Unique Color Ideas

With so many wedding magazines, television shows, and friends getting married, how in the world are you to make your wedding unique and different from all the rest?

Here are a few fresh color combinations to consider:

Spring: Navy blue and orange. Have pops of white against the navy, which always makes for a striking comparison with lots of fresh orange flowers.

Summer: Turquoise and pink. Play around with the fact that its hot and sunny out by using vibrant colors that are sure to make a statement!

Fall: Purple and silver. This is a color combo that you will want to be careful that you don’t take too far. If you’re having an outside wedding, the luscious natural green background with the purple and silver accents will look stunning.

Winter: Forrest green and chocolate brown. Bring the outside inside with this natural and organic color combination. Make sure your reception is lowly lit with lots of candles and chandeliers.

Make sure your wedding represents you and your husband, if you both hate pink, please, don’t have pink as your main color. Remember, it is your wedding and at the end of the day you need to make sure your doing what makes you happy, even if your best friend just stole your dream wedding color combo.

Important questions to ask your ceremony and reception venue

Planning a wedding can be stressful, so stressful in fact, that you may forget to ask some important questions when interviewing your vendors. Here are some important questions you should make sure you ask:

What's the cancellation policy?
What is the maximum they can accommodate? (Whatever number they provide, I would take off 5% just to be cautious.)
Do they have an in-house caterer, and do you like that food?
Is there a separate facility for the ceremony and reception? If so, will the same chairs be used and how long will it take to break down the ceremony site?
Do they have adequate bathroom facilities?
What is the maximum amount of time the room can be rented for? Is there a cut off time?
Will they have another wedding scheduled the same day?
Is the wedding venue wheelchair accessible?
Is there a payment schedule?
What kind of deposits are required?
What are the overtime charges?
Do they have a liquor license?
Will they allow you to bring your own liquor?
Is there room in the wedding venue for a band and/or dancing?
How early can your vendors arrive to set up? When/how late can they be there to break down?
Does the wedding venue already own a sound system with adequate speakers or will that need to be rented?
Is there a space for the bride and groom to change and/or relax?
Where can your guests park? Are there extra fees for parking? Do they have valet parking?
Are candles or other open flames allowed?
If its an outdoor location, do they have any backup plans for rain or other inclement weather? If not, is there a place that you can put up a tent?

Make sure you ask all the questions on your mind. There isn’t such thing as being too prepared.

Cocktail Hour without Cocktails

If you decide that you are not having cocktails available for this portion of the wedding, please consider the following things:

• You should re-name the event to “Pre-reception hour d'ouvres”.


• Make sure water and non-alcoholic beverages are available from the bar.


• Consider having a signature non-cocktail, such as strawberry lemonade available for guests.


• Allow guests to purchase alcohol on their own. If you decide you only want beer and wine available upon purchase, make sure you have somewhere easily accessible for guests to purchase this on their own.

The cocktail hour traditionally occurs between the ceremony and reception. It is a fun portion of the wedding, and it can and should be completely flexible. Traditionally, for the cocktail hour, beverages and appetizers are served. The drinks can be alcoholic or non. You can opt for a bar setting or include two or three cocktail choices that are passed (champagne, beer, a signature cocktail, etc).

Remember, although it is your wedding day, people have spent money and time to celebrate with you. If your budget doesn’t allow for alcohol to be included, its still important to make sure its easily accessible for your guests.

Don't be afraid to make your cocktail hour unique, drinks or not!

Hair & Makeup Trial

I briefly mentioned this topic in one of my ‘Tuesdays Tip of the Week’ section, however, I thought it deserved a little more attention. Every bride wants to feel beautiful on their wedding day. Chances are you have thought about this day for a long time and have some idea of how you would like to look. Sometimes translating your thoughts and ideas of how you should look is more easily said than done. This is why it is incredibly important to set up consultations and trials with both your hair and makeup people.

