile a lot because I'm pretty sure your guests will make up for what they couldn't take pictures of earlier.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you are having the day YOU want to have.

Grooms Actually Do Care

Most times when the question is asked about the wedding process, the topic of the groom comes up. I can't begin to tell you the number of times I've heard a bride say 'Oh he doesn't really care.' or 'He just wants to know what time to be there.' What this implies is that he really doesn't care about anything going on during the planning process because it is always seen as "it's the bride's day". In all actuality though, that's not necessarily true. There are elements of the wedding that most grooms tend to have a strong opinion about (aside from how much all this stuff is going to cost). Below is a list of things that you'll want to make sure you include your groom in when making your decisions. After all it's not just the bride's day, but a day for the both of you.

The Honeymoon

This aspect of the wedding the groom will want full control. I'm almost sure of it because this gives them to plan their dream vacation (or close to it). This will be days of relaxation that will serve as his reward for enduring all the months before (let's be real). Of course it also to enjoy all the alone time with is new bride that he wants to. This is one area he has so brides don't worry about it and leave him to it.

The Registry

What man would pass up going to a department store and shooting a bunch of items with a gun? This aspect of the planning will also bring your groom out with no hesitation. It gives him the opportunity to try obtain all the little gadgets that he's had is heart set on, but really didn't want to buy personally. It is advised that when you do your registry and you select all the things you think you'd want for your home and not just the usual sheets, towels, dishes, kitchen items, etc. You fiancé may have his eye on a new grill or maybe even a TV for the basement. If he can get away with putting on there, it will be on there. He will be a full participant in this area you can count on it. Side note, with most registries, the items that don't get picked up by your guests can be bought by you at a discounted rate, so put that Dyson on there because you know those jokers are expensive!

Tuxedos and Such

This is another area that you probably won't get your man to budge much on. More times than not, he will already have an idea of what he and his boys will wear that day. The only thing he will want to know from you is what color to get the ties and vests in. I'm sure he would be open to suggestions about what you envision them wearing, however, I seriously doubt you will be able to pick it out. You'll just have to go with the flow on this one. This is where you have to trust his judgment because I'm sure he wants his guys to look just as good as he know you and your ladies will.

Food and Beverage

As they say, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach and on his wedding day, he's going to make sure he has some good food to put in it. Any food and beverage tastings you and your planner have mapped out, make sure you include your fiancé because he will definitely want to be a part of those. After all, it is his guests that will be eating along with yours and he wants to make sure the choices will be acceptable. If you are planning to have a signature drink, he will want to make sure it tastes just right and most definitely, he will want to be a part of picking your wedding cake.

Above are just a few of areas in your wedding planning that you should consider your fiancé and his opinion in your big day. Even though he might not say it's important, or event shrug it off as it being your thing, just know that he really does care and wants his elements displayed on your big day just like you do. You are about to enter into a union that is all about compromise and making decisions together. What better way to start down that path than by you make a conscious effort to include your honey? Trust me when I tell you, he will appreciate it and will thank you.

Is Hiring A Planner Really Necessary?

Short answer to this question is yes. What many people don’t realize is when you plan an event, whether be on a large or small scale, there are a lot of things you have to consider and do when you are preparing for that day. Planning a party is like taking on a second job. You want the day of your special function to be a happy time so why worry about if your caterer arrives on time, or if your linens are the right color, or if the centerpieces are being assembled properly? Also, in trying to worry about the big details, a lot of the small ones my get overlooked if you don’t have a professional in your corner. Things like, do you have plates and utensils for cake, or did you give your playlist to your DJ?

There are so many elements that go along with planning, so why not budget in an event planner to help with those things? Many people believe we are an unnecessary expense that can be avoided or too expensive to hire, but you’d be surprised to know that it very well may save you money in the end. I found this great article that I believe sums up everything really well.

Why Hire an Event Planner?

by Paula Scutella-Jagos

In the past, many have thought that hiring an event planner was an extravagance only meant for the elite. After all, why spend money for something you could "do yourself"? Today, however, times have changed.


The costs and complexity of planning any event, but most especially weddings, have many people turning to an event planner. Here are some reasons why you should hire an event planner:


• Save yourself the hassle, time and energy.

• You will be able to enjoy the event with out worry or stress.
• They work within your budget.
• They make sure things run smoothly from start to finish and every little detail in between.
• They can help you with venue selection, budget, contracts, design and décor, making sure all your expectations are met.
• They have established relationships with many vendors, which will save you time and money when they make the arrangements (food, lights, entertainment, etc.).
• You can feel like a guest at your own party with out having to worry about how everything is running.
• They do full planning, month-of planning and day-of coordination.


