Tip Of The Week: Do I Really Need A Wedding Planner

Okay, so have you seen the commercial with the Dentist using a jackhammer while the construction worker watches him?  The dentist isn't doing such a good job and the construction man looks concerned.  Well, as a professional wedding planner that's how I feel when I hear about a new engagement.  Sure, there are tons of books and downloadable checklists, but how confident are you in the caterer you are going to choose?  Or the DJ...will they show up on time and play only the type of music you want to hear?  How about the decor at your reception?  Will the lighting be the right color and will all of the candles be lit when you arrive?  I can never stress enough to newly engaged couples how important it is to hire a professional.  I mean, you wouldn't want your surgeon doing your job, or you hers...right?

So my Tip for you for this week is that, YES, you should really consider hiring a wedding planner.  You don't need to necessarily hire somebody to take over the planning of your entire wedding, but at least somebody to have there the day of your wedding to make sure everything is as it should be.  Somebody that will take care of any and all problems so you don't even know there was one.  And, somebody to make sure the candles are lit so your friend, or worse yet, your mother, doesn't have to run over to your reception to take care of it!

Below are a few pictures of weddings that I have done.  Sure, things happened {like a major storm rolling in before the outdoors ceremony was supposed to happen}, but nothing that the bride, groom, families or friends had to think about.  The celebrating is all they had to take care of!

Photography by Heidi Lee Photography

Photography by Heidi Lee Photography

Photography by Heidi Lee Photography

Photography by Heidi Lee Photography

Photography by Gravidee Photography and Design

Photography by Gravidee Photography and Design

Photography by Heather Kessler Photography

 

 

Photography by Heather Kessler Photography

Photography by Heather Kessler Photography

 

Photography by Heather Kessler Photography

 

Have a wonderful Monday!

Engagement Photo Tips and Ideas

Even though you may not be planning to have engagement photos taken, or have it in your budget, it is a good idea to work with your photographer before the day of your wedding.  You should try to fit this in and request an engagement session.  Besides, these sessions can be so fun that you wouldn't want to miss out!

My top 5 suggestions for a successful engagement photo shoot:

1. Select a photographer that suits you.  This person will be with you on one of the most important days of your life so you will definitely want to like them.  Do your homework and find one that you "click" with.

2. Select a location that you are comfortable with and excited about.  Whether it is a park, Disneyland, or climbing up the side of a mountain, you will want it to reflect your personalities and style as a couple.

3. Ask for a warm up shoot.  This will give the two of you time to get comfortable with a camera capturing your every move and it will give the photographer time to see how you react to situations.

4. Have extra clothes along.  This way you will get some different "looks" in your photos.  Besides, you might decide that you really don't like one of the outfits.

5. Be yourself and have fun!  I think this is self-explanatory.

Here are some of my favorite engagement photo images that I want to share:

A favorite snack perhaps?

DisneyLand

 A favorite activity

 A favorite movie

 

Childhood favorites

Did you get engagement photos done?  Did you follow a theme?  Tell us about your photo shoot.
Happy Monday!!

Tent Weddings: Tips and Ideas

I absolutely love tented weddings!  To me, they are a blank canvas that you can transform into whatever you can dream up.  These are also the most difficult weddings to plan.  There are so many things you need to know and think about to make everything go smooth.

Here are some tips and ideas for you to help keep the big surprises away.

1. Check with your city's sound ordinances.  Make sure you know when the music needs to be ended and any laws on serving alcohol.  If you are having your wedding at your home, I suggest to, maybe, bake some goodies and deliver them to your neighbors informing them of the upcoming nuptials.  You know, an ounce of kindness goes a long way!

2. Have a contigency plan for inclement weather.  If your ceremony will be held outside the tent, be prepared to move it under the tent if necessary.  You could easily set up a little draping to separate the two areas if you wish.  This could also include umbrellas for your guests, or making sure you can move to an indoor place if needed.  Watch the weather channel!

3. Hire a professional.  Find someone that has done outdoor weddings before.  This is your best bet.

4. Make sure to announce on your invitations that your are having an outdoor wedding.  Your female guests might choose to forgo the heels for something a little flatter.

5. Prepare the site for bugs.  This could include a spray, but a fun little trick I learned is to use "fish" cat food.  Put it around the perimeter of your area and your stinging pests will be more interested in that than what you have going on.  Citronella candles and bug zappers are good options too.

