Thank You!

With my graduation from university only a month behind me, my concentration has turned to my future in events. This blog is something I started a while ago, but never had the time to really commit to. Now, as my page gets more views, I have become more excited. I truly hope that my posts are beneficial to those who read it.

I have updated my blog to accept followers. Just click the menu on the side of my blog, and you will get notified when a new blog post is published. Please, share with friends and family as well. Some are planning for their special day, and some just love all things wedding like I do.

Thank you for reading the blog, and please continue to do so. Please comment or request a post geared towards a specific question you have.

Keep This In Mind When Choosing Your Venue

Finding your venue is an exciting step in your planning process. Once you find what you and your bride/groom believe to be the perfect location for your event, it is easy to forget some important questions that need to be asked and details to remember. 

Each couple is different and the process of choosing a wedding date is unique to each. Some couples go to different venues with an exact date in mind. Others are more flexible with only a certain month as their criteria.  Whichever couple you are, have an idea of your wedding date when exploring possible venues. You will be able to find out the availability right away, and that may immediately effect your choice.

Looking for that perfect venue can be overwhelming, but  the choices are easily narrowed down by your guest list. Make sure you have a number for your guest list before you start your search. You want to make sure that your venue has the proper capacity to hold your guests. Ask the capacity of each room if you plan on using more than one for your ceremony and reception.

You have your number, and are touring the space, but don't forget that your guests are not the only number you have to keep in mind. Make sure to ask how many guests can fit in the venue comfortably seated for the ceremony, and with tables for dinner. Do not forget the dance-floor! For example, you will need at least 448 square feet (16' x 28') of dance-floor space for a wedding with 150 guests.These tables and the dance-floor take up more space than you may originally realize, and a room that fits 150 people, will not fit that same number after all the decor is set up.

Pricing is always important. Ask about the pricing structure and what the price entails. Is there valet parking? What is the type of lighting installed? Is catering in-house or is there a list of approved outdoor caterers? What type of chairs, tables and tableware are available from the venue? Will you have to order some on your own? What are the bar options?

Logistical questions about access to venue for vendors, restrictions and the amount of staff available that day are acceptable questions to ask as well. You can never have too much information. 

Some couples decide to find their venue before they hire their wedding planner and do not know what to ask. Make a list of important points you want in your venue and keep notes on each venue you visit. You will find the perfect venue for your special day.

Winter Wedding Wonderland

Winter weddings are synonymous with "wonder" and "romance". To create a winter wonderland for your special event, pay attention to details that will bring your event to another level and will have your guests gasping in awe.

Colors are a big part of any event. To translate the beauty of winter, a mixture of gold, silver and metallic colors create a gorgeous palette for any event. White is always great for winter-themed events, but to add something special, incorporate some metallic place settings, or alternating overlays in silver and gold.

Lighting can make or break an event, setting the mood for the night. Candles, chandeliers and up-lighting can add more to your decor than you may think. Add some coziness with some candlesticks in crystal candlestick holders, or cool down the decor with some unique chandeliers.

Don't limit yourself to satin and polycotton linens. Incorporate fur, sequin and suede into your decor. Using fur as your table-runner or as your chair covers is a small change that adds an elegant look to your event.

A unique centerpiece resembles falling snowflakes.

The blue light creates a winter wonderland, creating a winter forest indoors.

The tablecloth is a perfect amount of sparkle to this white place setting.

Using unique chandeliers and fur chair covers have turned this into an elegant winter affair.

"I Do" Spotlight! Romona Keveza's Spring 2014 Collection

It feels fitting that I feature Romona Keveza's Spring 2014 Wedding Collection since I discovered her line almost exactly one year ago (Spring 2013 collection).

Romona's couture bridal collection premiered 5 years ago and took everyone by storm with her innovative designs that set bride's hearts pumping. This collection is utterly romantic. Surrounded by an abundance of flowers, perfect lighting and the venue of their dreams, brides in these creations will feel like they are in a dream.