These are just a few reasons how an event planner can help to make your event flawless. Whether it be for a corporate event or meeting, wedding, birthday party or family reunion, make sure to celebrate with a big bang! Hire an event planner and celebrate without stress.

Four Reasons to Add .com to Your Wedding

When going through the experience of wedding planning, there are SO many things to think about. One of the goals is that you want the process to be as painless as you can possibly get it. One of the things to consider is how are you going to get out a bunch of information with the least amount of money?

Some couples go the route of sending out cute Save the Date announcements to tell people "Hey look! Guess what's about to happen." Those cost money. Then after that comes "Here's what you need to know" in the form of the wedding invitation. Again, those cost money and then there is the "Tell us who's coming" and "What do you want to eat" which is more money. Like we said, a lot of couples will go this route which is a wonderful thing if you are able to do those. However, there some people who desire to minimize what they spend their money on. Another thing couple run into is there will be certain pieces of information that people may want to know, but unless you have a big get together, you will have to find another way to get the word out.

At one point in time the things to do was to create a wedding website. We haven't seen as many as we used to years ago so I can't help wonder if they are still popular although we truly believe this could be the ultimate time and life saver for you. There are a few sites where you can create them for FREE.99 and if you have a little extra money in your budget, there are also sites where you can pay a have a little more options to customize them to your liking.

Here are 4 reasons why you should make a wedding website a part of your wedding.

Show How Fabulous You Are

Of course we have to start these reasons off with a little vanity. We're pretty sure that after you became officially engaged there was no question in your mind that an engagement shoot was an absolute must. This shoot would have you and your significant other in the best outfits that showed your sense of style and your personalities as individuals and as a couple. What better place for you to display all of that for your friends and family to see? It also gives you a place to do a pictorial documentary of how you met and your journey to becoming husband and wife. People love looking at all of those fun things you experienced together.

Show People Who You Are

We all know that when two people come together there will be those who ask the question "who is she?" or "Where did he come from?" This usually happens as one side of the family and friends ask about the other side. When you have a wedding website, you can answer a lot of those questions. There will be a section for the bride to tell about herself and the groom to tell about himself. People can then learn the bride moved to the US from the Caribbean and the groom knows 3 languages. It is a central location for people to know more about the love of your life.

This also let's people know who you have chosen to be a part of your special day and you can provide how you know each of the people who have chosen to be in your bridal party.

Tell Your Story Your Own Way

People may have an idea about how you met, but no one ever knows the real story accept for the two of you (and maybe the person that hooked you up). A wedding website give you a way to let me know how you met in the most creative way possible. One way that I have seen is when the bride gives her version and the groom gives his. More times than not, the stories are never the exact same and it is quite comical. But, it is always fun to see each perspective of how they met and what thoughts were going through their heads at the time. To make it more fun, maybe the two of you can sit down together and do a video and post for your guests to see.

Not only can you fill people in on how you met, but you can also tell them your engagement story. Everyone loves a good love story. Again, you can make this a her story versus his story and just describe that day and how special it was to you. Share as much as you want to share because this was a moment for the two of you.

 It's Your Informational "Hub"

Whether you are having your ceremony in your family's church or going away to a tropical destination, there is a lot of information that you will have to give out to your guests. This is where you can tell people where your ceremony and reception will be. There is also a feature that can let your guests RSVP on your website. Remember where we said that there will be items that you may want to use that could cost money? Well by accepting your RSVPs via your website, that may cut down on the cost of printing your invitations for example. This is also the place where you tell people where you are registered because they will ask. with your website, you can provide links to all of your registries and make it easier for your guests so that way, they won't have to bother you with it.

If you know you will have guests coming or going out of town, you can also tell them about the things there are to do while they are gone. You can also do fun things like asking people what songs they would like to hear at the reception and develop a playlist for your DJ.

As you can see, there are some pretty good reasons for getting yourself a wedding website while you are doing your wedding planning. To help you get started, below are links to two websites that provide the websites. Both of them have free websites and Wedding Window also offers premium services for a fee. I recommend that you truly consider taking the time out to create one while you are in the planning process. Happy creating!!

                                

  

Yes, You Do Need Us

It seems like there is still this thing where people feel like wedding and event planners are an unnecessary luxury. We can't begin to tell you the stories we have hear and read about how a couple's wedding was unorganized or how the Bride didn't have a good time because she spent most of the time delegating responsibilities or focusing on issues and not enjoying her day. There's also the age long debate on wedding coordinator vs. venue coordinator. You can see our thoughts on that in the below post.

