Wedding Websites

One of the most popular and helpful trends in weddings today is the wedding website. This can be the most cost-effective way to communicate information to your guests, especially those traveling from out of town. There are a few do's and don'ts to consider...

A wedding website is a great place to share your story as a couple. Including photos, the story of your proposal, and how you met is a great way to allow guests to get to know you more. For the guests who you don't know (the groom's mom's BFF from college), it is great for them to find a more personal connection with you.

However, the wedding website should be used to convey important information for guests as well. Don't forget that this should be a "one stop shop" of info.

Keep the design clean and easily readable, and be sure to use visible navigation cues. Remember that not every guest is your sorority sister who is computer savvy.

Let's talk about content...here are the most important aspects you should include:

1. Wedding Date, Time, and Location

2. Travel Information, including your local airport code (XNA for Northwest Arkansas) as well as transportation to and from the airport

3. Hotel Choices & Rates, including the contact information and websites for each choice

3. Directions. Be sure to think of the directions everyone would need (Airport -> Hotel, Hotel -> Ceremony, Ceremony -> Reception)

4. A Wedding Weekend Itinerary, including what the weater will be and guidelines for the attire for each activity

5. Photos & Your Story, as mentioned above

6. Your local favorites (restaurants, shops, museums, attractions), as well as the fun things going on in town

7. Your wedding registries...Yes, it is acceptable to list these here since people are seeking out more information surrounding your wedding celebration.

8. Additional features, if available, can include an RSVP tool, an email sign up for email updates, and a guest book.

You should reserve your domain name and post your website as early as possible. Most wedding website hosts provide a year-long service for not much cash. Wed-O-Rama's fees are $70, or The Knot offers complimentary sites. Include your web address on your Save the Date announcements. Just make sure your site is ready and up to date when you put those beauties in the mail.

Save the Date & Visit Our Booth on Sunday!

That's right...Brides for the Cure is BACK! And we want you to Save the Date...April 25, 2009. The 2009 Race will be held in Rogers at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade. While the registration forms aren't available just yet, we want to get the word out now! Last year our team of 64 raised over $2500 for Komen and finished in the Top 10 Fundraising teams our rookie year! (Can you tell we're proud?) We know that this year we can do even more!

We will have a Brides for the Cure booth at this Sunday's Morning News Bridal Affair in Springdale. Stop by and sign up for ways you can get involved.

Another Welcome & Fun Friday!

I had a really fun week this week! There was a lot of variety in my days, which is one of the best perks of my job! But, one of the greatest highlights was meeting with Maggie & her mom, Diana. We had a fun lunch and then got right to work. Maggie & Austin will be getting married August 8, 2009 at the Stone Chapel in Goshen. We've already got the Save the Dates in the works, and the location booked...all in 2 days. Welcome to the J.Bailey Family!! And congrats on that new bling on your finger!

Speaking of bling...here is my Fun Friday video of the week. While these proposals may be from the 80's and 90's (you'll see what I mean...mullets and all!) I just love the girls' reactions. My favorite part of the video is actually the second half where they just wrap their arms around their men and are so excited! My fave is the elephant... Have a great weekend!

Sorry for the Delay...

I have been experiencing "technical difficulties" in getting these pictures up and running. These are some photos I snapped at Sam & Chris' wedding. Some of them are snapshots with the iPhone from set-up during the morning and some are with a camera I got at the end of the evening. Either way, I can't wait to see Amy Carper's "real" wedding photos!

Here are my favorite details from the wedding...

POPPY'S FAMOUS COOKIES
Samantha's grandfather passed away during the course of her engagement. So, to honor him, we quickly threw out all other ideas we had for favors & Sam started baking his famous cookies. We displayed them on a variety of vintage cake stands and plates. Sam took on the DIY project of making cute labels for each cookie. She found patterned papers that she loved, a paper punch, and some metallic pens and got to work. Each label had a monogram, a cute saying, or 'MWAH!' which is Sam's favorite little saying. We also displayed family portraits alongside the cookies, including Sam & Chris' parents' wedding photos, grandparents' wedding photos, etc...






Sam's style was total vintage chic! It was carried through in every aspect of the wedding, from her cage veil to the Model A they left in! Here are some shots of the table decor & linens. She wanted swanky & classic. I think we did a great job! We used vintage brooches on each table, along with all cream & white flowers, and lots of sparkle & candlelight. You can see today's style in the printed linen, but in a very subtle way. The linens were a champagne & ivory, as well as a gorgeous wine colored crinkle taffeta. Thanks to Jules Design for the great florals!





