Wednesday, September 17, 2008
New Gallery on Website!
We have added to our collection of galleries on our website. Check out Staci & Zach's wedding gallery. Special thanks to Memories by Jody out of Van Buren for the photos!
Kylie & Brett Tied the Knot!
Friday evening Kylie & Brett became Mr. and Mrs! Another post with all of the details will come later. I thought I would share their fun engagement video we made for their rehearsal dinner through Animoto. Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Lots of Gifts to Give...
Along with planning your wedding comes the joyful task of gift giving. You will have shower hostesses, bridesmaids, and those special people who have been 'extra' help along the way that you'd love to express your thanks to. Many times finding just the right gift can be difficult, as you want to be so very thoughtful. Here is a really fun resource for some different, thoughtful gifts. It is Room Service Home and it is all online! Check out some of my favorite gifts they offer:
The Pink Car Kit for those Girl Emergencies on the Road...
A Pashmina Wrap is a great Bridesmaids' Gift. Choose them in colors each girl would like, or your wedding color that they could wear with their dress at the reception in case of chills.
Personalized Tumblers for the Guys, or Great for Couples too!
A Cozy Throw, Great for Shower Hostesses
Personalized Stamps...Order Early!
Stylish Passport Holders for the Destination Wedding
For the Flower Girl, an Apron to Hold All of Her Crayons!
Fun Luggage Tags for Just About Anyone!
The Pink Car Kit for those Girl Emergencies on the Road...
A Pashmina Wrap is a great Bridesmaids' Gift. Choose them in colors each girl would like, or your wedding color that they could wear with their dress at the reception in case of chills.
Personalized Tumblers for the Guys, or Great for Couples too!
A Cozy Throw, Great for Shower Hostesses
Personalized Stamps...Order Early!
Stylish Passport Holders for the Destination Wedding
For the Flower Girl, an Apron to Hold All of Her Crayons!
Fun Luggage Tags for Just About Anyone!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Bridal Fair Pointers: Book Now or Later?
For our next post in our bridal fair survival guide, we want to help you save money!
As you browse through the wedding pro's booths keep an eye out for special deals and savings for 'booking now.' Many vendors want to earn your business at the event, and will offer you great incentives or a fun gift for signing with them the day of the event.
If a vendor you love and are ready to book does not have any special posted, you can always ask them if there is incentive for booking them on that day. You just might be surprised with their answer.
Also, if you are looking at a very popular vendor in your area and you aren't sure if you are ready to book right away, ask them how their calendar looks for your wedding date. If their weekend is quickly filling you might just want to go for it.
One last pointer...many brides attend bridal fairs months before their weddings, and many aren't even engaged just yet. Don't forget that prices can change from the rate you saw at the bridal fair. If you put off booking for several months after the event, you may find yourself dealing with increased prices or package changes from the info you received at the showcase.
Don't be afraid to BOOK NOW if you are certain of the vendors you would like for your big day! All vendors love seeing new clients at these events...why else would we do them?
Don't forget to check us out Sunday, September 28th at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette Bridal Event, held in Rogers at the John Q. Hammons Center!
As you browse through the wedding pro's booths keep an eye out for special deals and savings for 'booking now.' Many vendors want to earn your business at the event, and will offer you great incentives or a fun gift for signing with them the day of the event.
If a vendor you love and are ready to book does not have any special posted, you can always ask them if there is incentive for booking them on that day. You just might be surprised with their answer.
Also, if you are looking at a very popular vendor in your area and you aren't sure if you are ready to book right away, ask them how their calendar looks for your wedding date. If their weekend is quickly filling you might just want to go for it.
One last pointer...many brides attend bridal fairs months before their weddings, and many aren't even engaged just yet. Don't forget that prices can change from the rate you saw at the bridal fair. If you put off booking for several months after the event, you may find yourself dealing with increased prices or package changes from the info you received at the showcase.
Don't be afraid to BOOK NOW if you are certain of the vendors you would like for your big day! All vendors love seeing new clients at these events...why else would we do them?
Don't forget to check us out Sunday, September 28th at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette Bridal Event, held in Rogers at the John Q. Hammons Center!
