All of the Lights

Lighting is one of my favorite aspects of a wedding. It totally sets the mood once the sun goes down, and can add a huge amount aesthetically while it is still sunny out as well. Lighting is crucial for photography and can make a somewhat plain space really sparkle!

 

It's all about finding the right type of lighting for your venue. Candles are inexpensive, romantic, and classic, but many venues ban open flames of any sort. Not to worry! There are so many electric and battery options out there that I don't think people realize. Simply browsing on Pinterest reveals the vast amount of options to match the vibe of your wedding. Your rental company should have a lot of these in stock, and if not try your florist/designer.

 

Photo: Claire Morgan                                         Photo: People Producciones             

 

I love this shot. See how much some simple string lights can make a difference? They add a glowing wall behind this lounge area, and so much dimension reflecting off the pool. Such an impact, and inexpensive! I found endless choices of string lights at Target, and these are obviously something you can keep for Christmases to come (or just rent from your rental company!). String lights are also my favorite when strung over the reception area, above all the tables and people, at an outdoor venue. It adds dimension and a "ceiling" of sorts that gives a special vibe once darkness hits.

 

       Photo: Raquel Reis                      The Hanging Lantern Company

 

I love lanterns! With a majority of weddings around the world happening during summertime, sometimes the sun does not go down until late. Lanterns are so awesome because they can act as a really fun and festive decoration before they are needed as lights (or just as decoration, no lights!). Again, these add dimension at varying heights, playfulness, and enchantment. And when they are lit up? Glowing orbs of fun overhead :)

 

Photo: Gustavo Fernandez

 

Uplights are everything. Above is a photo from an event my old company put on at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco. I believe this building used to be an old financial building, but is now used exclusively for events. The inside is all a light grey stone, and while beautiful, totally lacks in any color. You can see how use of uplights on the side pillars totally transform this space. The ability to use any colors you want can really lead to endless possibilities. Uplights can simply give shape and color to a space, can highlight certain aspects of a space (trees, wreaths, an entrance), and can be used for dramatic purposes during a grand entrance or first dance. Even better? They are easy to install, inexpensive, and can come in any color you like.

 

 Photo: Sylvie Gil Photography                  Photo: Sarah Kate                  

 

 

This brings me to my very favorite form of wedding lighting: chandeliers! Chandeliers are the ultimate in elegant, classy, upscale lighting. They add romanticism to any indoor or outdoor space and just make everything feel fancy! Chandeliers do not always have to be crystals; they can be rustic, modern, and aerie. These don't come cheap, but are especially useful in an outdoor location where you want something elegant over your guest tables.

 

I really encourage my brides to explore their lighting options to add some noticeable extra flare and magic to their special celebration!



Four Habits of Highly Successful Weddings

In its essence, a wedding is the culmination of approximately 823940 factors, all coming together to create one really fabulous celebration. What are the makings of a great wedding, you ask? Here are some starting points, in no particular order:

1. Great Things to Look At
Nothing will make your guests' jaws drop more than beautiful sight to see. Beautiful flowers and special décor can go a long way. Everyone can appreciate a beautiful flower to look at, or a gorgeous wreath to adorn an, otherwise, plain space. Any additions to your space that are visually pleasing will keep your guests entertained, talking, and snapping photos. A variation on this point is to hold your wedding in somewhere very scenically pleasing: a surreal beach view, a majestic mountain view, an ethereal valley, in the middle of a forest... the options are endless and best of all: all are built into the price of the venue! No need to go overboard with décor or flowers in these types of settings. I went to a gorgeous wedding on Oahu a couple weeks ago, and the view itself was enough to make it a truly beautiful wedding. The couple used almost nothing else, nor did they need it!

