Posts Tagged ‘wedding planning’

Newer Entries »

Traditional Weddings Classically Personalized

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

There is nothing wrong with what we call a “Cookie-Cutter Wedding” – a classic traditional wedding can be executed beautifully. But just like a recipe for your favorite old fashioned cookie, if you add just one special ingredient, you can make a typical cookie (I mean wedding) extra special and definitely “all yours.”

Alix and Russell wanted their traditional wedding to begin with great fanfare. I would bet there isn’t one of their wedding guests that will ever forget when two fantastic Opera Singers (hiding in the balcony) started singing “All I Ask of You,” just before the processional began. You could literally hear people gasp, whisper “Wow!” and even wipe some tears from their face. For those who knew that this couple LOVED the Phantom of the Opera, it was an extra special moment. And the nice budget news on something so special? Hiring two professional singers from the San Francisco Opera Company cost them less than $600! Even Opera Stars will moonlight when available. No harm in asking right?

Andy loved cars and Lauren wanted Andy to be one happy boy. So Lauren arranged to have a very special surprise for her groom when the “Limo” picked them up from the church to go to their reception – it was “the star car” used in Andy’s favorite movie – “Tucker – The Man and His Dreams” (if you are a car lover you love this movie!). Andy knew the car at first glance and stayed happy all day long. This classic car was a perfect backdrop for some great pictures and cost less than what you would think.

Lisa wanted a traditional wedding cake to be the centerpiece of her reception but wanted to add very personalized accents. The cake table’s tablecloth was made out of her Grandmother’s wedding dress, framed pictures of the bride’s and groom’s parents cutting their wedding cakes flanked the cake, the antique knife to cut the cake was from the groom’s great grandparents’ wedding and the cake topper was two beautiful ceramic doves that the groom’s father created. I have never seen a more meaningful cake presentation to this day.

So Experienced Brides, tell us how you made your traditional wedding classically special.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Personalizing your wedding, Real Weddings | 1 Comment »

My Favorite Bride

Saturday, September 5th, 2009
Image created by: Emin Kuliyev, Emin Photography, http://www.em34.com/

Image by: Emin Kuliyev, Emin Photography www.em34.com

As a Wedding Coordinator, probably the most common question I am asked is: “Will you tell me about the greatest wedding you’ve ever seen?” I think most people are expecting me to talk about the couture designed gowns and Waterford crystal favors – the limitless budget weddings. But the greatest wedding I’ve ever had the honor of experiencing, was Suzie and Bob’s wedding.

On Suzie and Bob’s wedding day, it rained and rained. In fact it was one of the worse floods in the history of their hometown. Suzie and Bob knew most of their 130 guests couldn’t get to the church (only 30 made it) and the caterer, photographer and DJ had all called saying it would take a miracle for them to get to their wedding site (none were able to). But Suzie and Bob decided to go ahead with their evening wedding.

The thirty guests, minister and groom waited for two hours before Suzie’s Limo arrived. Knowing where Suzie came from, I still believe her Chauffeur had to be Noah to get her there. When Suzie hurriedly got out of the car, a bicyclist rode by and sprayed a muddy mist all over her wedding dress. Personally I am amazed my heart stayed in my chest when I saw this happen. I couldn’t imagine how Suzie could still be standing. As Suzie walked toward me I thought to myself, how am I ever going to get this mud off and not ruin this dress? Out loud I said, “Suzie, let’s go into the bathroom and you can dry your hair and touch up your make-up while I clean up your dress.” Suzie took my hands and smiled, “I’ve waited three years to marry this man, I’m not waiting a minute longer.”

Suzie proceeded to the double door entrance of the sanctuary and yelled “Dad, come and get me!” Everyone clapped when they heard Suzie’s voice. Her Dad came quickly down the aisle as the bridesmaids, groomsmen, minister and groom went and stood on the altar. With no music, nor wedding party processional, Suzie, escorted by her dad, walked up the aisle, muddied dress and all. When she got to the very first aisle that had any guests in it, Suzie looked around at all her guests and said “you made it, I can’t believe you all made it, thank you so much!” Tears started to roll, but then we all “lost it” when Suzie got the first glimpse of her soon-to-be husband. She looked at Bob and then turned to her guests and said “I am the luckiest woman in the whole wide world!”

Suzie is the most amazing bride I’ve ever had the honor to meet and experience. She got it. She knew it wasn’t about the dress, the photographer, the DJ, and yes, not even about the fabulous wedding coordinator. Suzie knew that a wedding is about having the people you love surround you when you get to marry the person you will be honored to call your husband or wife. Bring this wisdom to your wedding day, and you will create a moment that you and your guests will never forget.

