Play up the Surroundings :: Bring the Outdoors In

So, you've planned a lovely beach ceremony, with a cozy wood lodge reception to follow. Only concern?
How to create that beachy, relaxed vibe indoors at a sit down dinner.

Here's a suggestion: Tie in the environment. Your ceremony was all about sand between your toes, so bring it to the table. Literally.

Create a sand runner.
Using sand from the beach, pour it down the center of the table.
This works best on wooden tables (without linens!), though a glass top will work too.

Add silver glitter to the sand, and bury short pillar candles. The light will bounce all over.

Maybe you're planning a wedding in a park.

Your guests will walk down a public path of some kind, to find the ceremony location.

Use the park's naturial ambience to play up your day, and guide your guests in the right direction.

Mark the path with small paper pieces attached to ribbons. Put your initials, first names or a code word on them.
Hang from tree limbs, attach to park benches, lay in floral bushes.

Whatever you come across as you scope out your ceremony location.

At your reception, use wooden branches as the table centerpiece (curvy willow is great!)

Hang these same paper pieces from the willow branches to tie in the calm, natural theme.

You will create a feeling of flow to your ceremony & reception, as elements have been pulled from each.



Here's to Stylish Sanity!

Avoiding the Guest Book Back Up

So, you've wracked your brain to come up with an original way for your friends & family to celebrate their presence on your wedding day.

You've decided to go with the 'Wishing Bowl' idea.
A large vase is displayed with a sweet poem framed beside it, and pens galore. You've slaved over cardstock, cutting it into sizes just so, and in all of your wedding colors of course.

The display looks 'oh so beautiful' on the entry table to the reception.... Until the uber long line starts to build.

This can result in guests completely bypassing your well thought out plan to capture memories, or having them just jot down something short and impersonal.
They have pressure on them from the back to get out of the line!

Here's a solution:
Create an environment that allows guests to participate in their own time frame. No pressure.

On each Reception Table
Display a small square vase;
Attach a Sweet Poem/Instructions to the front,
Attach a Table Number to the bottom;
Provide cardstock & pens.


Have your Wedding Coordinator pick up each vase as the reception begins to wrap up. You can combine all of your well wishes & advice into one large container, or wait to see what someone at Table #7 really had to say!

Here's to Stylish Sanity

The Big O

No, not that O. (get your mind out of the gutter)
Oh, and not Oprah either.

I'm talking about the 'O' that can eat you alive while planning a wedding...

Obligation

That ugly word that seems to rear it's head in so many situations surrounding family inclusion, traditions to follow, guests to invite, food to serve.
You can just feel it stirring inside, can't you?

It can be a complete energy drain having to field questions & unsolicited advice from all sides, especially if some of them are footing the bill.
And they'll dangle that check like a carrot!!

There really is no clear cut path to stick to, except this :: Trust Your Gut.

If you feel uncomfortable, belittled, or resentful toward a demand or request - Clear the air.
Be an adult about it, and address the issue before it escalates.

Stress can manifest itself in so many different ways. The last thing you want is to break out into hives, or suffer from night terrors.

You need to squelch this type of manipulative behavior from others - - and fast.
Negotiation is the tactful and diplomatic route, and you always want to remain respectful.

Alas, the wedding day is for the union of Bride & Groom. But, it is also a celebration for all of your friends, family & guests who made the trek.

Create your own traditions, while honoring the past.

Here's to Stylish Sanity!

Resource Spotlight :: A Grand Wedding

Go2Girl Events received a lovely postcard in the mail last week, introducing a brilliant new resource for Brides to Be in the Seattle Metro Area.

Go2Girl Events definitely fits the bill (offering many services under $1K), and was thrilled to read the motivation of Georgie Hockett (co-founder with her husband Dave) behind starting the site. They also believe every couple should have access to quality vendors, at a realistic price.

Your wedding day is the beginning of your marriage, plan accordingly!

High quality, affordable services was also the motivation behind the creation & launch of Go2Girl Events. (Clearly, Georgie is a girl after our own heart :)

A Grand Wedding offers Vendor Lists by Category, Expert Articles for your perusal, a Buy, Borrow or Share space - where you could quite possibly split the cost of your dream haute couture dress with a complete stranger - or, snag some free tealights!

Hey, every cent counts.

Finally, there is Angel Bride - real-life couple stories, where wedding vendors can donate their time, product or services.

Who knows, you might even sprout wings!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Here's to Stylish Sanity.

Tipping the Scale

No fat jokes here :: I promise!

Let's talk about the art form known as Tipping (the monetary kind).

A topic that strikes fear in the hearts of many.
Often implied.
Dealt with by obligation.
But is it truly necessary?

Well, not really. It's a social custom, not a requirement, with no set rules.
It's completely up to your discretion, and quite possibly - your discretionary income.