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Dress: Be Prepared for the Fitting
In my new series of 'tips' for the bride & groom, I would like to highlight a pre-wedding event that is very important to handle properly...the dress fitting! This was one of my favorite parts of being a bride, and many of my clients feel the same way. You've waited weeks, or even months, for your wedding gown to arrive and now you get to put it on!
Here are some tips to prepare for your fitting:
1. Bring all of the undergarments you will be wearing on your wedding day. This will ensure the best fit of your wedding gown. Don't forget the bra, body shaper, petticoat, etc... And, since you've purchased these in advance, you can check it off of the wedding to-do list.
2. Bring the shoes you will be wearing to ensure the length of the dress will be properly hemmed.
3. Take a friend! You'll want a second pair of eyes to help.
4. Wedding dresses are heavy, and you'll be standing still for quite a while. Nab a bottle of water and stash it in your bag to take with you. Be careful to drink while you are in your dress. A straw is usually a surefire way to eliminate spills on the dress.
5. Bring a camera! This is a fun occasion you will want to document!
6. Easy on the makeup. As you get in and out of your dress you don't want to pass makeup from your face to the dress. Be especially careful about foundation and lipstick!
Enjoy your dress fitting. It's finally your gown--not the rack sample that is 5 sizes too big or small. Just think...soon you will be wearing it to marry your sweet hubby!
Here are some tips to prepare for your fitting:
1. Bring all of the undergarments you will be wearing on your wedding day. This will ensure the best fit of your wedding gown. Don't forget the bra, body shaper, petticoat, etc... And, since you've purchased these in advance, you can check it off of the wedding to-do list.
2. Bring the shoes you will be wearing to ensure the length of the dress will be properly hemmed.
3. Take a friend! You'll want a second pair of eyes to help.
4. Wedding dresses are heavy, and you'll be standing still for quite a while. Nab a bottle of water and stash it in your bag to take with you. Be careful to drink while you are in your dress. A straw is usually a surefire way to eliminate spills on the dress.
5. Bring a camera! This is a fun occasion you will want to document!
6. Easy on the makeup. As you get in and out of your dress you don't want to pass makeup from your face to the dress. Be especially careful about foundation and lipstick!
Enjoy your dress fitting. It's finally your gown--not the rack sample that is 5 sizes too big or small. Just think...soon you will be wearing it to marry your sweet hubby!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Who Pays? His & Hers Budget Breakdown
One of the least exciting parts of a wedding is talking money, budget, and numbers in general. A touchy subject when it comes to weddings and the cash flow is 'who pays for what?' And, if the groom's family is supposed to pay, how do we approach them and ask them to be a financial contributor to the wedding?
Here, I am going to provide you with the most "super traditional" breakdown of the budget and if it is HIS responsibility or HER responsibility to write the check. Remember that you need to set up a system that works best for you and your families, so modifications will more than likely be made to this outline.
Bride's Side:
Accommodations for the Bride's Attendants (optional)
Gifts to the Bride's Attendants
Gift to the Groom (optional, paid for personally by the bride)
Bride's Gown and Accessories
Bridesmaids' Luncheon
Church or Ceremony Location Costs
Flowers for the ceremony and reception, plus bridesmaids' bouquets and the groom's boutonniere
Groom's Ring (often purchased personally by the bride)
Invitations and All Paper Goods
Music for Ceremony and Reception
Photography
Reception Expenses
Rentals for Ceremony and Reception
Transportation for the bridal party to ceremony and reception
Videography
Wedding Consultant
Transportation and Lodging Expenses for the Officiant, if invited by the bride's family
GROOM'S SIDE:
Accommodations for the Groom's Attendants (optional)
Bride's Engagement and Wedding Rings (purchased personally by the groom)
Bride's Bouquet
Corsages for Mothers & Grandmothers, and other honored family members
Boutonnieres for the Fathers & Men (other than groom) in the Wedding Party
Gift to the Bride (purchased personally by the groom)
Gifts to the Groom's Attendants
Honeymoon, including Transportation to the Airport
Liquor
Marriage License
Officiant's Fee or Gratuity
Rehearsal Dinner (all expenses)
Transportation for Groom & Best Man to the Ceremony
Transportation and Lodging Expenses for the Officiant, if invited by the groom's family
Transportation and Lodging for the Groom's Parents
Surprised by some of these? Many people are. So, now you ask, "How do I ask my mother-in-law-to-be to pay for these items?"
