Wedding Wednesday Tip from The Pros 2012-05-23

{via}Dont Overlook the wedding rehearsal 

Although some may feel that this act a few days before the wedding may not be important, believe me it is! I find nothing more embarassing than the Minister or wedding party not knowing what to do on your Big day. Sure, some think it is so simple as to simply walk down the aisle to music or repeat words. Well I'm here to tell you its not. This is an important moment in your life and nothing is more disastrous than your wedding party or even the minister messing it up, (ok well maybe not getting married at all). Can you imagine the minister messing up your vows? Even more telling your groom that "you may now kiss the bride" before he announces you as husband and wife? One even better, at a wedding I recently attended, the couple selected songs, which they did not know until the day of the wedding, was not long enough for the wedding party to walk down the aisle to or even worse the version of "Here comes the Bride" is only a minute and thirty seconds...Talk about panic, dont get so caught up in the other details that you forget the simple items that are so helpful in making your BIG day go smooth.


Today's tip brought to you by :

Kelley Jones
CK Events
Twitter I FaceBook
317.721.3460


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Favor Thursday ~ Pamper Yourself 2012-05-24

Why not say "Thank You" to your guests with an aroma that let people feel relaxed and a desire to be pampered. [Read More....]
Visit The Bride Scoop if you missed any of our "Favor of the Week"


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Wedding Wednesday Tip from the Pros 2012-05-16

{via}How Do We Seat Our Guests?

It is a good idea to have 1 Usher for every 50 guests you plan to seat.
Consider your venue set up and seating arrangements as well before deciding less is better.

Today's tip brought to you by:


Anika Bowles
Thought That Counts Events
Twitter I FaceBook
888.236.7261


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Favor Thursday ~ YUM! 2012-05-17

You've got the white dress, cake, and shoes; why not follow through til the end of the evening with our preciously delicious Personalized Theme favors! [Read More....]
Visit The Bride Scoop if you missed any of our "Favor of the Week"

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Favor Inspiration Friday ! 2012-05-18

An edible wedding....right down to an edible wedding gown! YUMMY!
lollipop favor I edible gown I jelly bean favor Iedible bouquet I sweets table I edible invitation I edible rings


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Diary of a Mad MOH Part 1 2012-03-19

Written by : Kaila Horan of Afloral.com

Picture it…your wedding day. What will you be wearing? What will your flowers look like? I bet every one of you has some notion, however vague, of what your wedding day will look like. What you may not know, however, is how much planning and organizing is going on behind the scenes. You are not supposed to know! It’s your special day and ideally your wedding party and family can help to make it a very smooth process. One of the most important people in your bridal party is your MOH–the Maid of Honor. Her job is to take care of you and to help you pull all of your plans together to create that dream day.

HOWEVER……

If you have been blessed with the MOH title, beware!! This position is full of craziness, emotional outbursts, juggling of money, time, and priorities, and basically putting your life on hold for awhile until the center of attention finally walks down that doggone aisle, finishes eating that stupid cake, and the final absolutely ridiculous decorations that she HAD to have are removed and cleaned up.

I’m not bitter, I’m just saying. I have had the joyful experience of getting married, and I chose my sister as my MOH. She was great, and there for whatever I needed. Unfortunately for her this included hysterical phone calls, surprise house visits, fits of anger and frustration, and sometimes an incredibly overwhelmed bride who had no idea how to achieve what she wanted. Looking back, I have no idea how she kept her cool, but I never saw her feathers ruffled, and my day was perfect thanks to her.

As karma would have it, I have now been chosen as a MOH for one of our friends. The Universe does have a sense of humor, and now I’m the butt of the joke. This is my diary…the diary of a Mad MOH. Not mad as in angry, but mad in a crazy-loopy-insane-holy-cow type of way. Join me every month for a brief glimpse into the often ridiculous, sometimes frustrating, and completely hilarious life of a Mad MOH.

Kaila Horan is a proud Mad MOH, as well as operations manager of Afloral.com, the budget bride’s choice for coordinating bridal dresses, premium artificial florals, and quality decorating supplies. (more...)