Independent Planner vs Venue Planner

We have a pretty good understanding of both sides to this. On the one hand we as planners can understand the issue of budget. Do wedding planners cost? Yes, we do cost and that fee, to some, may seem like it out of control or super expensive. Cost can vary from company to company so absolutely do your research to find out which works best. On the other hand, there is a reason for those fees. We are basically controlling the pace of your day and the memory you are trying to create for yourself and your guests. There is certifications and experience that accompany what the planners are offering and if you had it in your mind to hire the "celebrity planner" then prepare to pay even more.

Our goal is to make sure you are not missing out on the celebrate of you as a couple because the aunt that was supposed to make your food got so caught up in your planning she forgot or the cousin who said would take your pictures doesn't have professional equipment. Check out our infograph below and see just what all we can offer you if you give us the opportunity.

Choosing the Right Bridal Party

Over the Christmas, New Year's and Valentine's holidays, many couples decided to take their relationship to the next level. Around the country, and the world, men (and in some cases women) everywhere said those special 4 four words to their love in restaurants, parks, buses, or the Jumbotron at their favorite game: "Will You Marry Me"?

Now you have progressed to the title of fiancé and it can be quite overwhelming when thinking about all the things that you want to do for your wedding. First things first, BREATHE! You don't want to start off going full speed and end up crashing and burning. Take time to enjoy what has happened to you because it is something special. Seek out the help of a professional (say it with me "planners are your friend").

Once you have gotten use to the fact of now you have to plan a wedding, it's time to get started. After picking your date, theme, and color scheme, the next important task is picking your wedding party. This task can be one that can change your life for good or for bad depending on your approach. Even though you may think you want certain people to stand at the alter with you, there are some things that should really be considered. The following 6 tips will help guide you in your party search. They are from an article written by Jean Neuhart owner of Weddings From the Heart out of Dayton, Ohio. She gives really good insight on this important task.

6 Tips for Choosing a Happy Bridal Party

One of the first things most couples do after becoming engaged is to choose their bridal party.

Here are a few tips to help you pick the "right" people.


1. First of all, only consider people who are truly close to. This means no acquaintances, or people you really don't see very often or socialize with. The people you have standing up with you on your wedding day really should be those who are the nearest and dearest to you.

2. Before asking anyone to be in your bridal party, think about their personal situations. Will they have enough time to devote to your wedding or are their lives so full with other obligations that your wedding will seem like an afterthought to them?

3. Are they financially able to participate in your wedding as a member of the bridal party? Agreeing to stand up for you carries a monetary obligation. Hosting a bridal shower and bachelorette party, and paying for their own wedding day attire and accessories, travel and lodging if they are from out-of-town, and wedding gift adds up.  If you think there may be some factor that may affect someone's participation in your bridal party, you may want to bring it up (diplomatically, of course) when you ask them to participate, and give them some time to think about it before having to give you an answer. "I know that there are extra costs involved in being in someone's wedding, but, if possible, I would love for you to be my bridesmaid. Why don't you think about it and let me know next week?"

4. Are they supportive of your choice of future spouse? Their role is to stand up for you during the ceremony to witness and support your marriage. Any negative feelings, even if unfounded, will be felt throughout your wedding day.

5. It is perfectly acceptable to have a male stand up for you, or a female stand up for your fiancé. In this situation, they would be called Honor Attendants, however "Man of Honor," "Best Woman," and "Groomswoman" work too.

6. You don't have to have "even sides" in your bridal party. For example, it is perfectly ok to have three bridesmaids and four groomsmen. Never ask someone to be in your bridal party just to even things up.

Hopefully these tips will help make the job of choice a little easier. Happy planning!!

'Tis the Season: Hosting A Holiday Dinner Party

The Christmas season is in full swing. This is the time of food, fun, and fellowship with family and friends.  Aside from the traditional dinners that are held during this time of year, why not try something a little different and host a dinner party.  This party can be as small and intimate, or as large and extravagant as you want it to be. With these simple tips, you can have a party that your friends will look forward to year after year, so be prepared. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help make your event a success.

How Should I Decorate?

This question is actually quite simple considering the fact that it is Christmas, there are a couple of ways you can use this time for your ambiance.  You can always go with a red and green color scheme, the traditional colors of the season. If you would like your event to be a little more formal, you can incorporate more of the silver and gold tones in your décor. To have that warm, intimate feeling, candles are always a good idea when decorating.  If you're on a tight budget they will make excellent centerpieces for your dining and can usually be bought at a really nice price.  You can also use small boxes as little presents or even ornaments to add a little more depth to your table arrangement.