Leaving a tip seems to be approached in two ways: either a patron leaves a lot (meaning 20% or more), or barely anything at all (say 0 - 5%)
You may feel that the service wasn't great, or maybe that the price they charge MUST include some type of implied tip to begin with.

From a Wedding Vendor's point of view - this is NOT the case.

Tipping has a skewed view by most consumers - as the most prevalent scenarios are that of a waiter/delivery person/valet driver/hairstylist. The person providing the service is right there, waiting.

But what about all those that worked feverishly 'behind the scenes' to create a seamless, stress-free Wedding Day experience for you & your guests?

Tip who you feel deserves it, and preferably after all is said & done.

So, what about the Kids?

This seems to be a fairly touchy subject to approach.
You want all of your guests to feel welcome; with or without little ones.

Alas, this is another situation that can allow obligation to eat you alive.

Remember - this is YOUR wedding day.
How you want to celebrate, in what fashion, where, and most importantly - with whom, is completely your perogative.

Now, that's not to say that you want to put 'NO BRATS' on your lovely invitations & RSVP cards!

Just provide an alternative, as an oh-so-subtle way to give guests the hint.

Hire a Babysitter. Put her/him & all the kids in a room - far, far away from the ceremony. Preferably somewhere soundproof, with a tv & dvd, crayons & coloring books, and a snack.

Put a link on your website, or include an insert with your invitation.

Explain that you want to provide an atmosphere where the kids will have some fun, and not feel like they have to sit still & be quiet during a 30 minute ceremony.

Believe me - Parents will be relieved. They too will be so happy to know that their little Jimmy or Maddie will not be the child running up & down the aisle, yelling at the other guests, and completely ruining your special moment. Parents will be able to focus on your big day - which is why you invited them to begin with!

Kids can then rejoin the celebration during the Reception.

They' re always the best dancers anyway.

Here's to Stylish Sanity!

No Directions? No Problem!

This is a frequent topic of discussion among brides, and usually their moms.

Brides tend to assume that the flow of the evening, and how to go from Ceremony to Cocktails to Dinner & Dancing, is implied by the layout of the Venue.

Moms of Brides tend to assume that everyone will get lost, someone will miss out on something memorable, and they will never hear the end of it.

How to Troubleshoot so everyone is in the loop? Signage

We're not talking Cardstock with a big red arrow. No, no. We envision signage that includes pertinent information, and can be incorporated into the overall decor of the event.

Such as:

Cocktails in the Noble Room

6pm

Howard Wedding

Here's an example seen frequently:

You're putting together a lovely program that includes...

Names of the Wedding Party, Parents, Flower Girl, Ringbearer, Officiant.

You've also included the music choices for the Prelude, Processional & Recessional.

Great - keeping everyone in the loop.

So, where do they go after the Ceremony? Do they even know there is a Cocktail Hour, followed by a sit down dinner in a large hall on another floor?

Is there any indication as to where the washrooms are, or when food is to be served?

How to solve this dilemna? Big Day Timeline

This could be a seperate card, or printed within the actual program.

Personal preference is given to a seperate little insert, in an attention getting color. Start &End times can be listed, including when the Newlyweds will be departing for the evening.

This gives a subtle hint to guests when the festivities will be over!

Here's an example from Event Girl's Destination Wedding in Hawaii:

What else can be mighty helpful?

Welcome Letter - could be included with a package of treats to hotel rooms.
Map/Directions to the Ceremony - leave copies at the Front Desk of the hotel for OOT Guests, or include in a Welcome Package.
Rent a Sandwich Board for Street Viewing - Indicate to Guests where to park for the Wedding.
Menus for the Bar & in the Reception area - what is available?
Helpful hints for the Guest Book or Wishing Bowl (if you want specific things to happen)


Can you get carried away? Oh yes. Incorporate what works for you, and the ambiance you're creating for your big day.
Just try to think from a guest's perspective - they will be complete newbies to the Venue & Timeline.

Here's to stylish sanity!

Wedding Websites & Blogs

Here's the deal-

Your family is spread all over the continent, your best friend is sailing around the world - and fielding question after question about dress choices, dates, times, locations & travel accommodations is making you pull the covers over your head.

Allow your guests the ultimate in One Stop Information Gathering.....

The Wedding Website

There are many options to choose from that include - free trials, beautifully created templates, online guests books, RSVP options, etc.

Surely, one will fit the bill:

http://www.wedsimple.com/

http://www.nearlyweds.com

This one is a personal fave - you can have incredible invitations made to match your website! Talk about effortless presentation! So many great invitation designers to choose from, but I have a soft spot for Izzy Girl!

http://www.ewedding.com/

http://www.weddingwindow.com/

Or, set-up an ongoing dialogue - a Blog.

www.blogger.com

The great thing about this?