I wish you all true celebrations of love

P.S. Many years later, Suzie and Bob have three kids. When they talk about their wedding, they say it was the most beautiful day in their lives.

Do you have a story about a Bride who filled the room with joy? Please share!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Real Weddings, Wedding Planning Tips, What matters most | 7 Comments »

A Potluck Wedding???

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

When you see the words “potluck” and “wedding” you don’t tend to think those words could possibly go together well. Let me tell you about Mary and Jim’s Wedding.

Mary and Jim surround themselves with “Foodies and Winos”. No one can really cook better than their own friends and they all love to show off their culinary skills.

So when Mary and Jim decided to say “I do” they asked their friends to leave the gravy boats at Macy’s and instead, “gift” them, with their favorite recipe and a plate of it to share at their wedding reception. On the response card their friends told them what they were bringing and sent a copy of the recipe. Three friends coordinated what they would need to set up a beautiful buffet that would not only show off each dish but would keep all the food at the right temperature (not only for flavor but to avoid food poisoning). They prepared a silver framed label for each dish that featured the name of the recipe and cook.

The Bride and Groom chose amazing wine to share with their guests, added a few of their own favorite recipes to the buffet and hired a “Day-of coordinator” and some party staff so they could truly enjoy their celebration. The reception was a huge success and the food… let’s just say it was one culinary orgasm after another…

For a thank you gift, they sent their guests a “Wedding Cookbook,” a collection of recipes from their potluck reception. The cookbook included wedding pictures and a heart-felt thank you letter to their treasured friends.

This was such a special wedding that perfectly reflected the bride and groom and their guests. What could be better than that?

Please share your ideas on how to create a potluck worthy of a wedding day!

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Creative ideas, DIY Wedding Ideas, Ideas for saving money, Personalizing your wedding, Real Weddings, Reception Ideas | 2 Comments »

Wedding Cake Icing Advice!

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

Dark colored icing equals dark colored teeth and tongues – If you don’t want a sea of black, purple or burgundy mouths in your wedding pictures, don’t ask for highly tinted frosting on your wedding cake.

There are ways to incorporate dark or bright colors in your cake design without actually having it go into someone’s mouth. You can safely add color by:

* Placing deep colored icing flowers on the plastic plates that are in between separated cake tiers. The color is still in the cake design, just not on your guests’ tongues!

* Using colorful fresh flowers as your cake topper, as “corsages” cascading down the cake tiers, as decoration in between tiers, and as a beautiful design surrounding the base of your cake.

( side-note: If the flowers touch icing that will be served, be sure the flowers are non-toxic, and preferably organically grown. Even though most flowers are taken off of a cake before it is cut, you don’t want toxic residue lingering. I have decorated cakes with edible flowers, where we made sure everyone had a pansy and marigold on their plate. The guests had fun daring each other to eat their flowers.)

* Having one or a few fake cake tiers (Styrofoam – iced and decorated as part of your cake) decorated with the bright colors that you don’t want to eat. The edible tiers can have the tamer icing colors on them.

* Using a band of material ribbon at the base of each tier. Be careful though – some ribbons actually bleed, or the icing can create grease spots on lighter weight ribbon. Do an icing/ribbon test to be sure your wedding cake won’t look more like a mud pie. Quality ribbon is a very easy way to add your bright or dark wedding colors to your cake without making your’s and your guests’ mouths look like circus clowns!

EBs – Do any of you have pictures or stories about black tongues and purple lips from your wedding cake icing? We’d love to see them!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Wedding Cakes and other yummies, Wedding Planning Tips | 1 Comment »

Keeping Your Wedding Day filled with Joy When You Have Lost a Loved One

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

Somebody you consider dear has passed; how do you honor them without minimizing the joy of your wedding day? I know these emotions. My husband died just a few years before his son’s wedding and we all were missing his presence during this milestone occasion.

When it came time for toasts, the Best Man (a wonderful wonderful person!) honored my husband, maybe even a little more than he honored the Bride and Groom. Honestly, it was too too much, and left many of us in tears; not happy tears, sad tears. I personally had to leave the reception to dry my tears and to try to shift back to a joyous disposition. It was such a sweet gesture by the best man, but truly not appropriate for a wedding day celebration.

This may sound harsh, but your wedding is not your loved one’s memorial service. This is a joyous occasion. You deserve to be happy and my gut tells me that your loved ones would not want you to shed one tear about them on your wedding day. Life is filled with much sadness so protect the good moments when you can.

So how do you respectfully acknowledge a love one without losing the joy of a moment?