Should I Play Any Music?

Although this is going to be a party where you will probably be mingling and holding conversation with your guests, it would be a good idea to have music playing softly in the background.  In doing this, it provides a little bit of noise as you converse with one another.   With it being the holidays, there are a wide list of Christmas songs, and hymns that can be played to fit along with the season. Just keep in mind you don't want the music to be too loud causing a distraction.  When it is time for dinner, conversation will usually be at its lowest.  You may want to change from the Christmas songs to some light jazz. This will ensure no singing at the table, and provides a mellow mood so that the meal can be thoroughly enjoyed.

What Should We Eat - Cook or Cater?

The answer to this question depends on you. It depends on how much time you want to spend on preparing the meal, or if you want to prepare it at all. Again, depending on your budget, you actually can do both options to save money, and it will also save you time. You want to make sure you have hor d'oeuvres of some sort. They can be as simply as a cheese and crackers plate to bacon wrapped shrimp. Having these appetizers will help keep your guests stomachs occupied while the final preparations of the meal are completed. You can place them on little trays throughout your entertainment space and they can take them as they please while they visit with each other. During this time you could also begin serving any cocktails you wish to have. Depending on your crowd you can have a variety of wine or even incorporate a signature holiday drink for the evening. You can also include non-alcoholic beverages such as your traditional warmed apple cider or eggnog if that's you're thing.

For the main course of the evening, this is what is dependent on how much time you want to spend in the kitchen.  If you would like to cook for your guests create a menu that is easy to prepare. If you decide to cater the affair, simplicity is still the key here.  Try not to pick things that are extremely saucy. You wouldn't want to have the possibility of your guests becoming dirty while trying to enjoy your party.  Also, try to stay away from the traditional holiday food (i.e. turkey, dressing, etc.). Pick foods that you know will be different and not something they will usually get at the parents or grandparents for the holidays. Since you are entertaining guests, remember that it is also all about your presentation of the food.  Make sure you use real dishes and utensils. Leave the plastic in the cupboards for another day. Just make sure you have an excellent dishwasher whether it be the machine or your two hands.

For your desserts, this can also be a money saver. Go to a local bakery or even your grocery store and buy a variety of desserts and sit them throughout your entertainment space.  Small cookies and brownies cut into little bites gives your guests the ability to try a little bit of everything. You may also decide to provide coffee, tea, or hot chocolate to go with your desserts.

Any Final Dinner Tips?

Yes, that this is the most important one - HAVE FUN!  Don't turn your dinner party into something you feel like you worked too hard to enjoy it. You want to be able to relax and have a good time just like the people you invited.  Just makes sure you plan ahead and when that day comes you can work on the final touches, and when the doorbell finally rings you will be able to answer it with confidence knowing you are about to have the best time just like your friends.

What Is That, Velvet?

In the last blog post, we looked at a trend of using plaid as a part of your wedding. Today, I thought I would take a look at another fabric that you real don't hear too often being used either - velvet. This material can be used in the same manner as we suggested for the plaid.

Below are some pictures of ways that it can be used. Take a look and see which ones might be interested in trying out.

What The Plaid?!

Since we are coming to the end of the year (oh my gosh!) now is the time to start looking at what could be trends for the 2018 wedding season. In looking at different articles, there is a surprising one to me. During the winter month plaid is something that is traditionally known for that time of year in clothing. Who would've thought this pattern would move over to the wedding industry?

The fun thing about this trend is that despite it being a plaid pattern, there is still a variety of colors that come in plaid and it doesn't have to be the "traditional" red, blue and white. Not to mention they could be used in a variety of places. Below are a couple of examples of where plaid can live.

Table Settings

Here is one place where you can put plaid fabric and it seem to be "over the top". It could be something as simple as a napkin or a table runner, or you can cover the entire table with a plain tablecloth and then using solid napkins for balance.

  

Invitations

If you just want to add a hint of this pattern, why not send it to your guests? With the variety of shades, along with the plaid, you can pick solid variations and use them throughout the rest of the planning.

Bridal Fashion

If you are that bold couple that likes to make a statement, then this option would be for you. Incorporate your plaid in the wardrobe. From the bow tie to actually bridesmaids dresses. You can go as subtle or as bold as you want. 

However you choose to incorporate this bold fabric choice for your big day, make sure you do it in at way that makes YOU happy and enjoy the moment you see it all come together.

- Danielle

A Bar Without Liquor...Say What?

