12/17/09

The ABC's of Wedding Planning :: N for Next Day Photo Shoot

In the hustle and bustle of the day many time photo opportunities are lost so think of a backup plan. Why not do a next day photo shoot with you and spouse. Trash the Dress is still a big trend now where the couple redressing into their wedding gear and rolling in the sand, laying on a desert floor or their backdrop is a steel industrial yard. It’s more of a chance for you to become high fashion, chic and model-esk. It’s fun. It’s art and you won’t mind as much if your dress get’s dirty. Trust me, if you have a good photographer the pictures come out awesome!

Check out these fab shots from our very own Sergio of Sergio Photographer. That could be you!

Thanks Sergio for the images! Send us your next day photo shoot pictures as we would love to share them with our readers.

For more posts on our series The ABC's of Wedding Planning click any of the letters below.

A :: Ask

B :: Bridal Bartering

G :: Go Out with a Bang

L :: Little Things Do Count

M :: Minutes Alone

With all that Life has to offer,

Cicely

11/25/09

Thinking 'outside' the turkey on Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving is a time when family and friends gather to feast upon some delicious and ever satisfying chow. Mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and even a few good men intensely plan a meal that is not to be topped until the following year's Thanksgiving. It's a plan that included perfectly roasted Turkey with all the trimmings but what’s a holiday spread without the décor and party atmosphere to match?
Here are a few tips on pulling a few extra goodies in for your turkey holiday fun.

A Beverage to be thankful for :: As your guests arrive why not greet them with a holiday beverage like a Pumpkin Martini? It’s a great way to start off a fantastic meal.

1/2 oz Sylk Cream Liqueur
2 oz vanilla vodka
1/2 oz pumpkin liqueur or pumpkin spice syrup
1 tsp whipped cream
A dash of cinnamon (or a stick) for garnish

You dress your turkey now dress your home :: You have to decorate to bring in some of that Thanksgiving spirit into your home. Think rustic placemats, gold chargers, and your best china. Bring out your best to impress your guests.

Bargain tip: The perfect time to buy any of the items mentioned above is after the holidays are over. If you can beat the rush try and raid those clearance racks you’ll be able to stock up for next year. It’s much better than paying full retail and giving in to those pesky stores taking advantage of the holiday need for the perfect décor.

Interactive Placecards :: For placecards try an activity as guests are seated. How about a game of Turkey Day Bingo? This will give your guests the chance to listen to conversation and have a little fun with it.

Make bingo cards at home and include words associated with your holiday. Such things as “Turkey”, “Gravy”, “Thankfulness” and of course “Dishwasher”!
Whatever words you choose, place them on the cards and print them on your home computer.
Remember to mix and match the cards so they are all different. That way you don’t have duplicate winners.
Then, as guests start marking off their answers and a winner yells, “Turkey Bingo”, their prize is…drum roll please…not having to do the dishes!

Giving Thanks :: Ask your guests what they are thankful for at the end of your amazing feast. In many homes this may already be the tradition but I suggest taking it one step further by displaying those words of thankfulness on a gratitude tree.

All you have to do is use your home computer to make tags that state, “I am thankful for… “, print them and punch a hole in each one.
Then tie a loose decorative ribbon through the hole and pass it around the table with a pen. Ask each guest to write their thankful thoughts down, then take those tags and hang them on the branches of a mini fall faux tree or whatever you have handy in your home.
Miller suggests keeping the tags up for awhile to keep reminding yourselves what you are thankful and blessed to have.

With all that Life has to offer...Happy Thanksgiving,

Cicely

11/10/09

The ABC's of Wedding Planning :: M for Minutes Alone

After the ceremony think about asking your coordinator, minister, catering director and/or photographer for a few minutes alone. This will give you and your new life partner a time to rejoice in what just happened…you two are now married! They can tell you how beautiful you look or how wonderful your vows were. Having a few minutes after the ceremony will give you a chance to take a deep breath and celebrate alone and together…even if it’s just a few minutes it’s a time that will be so appreciated. The rest of the evening can be about the guests and visiting with them.

Picture by David de Dios

So, put your foot down and ask for 5 minutes alone with your spouse. You two deserve it.

For more posts on our series The ABC's of Wedding Planning click below.

A :: Ask

B :: Bridal Bartering

G :: Go Out with a Bang

L :: Little Things Do Count

With all that Life has to offer,

Cicely

11/4/09

The ABC's of Wedding Planning :: L for Little Things Do Count

“They are going to throw the invitations away anyways”.
“Will people even notice the chairs”?
“I don’t want to spend a lot of money of flowers because the resort is just going to throw them away.”
“Lighting? I have enough décor. People won’t know the difference”.

These are all statements I hear when I talk to clients about designing their big day. You are right people probably won’t notice the lighting, upgraded linens, the extra flowers or they just might toss your invitation when the wedding is over but what the will remember is the overall feeling and awesomeness they felt as the walked into your reception space. That overall feeling of all the details together is what is so impactful and what your guests will be in awe by. So next time, think about the little things and together they can make a dramatic statement that your guests won’t ever forget. All pictures courtesy of Rhonda Lewis Photography.