First and foremost, it is the bride's responsibility to clearly communicate your expectations with all parties. Hopefully this will result in no surprises or unexpected expenses down the road.
The best person the bride can use to communicate is her groom. Talk with him about how involved his family would like to be in the wedding planning process. If they do not want or cannot contribute, you should be gracious and move forward with your planning with the resources you have. If they would like to contribute, you can explain the traditional areas in which the groom's family contributes and continue the conversation from there.
In the case that you or your sweet groom-to-be are not comfortable or able to communicate these needs, a wedding professional is a fabulous neutral party to utilize. A well-versed wedding professional should be able to approach this situation with ease and grace, avoiding any unpleasant family issues during planning a wedding.
As I mentioned at the top of this post, these divisions of spending are "super traditional." One of the most successful plans on sharing the costs between parties is for each family to determine an amount that they are comfortable contributing. Group this all together and you will have your wedding budget! If all are at ease with you spending the money in the best way you see fit, this is a great plan.
Here, I am going to provide you with the most "super traditional" breakdown of the budget and if it is HIS responsibility or HER responsibility to write the check. Remember that you need to set up a system that works best for you and your families, so modifications will more than likely be made to this outline.
Bride's Side:
Accommodations for the Bride's Attendants (optional)
Gifts to the Bride's Attendants
Gift to the Groom (optional, paid for personally by the bride)
Bride's Gown and Accessories
Bridesmaids' Luncheon
Church or Ceremony Location Costs
Flowers for the ceremony and reception, plus bridesmaids' bouquets and the groom's boutonniere
Groom's Ring (often purchased personally by the bride)
Invitations and All Paper Goods
Music for Ceremony and Reception
Photography
Reception Expenses
Rentals for Ceremony and Reception
Transportation for the bridal party to ceremony and reception
Videography
Wedding Consultant
Transportation and Lodging Expenses for the Officiant, if invited by the bride's family
GROOM'S SIDE:
Accommodations for the Groom's Attendants (optional)
Bride's Engagement and Wedding Rings (purchased personally by the groom)
Bride's Bouquet
Corsages for Mothers & Grandmothers, and other honored family members
Boutonnieres for the Fathers & Men (other than groom) in the Wedding Party
Gift to the Bride (purchased personally by the groom)
Gifts to the Groom's Attendants
Honeymoon, including Transportation to the Airport
Liquor
Marriage License
Officiant's Fee or Gratuity
Rehearsal Dinner (all expenses)
Transportation for Groom & Best Man to the Ceremony
Transportation and Lodging Expenses for the Officiant, if invited by the groom's family
Transportation and Lodging for the Groom's Parents
Surprised by some of these? Many people are. So, now you ask, "How do I ask my mother-in-law-to-be to pay for these items?"
First and foremost, it is the bride's responsibility to clearly communicate your expectations with all parties. Hopefully this will result in no surprises or unexpected expenses down the road.
The best person the bride can use to communicate is her groom. Talk with him about how involved his family would like to be in the wedding planning process. If they do not want or cannot contribute, you should be gracious and move forward with your planning with the resources you have. If they would like to contribute, you can explain the traditional areas in which the groom's family contributes and continue the conversation from there.
In the case that you or your sweet groom-to-be are not comfortable or able to communicate these needs, a wedding professional is a fabulous neutral party to utilize. A well-versed wedding professional should be able to approach this situation with ease and grace, avoiding any unpleasant family issues during planning a wedding.
As I mentioned at the top of this post, these divisions of spending are "super traditional." One of the most successful plans on sharing the costs between parties is for each family to determine an amount that they are comfortable contributing. Group this all together and you will have your wedding budget! If all are at ease with you spending the money in the best way you see fit, this is a great plan.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Staci & Zach Tied the Knot
Staci & Zach were married back in June. When their photos arrived to me over the weekend I just had to put a little something together for them. Thank you to Jody from Memories by Jody for the wonderful photography and for sharing them with me. Enjoy!
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