1) Place their name in a special note in your wedding program (Here in our hearts we honor: …) If it is a sibling, parent or grandparent, list their names and you can add a dove, butterfly, or a cross after their name. Maybe even a little note that says: “we love that we know you are here in spirit Grandpa” (or sister or Mom, etc).

2) Place a picture of you and your loved one doing something wonderfully fun with big old smiles on your faces on a picture table that is filled with pictures of you with all those that have significance in your and your better half’s life.

3) If you are having a video montage shown at your reception – keep the pictures light and festive of those that have passed. And remember – this video is to be more about you than others. Don’t make it a memorial to your dearly departed, but don’t erase them from your memories. Make the pictures ones that will make you laugh or smile, not cry.

4) If your loved one had a particular bible verse, poem or song that you love as well, have it in your ceremony. And mention it in your wedding program but it does not have to be mentioned before the song or before the verse if that would make you or others sad.

5) Is there a piece of jewelry that you can wear that will make you feel closer to your Grandma that has passed? Is there material from her wedding dress that you can have made into a handkerchief? Can the groom wear his grandpa’s cuff links? Do you want to wear a locket with your late Mom’s picture in it?

Discuss your feelings with family and those that will be giving toasts or welcome speeches or officiating at your wedding. Let your family know how much or how little (or not at all – this is your decision) you want that special person mentioned on your wedding day. Tell them that you love those that are no longer here and think about them often, but you want to be sure that everyone can have a joy-filled, life affirming day. You set the boundaries; it is your day.

The day after my son’s wedding, I took flowers from the wedding and set them on the memorial bench donated to a park in honor of my husband’s life. I sat there for awhile, cried a little, and was very happy to know that our very special newlyweds were on their way to their Honeymoon and New Life together. That made me smile.

Joy is what your loved ones will want for you. Celebrate!

*************************************************

EBs who have advice on honoring love ones without inducing tears of sorrow – please share!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in What matters most | 1 Comment »

Honeymoons – the intimate celebration

Saturday, September 5th, 2009
Image by Emin Kuliyev, Emin Photography - www.em34.com

Image by Emin Kuliyev, Emin Photography - www.em34.com

Whatever you do, don’t forget about the most intimate celebration of your marriage, your Honeymoon!

This is one time that it’s usually not hard to get the groom interested in the planning process. Most couples say planning their Honeymoon is one of the more enjoyable parts of their wedding planning and reminds them about Romance — something that is amazingly easy to forget when you are trying to figure out how you are going to handle the “Step-Mother from Hell” and the three Vegans attending your prime rib reception.

I am clearly not a travel expert but I do have a few thoughts about Honeymoons and honeymoon planning.

1) Do take one. For the rest of your life people will ask you where you went for your Honeymoon. It’s nice to have a great answer for this question. Now if the budget or time constraints don’t allow for a 6 week European Tour, spend one night at the most decadent hotel in your city, or ask a close friend with a nice home to “switch” with you for the weekend.

When Cindi and Bill got married, money was very VERY tight. So Cindi’s best friend, Nancy, gave them her beautiful home for their Honeymoon Weekend. Nancy filled her house with candles and a rose petal path leading to a sunken tub (that overlooked the Pacific Ocean) with a picnic basket filled with “romance food” and a fabulous bottle of Champagne. Nancy then spent the weekend at Cindi and Bill’s apartment and took care of their cat while Cindi and Bill had a relaxing and stress-free Honeymoon that eleven years later –still makes them smile.

2) Do your Homework. This could likely be the most expensive and memorable vacation you’ll ever take, so use all the resources that are available to you to plan this wonderful holiday. Search the internet, talk to many travel agents who specialize in the area that you are interested in, and ask your friends, relatives and business associates for their travel experiences. Don’t EVER EVER EVER rely on one resource, you’ll miss grand opportunities of information that way. And do learn “the rules” of traveling at your chosen destination. Do you need a passport?, a marriage certificate to verify your new name?, vaccinations?, do you know enough language to say “help!” in the country you will be honeymooning in? Do you know the currency exchange?, etc., etc. Please, oh please, do your homework!

3) Don’t travel far on the same day as your wedding. Way too many brides and grooms think it’s romantic being on an airplane on their wedding night. Believe me when I say, it’s not! A nice comfortable bed after one of the most intense days of your life will win over that “Mile High” fantasy EVERY TIME!!! My husband told me that my head didn’t hit my pillow before I started snoring on our wedding night. So let your fantasies stay in your dreams and get a good night sleep. There’s always the next morning to make dreams come true.

