Tag Archives: traditions

prioritizing your wedding planning…

Planning a wedding CAN be a daunting task. It’s overwhelming with so many ideas out there. Thanks to the Internet, with wedding blogs and fancy websites you now have MORE concepts that you ever knew to consider.

Too much information? You betcha.

If you have an unlimited amount of money to spend, then you’ll be fine. But that is usually not the reality.

So how do you process all of this?

Sit down together as bride and groom and make a list of the TOP THREE THINGS that are important to each one of you. Then take a look at the list. Hopefully there will be overlapping (both of you choosing the same idea) that will land in your top three.

Then, discuss it with each other. From there you should be able to make ONE list that of must haves at your wedding to make you both happy.

This is where you are going to put your money and let the rest fall into place. By identifying the most important things, you can stop worrying about trying to fit it all in within your budget.

An example (truly an example, as each wedding is different), these may be your top three things:

1. Good Food
2. Great Entertainment
3. Excellent Photography

If these were your top three, then you can stop worrying about pocket invitations or special favors. You may want to take it a step further to create a secondary TOP THREE items to ensure: beautiful decor, videography, open bar, etc.

Everyone is different, there is no right and wrong. You want to be happy at the end of the day. And that’s what’s really important.

what would you change (at your wedding)?

I twittered a question to the public, what would you change about your wedding if you could. Thought the answer would be interesting and even talked about it on Fox 7.

What would I of changed? Luckily, not the groom (tee hee).  I would of seen each other before the ceremony. Our wedding ceremony and reception were at the same location and I would have loved to join in on cocktail hour with my guests. It was silly to put it off and I felt rushed.

Here are a few of the anonymous answers:

• My wedding was 1 1/2 years ago, but I wish I would have interviewed more photographers. My photos weren’t the best.
• I would have danced more and not worried so much about family drama.
• Broken traditions. I didn’t think outside the box on anything. Biggest thing would have been to have it outside, not church.
• Had a handler for my MIL. I would have had someone passing out a midnight snack as guests left.
• I wouldn’t have skimped on photographs!
• I wish I hired a wedding planner for at least the day. Too much going on and I stressed!
• I would have hired a videographer, and I would have left more time for pics of just me and my husband,  sans bridal party.
• I wouldn’t have changed a thing about mine! Unless, I could have controlled the weather
• I would have changed one of my bridesmaids &I would have got a better cake.
• I would of chosen a different groom.
• Gotten 2 photographers…have one of hubby getting ready! Also I think I would of chosen my bridal party slightly different.
• Oh wow ONE thing? I wish I had a BETTER planner. That would’ve taken care of a few things, things I wish had been different!
• I am not recently married, it’s been 3.5 years, but I would have hired a better photog. I don’t really like the pictures I got.
• I wish we had chosen a navy pintuck linen instead of navy cotton w/ runner.
• I wish I had hired a planner instead of trying to do it all myself!
• Not use husbands cousin for flowers. Didn’t listen—flowers not as expected. Caution with family-creates for sticky situation!
• I would have hired a dj or band.

Soooo…… what would you have changed? Come ‘on, leave a comment… I know you want to…..

And brides/groom’s … I hope you learned a few things above!

make a grand entrance to your wedding

Getting introduced into your wedding reception is a tradition that we LOVE to keep. It’s obvious you both are the guests of honor and it’s proper to make that recognition.

Here’s a couple of ideas:

1. Let your wedding party go into the reception and start the party. Only you and your groom will be introduced into the wedding reception. It’s quick, clean and easy.
2. Consider being introduced about half way into your cocktail party. Why miss all the fun?
3. Make a real splash and do something fun and funky (but safe too). Like our clients Amanda and Brian. They had a super fun wedding party that were doing impromptu dancing and lots of fun antics. Amanda turned to my intern, Aubree, and asked, “What should we do?” Aubree suggested that Brian put Amanda on his shoulder….before the next beat, up she went!

photo credit:walker studio

What a fabulous entrance that made a great photo and the audience totally whooped it up!

So how will you enter your wedding reception?

what wedding traditions should you keep? part five/finale

We’ll finish up our series with this finale… on which wedding traditions you should keep…or ditch?

#5 Wedding Tradition: Unity Candle

We are not suggestion removing this tradition, but to take a closer look at “wedding unity candles” (we’re talking the pillar candles that you keep after the wedding). Often when they are sold they are white, silver, and boooooring. Just because they have the word “wedding” on it doesn’t mean you have to use it!

Instead why not visit your favorite home decorating store and buy a beautiful candle that will match the decor of your new home. Even if it is scented. That way you can display your candle as it should be. Instead of something that stands out and doesn’t even match!!! Best point…it will probably be less expensive.

Traditions are fabulous…however if you take the time to take a closer look, you can still keep the tradition…but save a little moola at the same time.

THAT, is a good thing.

what wedding traditions should you keep? part four

Let’s keep going and discussing wedding traditions and which ones we should keep or ditch?

#4 Wedding Tradition: Cake Toppers

Many brides have been steering away from the traditional cake topper. Instead with the new cake decor and trends, more fresh flowers are being added to cakes. This makes some cake designers cringe and others just shrug.

If you are going to go this route, here is a little trick and money saver idea for you. Have your florist carefully wrap your cake topper as a “mini bouquet” that can be wiped off and used as your “toss bouquet” as well!!! Two for one! We like that.

Tomorrow the series finale!