Important tips:

• Bring images of hair & makeup looks, including those that you do and do not like.
• If there are specific products that you love and would like for your makeup artist to use, please bring them to your trial. Your makeup artist should be happy to incorporate them. On the other hand, if you know you don’t want your makeup artist to use any certain products (such as foundation) make sure you let them know from the beginning of your session.
• Bring a picture (and if all possibly a swatch) of your dress. This will give your stylist and makeup artist a better understanding of the complete look they will help you to create.
• If you have pre-selected any hair accessories you plan to wear (veil, fresh flowers), bring them to the trial.
• Once your trial is complete, have your stylist or makeup artist take pictures of the finished look(s). You may want to try several different looks. Keeping a record of what you did and did not like will help to make your special day go more smoothly and stress free.

Mallory & Josh's Wedding

This past weekend Evan and I ventured up to Paolo Alto California for our second wedding of the year! We were greeted with the most amazing welcome basket full of snacks, water and even a nice bottle of red wine.

The attention to detail didn’t stop there. The ceremony took place on the patio of a winery on the top of a hill overlooking the entire valley of Paolo Alto. Although a little chilly, the bride and groom shared in a special ceremony performed by the grooms long time pastor.

The reception took place in the barrel room at the winery and the setting was perfect. In a lowly lit room, candles provided most of the light source and the mood was very intimate.

Everything from the heartfelt Father of the Bride speech (which honestly should win an award) to the bond you could see in the eyes of the bride and groom as they entered into this journey together, it all felt so special and sincere.

Fun fact: Mallory and Josh were high school sweethearts just like my husband and I.

Wedding Invitation

Wedding Invitation Etiquette is just one of the many aspects of your planning that should not be overlooked. This is sometimes the first time your guests will know of your plans, so to make sure you make a great first impression, follow the simple rules of wedding invitation etiquette.

Save the Date:

• Send out Save the Dates at least 6 months prior to the wedding date.
• Make sure your Save the Date includes the date, time and whereabouts of the wedding. If you’re having a destination wedding, now is the time to mention it.
• Address the envelopes correctly. If you are extending a plus one to a guest, you must indicate that on the Save the Date and stick to it for the invitation. If the guest is divorced, Miss. is the proper prefix.
  
  Invitation:
  Invitations should be more formal than the Save the Date and must include some variation of the following formal wording:
  
  Mr. and Mrs. Tom Smith

request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Smith
to
Jeffrey Matthew
son of
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Matthew
Saturday, the eighth of March two thousand elevenat
two o'clock in the afternoon
Fox Green Country Club
2621 Hunter Avenue
Santa Barbara, California

• Send out Wedding Invitations at least 3 months in advance and request RSVP’s 1 month prior to wedding date.
• When addressing your envelopes for a formal or traditional wedding you should write out each person's name in full. Make sure to include the appropriate titles.
• The inner envelope should spell out quite clearly who is actually invited to attend the ceremony. If the children are invited, their names should be listed on the inner envelope from the oldest to the youngest.
• Your wedding invitations should be hand addressed. If you really don't like the looks of your writing consider hiring a calligrapher.

Co-workers and Weddings

Can’t decide if you want to invite your co-workers to your wedding? This is something that a lot of couples struggle with. Here are a few things to consider before you send out the invitations.

You are under no obligation to invite your co-workers to your wedding. To avoid hurt feelings, make it known to your coworkers that your wedding is going to be limited to family and close friends only. The fact that no one from work is being invited will help everyone from feeling excluded.

If you want to invite some and not others, make sure you are doing it tastefully and keeping wedding talk in the workplace to a minimum.

Want to invite everyone from work? Go for it. If your like most Americans you spend the majority of your waking hours with your co-workers as it is, so why not have them share in your special celebration. In this instance make sure that the plans of your wedding won’t interfere with anyone’s work schedule.

