Flower Power Your Budget

Flowers bring such beauty to the overall look of your wedding! From bouquets to tablescapes, flowers can be incorporated any and everywhere. When selecting flowers and you are on a limited budget, you need to spend carefully. I've listed some suggestions to help you get through the process and save a little cash.

• When dividing up your floral budget, create three categories - reception, wedding party and ceremony. Consider spending more for the reception as your guests will view these florals the longest.
• When selecting your color palette, choose 2-3 based on your bridesmaid's dresses, season and setting. Some of my favorites are - red, turquoise and white; pale green, gray and deep purple; peach, raspberry and mocha; and lavender, raspberry and white.
• Consider selecting flowers that bloom year round to cut on costs like roses, gerbera daisies and orchids.
• Mix flowers and candles to create high or low arrangements and ask your florist for suggestions that fit within your budget.
• Should you want to switch it up and not carry a bouquets, consider carrying a Bible or Prayer Book, candle, parasol or folding fans.
• Consider renting live trees or green plants for the ceremony and add a few floral blooms for a punch of color.
• Should you decide to DIY your flowers, check out companies like FiftyFlowers.com, Growersbox.com, ProFlowers.com and Flowerbud.com who package wedding flowers and arrangements.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - SimplyCraft.hk)

Fruit's Not Just For Eating Anymore

I've had several bride's recently tell me they don't like flowers that much and what else can we do with their centerpieces. Well you can't go wrong with water and candles, but I decided to put a spin on this blog post and talk about adding fruit to the arrangements.

When adding fruit to centerpieces there are a few you should stay away from - sliced bananas or apples. Both will get mushy in water and will turn brown leaving your centerpieces less than eye appealing. But combinations of citrus fruits (whole or sliced), grapes, cherries and berries not only look lovely but smell nice, too. Take a look at the pictures posted with some simple ideas, but with great details and color.

Consider using fruit not just inside the wedding cake, but also to enhance the outside of the cake. Or use an unblemished whole fruit as an escort or place card holder. The ideas are limitless!


Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - www.GetMarried.com, www.weddingcandleabra.com, www.TheKnot.com, www.MarthaStewart.com, www.elegantweddingcenterpieces.com )

Add A Lil' Bling To It All

Today's bride loves BLING! Bling on their invitations. Bling in their bouquet. Bling in the centerpieces. Bling on the wedding cake. BLING, BLING, BLING everywhere. But I must admit...my love for bling and sparkle just adds more elegance to the overall grand affair.

Announce the wedding and make a serious statement by adding sparkle to your wedding invitation or an elegant brooch.

Bling out the wedding cake with rhinestone wraps or cake stand. Even consider a monogram cake topper drenched in crystals.

Bling out your wedding bouquet with this unique and beautiful holder. Get even more creative and have it designed with colored stones.


Add some bling accents to your floral centerpieces. Make them sparkle even more with hanging crystals or even consider an arrangement created from a chandelier.

Remain consistent and purchase a bling cake knife and server set and/or toasting glasses to use during the celebration and have a keepsakes for years to come.

Set bling'd out disposable cameras on the guest tables and ask them to take some fun and candid shots of the reception events.


Or drizzle crystals throughout the venue on guest tables, the cake table, and gift table. The twinkle under candlelight will cause them to shine like diamonds.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - www.Etsy.com companies - www.weddedglitz.com, Northwest Bridal, Staccato Stationary; www.TheKnot.com; www.WeddingBee.com; www.KoyalWholesale.com )

National Lemonade Day!

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy! There is a day that celebrates one of my favorite summer refreshing drinks...lemonade. In honor of the yellow-colored lemon, I've created a picture blog of some beautiful weddings accents with yellow touches. Enjoy!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - http://www.theknot.com/, http://www.wildflowerlinen.com/, http://www.dejanaeevents.cceasy.com/)

As The Guests Arrive

When I start teaching Chapter 13 of LWPI's wedding planner certification course, I get so excited to discuss the "A6 Production"! No, I'm not going to discuss it within this blog (you've gotta take the class :), but I will share one of the "A's"...ARRIVAL.

How your guests arrive to your wedding ceremony or reception sets the tone of the actual wedding day. What they feel will evoke some wonderful emotions as they see friendly faces and smiles. Have ushers and/or hostess to greet your guests, pass out wedding programs and assist with seating. And if finances allow, consider some of the photos listed below to enhance your signature wedding day.

Think about placing custom signs along the parking lot or walkway pointing in the direction of the ceremony as a guide for guests.

Check out these beautiful feather banners from Wind Visuals framing the landscape leading up to the ceremony space.

Luminaries are so beautiful to see as you walk up the pathway leading to the church, venue or home where the I Do's will be held.

After guests have entered the space, what a creative idea of having a removable decal of your names and wedding date on the wall as guests sign the guestbook. Check out companies like Ten23 Designs for customized designs.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - www.TheKnot.com, www.BridalTweet.com, and www.WindVisuals.com)

Restroom Please

In planning your reception, you should consider all the rooms that will be used for that 5-6 hours of fun and entertainment with family and friends. Hence the title, this includes the restroom. Throughout the planning process couples are always considering the likes, dislikes, and comfort of their invited guests based on their food and dessert selections, entertainment and look and feel of the space. Consider their feelings when they visit the 2nd most used location at the venue...the restroom.