The storybook romance will last way past your big day.
You can upload & share photographs with those that were in attendance, and distant relatives or friends. Complete strangers too!
A blog will not expire, and it can morph into the story of your lives together.

Photo Sessions - Post Wedding Day

Your Wedding Day will fly by - with such a flood of emotion & happiness, it's easy to forget about certain photographs you really wanted to capture!

Maybe the ceremony went a little long, and those Cocktail Hour pictures felt really rushed?

Possibly your hair & make-up prep time when down to the wire? Instead of some relaxed, glowing temperature-controlled Bridal Portraits in the hotel room, you & the girls were dashing for the Town Car.

When booking a photographer, ask that one of the hours be used during the week, following your big day.
You & your groom will be so relaxed, no longer under the spotlight of family & friends, and not feeling obligated to say hello to everyone around you.

Get back into your duds, but forget about the fancy hair or make-up. Take advantage of a different locale; dance on the beach, play in a park, walk in your favorite neighborhood.
Maybe even bring your pets?

Intimate pictures such as these are just as essential. You can never have too many great memories.

The 'All in One' Wedding Registry

Talk about a reduction in frustration & driving!

Now you can create an online registry, that allows you to pick-out items from stores all across the web, and share with your guests.

Anyone can order from the Registry, and gifts will be delivered directly to you!

http://www.wishpot.com

Oh, and did I mention...It's free.

Time to get Inspired

So, you've been buying up every Bridal Magazine you can get your hands on...

Still feeling at a loss?
It's time to create your Vision. Tear out the photographs that make your heart sing, even if they don't mesh well together. There is no 'wrong' color combination, cake flavor, or dress length.
Get a piece of Foam Board (available at any Crafty store); a 16" by 16" piece should be good.
Start cutting & pasting - adding ribbon, textures, fabric. Whatever speaks to you.

Here's a great example of a Casual Beach Day Wedding: Bright Colors, Short Dress, Finger Food.

Your wedding day is all about your personality as a couple.

Now is the time to play with what appeals to you, and create Inspiration Boards to share.

You'll be surprised at what comes together - a theme or destination may very well appear before your eyes!

Dessert Bars - Delicious Small Packages

Your fiance LOVES Cheesecake.

You're obsessed with Chocolate Truffles.

How to create decadance for all? A Dessert Bar of course.

The options are endless: Lemon Tarts, Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, Macaroons, Grande Marnier Souffle, Tortes & Cupcakes. Oh my!

Photos courtesy of Sweet Tempered - Austin

Jazz Up your Thank You cards

Looking for an original way to say Thank You to your guests?

Think magnet paper.

Print out a wallet sized photograph, and attach it to a piece of cardstock.

You can dress it up with a printed announcement that personalizes the message.

It's a beautiful way to share a memory, that's more likely to get tossed onto the fridge, and not in the recycling bin!

Time to Tackle Negative Body Image?

Every bride has issues when it comes to 'fitting' into her dream dress.
You have an image in your mind of how you want to look, Princess for a Day, fully on display for others to envy.
Alas, when you look in the mirror you see a fat toad.
Stop with the negative self talk already!

Give yourself ample time to get into great shape. Meaning more than 6 weeks :)
Exercise will allow you to obtain your 'dream wedding look', but more importantly increase your confidence & ability to deal with stressful situations (like planning a wedding).

Not a gym girl? Well, join the club. Let's face it - it's so easy to talk yourself out of going, and you tend to jump in too quickly, and get burnt out or even injured.

Bridetiquette's Tip is this...............Outdoor Bootcamp.
Yes, it's hardcore. But the level of accountability you feel knowing other participants are also pushing themselves to do crunches & sprint drills in the mud is uncomparable.
The results - mental & physical - kick on any indoor training session I've ever had.

Check out Seattle Weightloss Bootcamp with Kimae Dolan. She is kind, supportive, and a book of knowledge on nutrition & getting into shape.
http://seattleweightlossbootcamp.com/

Your core will not regret it!

Put Your Best Face Forward........Naturally

Many of us love that extra glow to our skin only sunshine can bring.
When you're planning a summer, beach, or destination wedding - many brides feel the need to match the locale.

A little color can do wonders, especially when you're trying to pull off a large white or ivory dress. But orange tinge is just not attractive.
Pull yourself out of the tanning bed or spray booth, and embrace your natural skin tone.

In years to come, you will be so very thankful.
Your wedding pictures will contain a bride that actually looks familiar!

Introducing.....The Tuesday Tip

Each Tuesday, a snippet of wisdom shall be shared with the masses.
If you have a burning question or issue, drop a line. You have to ask someone, don't you?

The inaugural tip is listed above.

Here's to stylish sanity!