When deciding to have a bar at your wedding, most people think in the traditional sense of beer, wine, mixed drinks, if you want to offer them, and a possible signature drink (see our post on those HERE). What some couples don't realize is that there are other types of bars that you can have at your reception. Below are some ideas for other bars you can have and they are all pretty sweet.

The Candy Bar

This bar is the most popular one of the bunch. With this one, you can be as creative as you want to be. Maybe you want your candy to reflect your wedding colors, or maybe you want to take people on a trip from the past and have the candy that you grew up on and loved as a child or you can just have one big chocolate fest. Couples will use this bar as part of their cocktail hour or they can have people wait and have it with their cake and during the dance party. The set up for this is super easy and be really cost effective if you look for sale items and order wholesale.

S'mores Bar

This one could be quite fun. You can make this as big or as small as you would like. The main question I'm sure is, how would you roast the marshmallows? So glad you asked and the answer is to get you a pack of Sterno burners and problem solved. Those are the silver containers that you usually see when you go to an event and they have a buffet line. You will want to get the gel ones because they provide a bigger flame.

With these babies, you can have your very own indoor campfire. You can position them and add some decoration to the area where you place them. Then you get your graham crackers and bars of chocolate.

Popcorn Bar

No who doesn't need a little popcorn in your life? This one can be pretty easy to set up just like with the candy bar. The setup would basically be the same and again, could be really cost effective. With a popcorn bar, you can pick so many flavors that you can share with your guests. You can do that famous Garrett's Chicago mix, for find you some that has a little chocolate on it.

The Mini Food Bar

Now this one isn't a part of the sweet variety. It can be safe to say that your wedding reception is going to be filled with fun, dancing and just a great big party for about 4 hours. After all of this, you may want to offer your guests a little to go snack so these may be what you need. Your guests would be surprised to go to the back of the room and see little sliders or little things of tomato soup and grilled cheese as they are walking out the door. You can add a little spin to your event and feed a little after party hunger.

Hopefully, we have given you some ideas as to different ways that you can make your reception fit your personalities. You don't always have to go with traditional things and you can step it up and provide something that people will remember about your special day.

Let's All Wear White

For years, it has been the custom that the ONLY person in a wedding that is destined to wear a white anything is the Bride. It was a color that was strictly forbidden for everyone else from the wedding party to the guests. However, I have noticed over the recent years that this seems to be changing. The first noticeable one was when grooms opted for the white tuxedo to compliment their brides. With the recent weddings of celebrities Solange Knowles and her newlywed mom, Tina Knowles, it appears that a possible trend is emerging, at least among those who are considered the "elite". Not only is the bride in white, but so is everybody else.

With women choosing not to wear the traditional white wedding gown, it leads me to think about would a bride want her entire wedding from wedding party to guests to wear white? Of course we have all heard of the "All White" parties that take place throughout the country. Event here in Kansas City we have one every September. 

If you do decide to follow in these celebrity footsteps and have a white wedding, follow the list below to make sure it turns out the way you want it.

• Make sure you make it clear on your invitation that you want your guests to wear white. What you don't want to happen is to have guests showing up in other colors because it was not clearly stated.

• If you plan on created a wedding website, make sure you include it there as well as part of your "Guest Information" section. 

• When picking the bridesmaids dresses, make sure they looks like bridesmaids dresses and not wedding gowns. Many of your favorite styles will probably come in white so you just have to pick which one you think will look the best. If you plan to wear white as well, save the gown look for yourself.

• Work together with your groom and male attendants to make sure they chooses a white tuxedo they would be comfortable wearing that that would compliment your dress as well as your bridesmaids. 

• Believe it or not, there are multiple shades of white as well. Try to be as consistent with your color palette as you can

Let us know if  you would consider taking it a step further and having an "All White" wedding?

Lighting Is Everything

There is a simple way you can add some drama to any event. It's not your linens, which can create a certain level of it depending upon which ones you use. Elaborate centerpieces will catch the eye, however, the one thing that can truly change the ambiance of a space is lighting. Who knew that a few lightbulbs shining up from the floor could give a space that looks way a totally different feel?

The plus side is that lighting isn't as expensive as you may think it is. It doesn't have to be some over the top creation. Placing lighting strategically around the room will give you what you need. There are companies out there that will even let you do it yourself. All you have to do is just go, pick them up and plug them in with the color you choose. Then, after your event, just return them.

Below are some before and after examples of what a little light can do. It can be subtle or very dramatic depending on your budget and your theme. You just need to pick what best fits your personality.