You may want to stay in town for the first few days of wedded bliss. Often you have out of town guests that have traveled thousands of miles to celebrate your marriage. If you whisk away to Jamaica on your wedding night, you lose the opportunity to visit with these treasured friends. My very favorite part of my son’s wedding celebration was the day after when Russell and Alix and all their close friends and relatives had brunch together. Most of us only got to have a few minutes with the newly married couple on their wedding day. The brunch gave Russell and Alix time with those that made the biggest effort to share in their celebration. We also got to “re-hash” every last detail of the wedding, which was for me almost as fun as the wedding itself! Actually, we all had so much fun at the day-after events, that it lasted for two more days. How often do you get everyone you love together in one place? Take advantage of this and soak in all this love and support. Honeymoons are just as much fun 2 days or 2 weeks after your wedding day.

4) Give your mate Honeymoon surprises. Present your new mate with: love notes packed in their suitcase or left on their pillow along with a rose or a chocolate kiss; Honeymoon “Coupons” offering breakfast in bed, a massage, or other creative “services” that only you know how much they’ll love; and a letter that tells them in your own words what your marriage hopes and dreams are.

Continue with #4 throughout your marriage and your Honeymoon just may last a lifetime.

*******************************************************

EBs: Now it’s your turn to share your Heavenly Honeymoon Memories or your Honeymoon Horror Stories. Your experience and advice could be very valuable to future newlyweds!

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in honeymoons | 1 Comment »

Kid Friendly Weddings

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

Bride with flower girl pix-free

When I was planning my wedding I realized that there would be MANY children at my celebration and I absolutely wanted it that way! Prior to being a wedding coordinator, I was a Foster Care Coordinator for the County of Orange and many of my friends were dedicated Foster Parents. Since most of our guests were traveling over 400 miles to be with us, I wanted to be sure that parents and children alike had a great time. I think we succeeded.

We chose a very kid friendly hotel to recommend to our friends (Embassy Suites) where at the time children stayed Free and their free breakfast buffet and indoor pool was a hit for family life. We had family oriented gift baskets in each of their rooms that had very specific books and toys for each child that attended our wedding. The basket also had a list of kid friendly activities that were within 10 miles of the hotel and of course a map with all the locations highlighted.

For our wedding and reception we hired professional certified nursery school teachers. I asked my neighbors with children for their favorite nursery school teachers and met with several before hiring two wonderful young women who did an amazing job for us! With their professional help, we prepared many activities for the children to enjoy. The kid’s area was in view of the adult area (this was all held at a regional park) so everyone felt safe, but it was far enough away that the parent’s could enjoy some quality adult time. However, the children’s reception was so much fun that I went over and played for about a half hour with all the children, as did the majority of our guests.

During the ceremony we planned quiet activities. One of the teachers was reading to one group and the other nursery school teacher was managing arts and crafts with the rest of the children. We made wedding related coloring books for each child and the teachers helped them make my Husband and I congratulatory greeting cards.

The children had their own buffet that was filled with kid friendly food; bite size fresh fruit with lemon yogurt dip, veges with ranch dressing and a cheese platter with the always popular cheese fish crackers in the middle. The heart shaped crustless sandwiches were pretty tasty too. The guitarist we hired to play during our ceremony went over to the child’s area to serenade them while they ate.

The “kids” had a hula hoop contest, played a mini game of T-ball, and made wedding dresses out of Crepe and Toilet Paper. I remember looking over and seeing my beloved groom hula hooping with the biggest smile on his face and all the children falling down laughing. And of course there were bubbles, lots and lots of bubbles.

For dessert the children decorated their own cupcakes with candy hearts and they all left with goody bags that included a heart shaped cookie lollipop.

Later in the evening we brought in many pizzas to the extra “Hospitality Suite” we rented at our guests’ hotel and family and friends of all ages enjoyed talking about the day’s events before having to get the kiddos ready for bedtime. I heard that many people stayed in the hospitality suite till 4 in the morning but I was already snug as a bug with my hub far away from the hospitality room!

Two weeks later, a Friend called laughing hysterically, saying they had just gotten home from another wedding. When their child was trying to sit quietly during the ceremony (truly impossible for most 3 year olds) he yelled out “Mom this is not a wedding! This is boring! Where are the hula hoops?”

Not all weddings are intended to be so kid friendly but do consider hiring professional babysitters or teachers to help with any children that may be in attendance or traveling to your wedding with their parents. Have a supervised kids’ table at the reception that is filled with fun activities or have them stay at a family member’s home or another reserved room at your venue where they can have loads of (professionally supervised of course!) fun.

If you are as lucky as we were (and planned as much as we did), memories of children at your wedding will be some of your fondest.

*******************************************************

Are there any EBs out there that would like to share their ideas for Kid Friendly Weddings?