Planning a proposal – help for men 2012-03-19

Written by: Rachel S.G. McLean of RS Exclusive, LLC

“Lets hear it for the boy: Before “I do,” comes the “Will you?”

No, this isn’t a tribute post to Deniece Williams, although I do think she is pretty fantastic. Rather, this is a nod of sincere acknowledgement, respect, and most importantly, an offer of assistance, for those of you men preparing to make one of the biggest and best decisions in your life: asking the love of your life for her hand in marriage.

We all know the familiar story: Boy meets girl. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy and girl plan the wedding of their dreams, say, “I do,” and then together, begin their “happily ever after.”

However, before there can be a wedding, there must first be a proposal – or so the story goes for most couples. And before there can be a proposal, there must be a man, crazy in love, eager enough to sell his car, motorcycle, guitar, or extra kidney if need be (okay, don’t sell your kidney, you may actually need that someday) to purchase the perfect ring and proclaim his undying love and devotion -- in a spectacular setting -- to the one whom he hopes will say “yes!” and become his future bride. (Whew, deep breath.)

While much ado is made over the bride-to-be as she prepares for her wedding day, often little attention or recognition is given to the valiant effort and fortitude shown by the hopeful, future groom-to-be, during the months and weeks leading up to the proposal.

Lets face it ladies, when it comes to the big day before the big wedding day, we have high expectations, and many of us have dreamed about what the moment should be like for years. We may say that “love is all that matters,” and while we know it does, deep down, we want (and hope) to be taken to the moon and back; to have a romantic moment of Jane Austin proportions; an off-the-charts, unique, and perfect engagement we simply cannot wait to share with our girlfriends and family members.

Given this knowledge, to say there is a little bit of pressure placed on you men to perform is an understatement.

As wedding planners, we realize a lot of blood, sweat, and yes, sometimes even tears, go into this process. We understand how nerve-wracking the days leading up to the big moment can be, let alone how overwhelming it can be to choose the perfect setting for the day, fill it with a day or evening of romantic gestures, and then pour your heart out while on one knee.

Here’s some good news: you don’t have to go it alone. On the contrary, giving your future bride the proposal of her dreams is within reach, and you don’t need to have the budget of The Bachelor – or be a creative genius – to pull it off.

Many wedding planners now offer a “perfect proposal” packages to love-struck men of all ages who need – or just want – advice, direction, and the experienced know-how to add a polished touch to their plans and take the stress out of the planning.

Whether you’re looking for full-service, conception-through-execution assistance, or simply help fine-tuning and laying the final touches, event planners have the expertise and personal and professional connections to stretch your hard-earned money and give you the most sparkle for your buck.

The big day is yours, and should reflect everything that is special about your love and what makes you unique as a couple. A wedding planner can help you take the stress out of planning and allow you to focus on what really matters: sweeping the woman of your dreams off of her feet, and together enjoying a perfect moment that you will cherish for the rest of your lives.

Here’s to you, our knights in shining armor. Without you we wouldn’t get to spend hours browsing through bridal magazines and trying on wedding gowns. You are our heroes, and we think you deserve a helping hand in making our dreams come true.

Rachel McLean is the co-owner of RS Exclusive, LLC, a mother/daughter-run, full service wedding and event boutique, with offices in both Virginia and North Carolina. Along with their fantastic team of assistant designers and banquet staff, RSE specializes in offering a full-range of modern wedding and event services, including: consultation, planning, custom decoration and floral design, and custom invitation and paper goods. With dedication to excellence, and a passion for quality and creativity, the RS Exclusive team takes pride in providing incredible service for every client and every event.Located out of town? RS Exclusive does over-the-phone consultation, making it convenient for you to get the assistance you need, whether near or far. Let RS Exclusive take your event to the next level. (more...)