We also brought in a vintage style by playing classic romance movies on the flat screen television. These included Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina, and one other... Guests lounged on the fun couch right in front and enjoyed the twinkling candlelight along with the movies. The only shot I got of this area was taken with the wrong camera setting, so it is a big blur. Sorry!

We also incorporated a great outdoor lounge, complete with tufted leather furniture from Festivities. I snapped these iPhone shots during the morning, so it had a much swankier feel in the evening.





For a fun Late Night Snack, we pulled in "Chris' Hot Dog Stand". It was a super cute surprise, and the guests loved it!



More fun details...

The Bride's gorgeous bouquet, accented with the vintage pearl & crystal brooch.


Our floral arrangement for the buffet had floating orchids, as well as large drippy crystals hanging down.



We accented the small spots around the reception with these beautiful orchids.


A fun shot of some flowers...


We even decorated the restrooms!



The sweetest brother & sister team. These are Samantha's younger siblings, who served as the Maid of Honor and a groomsman. They also gave some super sweet toasts!


And, last but not least, just before they hit the honeymoon road, I got to snap this pic with the new Mr. and Mrs. Wood! We created this custom monogram lighting detail for the entrance to the poolside lounge.



Samantha, what a journey it's been! All of the changes were worth every second, and that was shown at your gorgeous wedding. Your family was such a delight in my days, and I know that our friendship will continue. I can't wait for our watch party when that Cineast video comes rolling in. MWAH!!!!!!!!!

Sneak Peek

Check back later today for some great photos I snapped from Sam & Chris' Big Day on Saturday. And just to get you interested, here is a sneak peek of the bride, photographed by the fun, talented Amy Carper from Little Rock.



See you this afternoon!

They're Getting Married!

I am SO EXCITED to welcome (officially) Sara & Tyler to the business side of my family. This precious couple is a part of the personal side of my family. Tyler & Sara got engaged on Saturday while I was at Samantha & Chris' wedding. When I received the text message I just shrieked out loud! A little background for you...

Tyler, the groom, has been a part of my life since I was 7 years old when his family moved to Fort Smith and his father became a minister at my church. Our families quickly struck up a true friendship and we've been a part of each other's lives ever since. I remember the days of playing Atari at their house and his brother, Travis, calling me Denessa. Tyler's family is what I consider my extended family. His dad even performed part of my wedding ceremony for Mark and me. We may not technically related, but I certainly consider them amongst my nearest and dearest.

And, just a few years ago, this cute, bubbly girl came into his life...and now she just happens to be the bride. Sara has also quickly become a part of our family...she even takes care of my old cat Bella that I pawned off on my mother. Sara is the kind of girl that you hope for your friends to marry! Just 2 weeks ago Sara and I spent some time chatting about being patient in waiting for the big question...little did she know what Tyler had up his sleeve!

Sara & Tyler are giving me the honor of assisting them with their May 30th wedding as their coordinator. I couldn't be happier, and I am just bursting at the seams to get started. I can't wait for our first "wedding meeting" on Saturday! In the mean time, enjoy these cuties in this picture just after Tyler popped the question at Devil's Den. (courtesy of Sara's facebook)

Funny Fridays

Happy Friday!

I love finding funny little tidbits to end the work week on. I know you have probably seen this in the past, but it makes me laugh every time! Enjoy! Check back next week for photos from Samantha & Chris' BIG DAY this weekend!

The Day Off...Kind Of!

Today is October 16th. The day I was born. I am planning on a fun day "off" filled with meetings and a wedding rehearsal, but I thought I would let someone else do the blog work for me. So, here is a Wordle of all I have been up to lately.

October is...PINK!

That's right! Many of you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here at J.Bailey Occasions we are dedicated to the fight against this disease that affects so many of us.

I am excited to announce, along with Benfield Photography and Sincerely Yours Paper Inc, that we will again be sponsoring a Brides for the Cure team at the Komen Ozark Race for the Cure. We are in the very early stages of building this team again, and we can't wait to have you as a part of the team! Keep your eyes on the blog for more details to come. OR stop by our booth November 2nd at the Morning News Bridal Fair at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Look for BRIDES FOR THE CURE, not J.Bailey Occasions.

