"Royal" Blue Engagment Rings

When I say to you that I am bursting with excitement that the Royal Wedding is right around the corner, I truly mean it. I'm pretty sure this event calls for an all-nighter, considering I am notorious in the studio for my insomnia, this shouldn't be a problem.

Every time I see the ring Kate wears, I am giddy.  I had wanted a sapphire engagement ring since Lady Diana got married.  It was the very first wedding I ever saw and it is forever embedded in my mind as the most perfect. However my amazing husband surprised me with a diamond ring, and I could not have been any happier to receive such a gift.
As much as I am obsessed with the Prince William & Kate Middleton's Wedding I am equally obsessed with our client Martha's Wedding. Not only is planning her wedding fabulous but she also has a Sapphire Engagement Ring, sounds like royalty to me.
Since Matha's wedding is approaching so quickly we decided to interview her about her beloved Sapphire Ring. So here's the scoop:

Before Tom proposed to Martha they decided to make a custom design of her engagement ring, a friend of theirs who happens to be an architect made a 3-D model of the exact ring she wanted, how fancy is that! Martha loves the color blue and decided that diamonds were not her style, therefore Sapphire it was! Little did they know the the Royal Couple would follow suit shortly after.

Martha was laughing about this when we were chatting earlier saying that it so frustrating that everyone thinks she copied the royal couple. I asked her how often people relate her ring back to Kate's and she replied "ALL THE TIME." She likes to joke with her friends and family saying "I designed my ring first and at least it is all Sapphire, no Diamonds for me!" Even though she wishes her ring was completely unique she totally does not mind being compared to a princess. 

Needless to say I adore our bride Martha and am counting down the days for not only her wedding but also Prince William & Kate Middleton's.

We're covering more Royal Wedding starting tomorrow over at It's Pretty Splendid.  Pop on over when you have a few.

Why You Should Get Engagement Photos

If you are engaged and planning your wedding I highly encourage you to have engagement photos. Not only are these photos a great keepsake and so fun to do, but they have come such a long way since the traditional staged portraits from the '90s. They are now so much more fun and creative.Check out Aly & Michael...
 

Photos by Concept Photography Save the Dates created by Minted.

Reason #1: Getting engagement pictures done will give you and the photographer the opportunity to get acquainted before your wedding day. This means one less stranger that will be in your face wedding day. Plus after working together once you will feel much more comfortable being yourself.

Reason #2: While you will love your wedding day photos, there will come a time that you wish you had another great picture of you and your groom outside of your wedding dress.

Reason #3: Engagement Pictures provide a great picture for your Save the Dates and for wedding websites. They are fun, corky and totally natural.

 Here are a few more Engagement Pictures from our clients that we are dying over!

Christy & Keith our 2011 Grand Wedding Couple. Photo Credit Maria Glassford

Kate & Ryan. Photo Credit Ashley Brockinton

Aly & Michael. Photo Credit Concept Photography

Liza & Todd. Photo Credit Maggie Stolzberg Photography

Nick & Sara our 2010 Grand Wedding Couple. Photo Credit Riversedge Lifestyle Photography 

Attention Wedding Professionals: Brides don't always know.

Yesterday I was out picking out my husbands birthday gift and I went to his favorite shop. Now here's the thing, I had every intention of buying a gift. Like a Reel or a Rod or something like that. And then, I walked into the store and saw this:

I twittered that after seeing this table of I have no idea what these all are, I quickly became confused, overwhelmed, and ready to run for the oh so not unique gift certificate. A moment later, Monica of The White Box twittered back, "Aghh! Just looking at that kind of stressed me out." This comment instantly made me think,

you know, this must be what its like when a newly engaged bride is trying to decipher the abyss of flowers,fillers & vases; playlists, instruments & protocols; linens, chairs & tables; cake styles, frostings & fillings...

Do you remember when you first realized you had no idea there was so much you didn't know?
So just a reminder to us all, to make conscious efforts to explain everything to our clients, or at least inquire into their knowledge so that they aren't feeling like a chick in a fishing tackle shop when her comfort zone is Homegoods (this would be me).
Here is a great example of a magazine that totally gets it. Bride & Bloom used to include these flower cards. I still use them to this day.