Photo 1: Lisa Poggi             Photo 2: Max Wanger

2. Artistic Elements to Appreciate

Adding artistic elements to your wedding details cause guests to feel they are somewhere special and deserving of such art. Moving beyond simple flower arrangements and decor, a little extra artistry goes a long way. Given that your wedding day is the most important day ever, you want your guests appreciating even the smallest bit of creativity that you put into every aspect. Calligraphy is a big one for me. Calligraphy has few opportunities in which is it appropriate. Weddings are absolutely one of them. Use of calligraphy can make a simple word feel royal, elegant, fancy, and romantic all at once. An ancient art itself, calligraphy is a fairly simple way to make a plain detail glamorous. Unique floral arrangements, too, add this element of grandeur. Large, magnificent arches, intricate petal arrangements on the ceremony aisle, and living wall backdrops are all examples of ways you can spice up your florals with an artistic flair. Finally, gourmet food is a third way your guests will appreciate the extra attention to detail at your event. High-end caterers can do some really amazing thing with hors d'oeuvres and dinner presentation. Your food selections will be sure to show up on instagram with this approach!

Photo 1: Me! (A wedding I recently attended)  Photo 2: Buzzfeed    Photo 3: Katie Stoops Photography

3. Fun Activities!

To quote one of my favorite movies (Step Brothers), "there is so much room for activities!" Let's face it: weddings can be a 6 hour long affair! You want to keep your guests interested, entertained, excited, and smiling! First and foremost, make sure you have great music and a dancing floor. Haven't all the most fun weddings you've attended included a LOT of dancing? Make sure to test out your DJ or band before hiring them. Insist on videos of live performances, and take special note of how the crowd is reacting! You'll want a DJ or band that has people on their feet and singing along. Unfortunately, not all DJs/bands are good at playing the right music in the right sequence at the right time, so it's an important thing to look for. Photobooths are also always a hit, and there are so many variations now too! From props, to flip books, to slow motion video booths, the options are endless as well as endlessly entertaining. On this note, lawn games are also a big hit and have great variety as well. Corn hole is timeless and a great item to personalize according to your wedding theme. Horseshoes is inexpensive and easy to play as guests have a drink in their hand at cocktail hour. Another perk: great way to keep the kids at bay!

Photo 1: Flip Book America                       Photo 2: Best Photography



4. Open Bar

Possibly the most important on the list, I can't stress enough the important of an open bar. As the event hosts, you spend so much time planning every detail so that your guests are happy and comfortable, so this one should not slip to the wayside. When you face the facts, no wedding guest is happy when he or she has to pull out their wallet in order to join in the celebration. This is truly an integral part of "getting the party started" and I urge you to spend the extra cash for a hosted bar.

Finding great vendors to accomplish such a feat can be overwhelming! One perk of hiring a wedding planner is getting their expertise and industry knowledge of the best of the best wedding vendors in your area. Cheers!

Wedding Guest Welcome Bags

In the past two weeks, I have had the pleasure of attending two weddings. The first was for one of my best friends from high school and her high school sweetheart. The ceremony was at a gorgeous church in our hometown, and the reception at a classy golf and country club nearby. The second wedding was for my boyfriend's cousin at an adorable hotel on the Sonoma coast. Both were beautiful, sentimental, and a long time in the making-- both couples had a ten year history together!

 

Something I loved about both was walking into my hotel room and what was the first thing I saw? A welcome bag waiting to be enjoyed by me! I love welcome bags, and it's a really fun way to get your guests excited as the festivities are just beginning. It's also a great way to show your appreciation for their time and money, traveling near and far for your big day.

 

What goes inside of your welcome bag can vary greatly. It's a fabulous opportunity to customize this small gift based on your personality and theme of your wedding. A great starting point for a welcome bag is using items that are good for a person who has been drinking, whether night or the next (painful) morning. These items will be appreciated, even if the guest is not a drinker, and can be general enough that most everyone can enjoy them. It's also a nice touch to stay within your wedding theme (ie a chocolate chip cookie for "love is sweet," Swedish Fish candies if nautical theme).

 

 

The picture above shows the items included in the first welcome bag I received. A couple of waters, some granola bars, two packs of gum, a bag of Chex Mix, and the wedding program. My boyfriend and I drank the waters before the wedding, as we anticipated we would be having mostly wine the rest of the night. I munched on the Chex Mix while getting ready, and had a granola bar before brunch the next morning (I was starving!). Most of all, I enjoyed getting a sneak peak at the wedding program. Theirs was especially sentimental, with numerous stories and sweet notes. I love that in it, they explained the meaning behind all of their guest table names for the reception. Some of the names appeared quite random, but truly had so much meaning behind them.

