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To read more on the tips, check out the original blog post by Marie McKinney-Oates.
Pin spotting is an excellent way to highlight the unique elements of the event. For instance, pin spotting a table arrangement can really make a difference in the overall look of the room.
In the image above, notice the use of pin spotting in the daylight. The difference in lighting is clearly seen in the flowers in the back. Though it was not done on purpose, it was the perfect example of the difference it can make.
Think your wedding budget is complete? Don’t forget to account for tipping your wedding vendors! In the wedding industry, reading the fine print is important when determining a tip. Many vendors include a percentage of gratitude in the final bill. For instance; in most catering and bar services the tip will be listed as a ‘service charge’. Transportation and valet usually do not include gratuity, so this is something to budget for. Also, many ministers, priests or officiants will not accept a cash tip, but contributing to their ministry is greatly appreciated. To keep it simple, give your planner envelopes prior to the wedding day so you are not bothered.
When choosing your wedding or event date, be sure to look at the calendar for important notes, such as daylight savings time. It is very important to note this to your guests so they are not early, or more importantly late to your event! If you are planning in a different time zone or have traveling guests, be sure to indicate the time zone in the invite.
When planning with your photographer, be sure to take into account the sunset and light to capture beautiful images.
“To all the girls who are in a hurry to have a boyfriend or get married, a piece of biblical advice: ‘Ruth patiently waited for her mate Boaz.’ While you are waiting on YOUR Boaz, don’t settle for any of his relatives; Broke-az, Po-az, Lyin-az, Cheating-az, Dumb-az, Drunk-az, Cheap-az, Locked-up-az, Good-for-nothing-az, Lazy-az, and especially his third cousin Beatin-yo-az. Wait on your Boaz and make sure he respects Yoaz”
I heard a lot of toasts and I always hope that they are appropriate and sweet. This is one of the funniest I have heard from a mother of the bride!
Elite Event Educators, Angela Proffitt, Jay Qualls, and Blake Chaffin, kicked off their education classes on October 2, 2011. The class was held in the cozy coffee shop inside Houston Station owned and operated by Scott with Noteable Blends.
The professionals informed the attendants of how to turn the money you have for an event into smart money. They shared ways to make $10 look like $100 with correct placement and signature pieces. With all of their experience in the industry there was no question unanswered and no element of the event unmentioned. Attend one class and you will never wonder where your money went during the planning process. In fact, when you look back you will be amazed at how much you did without going over your budget!
Business Owners: If you ever get the chance to attend EntreLeadership created by Dave Ramsey; you should go! It is a great opportunity to listen to someone who was been through years of experience in owning a business. Dave shares his great missions and values of the organization and can provide such positive inspiration!
Recently, dance lessons are becoming increasingly popular with our couples. Couples share with us that performing in front of hundreds of guests can be uncomfortable, thus it is easier to focus on steps learned through a dance instructor and not the gazed eyes from the crowd.
Dance lessons are great for establishing the base of working together as a team, which can be used throughout the rest of your life together. Surprisingly, the groom’s are the ones who appreciate the lessons the most – when they were the least enthusiastic about them in the first place. A professional dance instructor can help you and your partner communicate, in life and in dance.
The average couple typically requires 5 to 10 lessons in order to be comfortable with their first dance. However, if you do not have the time to spend every week learning a dance for your wedding it is okay. We had a couple from Poland who came in a week before their wedding and practiced every day for six days straight and performed the most amazing dance to a live band that kept their 500 plus guest in awe! When considering a song for your first dance, if it is going to be choreographed, discuss having the song played from an iPod versus performing to a live band. We recommend certain instructors based on availability and personality to fit our clients’ needs.
Photographs provided by: Chuck Arlund, Divine Images, Dove Wedding Photography, Hudson Photography, Krista Lee, McLellan Studio, Meishach Moore Photography, Silent Light, Zamana Photography
When searching for a venue, it is important to take into consideration the decor already in place.
I had the opportunity to plan a baby shower for a dear friend and the chief operating officer of St.Thomas Heart. Her colors for Amelia Jane were sage, green and black. 1808 with the Hutton provided the perfect backdrop for this affair.
In honor of this Carnival season, from Brazil to New Orleans, let’s focus on entertainment. We recently met magician Jason Michaels and witnessed a preview of his new show. Not only is he a big hit at corporate events, he’s making his way into the wedding industry one amazing card trick at a time.
It would be so unexpected to have a magician walking around during cocktail hour, engaging your guests to break the ice. His mysterious mingling with your guests will have them so anxious to see what’s behind the next set of doors.