Registering

Everyone will tell you something different when it comes to registering. My advice is to think about your day to day life and what you need. Here is a list of ten things I think no registry should be without:

1. Casual Dinnerware
2. Casual Glassware
3. Cookware (aka, pots and pans)
4. Everyday Flatware (aka, utensils)
5. Cutlery. Registering for a good set of knives is a must.
6. Wine Glasses
7. Blender. I personally suggest the Magic Bullet, this thing might possibly be my favorite wedding gift received. Thanks Aunt Tessie!
8. Fine China. I’m traditional, so I think this is a must.
9. Corningware
10. Silicone Bake Ware

If you are a couple who is already established and has a lot of these items to begin with, don’t register for a new set of plates. Instead register for some items you would like (instead of need) and add in a few traditional gift ideas.

Other registry musts:

1. Register for a wide variety of items. If you want a $350 crystal vase offset it with a $50 set of mixing bowels. Everyone has a different budget in mind for your wedding and it’s up to you to make everyone feel like they can get you something you want.
2. Register at a couple different places. If you are dead set on getting your fine china from Bloomingdales, register for your more expensive items there, and mid range gifts at Macy’s and Crate and Barrel.

Everyone wants the option to get you a gift, some people will opt to get you cash or a gift card and that’s wonderful, but don’t not register for anything in the hopes that people will get you cash. It’s tacky.

Brandon and Kristina's Wedding

We had a mini vacation in Santa Barbara this past weekend. Everything we could've asked for...great scenery, great weather, great friends...and Evan had the privilege of a lifetime. He stood as Brandon's groomsman, after decades of friendship, it was a very special moment.

The wedding took place under a huge oak tree and the backdrop was the natural beauty of this breathtaking winery. The colors were earthy and natural and the event was intimate and lovely.

My favorite element was this gorgeous rustic tree branch they had hanging over the head table. Adorned from the tree branch were ornate crystals and candles. It gave the entire reception a romantic and intimate feeling. Not to mention, really made a statement.

All and all, it was a gorgeous wedding and was a beautiful way to start a marriage of two people whom I love very much.

Picture Time

On your wedding day, you'll want to make sure your photographer captures all those details you worked so hard on. To help him or her out, provide a list of "must-take" wedding photography shots. Check out the list below for some general picture must haves:

• The bride and groom getting ready
• Bride with parents before ceremony
• Groom with parents before ceremony
• Guests arriving/being seated at ceremony
• Bride before walking down the aisle
• Groom at altar, before the bride walks down the aisle
• Bride and Groom seeing eachother for the first time
• Saying of vows
• Exchange of rings
• Bride and Groom's first kiss
• Bride and Groom leaving the ceremony
• Posed bridal party with Bride and Groom
• Posed family with Bride and Groom
• Bridal party and Family all together with Bride and Groom
• Candid's of bridal party, family and Bride and Groom
• Guests arriving at Reception
• Table setting, floral arrangements, cake, place card table, and all other decorations before guests enter reception
• Bride and Groom entering reception for the first time as Mr. & Mrs. ____ (fill in the blank)
• First dance
• Father of the Bride and Bride dancing
• Mother of the Groom and Groom dancing
• Toasts (best man, maid of honor, etc.)
• Cutting the cake
• Throwing the Brides bouquet
• Garter Toss
• Guests dancing
• Bride and Groom leaving reception

There are many other special times during the wedding, and if this list doesn't cover all the pictures that are a "must" for your wedding...make sure you take the time to make a list and give it to your photographer before the big day. Generally your wedding photographer will have a list of their own must have pictures for the wedding, but you can never prepare too much!

Enjoy each other!!!!

Spend time enjoying your engagement and the person whom you are about to marry. It's easy to get wrapped up in wedding details...so, plan a night, once a month, where you don't talk about anything wedding related and just enjoy eachothers company. You'll be happy you did! Here are some ideas for some fun dates that will remind you just how much you love one another:

• Take a trip down memory lane. Each month go to a restaurant you used to go to together in the beginning of your relationship. Hopefully this will help you fall in love all over again.
• Open a nice bottle of wine and just chat, in an empty room, with only candlelight...
• Take a day trip to the beach or the zoo. Be a kid again!