YES! You can follow Monica of The White Box, Bride & Bloom, and me on twitter. Good stuff over there...

My Friday

On Fridays during the summer I close the office. But I don't take the day off. It's the day I use to run around and get things done that I can't do from my office. Most of my work week goes towards meetings and sitting at my desk for 10-12 hours, so Fridays can be fun. Here's a visual of this past Friday. I left off a few photos because when I looked back at everything I actually did- it was crazy and I thought for sure none of you would believe me. Anyway, here's the highlights:

Left to RIGHT, Top to Bottom (not in the order I did them):
1. This is the new DVD wrap that I designed for a local photgrapher. I dropped it off to to her and found out she had a housekeeper. I am jealous. Anyway, they turned out really great. Get this- the dvd wrap includes a thank you note in the pocket. I thought that was a nice touch.
2. I was looking for one of those digital photo frames for a client. I found a great new source for candles instead.
3. I did a site tour for a new venue. Very cool outdoor space, great for a 50-75 guest wedding.
4. Stopped at Starbucks. I love to read "The way I see it's". They always seem to make sense.
5. That's me. Don't worry, I was at a stop light. But I am sure someone thought I was a lunatic anyway.
6. While looking for lanterns for SD's wedding, I found these fantastic fabric wrapped boxes with a grosgrain ribbon. I bought the store out of them. They'll make for great end of season gift boxes. Now I just have to think of what to stuff them with.
7. I worked on 3 wedding dinner menus and 1 dessert reception menu.
8. I updated 4 budgets and started 2 new ones.

It was a great day.

Thank you notes ROCK!

Isn't it so true? Think about it. The last time you received a handwritten thank you note in your mailbox- didn't it just make your day? Every time I get one my day is instantly better.
Me, I love to send notes as much as I love to get them. Actually, I take that back, I might actually enjoy sending them more. I smile when I think about how happy it might make the person that is going to receive it. After each wedding or event, I send thank you notes to all the vendors who worked so hard to make that wedding better than my client expected. Usually, if I can get a good photo of the bride and groom myself, I'll include a snapshot with the thank you note.
So as you can imagine, I go through a gazillion thank you notes a year. And I have issues with sending the same card out time and time again. For that reason, I buy new cards every month. I do try and keep with my business colors, but every now and again I get wild when I find cards I just can't pass up. Here's the card I am using this week. It's a Crane & Co. card (Roses is the design).
I sent one to Clint Wiley yesterday to thank him for making my summer bash the party of the year (ok, I was the only one who voted. But I had a great time, and so yeah, it was. I'm totally cracking up right now by the way.)

Here is the number 1 question I get asked by my clients when it comes to thank you notes, "What do I have to send one for and how long do I have to get it out?"
Answer: Send a card to ANYONE and EVERYONE who sends you a gift or helps you with your wedding. Mail it within 5 days of receiving the gift or help, if you really want to make an impression. Now, when it comes to actual wedding gifts, that you receive at your wedding, obviously you have a little more time. But try not to go past 6 weeks. However, it is never ever too late. If you realize that you never sent a note for something you should have months ago- send it anyway, it will still make the recipient smile.

If you have a thank you note that you think I would love to get my fingers on, let me know!

Hello Pacific Weddings!

This morning I opened my email and found a nice email from one of the editors at Pacific Weddings Magazine. First, I have to say that I was thrilled that she liked my blog. But more importantly, I was ecstatic that she introduced me to the digital version of the magazine! It ROCKS! Really, you just have to actually go and try it out. Its really like a big bold version of the printed magazine that is interactive. For instance, on the cover page- I saw the subtitle mentioning cakes. I kind of love cakes and so I clicked on it. Voila, I'm there...the cake page. Oh, and the icing on the cake (ha ha), that click lead me right to a Kate Spade inspired cake. Just so happens that one of my clients just registered for the Kate Spade china that was the inspiration for this cake. So what did I do? I clicked on the "share" link at the top of the page and emailed it to her. Unbelievable. I am so excited.
I also loved that I could zoom in on certain parts of the pages, that I could look at the entire magazine laid out in large thumbnail formats, and that I was able to click on any of the advertisers to be instantly connected to their website or send them an email.
Here are the links everyone- I really hope you'll check it out. I think you'll be impressed.
Pacific Weddings and the digital version

There is generous, and then there is over doing it.