 

 

The second welcome bag was similar, but was equally personalized for this wedding as well. The fig bars made for a yummy late night snack, as well as the peanuts and the salt-water taffy. This wedding was a couple hours drive up a long windy road, and along the way we passed a bright pink store advertising salt-water taffy. I'm not sure if this is where the relation came from, but either way I was very happy to have a sweet treat! My favorite part of this welcome bag was the homemade Lemoncello. The groom's mother made it using lemons from the garden of the bride's family's home and work place. What a special (and yummy) touch!

 

We had such a great time with family and friends celebrating two amazing couples!

Give your Guests the Star Treatment

So it's your big day! All your friends and family have traveled and gathered to celebrate this momentous day in your life. Let's face it, how much fun would a wedding be if no one showed up to enjoy your wedding day with you?

 

It's important to show your guests you are SO happy they came and that the effort, time, and money they put in to joining you on your big day was well worth it for them. There are a lot of ways you can put in a little extra effort to show your guests you thought about them during your planning process.

 

Most wedding ceremonies incorporate some kind of ceremony program. Guests, especially relatives, really appreciate this little guide to your ceremony and wedding party because it helps them know what's going on and who you've chosen to take part in your day. It'll tell them who is who, the order of the ceremony, important passages or readings they can follow along with, and what is happening once the ceremony is over. This is also a really great time to type a note thanking your guests for coming, that you couldn't imagine this day without them, and how excited you are to share your future with them as a part of your life.

 

Photo by Laura Ivanova Photography

 

The programs pictured above double as a fan, which is another way to make guests more comfortable during a hot summer ceremony. Not only do people love cutesie, clever, practical items, but they'll really appreciate it when they are exposed to the sun for 30+ minutes. Another great way to achieve this level of comfort? Parasols. It's an adorable word for delicate, girly umbrellas that looks great and shade your guests. You can buy them for pretty cheap, or a lot of venues rent them out for the day.

 

Image from a wedding I assisted on with Soigne Productions, photo by Michael & Anna Costa Photographers Ltd.

 

Another great way to create a more comfortable environment for your guests is to add some amenities to the restroom(s) at your venue. You are not the only one who wants to look and feel great on your wedding day! Your guests want to look their best as well, and you can aide in this endeavor by throwing together a fun yet practical basket for the restrooms. Whether you are hosting your wedding in a hotel, a winery, or somewhere requiring you to bring in portable restrooms, there is always room to make the bathroom that much nicer.

 

Image from All Free DIY Weddings

 

Things to consider including: deodorant spray, floss, sunscreen, feminine products, a comb, and breath mints. People really appreciate it, and definitely notice that extra effort. You can even include a cute note for a personalized touch.

 

Finally, never send your guests home at the end of the night without a party favor. They will love it, they'll remember your night, and (hopefully) they won't throw it away! In my opinion, it's important to give your guests something they can use, not something that will add to the clutter drawer in their house. They will appreciate that you took the time to give them something thoughtful and practical. There are so many directions you can go with this, and that's what makes it fun! Try to find something that goes with your theme. Garden them? A cute little succulent (that can double as a place card!) is always a fan favorite. Aiming to go a little more DIY? Home-made, wrapped cookies can NEVER go wrong. If your wedding color is a mint green, "Mint To Be" breath mints are clever and very useful for guests young and old alike.

 

Image from a fellow blogger

 

Had to throw in one more party favor favorite of mine, "I Met My Match." I love the saying, with the names and the wedding date, and matches are something people always need, always keep, and will remind them of this special day every time they use one. You can even throw on a little "Thank you for celebrating with us!" note to show your gratitude one last time.

Wedding Budget Woes

It's no secret that a wedding can be expensive and costs add up FAST. It's a fine line between creating the wedding of your dreams while sticking to the agreed upon budget. The good news? Small tweaks in your wedding details can really make a difference.