Magicians have evolved into way more than just pulling a rabbit out of a hat. So, check out this contemporary illusionist at JasonMichaelsMagic.com! He takes time out of entertaining on a cruise ship in the Caribbean to write a blog and he’s kind of a comedian too!
When planning for your big day one of the biggest decision hiccups is what kind of cake you are going to have. If you look down at your guest list and see that you have 350 guests attending, you are probably thinking how on earth am I going to choose a cake that accommodates the taste buds of that many people! Who says you have to?! Cakes are such a beautiful and intricate tradition for all weddings around the world, but you’ll be happy to hear the fashions are changing. It’s becoming increasingly popular to give your guests an array of dessert options! In addition to the elaborate tiered cakes we have all become accustomed to seeing on display tables, also consider the liking of pies, cupcakes, candy bars, cheesecake pops, and candies, all of which are all “in” for 2011.
Delectable desserts provided by Maples Wedding Cakes and Chef’s Market.
Whether you’re having your ceremony in a church or outdoors, regardless of what your beliefs may be, we want to highlight the importance of putting some thought into planning your ceremony. In this video clip, captured by ANR Productions, a family friend incorporated a special reading during the unity candle ceremony, uniting their families on the most special day of Emily Head and Jeremy Donegan’s life.
With Valentine’s Day upon us, I’m sure many of you are searching for a unique way to propose to your special someone. In this video, we love how this groom, Marcel, incorporated his profession as a musician to propose to his girlfriend, country artist, Jessica.
When doing a tasting with your caterer, be sure to inquire about food presentation. Not only do you want your food to taste good, you want it to look good too. Even by adding a small garnish, the detail factor makes your guests appreciate the delicious menu you have selected for them. In the pictures above (*Descriptions below), we wanted to share with you a few items we have recently tasted and they make one bite appetizers and desserts look exquisite.
In addition to your traditional wedding cakes, dessert bars have become very popular. When displaying your sweet treats, remember the little touches make the biggest impact.
Picture Details:
*Ceviche served in a mini glass tumbler with tropical leaf garnish
*Lemon meringue bar embellished with fresh lemon wheel, sprig of mint, dusted with powdered sugar
*Strawberry & blueberry atop a puff pastry with vanilla creme
*Coconut cream cake decorated with pineapple, kiwi, & tropical leaf garnish
*Mini chocolate teacups filled with an assortment of tropical fruit featuring a delightful surprise (chocolate mousse in the bottom)
*Milk & white chocolate floral cup filled with chocolate mousse, candied toffee, served with strawberry adornment sprinkled with cocoa powder
Since we are here to educate brides on the in’s and out’s of Wedding World, we thought this article was very helpful and it’s straight off the press from Preston Bailey himself!
He states, “I empathize with most clients who aren’t sure about the difference between what planners do and what designers do. These two services have become so interchangeable that most of the time, it’s difficult to tell them apart. Not to mention the local banquet managers from hotels and venues who do not hesitate to tell clients they don’t need a planner. It’s no wonder our clients are confused about who does what.
In today’s post, I’ll attempt to answer the 10 most controversial questions on this issue:
1. Should a planner suggest what kind of flowers to use at an event?Absolutely not. Even if this is their event, that is not their job. It’s the designer or florist’s job.
2. Should a planner bring the clients to more than one floral designer and let the client decide who they prefer best?I think it depends. If a planner understands their client’s needs, they might more readily know who they should use as a designer or florist.
3. Should a designer have direct contact with a client without their planner’s knowledge? No, they should not. This could potentially create confusion with the project, not to mention undermining the planner’s authority.
4. Is a florist responsible for creating floor plans? That’s easy, no. This should be the responsibility of the planner.
5. If there is a planner and a designer/florist involved, should you bill the clients directly? This depends on the agreement you made with the planner. Personally, I prefer billing directly.
6. If a planner gets a designer a job, or a designer gets a planner a job, should they expect a commission? I know this might be common practice in many areas, but I’ll say a big NO.Ultimately the clients pay, one way or another.
7. Can banquet managers in hotels and venues plan an event? Absolutely not. However, most of them are terrific the day of.
8. Should a florist or designer go to a food tasting? No, it’s up to the the planner to manage all food and beverages.
9. Is it essential for the florist or designer to remain at the event all night after finishing their installation? Only if it’s requested by the planner or client. And also if they are concerned that something might fall. (At times I cannot sleep while the event is happening because of this concern.)