I met with a potential client yesterday who has fantastic ideas for her wedding. It will be a beach wedding, so she wants to have parasols to shade the guests, program fans to cool the guests, and flip flops to keep their feet cool and comfy. Of course, there will also be welcome bags for all the out of town guests, which will include a custom photo cookie. And at the reception, a photobooth so everyone can take a picture home.Then at the end of the night, while everyone is out on the dancefloor, each place setting will be replaced with a mini wedding cake. I love all these things, every last one. So we talk about all the great things we have planned and then she says,

"So what should we do for the favor?"

Nothing. Absolutely nothing is my answer. I understand wanting to give your guests gifts. Me, I'm a big HUGE fan of giving gifts. But there comes a point where enough is enough. So with that said, think before every purchase. You don't want your guests to leave your reception with a shopping bag. Unless of course its a cool monogrammed one from Red Envelope. Just kidding!

Aren't you excited I finally figured out how to make these photo boards? Thank you to some fantabulous direction at Style Me Pretty. Seriously, I love her blog.

Lookie here...Woohoo...WIN some Telliegrams!

These have got to be one of the coolest new things I've seen lately. Totally unique, and downright cool. I also happen to like the fact that the designers name is Kelly. Turns out Kelly is as cool as her little boxes are and she's giving me a $100 Telliegram Gift Certificate to give to one of you! If you're a wedding pro, you can give the gift certificate to one of your clients as a gift or use it for your own business. Or if you're a bride, you can use the gift certificate yourself! My favorite is the lime green takeout box with the hot pink palm tree. Go figure.
To enter the contest, go to the Telliegrams website and find your favorite product. Then come back here, leave a comment with your name and your favorite product, and you'll be entered. You have until August 1st to enter. Want to increase your chances? Invite a friend to do the same and make a deal to split the gift certificate if she wins!

It's a win-win deal here- the coupon code above is good just in case you don't win the gift certificate. Be sure to enter though- someone has to win!

Vote on!

Being that I mostly plan destination weddings, I have clients all over the country. Turns out we have another connection to the Fox Philly Hotlist! Please vote for Urban Front Pilates Studio while you're voting for the Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants.
DO you guys remember what happened last time I tried Yoga and Pilates?
I can pretty much guarantee that UrbanFront Pilates would have done me better. HA!

Every once in a while bigger is better

More often than not, I'll tell a client, bigger (or more, or longer, etc.) is not the way to go. This is because it is a rare occassion when something a little bit bigger or a little more of will make as much a difference as the cost is worth. However, there are times when this is not at all the case. For instance, in these 2 pictures from a mock up earlier this week. The reception is being held in a split level room, and to force the eye to the view of the water (it is an amazing view) on the lower level, we needed tall centerpieces- really tall centerpieces. We started with the trumpet vase, and it looked great, but then when we put a few of the orchids in the tall one (it's at least a foot taller and thinner) and placed it on the table...wow. On top of that, the flowers we're actually getting are being flown in from Hawaii and are about 12 inches longer and have lush white blooms right to the tip of the stem; so that meant that they were going to be much bigger, and cascade even more. Oh my gosh its going to look so great.

**Reminder! the "year of inspirations" wedding magazine contest ends in just 5 days, don't forget to enter!

The big red box with a bow

Yeah, I kind of love Red Envelope. It's a slight addiction. The thing is, they have really great stuff, the best sales, and quite frankly, the best gift wrapping ever. I've received 3 of their famous red boxes with the ivory grosgrain ribbon in the last couple years and I get sooooo excited when they arrived. Those boxes- I keep. They don't get handed to the next person with a birthday!

This week a new client asked me for help planning their "Be in our wedding party" Party! The couple and their friends are wine enthusiasts, so we decided a wine tasting party would be the perfect setting for the occasion. We found this wine tasting set at Red Envelope, on sale for $29.99

As an early thank you gift, each groomsmen is getting this tie case (with their wedding ties inside), also on sale for just $19.99

Each bridesmaid is getting this XO bracelet- again, on sale for $24.99.


I love sales.