 

First of all, it's really important to know the budget you are working with before you start planning. Be realistic with yourselves. You don't want to be broke or in debt your first year of marriage, and you don't want to pressure your parents into giving you more money than they are comfortable with. No matter what your budget, your wedding can be spectacular and special. The most important thing is that you and your fiancée are tying the knot, right? If only it were that simple...

 

Once you've got a budget, it's time to lay out your priorities. I'd create a pie chart with percentages that will equal out to monetary amounts based on how much, total, you'd like to spend. This is a great visual way to see where you want to spend the most and the least amount of money. As you book vendors and purchase items, you may need to adjust the percentages accordingly, and that's okay! You might fall in love with some invitations that cost more than you had allocated. You just need to simply cut some percentage points in another category to balance your total.

 

Your spending will increase as your guest list does. The more bodies present at your wedding, the more expensive it gets. This makes sense, right? More people means more chairs to rent, mouths to feed, wedding favors to distribute, and often times can result in in a larger cost for your wedding planner. Coordination for a wedding with 400 guests will almost always cost you more than coordination for a wedding of 150.

 

Don't go for upgrades. Folding chairs rather than Chiavari chairs (the two most commonly rented chairs) can save you a pretty penny. While Chiavari chairs have a slightly nicer appearance, it's super unlikely that your guests will care, and will not even be looked at once they are being sat on and everyone is eating, laughing, and enjoying the party.

 

 

Folding Chair vs. Chiavari Chair

Images from Classic Party Rentals

 

Another chair tip: repurpose your chairs! If the staff you have hired and your venue allow, feel free to use the same 100 chairs that your guests sat in at the ceremony and move them over to the reception dinner tables while they are at the cocktail hour. This, of course, is dependent on whether or not you have a long enough cocktail hour to make this transition happen and if the cocktail space is not in eye-sight of the ceremony/reception locations.

 

You can also use this repurposing trick for your flowers. Large floral arrangements can come out to multiple hundreds of dollars each. If you have large alter arrangements, ceremony aisle flowers, or even bridesmaids bouquets, you can repurpose all of those to become centerpieces and room décor for your reception. Your wedding planner can collect the arrangements and bridesmaid bouquets and place them into vases of water on tables after the ceremony or while they are enjoying the cocktail hour.

 

An example of flowers that were repurposed from the ceremony and used as cake table décor

Image from Bridal Guide

 

Finally, a great way to curb your spending is to go with a new kind of wedding registry. Companies like Honeyfund and Zola allow you to register for monetary amounts/experiences, rather than the traditional household item route. While you may not realize it, your honeymoon can take up some of the money you've allocated for your wedding. Since many couples today live together before getting married, they usually already have a lot of the household items that would typically go on a wedding gift registry. These websites allow couples to ask for contributions for their honeymoon plane tickets, romantic dinners, couples' massages, fun activities, etc. This let's you worry less about what you are spending on the wedding, knowing you have a fun, special, once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon to look forward to and taken care.

 

Ask your planner other ways to cut costs on areas like dinner service style, alcohol packages, digital save-the-dates and invitations, and DIY projects.

An Eco-Friendly Affair

Weddings can put a huge dent in your wallet, but also in the environment. So much goes into these important events, that the environment sometimes falls to the wayside on the list of peoples' priorities. The good news? There are SO many ways to make your wedding 'green' yet elegant. Here are a few that I love.

 

Potted plants, rather than flower arrangements, make mother earth so happy! Going this route allows you to either rent the flowers and plants for the day, or you can buy them and enjoy them in your home long after the wedding is over.

 

                 

 

 

Images from One & Only Productions' Pinterest page

 

Another way to think green with your flowers is to go for flowers that are in season locally. Many flowers need to be shipped, if they are not in season, from tropical areas. I can't tell you what kind of impact this has on the environment. Ouch!

 

Really love flower arrangements? Me too. There are a number of great companies that repurpose your wedding flowers the day after your big day by using the blooms to create new arrangements to be given to patients in healthcare facilities. I can't tell you how many (heartbreaking) times I have thrown away left-behind flowers at the end of a night (after grabbing a few for myself!). Companies like Random Acts of Flowers allow for these flowers to make someone else's day a second time!