Bathroom baskets are such a nice added touch in the restrooms of both men and woman. They contain condiments that are used everyday, but displayed nicely in some type of container in the restroom for guests to use at their leisure. Now this is one of those items that you can do yourself and customize based on color and a note for your guests. Below I've listed some items for you to consider as you create:

• something to hold the items like a basket, decorative pail, box or tray
• band aids
• tampons
• lotion
• breath mints and gum
• bobby and/or hair pins
• lint roller
• hair spray
• dental floss
• nail files
• sewing kit
• Static Guard, Shout Wipes of Tide-To-Go pen

Until next time...WEDologize!
(photo credits - With This Ring and From Marriage to Motherhood blogs, www.weddingbee.com)

WELCOME To My Wedding Weekend!

Showing those guest that have traveled to witness your nuptials is such a nice gesture of appreciation and one that some times is unexpected. That's why I introduce the welcome bag/basket in this blog. I'm actually creating some welcome bags for one of my October 2010 couples (a task in which I've done plenty of times) and thought I'd lend a few inexpensive ways to create these delights for your guests. Now they won't look exactly like the fabulous $150 welcome totes that Chelsey Clinton gave her guests, but they'll be made with just as much love.

In making these bags signature to your wedding weekend, include some items about the city in which the ceremony and reception are taking place. It's really nice to include products or produce locally grown as well as include a map of the city including activities that might be going on around town. Check with your tourist board for discounted pricing on maps of the city and transit services.

Then you need some snacks. I always include some type of beverages like water, juice or sodas; snacks like chips, granola bars, or popcorn; and candies. Many of these items can be purchased in bulk from a Sam's Club or Costco and can be dressed up with a customized label.

Last, spice up the bag/basket with a label showing off your monogram and tissue papers in your wedding colors. Makes sure to include information about your wedding weekend activites and you must never forget to include a handwritten note saying...Welcome & Thank You:)

Until next time...WEDologize

(photo credits - www.thingswemake.blogspot.com ; www.welcomebags.com; www.kateparkerweddings.com )

Dessert on a Stick!

I was totally inspired this weekend when my October couple and I visited the pastry chef to design their wedding cake and select their tiered flavors. A yummy blend of chocolate cake with a sour cherry filling was the winner and I immediately thought of those round Cherry Cordials candies. In search for a dessert along those lines, I discovered the "Cake Pop" craze and was too delighted! It's just as it sounds - cake + stick = cake pop.

I've included some visuals and a recipe on how you can create this cute confection yourself. They'd make a great addition to any dessert table, bridal shower or rehearsal dinner. Hey, make plenty and have them as your guest favors. One batch will make about 40-50 pops.

This is your basic cake pop from http://www.cakepopcrush.com/. No frills. Just plain, simple and delicious. It’s a great first project for newbies.

• Make a 13×9 cake. Any flavor you like, just follow the instructions on the box. Let it cool. Crumble the cake and add in 1 can of frosting (or blend 8oz of softened cream cheese, 4 tbls. of butter, 2 cups of powdered sugar, and 1 tbl. of milk together until smooth) and place in the fridge for 15 minutes or until firm.
• After refrigerating, dust off your Playdoh skills and form the mixture into balls. Then place a sucker stick into the top of each cake ball. Pop them into the refrigerator for another quarter hour.
• While waiting, start melting your candy melts.
• After 15 minutes in the fridge, dip and swirl each pop into your candy melt.
  Once you’ve got an even coating on the cake pop, place the stick into a Styrofoam block while the candy melt shell hardens.
• Announce to your family and friends that the cake pops are ready. Be prepared to break up fights.

Until next time...WEDologize!
(Photo credits - flick.com and weddingbee.com)

Rise For The Cake Stand!

I've already said it a few times, but I will say it again - the bride is the centerpiece of the wedding ceremony and the cake is the centerpiece of the wedding reception. Wedding guests love to come into the reception space and see that beautiful piece of confection displayed dominantly on the dance floor or a space drenched with candlelight. Not knowing the flavors the couple has selected, they just admire the intricate details done by the cake designer to create those lovely tiers they will eventually get to sample after the entree has been served.

A lot of thought goes into the cake topper, but what about the base of the wedding cake. Think about making your wedding cake shine even more by placing the edible art on a cake stand crafted to match your wedding decor. Check out Raise the Cake Stand Studio to see how their custom cake stands can give your wedding cake even more star power.

Until next time...WEDologize!
Photo Credit - www.raisethecake.com

Dancing With Daddy

While sitting in church a few Sunday's ago, I witnessed the beautiful relationship between a little girl and her daddy. She kept dropping her sippy cup and he kept picking it back up without hesitation. Then on the last time, she kissed his nose and he beamed with joy! Many bride's simply adore their fathers...like I do...and the Father & Daughter Dance has just as much meaning as her first dance with her husband.

Below I've listed a few of my favorites that work particularly well for the Father & Daughter Dance. But should you be having difficulties in making your selection, speak with your DJ or the band leader for some options. Then include your father in making the song selection as this will be the last dance he has with his little girl...as she's now become a wife.

• "My Girl" - by The Temptations
• "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong
• "Daddy" - Beyonce
• "Dance With My Father" - Luther Vandross
• "Always Be My Baby" - Mariah Carey
• "Someone to Watch Over Me" - Frank Sinatra
• "Just The Way You Are" - Billy Joel
• "Good Time" - Jackson 5

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credit - Flickr.com)