Some of my favorite spring '07 photos

Picture 1, Amanda. This photo was caught during a moment of outright laughter during the ceremony. The wind was coming at just the wrong direction and Amanda's parachute, ummm, I mean- veil proved to be a constant source of laughter through the ceremony. Fitting, because Amanda was the most hilarious client I have ever had. She really should go on a comedy tour. She had me in stitches for nearly a year. Photo Credit: Impressions Photography

Picture 2, Traci & Steve. Ok, I know everyone does this shot, but there was something about Traci & Steve when they were spinning about. They were totally lost in each other- and it totally came through in this image. Photo Credit: Julie Goodacre Photography

Picture 3, Jim showing off his newly adorned ring finger to friends. Ok, hands down, this is the most memorable shot and it is SO Jim. Jim was one of those grooms who came to his wedding excited to marry his bride and totally ready to celebrate his marriage with his closest family and friends. Susan & Jim's wedding was just down right fun. Photo credit: Gigi Hamlett Photography

Thank you fabo photographers for sending me images!

The Cool Factor: Furniture

Every now and again I'll have a client who just wants to do something really cool. Something non-traditional wedding that won't interrupt the flow of her wedding, but will for sure add to the atmosphere. I always suggest good lighting 1st of course, because lighting totally transforms a room. Next though- furniture. Kick it up a notch! Especially if you have the option of having your reception in 2 different rooms; one for dinner and one for dancing. I got the new catalog from Room Service yesterday and was so excited to see all the cool new furniture they had. I especially love this round bar. How cool would it be to leave the dance floor to grab a cocktail from this bar, and then sit at this bench and watch your 80 year old Great Uncle Jack & your crazy roommate from college boogie down to a little Earth Wind & Fire?
Oh and yes- I am all about splitting the reception into dinner then dancing. Why? Because its really 2 different vibes anyway; I say take advantage of it. Dinner is for eating, toasting & talking, and beautiful romantic music. Then there's party time. Celebrate with fun music, dancing, and a party atmosphere.

The Truth about your wedding menu

The truth about your wedding menu: Nobody cares what it is as long as it's hot and tastes good.
Consider all the weddings you've been too. Is the meal what you remember most about them? Doubt it.
Think about the BEST wedding you ever attended. Was the meal what made it? Doubt it.
Chances are that the best thing about your favorite wedding was the great time or feeling you had there. It's probably the memory of a band so amazing that you were dancing for so long your feet were swollen into your shoes. Or your lack of memory due to a really great signature drink. Or maybe it was how incredibly romantic and intimate the night was. Or perhaps it was how gorgeous the ceremony & reception looked and made you feel. But like I said, chances are- it wasn’t the meal.

My point is this, don't stress about what you put on your wedding menu. It's one of the elements of planning a wedding that I have noticed clients get more stressed about, and they just don't need to. So with that said:
***Feel free to serve chicken. These days, you can get some mighty good chicken! Chefs are amazing with their accompaniments and presentations, let them kick it up a notch and get creative with it. Why chicken? It is almost always the least expensive entree on a catering menu. Those savings mean you can bump up your budget on the things that really do make a huge difference in your wedding memories (the band, the flowers, etc.).
***Have a shorter dinner. Go the 3 course route rather than the 4 course. Again, there is the cost savings. Even better though, the time savings. That 4th course could easily eat up another 30 to 40 minutes of your "party" time.
***Do go all out for dessert. It's consistently a big hit when it’s done, and because it happens later in the evening- guests do remember it.
Cool ideas: add a dessert buffet, candy bar, Venetian table, or fresh doughnut bar.

Subject: Random Question #2516

Client:

Toasts for RD and Reception…
I’ve read it’s tradition for the groom’s parents to toast the bride’s parents at the RD, and for the bride’s parents to toast the groom’s parents at the reception…. Is that true?

Me:

Oh my gosh, you are so hilarious. I just realized you're numbering the questions. THAT is so funny.
There's tradition, and then there is what really happens. Tradition, yep- just what you said. What really happens...depends on the style and formality of the wedding and the kinds of guests you have. Here is what I will say for sure. Get as many of the toasts out of the way at the Rehearsal dinner. Ask everyone you think will want to say something, if they plan on saying something- before the weekend comes. Then ask them to do it at the event that you feel is most appropriate. This way you'll probably have more time to party/dance at the Wedding. Toasts and speeches on wedding night, on top of the other traditions (cake cutting, parent dances, bouquet toss, pictures, etc.) really cut into the time you actually get to just let loose and have a good time.