10. Last but not least, is it better to have one person doing both planning and designing? Doing both planning and designing takes a lot of effort and experience. You better know what you are doing, otherwise forget it.”
Check out more from Preston Bailey by clicking here!
We have all heard the saying, “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue,” but many of us have no idea where this tradition originated from? In today’s modern world, brides adhere to this rich tradition but the origin and meaning a far from our grasp. This tradition originated out of the Victorian era and was designed to bring the best of luck to the bride on her wedding day! Here’s a peek into the meanings behind the traditions that make up a part of your special day!
*Something old: refers to an item that is worn in order to retain the connections with your family after your wedding day, as in continuing the past into the future. Old items have become accustomed to being antique, family heirlooms, or sentimental pieces.
*Something new: represents optimism for the future and the bride and husband creating a new unity and vision. Be creative ladies, your wedding dress can be the “new” item but why not opt for a unique headpiece that’s so trendy right now.
*Something borrowed: is an item on your wedding day that is used to symbolize your love and happiness for the person from whom you borrowed it from.
*Something blue: is to symbolize a couple’s fidelity, love, and good fortune to each other. One of the most popular “blue” items that brides wear is a blue garter.
Let’s not forget about the last something, for which you may or may not have heard of, which is the sixpence in your shoe! Typically the coin is placed in the bride’s left shoe, but can also be carried in the bride’s purse!
Now that we have all the facts down it is time to shop for your fabulous “Something’s” that will truly make your special day even more meaningful! Click here if you are in need of a little help gathering your “something’s” for your special day! You’ll find some of the cutest garters you’ve ever seen in your life!
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Being that we’re all making those New Year’s Resolutions, we figured it would be a good time to highlight getting in shape for the new year.. and your wedding! We want to make sure we are losing weight the healthy way and ladies, we all know it’s not rocket science.
Here are some tips that fitness experts recommend:
*Start early! Like we said before, we want to lose weight the healthy way and not by eating one grape a day. Pace yourself so you can reach your goal weight before your last dress fitting.
*Eat breakfast. Novel idea, right? Even if you’re not hungry, at least have a protein shake or fruit to get your metabolism going.
*Cut out fast food – those fries aren’t helping your arteries..
*Try not to eat at least 3 hours before going to bed.
*Always remember: The goal of all of this is not to be a size zero. It is to be happy and healthy, you and your groom, in embarking on your new life together.
Happy New Year!!!
Below is a sad letter from a recent bride who used a “friend” for their wedding photos. We tell all of our clients to be sure they hire a professional, and depending on the venue, if the lighting is dim, this is what can happen:
“Hey Angela!
So, we are getting our pictures back from the wedding and they are terrible. I could just die. All of our pre-wedding shots are beautiful but literally, every single picture of us is too dark. I am panicking. I talked to the photographer and she said she didn’t know how to fix them. I am floored. She promised me she’d have lighting and could edit. She can do nothing. My question is, do you know a photographer that could possibly edit the pictures? I realize I’m looking for a miracle. I also realize I’ll have to pay a ton for it. I’m out of options though. My other alternative is to have zero decent pictures of us or to BEG the chapel to let us try and get dressed up again and do a day time re-do session with just us. Let me know if you have any other ideas. They didn’t even put them on their website, she just sent them to me on a CD. Funny, they did our engagement pics (which were stunning) and they plastered those everywhere. Thanks for your help!!! You are amazing!! Feel free to use these as “why you should hire a true professional and always listen to Angela” !
Upset Bride
This month we wanted to highlight the importance of being aware of your surroundings. What we mean by this is that when touring your potential wedding venue, be aware of what is going on in the venue and what will be going on the day of your wedding. For example, if there is a gorgeous hotel with a great backdrop for a ceremony, but there are guests checking in right in the middle of your vows. Or, with outdoor venues, if you are near a road or a busy highway, cars whizzing by or an ambulance siren isn’t exactly what you have in mind for the soundtrack to you walking down the aisle.
So, you can do your best to work with your wedding planner and venue liaison about making guests aware of a private ceremony taking place and making sure that phones aren’t ringing off the hook and disturbing your event. So, just remember all of these little details when choosing your venue 
With the weather getting colder, we thought this month that it would be appropriate to highlight a few details when using tents for your fall and winter weddings. When using an outside venue with a tent, be mindful that you will probably need a heater or air conditioning depending on the weather. When using either one of these, you will need a permit from the state (this can also be facilitated by the venue). Also, if you are having heaters in your tent, make sure there is plenty of ventilation, or that your heaters are outside the tent, because they will create carbon monoxide fumes. And the last thing you want to do is to make your guests sick.