How To Incorporate Social Media Into Your Wedding: Very Easy Tips!

It is amazing how technology is a natural part of our lives today in comparison to 10 years ago. Social media websites such as Twitter and Instagram and phones like the iPhone and Android makes connecting with friends and family easy.

Professional photos of your wedding ceremony is a must have in my opinion, but some of the best pictures a bride and groom may like are the amateur pictures taken by their friends and family that show the moments that the photographer may not have seen. These candid moments are reflective of the people you love and invited to share your special day.

It only takes a few steps to implement the use of social media into your wedding:

1. First, download Twitter and/or Instagram. These applications are free to download with your smartphone, but use pre-existing accounts for less hassle. Instagram allows you to take photos, add cool effects and share with friends. It is like a Facebook, but with pictures only.

2. Next, you and your significant other should determine a wedding hastag. This helps to filter pictures on Instagram just as it filters tweets on Twitter.

3. You must then decide where you want to filter all of your pictures. Dropbox and Flickr accounts are two of my favorites. They are easy to access and have large storage availability.

4. Next, you connect your social media outlet to your storage area with the use of your "recipe" through ifttt.com. Create an account on ifttt.com which means IF THIS, THEN THAT. This account will create a chain reaction that allows you to establish that IF THIS hastag is used, THEN THAT photo is automatically downloaded into your Dropbox/Flickr account.

5. Last, but not least, SHARE your plan with guests. There are many creative ways to share your plan with your guests. Whether during your engagement announcement or on the wedding day. Signs on the bar, notes on the table during the reception, boards displaying the hastag, or the information written on personalized napkins are creative ways to share the information. You can also include the information on your wedding website.

You will see the wedding journey from many perspectives, not just the day of, but leading up to the wedding day. The photos may be blurry, but they will show the laughter and love that day between family, old friends and new friends. This is a great way to incorporate the guests into your wedding day, letting them get involved. You will have a great laugh and even more smiles when you look at these photos with your new husband/wife.

Open-Bar versus Consumption Bar

Bride and Grooms are faced with a lot of decisions during their planning, but an unexpected decision couples encounter is deciding between a Consumption Bar or Package Bar. 

Choosing a Consumption Bar, you are charged a confirmed price per each drink that is consumed during your event.  You only pay for what you and your guests actually drink.

Choosing a Package Bar, you are commonly given a price based on the amount of guests for your event and the total amount of hours your event will be. This price is charged regardless of the amount consumed during the night.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when contemplating which bar suits you:

1. How comfortable are you with not knowing your bill until the end of the night? Consumption bars are not totaled until the end of the event. 
2. What is your guest list like? Are there more young adults? Children? Does your family like to party? If you have a group that like to drink, a flat rate would be best to avoid any surprise costs at the end of the night.
3. How long is your event? Guests will typically consume on average 1-2 drinks an hour. You can consider closing the bar at a certain time of the night (i.e for dinner, instead serving wine and/or champagne for toasts).

Another option for controlling costs, is to request a limited selection for the bar. You can choose beer, wine and a signature cocktail for the night, instead of a full bar of top shelf liquor. 

Radiant Orchid - The Color of 2014

As we move on from 2013 and luxurious emerald, 2014 introduces a new "color of the year" : Radiant Orchid. A rich purple color that is vibrant and alluring, Radiant Orchid is complimented by shades of purple, pinks, cream, gold and silver. The color of royalty, just a small amount of Radiant Orchid incorporated into your wedding day will stand out in a good way! You can incorporate the color within the wardrobe, the decor, the food, or use the color as the base of the invitations, menus and programs. Look out for some creative use of this color in events during 2014.

A teardrop bouquet of orchids is eye-catching against a wedding dress.

Shades of pink with Radiant Orchid.

Lighting in Radiant Orchid adds a soft glow to a reception.

Make each arrangement a different color and a different flower for a striking constrast.