6. Don't forget about restrooms.  Even if you are having the celebration at your home I would guess you really wouldn't want a few hundred people tramping through your house.  There are some pretty nice "Restroom Trailers" available that offer a larger stall for the bride with a large dress. 

7. Make sure you have enough power.  Talk with your band/ dj, caterer, restroom company and lighting to ensure you won't have a black-out.

8. Verify that there is enough parking for your guests and that it is well lit.  You could set up "painters lights", luminaries, or hand out flashlights for favors.

9. Keep your guests comfort in mind.  Set up a beverage station with ice cold water available.  Use your programs as fans and maybe even offer sunscreen or mosquito wipes.

10. Consider using a sunset as the backdrop for your nuptials. Keep the sun at your guests back rather than in their eyes {they'll appreciate it!}.

Are you having an outdoor wedding?  Do you have any tips you'd like to share?  Leave a comment and let us know.

Wedding Traditions: Something Blue

You know the saying:  "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"  Today, we are going to give you some unique ideas for the "Blue".  Blue is my favorite color, so I could really go on and on, but here are some of my favorite ideas for you to add into your wedding day:




First is my favorite new find.  I LOVE David Tutera and strive to be as good at my job as he is.  He has a new line of products offered through one of my favorite shopping sites www.koyalwholesale.com  and this is his something blue.

These are some more of my favorite ideas for you.

What will your "Blue" be?  Leave a comment and share.  Happy Wednesday!

The First Dance: Make It Great

I am in love with all things wedding and even more so when a couple goes above and beyond and adds elements of "them".  The first dance is one of the biggest traditions of the wedding reception.  This is the first time you will dance together as husband and wife.  Picking the song is one of the hardest parts of this.  He has his favorite, you have yours, but how about something like this:

If you had a fun first dance and had it taped, please leave a comment and tell us what you did.

The Fit Bride: Easy Healthy Dinner

I was eating dinner last night and was thinking that it was the perfect meal to put on this blog.  Eating is one of the hardest things to to today!  Eating HEALTHY that is.  Everyone is looking for quick and easy and that usually ends up being processed garbage.  Below is a meal I make on a regular basis that can be modified to be different each meal.  I will write what I had last night and some options to add.


3 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Clove Garlic
1 Cup Fresh Snow Peas
1 Cup Fresh Cut Broccoli
1/2 Cup Fresh Cut Carrots

(other veggie choices: Mushrooms, Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes)

Season to taste with:
Basil
Oregano
Pepper
Paprika

Throw in frying pan and cook vegetables about half way.  While cooking vegetables boil a small amount of whole wheat or vegetable pasta!

When veggies are cooked about half way add some sort of lean meat...  I have tried these below and cooking times vary!

Lean Venison Steak
Shrimp
Scallops
Chicken

Toss everything together and enjoy!

Eat Healthy,
Andrew

The Fit Bride: Stress - don't let it ruin your wedding!

One thing is for sure, you will be stressed while planning your wedding and on your wedding day.  If you don't get stressed at all then you are a superhero!  How you manage this stress can make or break your big day.  I am sure we have all seen or heard of that show Bridzilla.  Managing your stress will help you not end up on that show and handle your wedding in stride.

I recently watched a film by National Geographic that talked about stress and its affects on our body.  Some stress can be good for our body's but un-managed negative stress can take a tole on us.  Something that seems to be mental can have a lasting negative physical effect on our bodies.  I believe the correct term is phsycosomatic diseases.  We can literally make ourselves sick.

Their are many ways of managing your stress.  Some may work for you and some may not.  The important thing is to find one that works for you and implement it into your daily routine.  Meditation is a form of stress relief used for centuries.  Different types of meditation may work to help release stress and help you relax about everything associated with your wedding.  Below is a link to an article from the Mayo Clinic that talks about different types of meditation.  Check it out and see if any of these work for you.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meditation/HQ01070

Get Relaxed,
Andrew

Wedding Reception Seating: Have a Seat Please

It's been a crazy week, and I've had passing thoughts on what to blog about next, but after spending an extremely fun night with a couple I'm working with, the light bulb in my head lit up - SEATING CHARTS.  