Client question of the week

Will this throw me over budget?

Nope that's not the question of the week.

Can my mother wear white to the wedding?

That's not it either.

Should I get a martini bar or a signature drink for cocktail hour?

Ce n'est pas lui.

What size shoe do you wear?

Hands down. This is the winner. And yes, this is for certain getting you on the blog. And I'm an 8 to 8 1/2, depending on the shoe.

Dress Shopping

Dress shopping. I rarely get to go to the bridal salons with my clients because they live out of town. But today was different! It was so fun to watch this client finally get her dress on. I say finally because it took forever to get here. The bridal salon ordered the dress months ago, with plenty of time to spare, thank goodness. But the manufacturer still caused all kinds of grief. You see, if you order a dress and say your wedding date is June, the manufacturer knows you don't need it until then. And lets say someone comes and orders the same one for a May wedding. Guess who will get the dress you originally ordered? Not you. Awful huh? So my solution? "Move" your wedding date up for ordering your gown. Give your self an extra month to 6 weeks.
And to Lacey & Ashley at Lace and Roses Bridal- thank you for making my bride happy today!

My friend needs a wedding planner

Yes, its now almost 1am and I'm still working. I just opened up this email from the most hilarious client ever and she woke up the Jerry Seinfeld in me.

Funny Bride:

Hey there! A friend of mine (guy) is getting married in City name removed to protect the dis-organized on 6/15 and they are really behind in their planning. I told him he needs a wedding planner and started asking all these questions. He wanted your info but then I told him you were in Florida :) Do you by chance know of any City Name Removed wedding planners that could help a disorganized couple?

Me:

No, I don't, because wedding planners don't deal with dis-organized couples.

Oh my gosh, I should put that on my questionnaire!:
1) Name_________________
2) Wedding Date______________
3) Are you dis-organized? _____ (if yes, stop here)
4) Expected number of guests_____


I put the word out with my wedding planner network to see who's in the area. I think I actually know one, and if she's booked, she'll give me the name of the next best thing :)

Ok, so maybe I'm not as funny as Jerry Seinfeld. But I am giggling something fierce.

Say Cheese!

So I have a couple clients who want to do the polaroid stations rather than the guest book. Because really- what in the world are you going to do with a book of signatures that you can't read?
But look at this new super cool idea! I LOVE IT.
With Usnaps you get in front of the booth, push the button, and the next day all the images are online at a designated website! You and all your guests can download away or purchase prints right from the website. But the best part- the newlyweds get a high-res dvd of all the images! How cool is that? It's all the rage at celebrity parties in LA and NY.
With Photobooth Scrapbooks, you get a vintage photobooth that spits out an unlimited number of those fun photostrips and a scrapbook for your guest to attach the photos and leave a message!
Both Usnaps and Photobooth are about $2000.

Uncle McPicky

Okay, so you all know I have the most hilarious clients on earth. Which is good, because I love to laugh. Here's todays winner:
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"So, I got an RSVP back tonight from my Aunt (my Dad's high-maintenance sister) she's going to have the fish, but my Uncle McPicky...yes, that's right, "Picky" needs a special option and I quote:

""If possible, please provide a low-fat, no cheese vegetarian option for Uncle McPicky""

and at the very bottom it continued to say

"" *No Eggs - prefers egg beaters or egg whites for Uncle McPicky too.""

So apparently my reception is at Mel's Diner and everyone's meal is made to order"
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Now, knowing that this client likes to crack a good joke as much as I do, I respond with,

"I'll ask the venue coordinator to send a request to the chef now to find out his suggestion for something yummy (well as yummy as something low fat, cheese less, eggless, and meatless can be)."

The comedian for a bride replies:
"HAHA yeah - what does that leave him? A chunk of tofu with tomato sauce spread over it?"
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Guess what? I learned my lesson. Chef came up with something I'm dying to taste:
Squash, mushrooms, onions, peppers, zuccini, eggplant grilled and layered with a balsamic marinade, topped with fresh herbs.