Remember, being madly in love with the person you are close to marrying is much more important than the color of the table linens (even though this does have a huge effect on the overall feel of the wedding), so don't loose sight of your love for one another. It's all that truly matters.

Band, or DJ....or BOTH?!?!

I've received my first email!!!! And I think its a question that every bride struggles with:

"Hi Megan! I am really having trouble deciding whether I should have a Band or a DJ for our wedding entertainment. Please help!!

---Kristen, Dallas Texas

Kristen (and for that matter, probably every bride reading this...), your problem is not unusual, in fact I struggled with the same dilemma! Hopefully my advice will help make your decision a little easier.

Band: First, you need to take into account the price differential between a Band and a DJ. Bands can run you from about $2,000 to $20,000 (and up!).

There is nothing that compares to the element of live music.

Be cautious that your Band doesn't focus too much on one genre of music.

DJ: You won't have to worry what your band will sound like singing Prince or Whitney Houston!

It takes up much less room at the reception. ** If you're struggling with space capacity at your venue, take into account that a Band takes up significantly more room (room that can be used for more of your parents friends!!).

...OR (this one will really get your head spinning!)...A BAND AND A DJ!!!

You really don't have to settle for one or the other. There are companies which have the options to reserve a band (for example, through cocktail hour, first dance and dinner) then when the party livens up switch to a DJ for a more contemporary music selection for your younger guests.

When it comes down to it, you need to decide what the general feel of your wedding is and how much you can realistically spend. In other words, if you're going to have a traditional wedding, traditionally speaking, a band will suit your event more than a DJ. Respectively, there are always going to be exceptions to this, so in the long run you need to trust your gut and do your research. A good band or DJ takes time to find, so go to a performance, or peel your head into someone else's wedding so you can get a good idea of how they interpret entertainment (they will be a very big part of your wedding!).

Personalized Details

If you're soon-to-be-hubby is in the process of becoming a teacher, incorporate it into your wedding!! Have a mini chalkboard for each guest at their table setting. They can be multi-useful, as a place card and a way for your guests to connect with their inner child. For some extra fun, leave colored chalk on each table and see how creative your guests can be.

Fake Cake

Consider a "fake cake". Its the ultimate way to save money on your wedding cake. A foam cake can often cut your budget in half!! The cakes are beautiful (full of styrofoam, but who cares), and the simple solution is to have sheet cake already cut and waiting for your guests in the back. Google "fake wedding cakes" to see more, or visit this fabulous website: http://www.ultimatefakecakes.com/

1st year anniversary

A year has gone by since I married the man of my dreams. Traditionally on your one year anniversary you gift eachother paper (yes, paper), eat the top tier of your wedding cake and watch your wedding video (or at least I think you should!). As I sat down to write my husband of one year a card for our anniversary, I found myself trying to be creative...what can I gift him for our paper-versary??? And here are the creative (yes, I am patting myself on the back) ideas I came up with...

• A box full of paper. All different sizes, some with words, some colored, some cut in shapes...all different, put in a big box with a little something special packed tight in the middle.
• A love letter. Yes, corny...but why not? If you cant tell the person you love them just how much you love then...then, well you can ponder that on your own...
• A paper, from you doctor, revealing you are pregnant. (Yes, this requires an ACTUAL pregnancy...)
• Wrap yourself in toilet paper...yep, I said it. Now by no means does this mean I think you should make yourself look like a mummy...were going for sexy here ladies...
• Other not-so-original (yet still thoughtful) paper-versary gifts...a plane ticket to a romantic location, a concert ticket, etc.
  

Reflecting on the year that had passed made me remember all the little things that went into making us who we are today. Whether you're months away from "tying the knot" or have been married for 40 years...remember, you can have your cake and eat it too....