So, just make sure to be mindful of Mother Nature and to check, check, and double check the weather forecast for the weekend of your event and always have a backup plan!
This month, we participated in the Enchanted Brides Fall Bridal Show at Cheekwood in Nashville and we wanted to tell brides everywhere that attending bridal shows is very helpful in the planning process. If you’re just starting out, it gives you a snapshot of who the vendors are in town and a lot of information on prices and what everybody’s charging as well. It gives you a chance to meet the faces behind the company and get to know what they’re all about. The companies that participate in these shows, especially the Enchanted Brides show, all have a business license, business insurance, and are established vendors who have experience in this industry. So, check out what events are going on in your area and get free goodies for being a bride!
This month, we wanted to stress to brides everywhere, the importance of hair and makeup trails before your wedding! We also strongly recommend doing this before your Bridal Portraits if possible and not the day before the big day. There are a multitude of reasons why this is so important but it is one less thing you have to worry about that day. If you have met with your hairstylist and makeup artist in advance, you can relax knowing that you’re going to look gorgeous and everything is going to be just the way you want it.
Make a day out of it! Treat yourself to a massage and a day at Escape Spa and look like a supermodel when he takes you out on the town with your flawless face by MAC Cosmetics
Yep. We said it. Botox.
These days it seems like everyone is doing it, and there are some hidden benefits to Botox that we want to spread the news about. It’s not only for the Mother of the Bride who wants to look more “refreshed,” but for the Bride too. Did you know that Botox can help prevent underarm sweating? If you’ve got a beautiful summer wedding planned, this may be something to consider Talk to Dr. Deborah Sherman at Sherman Aesthetic Center who has been using Botox in her practice since 1987. Dr. Sherman also trains other physicians as a National Education Faculty Trainer and is a National and International Expert Speaker for Botox® Cosmetic.
Check out this video: the misperception of weddings!! Enjoy!
And….did you know?…..
*There are 2.2 million weddings each year
*Weddings have 178 guests on average
*18 percent of weddings are destination weddings
*Top destination wedding locations are Las Vegas, Hawaii, Florida
*Couples spend an average of $6,000 on their honeymoon
*Bridal show attendees are up 10 percent from 2009
*On average, there are 43 different vendors involved in a wedding – hire a planner to manage these vendors.
*Experienced Planners should: Help u stay within the budget, ensure you have lots of fun while planning, minimal stress, customize your event, and reflect who you are.
*Look for a planner who has a portfolio of real weddings, not just photoshoots or staged weddings.
Yes. That’s right. A Vera Wang gown for half the price.
Josie Daga, founder of PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, has created an amazing website and we wanted to shout it from the rooftops! She started the company in 2004 and has been growing in popularity ever since. Josie recently contacted us to submit some ideas to “The Look For Less” section of her blog. Elegant Weddings was honored, and so excited, to share with Josie’s readers our thoughts on how to get the most bang for your buck. The piece focused on how we’ve seen a recent trend with brides using fruit in their floral design. Although not a new concept, the modern versions that we’ve seen continue to amaze us every time.
Check out the blog to read more about getting the “Look For Less!”
This month, we decided to focus on decor. Springtime is here and full of colorful inspiration! We wanted to give you a little insight to getting the biggest wow factor for your design element. One of the coolest places we know, FABU Decor, has some the most unique pieces for rent for ceremonies, receptions, and everything in between. Their inventory ranges from altar candelabras to whimsical iron trees with chandeliers and furniture in the mix too. When planning your wedding, go to FABU for eclectic items to wow your guests!
Whether you’re getting married in the February chill or the heat of June, a good Spray Tan can keep your skin glowing all year round. Here at Elegant Weddings, we’re big fans of the personal spray tan – when a person is actually doing the spraying and you don’t look like a giant orange walking down the aisle So check out PrivateEdition.com where you can find a skilled professional to get that “just back from Malibu” glow!
Enchanted Brides, a high end bridal magazine, brings you a video article on reception planning. This behind-the-scenes video includes inside tips provided by Elegant Weddings and how we work with professionals in the industry to make your dreams a reality.
This month, and all year long, we want to make sure you are keeping your skin looking it’s best! Dermess Renewal is one of Nashville’s hot spots to get facials, peels, and everything in between. They can provide a personalized plan for your skin so you are glowing for your wedding day!
