"All I can say is thank God snow is white- it works. Know what I mean?" - Father of the Bride-
Recently in New Jersey (and parts of Pennsylvania, NY and up into New England) there was a random snowstorm that dumped over a foot of snow in some places. This storm spanned a Saturday and a Sunday knocking down trees, making travel hazardous and having residents forget all about the Hurricane Irene disaster back in August.
The worst thing about this storm was the unpredictability of it. There was no clear forecast about the amount or the timing of the snow...just that it would be a bad weekend to be outdoors.
But it was only October, and that's becoming one of the most popular times to get married in the Northeast. Between the cooler, but not too cool temperatures, the fall foliage, and the general spirit of the season, September through November is seeing an increase in weddings. Plus, it's not like anyone has to worry about a snowstorm. Well, except for this year.
So what do you do when it snows on your big day? Many couples plan for rain and set up a second location if their original one is outdoors. After all, no one wants to get all muddy and wet in their pretty white dress. However, there aren't a lot of plans set up just in case it snows during your outdoor ceremony. Why not? Because who plans an outdoor ceremony during the winter months? Very few, I promise.
This is just another reason to hire a planner who can take your day and keep it special despite Mother Nature's desires. Sometimes vendors will cancel or not show up and that's something to be prepared for. When working with vendors, it's really important to look over the contracts with a fine tooth comb, and to ask the question: if a disaster (an October blizzard is a disaster) strikes, what guarantee do I have that you'll be there? It's also important to find out how venues operate under those circumstances. What if they lose power? What's the backup plan? Don't ever feel silly asking these questions because if 2011 has taught us anything, it's to be prepared.
In "Father of the Bride" the wedding planners took care of everything from blowdrying the now frozen tulips, to keeping the swans in a warm bath inside. They are there to make sure you don't freak out. They take care of the problems, and you'll be happy to you made the decision to have one should anything go wrong.
Thankfully, snow is white and it will go with everything, including your dress. Think of how extra special the pictures will now look. Talk to your venue about maybe changing your signature drink to something frosty. Throw snow or white glitter instead of those rose petals or rice you originally planned. Maybe even have your DJ play "Winter Wonderland" for your big entrance.
There are so many ways to incorporate snow into your wedding, even if it wasn't on the invite list!
Selecting wedding favors can be frustrating. You want something that guests 
will remember and take home with them. Instead, many favors wind up being left behind on tables or thrown in the trash. It's almost like setting money on fire. So no more chocolate covered almonds in netting!!
While there are many ways to get creative with your favors based on your theme, this is a chance for you and your groom to not only give back, but to express to your guests a little of who you are. Many couples turn to charities to donate to. But, and I cannot stress this enough, you should always pick a charity that is near and dear to your hearts. Something that you've either worked with in the past, or have a connection to.
So, October couples, your wedding falls during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you know someone that has been touched by the disease, or this is a charity that speaks to you, why not give out ribbons as your favors and donate to the cause? But don't just leave it at that. While a wedding isn't the time to get on a soapbox, there are subtle ways to show that you care. For instance, besides putting a ribbon on the table, incorporate the ribbons into your centerpieces or your bouquets. Too much? What about putting a note in the program recognizing anyone you have loved and lost, or someone you know that has survived? It's not a charity event, it's a wedding, so don't go overboard.
If the bride is a teacher, what about a charity that is dedicated to helping less fortunate children? Love animals? Speak with your local shelters about favor ideas and what they could provide if you donated money to their cause. Love to hug those trees? Find a way to go green during your ceremony. The possibilities are endless!
The ideas of favors are frequently left to the end of the planning process, when really they need to be thought of a lot sooner. Many last minute details are left to the end, because they can't be taken care of until the end..i.e table settings, last minute play list adjustments, escort cards, etc. Favors are not in this category.
When deciding your theme, think about how you want to express yourself. Charities are a great way to show your friends and family what you care about. Find a creative way to do it, and who knows, you might just inspire others to give to the cause!
Some couples not only want their wedding to be different...but their honeymoons need to stand out as well. A typical island honeymoon not what you and your sweetie are after? A winter wonderland of skiing not in the cards? How about a trip to Africa?