Defining Your Cake Style 2012-03-19

Written by : Brooke Fehr of A Wedding Cake Blog

Once upon a time, two pastry chefs fell in love, decided to get married, and opted to spend more on the cake than her dress. True story. I know, because I was there. I say this to make a point. For some couples, a wedding cake is just another detail to cross off the mile-long to do list. For others, however, it's a big decision that requires some thought. And with the dizzying array of options out there, thanks in part to wedding cakes becoming firmly ingrained in pop culture (thanks, Ace of Cakes!), it can be a little daunting to decide just what kind of statement you'd like to make with your cake...especially when said cake can set you back some major cash. Luckily, you have us to help. And there is no better way to determine what kind of cake you will love, than to figure out what your cake style is.

Your what?

Your cake style.

Did you know you have a cake style? Well, you do. Ask almost anyone, and he or she will offer a strong opinion regarding cake - what's good, what's bad, what's the best they've ever had. So, before you decide what towering confection will take center stage at your reception, it might be a good idea to determine what your cake style is as a couple (and if we need to discuss two cakes due to radically different cake styles...groom's cake anyone?)

Classic. Do you wish you looked like Grace Kelly? Is your closet full of twin sets? Does the thought of wearing white after Labor Day send shivers down your spine? (With one obvious exception...ok, we'll go with winter white.) Then you may be a traditionalist. You favor buttercream over that new-fangled fondant (well, technically Old World, but that's another post.) And a wedding cake should be white on white on top of more white. Want to add a little spice to your traditional cake, while still keeping with a classic silhouette? Consider a monogram (ohso classic!) or a rhinestone or pearl initial cake topper, which can make a statement without clashing with your sensibilities.

Cutting Edge. You want everything that is the newest and the latest, and you want it, like, yesterday. Nothing will do for you but the hippest and hottest trends for every aspect of your wedding, including your cake. You are a trendsetter, and you want to rock your reception with a cake that will keep the guests talking long after the last dance is over. Hot, bold color combinations, like black and green, or zebra stripes and Tiffany blue, set your heart singing! But keep in mind: today's hot trends may be tomorrow's laughable moments in your photo montage/shadowbox/wedding album. Just so you're okay with it.

Contemporary. You don't want to throw out the old, and you don't want to dismiss the new. You'd like to combine tradition and trendsetting to come up with some that honors the past, while looking to the future. You are our modern bride. You might love to nod to tradition by having an all-white cake; but you'll zip it up by adding bold, geometric patterns in shades of white. Or maybe your design is thoroughly modern, and the latest thing - but the traditional cake you serve is the same one that your parents featured at their wedding. You embrace it all, and believe that the past, the present, and the future all have something to contribute - and you want to make sure that your cake reminds everyone of that fact. Consider new techniques, like stamping or quilting fondant, over an old world flavor, like a traditional British fruitcake coated in marzipan. The best of both...how can you go wrong?

We hope we've given you some good advice on determining what your cake style is. If you need more guidance on this decision, talk to your baker. He or she is an expert and an artist, and they are there to help. Like every decision surrounding The Big Day, this one should be fun, fabulous, and should ultimately express who you are as a couple. Good luck!

For more information on Defining Your Cake Style, make sure and follow the link in the resource box below.Brooke Fehr manages A Wedding Cake Blog, a lovely little corner of the world dedicated to finding the Sweetest and Prettiest cakes out there! Whether you’re planning your wedding, remembering your special day, or you just have a sweet tooth, come see what the best and brightest cake artists and wedding professionals are up to. I mean, who doesn’t love cake? (more...)

Tips On Choosing The Best Wedding Reception Venue 2012-03-19

Written by : Andy Royce of Wedding Speech Digest

When considering a venue for a wedding reception it is very important to remember that the venue that you choose will be the one that will last in your memory forever, because weddings are so important the venue they are held at is also extremely important.

The very first thing to consider when looking for a venue is what you and your fiancée like, you don't have to go with what the trend is, or what everybody else thinks is the best location. It is your day, and the decision should be one that you are more than comfortable with regardless of what everyone else will say. The first thing that must be determined when narrowing your search is price, weddings are expensive, and a majority of the costs incurred revolve around the reception. Not only will the venue you charge cost you money just to have your venue there, but they will likely charge you for everything that you want to do there, such as decorations, what food your serving, and what kind of drinks you will be offering.