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in kid friendly weddings | 2 Comments »

Be In The Moment

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

Bride and Groom laughing at altar

Image by Emin Kuliyev, Emin Photography - www.em34.com

There is one Wedding Coordinator Speech ninety-nine percent of all my Brides and Grooms have endured: “Be in the Moment. Every moment of this day will be so precious. Do not lose a second to worrying about “things” that really don’t matter. Be sure you focus on your mate when you say your vows, look into each other’s eyes when you dance your first dance, have a few moments alone with your parents before you drive away to your new life, etc..” Call all my past clients to hear the rest of this speech. They are tested on this before I allow them to walk down the aisle (just kidding, sort of.) Please, do as I say, not as I did!
I remember all so many moments that I lost on my wedding day. When my husband was saying his personally written vows to me, we might as well have been in a comic strip and the caption cloud above his head would have read: “Blah, blah, blah. Blah, Blah”. I saw his lips moving, I heard words coming out of his mouth, I saw our attendants and guests crying (actually sobbing). I saw our photographer crying. And me? I was thinking, “Wow, this must be good …and there’s Judy and Larry, Mark came without Lynn…and I don’t like the way they set the chairs up.” I was on sensory overload; there was just too much to wrap around my brain.
I was so jealous of one of my clients who told me that when they were up at the altar, she held her groom’s hands and said, “I feel like it’s just me and you here; it’s perfect.” Her groom agreed as he gave his bride a pre-minister-approved kiss — just between each other, not for the 250 guests that had the good fortune of catching a glimpse of two people that truly were in a state of bliss.

www.randykepple.com

www.randykepple.com

I clearly don’t have all the answers on how to be “in the moment,” but here are a few ideas that might help you:
1) Yoga. Good preparation for wedding day focus and good flexibility for the wedding night. Yoga teaches you to breathe deeply. Breathe deeply, take it all in, and feel the joy.
2) Prayer/meditation. Ask your powers that be, that your attention will be spent on those you love and not on the rubbery chicken potentially served.
3) Love Notes. Write a note to your beloved that tells him why you are honored to become his wife and what you are looking forward to as a married couple. Write notes to your parents, in-laws, bridal party and any other super significant people in your life. Share what it means to you, to be sharing your wedding day with them. Have these notes hand-delivered (good groomsmen task) on your wedding day before all the festivities begin. This begins the big day with the focus on love, gratitude and celebration.
4) Timing. Be sure you have given yourself plenty of preparation time on your wedding day. If you think it takes 1 minute to put your underclothes on, plan that it will take you twenty. It will probably take thirty. I remember a bride who stood at the mirror for thirty-five minutes in her bustier not really looking at anything– and really not able to answer anyone’s query. Somehow we all let her do this– she needed to- and we had the time. Give yourself the gift of time.
5) Good Nutrition. Eat well before you walk down that aisle! If you have nothing to sustain you for the activities ahead, you will miss so much! Protein and carbs are a must. Every two hours nibble on something; non-chocolate (don’t want chocolate to melt on your clothing!) energy bars are good for this.
6) Good Pre-planning. Great Vendors. Do not leave anything on your “to do” list for the actual day of your wedding. Your responsibilities are done – fini. Today it is all in the hands of the good vendors you hired. Give yourself credit that you have hired quality professionals and let them do what they do best. Your responsibility today is to get pampered and enjoy the ride.
7) Choose the right partner. If you are saying yes to the right person, it is a perfect day!

******************************************************
Okay EBs (Experienced Brides) share with our Brides-to-be (B2Bs) what allowed you to cherish every moment of your wedding day.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in What matters most | 1 Comment »

Hello world!

Friday, September 4th, 2009

I grew up in the wedding industry. My Mom was a wedding cake designer and I went to each and every wedding while my Mom put the finishing touches on hundreds of wedding cakes. Obsessed with weddings, I became a Wedding Coordinator and have had the honor of planning hundreds of weddings.

After decades in the wedding industry, the only thing I truly know is that Brides Know Best!!! I have learned so much from the creativity and experiences of Brides; I want to share that wisdom with you. More importantly, I want “EBs” – “Experienced Brides” to share their wisdom with “B2Bs” – “Brides-to-Be”. This blog is intended to help Brides learn from the best – other Brides. Let’s make this blog a Brides’ Brain Trust

So if you were married 50 years or 6 months ago, we want you to share what you learned from planning your wedding. If you tell your wedding story, you will ignite the creativity of brides just beginning this journey. I hope all the “EBs” out there will help all the “B2Bs” create true celebrations of love. So let’s get started. Share your wedding story and inspire us…

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in About Brides Know Best | Comments Off

Newer Entries »