{www.intimateweddings.com}
The seating arrangement for your wedding reception dinner is, quite possibly, one of the most stressful things when it comes to wedding planning {you thought it was finding the right dress, didn't you?}.  And, I hate to tell you, but this part of your planning really cannot be avoided.  Some people are very adamant about "letting their guests decide where to sit", but this doesn't work.  Too many times people end up shuffling around trying to sit with their spouse, or finding the right space for their children.  Cliques start happening {AHH!  High School nightmare!!}, and your quiet, reserved out-of-town friend is stuck sitting with people she doesn't know.  Not good!

So, with that being said I am going to help you figure out how to put together a perfect seating arrangement for all of your guests. Ready?


1. First, you have a couple of options as far as seating. You can do a Seating Assignment or a Table Assignment.  Either way, people will feel organized and relaxed - not anxious trying to figure out who to sit with.

2. Consider where to sit your elderly guests and those with disabilities.  Away from the music speakers, yet close to the fun and near the front are some things to keep in mind.

3. Figure out where to put the head table ~ if you're having one.  I am not one for the "traditional long head table on a stage" look so my couples always start their seating assignments with themselves.  A few options for my couple's and their set-up are:

• a sweetheart table, usually positioned near the dance floor
• a long banquet table in the middle of the room that can include everyone from the couple, bridal party and dates, parents, siblings, grandparents, officiant, just to name a few
• a series of round tables ~ this works well if there is an extremely large party
• a large square table including the two of you and your parents

4. Typically, both of your parents would sit at a table together along with the officiant and guest, grandparents and any siblings not in the wedding party.  Again, some options... You could decide to let each of your parents "host" their own table with close family and/or friends.  If your parents are divorced this could mean that you have 4 parents tables.  Not an issue, just keep this in mind.  And, if you're not sure what the best way to do this is, ask them.  You don't want any uncomfortable situations arising...and neither do they.

5. Aside from parents, keep your other family and friends relationships in mind.  If people aren't speaking due to past problems, don't try to make this day the "make-up day".  Let them do that on their own time.  Keep them as far apart as possible ~ trust me, they'll appreciate it.

6. Your high school and college friends will be excited to be sitting at the same table together.  It will give them all an opportunity to catch up, but, this is also a great time to mix and match both of your friends.  Seat some friends that don't know each other together, but who you think will get along exceptionally well...and who knows what might happen.


Remember that your seating chart takes time.  There are a number of on-line templates or you can draw tables on a large piece of paper and use post-it strips {that's my favorite!!}.  As you receive your responses back, write the names down immediately ~ on your computer template or your post-it.  Create a spreadsheet and write the guests names and their relationship to you {bride family, groom's cousin, dad's business partner...}, this will help you keep to easily sort the list and break it down into more manageable table assignements.

Try to have this finished, at least, a week before your wedding.  I try to have my couples get it done two weeks beforehand, then, since you've spent the time to make sure your 250 guests will have a remarkable night, show it off in your own style. 

www.austintaylorevents.com

www.milestonemoments.ca

www.thewhitelibrary.com

www.unitedwithlove.com

Are you doing a Table Assignment or a Seating Assignment?  We would love to hear what you do with it!  Leave a comment below and tell us how it went.

The Fit Bride: Nutritional Tip

Nutrition tip: Eating colorful food offers numerous health benefits. Green produce offers immune-fighting properties. Red & blue fruits & veggies promote healthy circulation. Yellow & orange foods strengthen your heart & purify your blood. These foods provide anti-aging properties, encourage weight loss & help ward off disease including cancer & diabetes. Pretty cool, huh?!

Eat Well!!

Andrew

The Fit Bride

Shape - Up:  The 6-month fitness plan

It is ENGAGEMENT season!!!  Did you know that December is the most popular month to get engaged and, about, 70% of brides want to lose weight before their wedding? Good news!! Starting this month, I will be working with a fitness expert to help you all get fit in 6 months. Keep watching for more information and make sure to share this with your friends!! You don't need to be getting married to get fit!

We will be including healthy recipes, nutrition tips, excersise routines (I might even get my guru to show us how to do them!!), and a whole lot more to help you get ready for that gorgeous dress!  Make sure to share this information with your bridesmaids and make it a group activity ~ or a challenge...

Here are a few tips for you to get started:

1. Write down your current weight and your goal weight.  Keep an excersise diary and watch your progression.  Don't weigh yourself daily, but do start our plan with weight and measurements.  Do these things monthly and always in the morning, around the same time for accuracy.