This blog is inspired by the many couples I have been speaking with over the past two months that are going on safari for their honeymoons. They will be traveling to Africa to see some of the biggest and most beautiful animals in the world. The options are endless for the couple that wants to try something new.
I first heard about the African safari experience when my father sent me some pictures from his trip about a year ago. He was up close and personal with the lions and tigers and bears...ok, maybe not bears, but you get the picture. His description of how close he could get to the animals scared me, but I'm finding more and more couples longing for the same experience.
I came across a website: safari2africa.com (incidentally, that's where the above picture is from) and it's a great place to start for the couple that isn't sure what they would be in for on this adventure. This website is great because it offers so many different packages, and there's really something for everyone. Whether you want to get up close and personal, or have a laid back experience that's way better than a trip to the zoo, you should check this website out!
Now, just because you're on safari, doesn't mean you'll have to be in a tent sleeping under the stars. No sir! There are some beautiful accommodations in Africa from 5 star hotels sitting at the foot of a mountain, to luxury villas on the beach. I love this because it keeps the romance alive on an otherwise adventurous honeymoon. Many of the hotels offer spas and massages as well, to spend some peaceful, quiet time with your new partner in life.
So, if you're looking for a little adventure, take a look into an African Safari honeymoon. Who knows, it might be the right place for you both!
Everyday brides are looking for the newest and best thing to hit the wedding market. They want a way to make their wedding stand out from the rest. It's always been my opinion that if you take care of all of the details and make them special, the big picture will be amazing.
I was recently contacted by a company called "Wood Invitations" and they sent me a full demo packet of everything that they do. I am so amazed by what I saw, that I had to blog about it...and next month they will be my featured vendor on www.goldenweddingplanners.com
The invitation in this picture is just one of the many really cool things that they do. The invites are made of wood, and engraved with designs and whatever words you want. Even the envelopes are available in wood!
To tie everything together, they also offer save the dates, wedding favors, magnets, gift boxes and so much more! They have something to suit every style, and I think these are perfect especially for outdoor weddings. If you don't want the brown color of the wood, they offer multi-colored invites as well.
When you send an invite, it really is the first (second if you send a save the date) expression of your style and what your wedding has to offer. The invitation really should say something about the wedding that guests are going to attend. Once your have your gorgeous wooden invitation, why not bring it to the florist and see how it inspires them? Perhaps some branches for your centerpieces? Let the spirit and design of the invitations influence your entire day!
Why not take that extra step to really impress your guests and get them excited for your big day? Not to mention, it's a great way to start your wedding album!
I hope that the couples I'm working with now, and the ones I'll meet in the future will consider working with this incredible vendor. Please visit their website to see everything they have to offer and tell them Danielle from Golden Wedding Planners sent you!
http://www.woodinvitations.com/
Happy Planning!
Putting together your tables and seating assignments can be one of the toughest decisions you make while planning your wedding. Though you will have your entire engagement to decide where people are going to sit, you'll have to decide fairly early on if you are going to have a head table or a sweetheart table. Once you know this information, it will be easier for your venue to show how the other tables can be arranged, and many other ideas will start to come together.
But what if you can't decide between a head table and a sweetheart table? What if you want your bridal party around you, but the idea of sitting in a line is a little 80s to you? What if you want a head table, but you're getting some argument from your party who would rather sit with their spouses? Remember, at the end of the day, it is your day, but let's see what options you have!
First off, a head table can be beautiful. It's the centerpiece of the wedding reception where you get to showcase your dress, your new husband, your closest friends/family, and the fabulous dresses you picked out. Speeches are easy to give and since the head table is at the front of the room, everyone will be able to face the same direction to see. Many times the head table is elevated above the rest of the room, which will also give you a great view of everyone having the time of their lives at your wedding.
That said, if many of your attendants are married and with their significant others, you can consider having them also sit at the head table. But be careful because if you have a large wedding party, finding a table or tables to make that work can be tricky. It is true that no one spends a great deal of time at their table except to sit down for dinner, but keep in mind that your bridesmaids and groomsmen might want to spend that time with their spouses.