 

How else can you make an impact? Ask your caterer not to pre-pour water glasses at your reception's dinner tables. Let's face it, your guests are there to celebrate YOU and will likely have more wine than water. So as not to waste any precious water (I'm based in California- we have no water!), leave water glasses at each place setting empty and filled only upon request. You can even have a little note card placed on your reception tables letting your guests know they can have as much water as they like-- all they need to do is ask :)

 

Invitations can be another place where you can cut back on your ecological footprint. Sending out 200  Save The Dates + invitations + envelopes + RSVP cards + RSVP envelopes, etc.? Yeah, that's a lot. Alternative? The internet is your best friend. Not only can you get and receive all these messages to your family and friends virtually (wedding website, e-vites), it's also SO much cheaper to do so than to purchase the print counterparts, and WAY easier to keep track of! Nevertheless, if you cannot part with beautiful, traditional, keepsake-worthy paper invitations, you can always print on recycled paper and ask your guests to recycle theirs as well.

 

There are so many more ways to make your wedding eco-friendly! If this is something that interests you, let me know! I'd love to share more ways to incorporate green practices into your big day.

You're engaged... Now what?

Congratulations! You've now entered one of the momentous, important, ecstatic, and stressful times of your life! So many emotions, so much in your brain, so much to plan. But where to start?

First: slow down. Take some time to enjoy this really special time in your life. Soak in the fact that you and your love have decided to do this forever. Gush with your family and friends, smile big time on this life change, and relish in all that you hope and dream will come next.

Once that's out of your system, it's time to start with a guest list. You'll need to know how many you are expecting before you can decide on a location and/or wedding date. In general, you can expect that about 2/3 of your invited guests will come to your big day. I'd start with the people you CANNOT get through this day without. This include the obvious choices, such as your immediate family, your best friend, your dear grandmother. Once that list feels pretty good, move on to those who you'd love to have there, but could still see yourself going through with it if they were not able to make it. Decide if you want to allow for plus ones, or just invite those significant other who you know are in a serious relationship. This part can get tricky, but just go with your heart... and your wallet. Keep in mind that each body you are seating, feeding, and planning for will contribute to your budget. Finally, as bad as this is to say, there are always people you don't feel you need to be at your wedding, but should be: your boss, your distant great aunt, your oldest family friends you haven't talked to in years.

Now it is time to venue search! A lot of factors go into a venue search: do you want the ceremony and reception to be at two different locations, or the same one? Outdoors? Indoors? Handicap accessible? Noise curfew? Ambiance? How many people can be accommodated? Talk these items through with your fiancé to get a good grasp on what you both are wanting out of the day. Secluded venues with amazing views might need a kitchen and bathrooms brought in which can be pricey, as well as required transportation buses for guests due to lack of parking. Winery weddings can provide those killer views as well, but may have hard liquor restrictions and are often a bit tighter on space too. Hotel weddings can act as kind of a one-stop-shop with the caterer, rentals, and sometimes a venue coordinator all provided for you; however these spaces might be lacking in outdoor space, character of the ballrooms, and limit your creative options. Once you've landed on a venue, they'll provide you with a list of some dates they are open during your desired time frame. Friday will be cheaper than Saturday almost all the time. I suggest looking up public events in the area to make sure you aren't asking your guests to travel during the most expensive/high-traffic/all-the-hotels-are-booked time of the year (unless that's what you're going for). It's also worth inquiring about events they have already booked at the space on the dates you are considering. Many venues and churches will have as many as 2 or 3 weddings in a day (at different times and/or locations of course) and you can sometimes pay extra to have an exclusive for the day. Weddings are notorious for running late, and you don't want this potentially infringing on the time you have paid for.

Once these HUGE decisions have been made, you can get down to the nitty-gritty: catering, flowers, rentals, entertainment, etc. Some peoples' minds were made for this, but some can feel totally lost in the details. You want to enjoy this time, so if doing it all yourself allows for that- GO FOR IT and save the money! But if not, a planner can greatly take away the stress that accompanies this happy time and can ensure your details are in good hands.

Happy planning!