Also, are you still looking for the right style for your wedding day? Thread Designs is giving you 10% off of orders placed by October 31st! In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month they will also be donating a portion of their proceeds to breast cancer research. SO, check them out and do your part!

Welcome Devon & Michael!

We are excited to welcome another happy couple to our J.Bailey Occasions family! Devon & Michael will be getting married January 10, 2009 in Fayetteville. The super swanky Scarpino's will be the location for their celebration. I am excited to work with this fun, eclectic style!

Devon is a student at JBU and has a fun, tiring job at the local hospital in Siloam Springs. Michael is a US Marine and is stationed in California. I can't wait for them to become Mr. and Mrs.!

All the while...
We have been SUPER busy (as you can tell by my lack of blogging this past week) and are looking forward to Samantha & Chris' wonderful wedding this weekend. I am so thrilled they decided to throw such a glamorous party to celebrate my birthday with them. Stay tuned for lots of fun details from this uber-classy event!

Got an iPhone?

Who knew that wedding planning would become an application on your newest gadget? There are 2 cool new "apps" that can be very helpful in your planning.

The first is the wedding countdown!

Check out www.andesigned.net for this fun year, month, day, hour, and seconds until your wedding countdown. It also keeps on ticking once you've tied the knot to tell you exactly how long you've been hitched!

The next is not yet released, but something to keep an eye on! This handy dandy tool will allow you to organize vendors, maintain your budget, create to-do lists, and so much more all from your iPhone. This application can also be added to your Facebook account. Check out Connected Weddings!


Cool stuff, huh?

We DID...

say I DO two years ago today! The best day of my life was October 6, 2006 when I married my college sweetheart! Our wedding day was so much fun, and we loved spending the day with all of our family and friends. Mark, you are the best husband I could have ever asked for and I love you more and more each day! Being married to you is SO MUCH FUN!



A few things that I remember about being the bride...and advice for you...

1. EAT! This, I did not do...until my sister forced me to eat grapes, and boy were they delicious!

2. SLEEP! Do not stay up all night long the night before...it makes you very sleepy. I was just TOO excited!

3. While these are quickly disappearing, I had a receiving line and I loved it. It was so humbling to get to say THANK YOU to each and every guest who came. Once the line was done, we had done our "duty" of speaking to all of the guests and got to spend the rest of the evening doing what we wanted to the most...dancing the night away with our best friends!

4. Seeing Mark before the ceremony was the best part of the day. And, it didn't take anything away from the big walk down the aisle. (Except for butterflies.) We had our private time to talk, pray, and just take it all in for a few minutes, and the rest of the day we were surrounded by other people. It was the best decision that I was talked into by far!

There is a lot more about our wedding day that I would gladly share. But, above all else...in the midst of the hustle & bustle, I got to become Mrs.Bailey! It was the best day of my life!

It's Been A Busy Week...

Well, as I am sitting in Fort Smith today keeping my 3 year old cousin, watching Aladdin, and working, I realized that I haven't blogged ALL WEEK! It's been a busy one...here are the highlights...

Sunday was the Bridal Fair! It was so much fun, and we met so many beautiful brides. We will be following up with each of you this coming week. Thanks to Jason at The Hudsons for snapping this pic of us! (Be sure to check out the sweet pics of his new baby girl, Norah, on his blog.) Hopefully we will have some more photos of the booth soon, so watch for them to be posted.



This week I also had the pleasure of welcoming two new couples to the J.Bailey Occasions family! First is Amanda & J.R. who will be getting married in April. We got right to work checking out their venues, securing dates, and meeting with their band, The Rockets (who ROCK! see Abby & Chris' wedding) from Little Rock.

We are also welcoming Chantelle & Josh who will be getting married a year from now. I love their organization and very cool style! Can't wait to get started...

I also made the trip out for the full tour of Stone Chapel at Matt Lane, which is a beautiful new wedding chapel in our area. Thanks Allison for the tour and for sharing all of your funny stories!

Jessica (of Jessica & Jason to be married November 8th) and I worked on some DIY wedding projects for a few hours yesterday. I will be excited to post some pictures after the wedding.

Our upcoming projects are WEDDINGS! October 18th is up next, followed by November 1st (my cousin's! I get to be a bridesmaid!), two on November 8th, and November 22nd! We are thrilled to keep working hard over the next few months. I can't believe the end of the year is already in sight.

Thanks for keeping us busy and spreading the word about our services. We love what we do, and that is because of our wonderful clients. Have a great weekend, and watch for a really fun post on Monday!