Just because you have a head table, doesn't mean everyone at one long table either. You can break it up into multiple tables, all still at the front of the room, facing the crowd. This is easily accomplished by placing 3-4 couples at each table, either bridesmaid with groomsmen, or attendant with their significant other. Make it fun and have each table showcase a different centerpiece! Have the tables stand out and use lighting under the tablecloths. This is your chance to showcase a very pretty picture, so get creative.
If you don't want to go the headtable route, the sweetheart table is a great idea too! Many couples prefer this so that they can spend some alone time with their new spouse. Of course, people will be visiting the table all night, so be prepared to be interrupted! With a headtable, you can utelize your bouquet as a centerpiece, as well as the bridesmaid's flowers. This is great because you both have your own flowers and the bouquets aren't just used for walking down the aisle and pictures afterwards.
Sweetheart tables also give you the option of seating your attendants with their guests. You also can have a sweetheart table, plus a table for your attendants.
The possibilities are endless and there is no right or wrong way! Always think about how you would envision the tables when you visit your venue. Try and visit your venue when they are setting up for a wedding with and without a head table.
Tell me what you think! What type of table will you be using for your wedding?
*image from tusconweddingsite.com*
Something borrowed, something new, something old, something...cerulean?
Brides are always looking for ways to put a fresh spin on old traditions for their weddings. Now, Anthropologie is here to show brides how to make that something blue, something spectacular!
Anthropologie has come out with a collection named "BHLDN"...aka Beholden. This collection stays true to their everyday look of very earthy, natural and soulful. Whether it's an airy dress for your wedding day, or a flowing gown for your bridesmaids, if you adore their style in their everyday stores, then this is the place to look to add that flair to your wedding.
One of their collections is simply called "Something Blue", and from the cerulean clutch pictured at left, to the blue butterfly broch they offer, the possibilities are endless. Something I love about this collection is also how timeless each of the pieces are. I love the idea of preserving the wedding gown for your future daughter, but what about saving these little trinkets as well? Something blue could easily become something borrowed or old as well.
Not into the whole "stashing it into the closet until someone else can use it in 20 years" thing? These pieces can be used everyday. The clutch pictured can be used in real life too, unlike cheesy white wedding shoes. So while some of the pieces might be slightly expensive, if you get to use them time and time again, it will be worth it.
Time to think outside of the box brides! When you're celebrating your anniversaries, have a piece of your wedding with you! When your friends get married and ask what you used for something blue, make sure you used something that you'll always remember. Every little detail of your wedding should have thought and purpose behind it. Let your something blue say something about you!
Outdoor weddings can be absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, they depend on the one person who thinks she's more important than the bride: Mother Nature.
Brides have enough to worry about, and I know! I personally was looking at the forecast 2 weeks in advance of my ceremony which would be taking place outside. I even swore to myself that I would never have an outside wedding. Whoops.
Thankfully, the day of my wedding there were clear skies, and it was absolutely beautiful. But 24 hours prior to that, a tropical storm had just finished sweeping through the area. My wedding was in October, and yes, that is still hurricane season.
There are a few things to think about when planning an outdoor wedding. First off, look into the general climate of the area you're getting married at. You may think you know what the weather is in the place you've lived in for your entire life, and you may have heard that it never rains in Aruba, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Obviously you're not going to have an outdoor wedding when it's below freezing and there's a chance of a blizzard, but what about during the summer? If you live in a hot and humid area, those summer thunderstorms could strike right as the wedding march begins. Just google your climatology in the area you want to get married in. Look and see when it rains the most, what the average high temperatures are, everything! You can never be too prepared.
For my destination brides, hurricane season is June 1-November 1. Depending on the month, hurricanes strike different areas. Take a look at the general tracking of the storms and what your destination has been through during the past 20 years in the month you want for your wedding!
Even if you plan everything correctly, you should always have a backup plan. A stray 20 minute thunderstorm could change your entire wedding day. If you're planning an outdoor ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, or even just one of the three, you need to have alternate ideas. Work with a wedding coordinator (shameless plug: www.goldenweddingplanners.com) and tell them your ideas of your perfect outdoor bash. An experienced coordinator will make your dreams come true rain or shine. Golden Wedding Planners offers long range forecasts as well, to help you pick the best date for your big day.
Happy Planning!
"All I can say is thank God snow is white- it works. Know what I mean?" - Father of the Bride-