2. Start out doing a minimum of 20 minutes of cardio, three times a week.  This could include jogging, walking, running, swimming, elliptical (my personal favorite), biking...you get the idea.

3. By week two you should increase your cardio activity to a minimum of 30 minutes. 

4. Your foods should contain high fiber and low calories.  Make sure to check lables and watch serving sizes!!  This is a great time to start using fresh vegetables in your cooking.  Spinach (fresh, not frozen...only because it's much yummier), kales and broccoli are great!  Fruit is very important too.  A wonderful afternoon snack, if you need a little energy boost...a green apple with peanut butter.  Pass on the snickers.

tip:  if you have a sweet tooth and are craving a candy bar, eat a banana.  The sugars in the banana take care of the craving.

5. Try to avoid any high calorie, greasy, processed, fast-foods or deep fried foods.  Since it is hard to quit cold-turkey give yourself one cheat meal per week, just don't overdo it!  Have a slice of pizza, a monster salad (no iceburg lettuce please.  Use romaine, red-leaf, spinach and load on veggies - not the salad dressing) and a beer for dinner.  This sort of "cheat" meal will curb your carb and greasy food craving but will also supply you with the fibers and healthy nutritional needs.

6. Cut soda!  Water is best, but if you can't stand drinking 8 glasses of water a day, Crystal Light is a great thing to add.  Alcohol is another biggie!  Did you know a wine cooler has anywhere between 180 - 250 calories per serving (depending on the brand and flavor).  YIKES!

7. Don't overdo the excersising.  This can do more harm than good.  If it's been a while, ease into it.  Start with walking or swimming...don't just get out there and run 10 miles!  Join a walking, running or biking group.  If you are doing things with people that will be expecting to see you, you're more likely to show up and stick with it.

Go to this website and find out your weight vs. weight loss calorie count.  You can get calorie information on foods and drinks here and become part of a "community".  I use this!!

http://caloriecount.about.com

And, finally, a DELICIOUS recipe from one of my favorite food sites!  I think I know what I'm making for dinner tonight.  White Bean Chili - YUM!!!  This recipe forgoes the fat from the beef and is packed with healthy fibers.  Enjoy!

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/white-bean-chili-recipe2/index.html

I said this before, but make sure to share this information with your friends.  Let's all work together to make this year the healthiest yet!  If you have questions or want certain information, let us know. 

Happy 2012 everyone!!!

Tip Of The Week: Invitations

Recently, I've had brides call me up with a request... "Please help!  I have been trying to print my invitations and they are coming out crooked and the ink isn't very bright".

Now, I totally appreciate the DIY thing...and Kudos to all of you brides that really want to add your personal touches to your wedding, BUT, doing your own invitations isn't easy.  You need to keep in mind that your wedding invitations are the very first thing your guests will see when they are invited to your wedding. 

Luckily, though, there are enough companies out there {mine for example} that will work with you if you are adamant about doing your own invitations.  Here, at Signature Events by Shelly, we will help you design your invitations and print them, and, if you choose, you can take care of the rest.  Saving you money and allowing you to be more "hands on".

Here are the top five tips to keep in mind about invitations:

• When to Order

You should be ready to order your invitations when your guest list is final (about three to  four months before).  Your design concept should be figured out about seven or eight months before.  Look for invitation styles that you really like.

• Do Overcompensate!

Don’t order the exact number you need.  A good rule of thumb is to order 25% extra.  Also, order extra envelopes to leave room for addressing errors.  And, remember that you will need one per household…not one per guest.  Although, any children over the age of 18 living with their parents should receive their own invitation.

• All in One

You will want to provide your guests with all of the information they will need.  Your invitation supplier should go over all of this as your times, venues, styles are being chosen.

• Saying Thanks

Remember to add thank-you notes to your order.  The “thank – you note project” begins when you are gathering names and addresses for the invitations.  Do yourself a BIG favor and SAVE THAT LIST!  As you open presents, record the gift next to the giver’s name and address.

• Signed, Sealed and Delivered

If you are having a destination wedding or marrying over the holidays you need to send your invitations early (10 to 12 weeks before the wedding).  For a local affair, the standard time frame is 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. 

Have fun with your invitations and make them personal.  Work with a designer to really create a unique invitation.  Anyone can open a book and choose one...