The best venues are those that are open, give the feeling that everyone is close together and surrounding the bride and groom to help them celebrate this big event. The decorations that will address the room will also be very important, and because of that the walls and floors of the venue should be neutral so as to not overwhelm your decorations.

One of the key factors that must be considered is the size of your wedding, this will also help you narrow your search as a large room for a small wedding can make it seem oversized and distant; while a small room with a lot of guests will cramp everyone and almost always feel more crowded. As always with choosing a venue for an event with people coming from all over location is essential, you don't want to have the location in the middle of nowhere where everyone will have to travel a long distance to get there, it is generally preferred to have a central location that can serve as a meeting point for people from all different directions.

Along with the location is it is good to have a hotel or multiple hotels within a close distance, this allows the guests to stay and enjoy the night without having to worry about getting home safely later. The best locations are the ones that are either attached to hotels or very close as this brings everyone together as not only part of the reception, but as part of the entire experience of the wedding.

Other factors to consider is how the room is laid out, it is beneficial to have a set dance floor that can be clear the entire night so as to facilitate openness for the festivities and space to move around in. It is nice to have sight lines that allow everyone to see the main table and the dance floor so that they are able to be a part of all the small parts of the wedding.

Picking the venue is a very tough decision, but the only thing that matters is that the bride and groom are happy with their decision. If they don't like the venue, they could have the best place ever and not enjoy their wedding, the venue in the end just becomes a place to gather to celebrate something much more important than the room the event is being held in.

Andy Royce writes frequently on topics like wedding favors, wedding speeches and toasts, wedding venues, wedding decoration and various other topics related to wedding. Check out his articles on wedding speeches in general and find out how to write and give best man speeches, maid of honor speeches etc. (more...)

Diary of a Mad MOH Part 2 2012-03-19

WE’RE GETTING MARRIED!!

Written by : Kaila Horan of Afloral.com

In early 2010 one of our good friends split with his long-time girlfriend and needed a place to stay. We had some extra room, so why not? He claimed one of the empty bedrooms and I was soon educated on the behavior of single twenty-something males. I learned to keep my eyes, ears, and mouth shut, and to keep an open mind concerning the male dating etiquette and ideals.

After a couple months of this craziness, he started hanging out with another one of our friends who coincidentally was back home after leaving a long-time relationship of her own behind. We began to see more and more of her, and it wasn’t long before it was very clear to the whole world…these two were SMITTEN. All the symptoms and signs were there…glazed eyes, syrupy voices, the unfortunate malady of being joined at the hip, and of course the kissy-kissy, smoochy-smoochies at every turn. The lovey-dovey gooeyness was almost too much to bear for my husband and I who had been married for a year already. Their long-time friendship exploded into a major love-fest, and soon I started to hear the M-word being thrown about in casual conversation. Sitting on our front porch

one night a couple months later, the lovebirds declared to us with huge cheesy smiles, “We’re getting married!”

I was completely energized by this declaration. Working in the bridal industry and having just planned my own wedding, I went directly into planner mode. I also hate to say it, but I was half expecting to be asked to stand up in the wedding. Nope! Denied! I was thrown over for a classmate of the bride’s. Well, that stung a little. I moped privately for about ten minutes, but then I realized the beauty of the situation.

I had no responsibilities for this wedding.

Yippee! This was great news! I could offer advice and still be on the edges of the wedding to soak up the great energy and feel that wonderful excitement, but without responsibilities. Most importantly, no extra energy was required on my part. I could actually enjoy the wedding, dance with my husband, and do normal guest things. My wedding world was complete.

There was an engagement dinner, engagement pictures, and of course, the engagement ring. All lovely, and all took place without me or my so-called expert opinion. They moved into their own apartment, and I would see new ideas or plans via facebook or receive random texts.

Six months later…..

Check us out next month to find out how one plate of chicken and biscuits launched me head-first into the maelstrom of wedding madness. = )


Kaila Horan is a proud Mad MOH, as well as operations manager of Afloral.com, the budget bride’s choice for coordinating bridal dresses, premium artificial florals, and quality decorating supplies. (more...)