Sitting with Your Sweetheart

Another one of my loves is the bride and groom sweetheart table! Positioned with precision within the floor plan, this quaint little table allows the couple (king & queen) to be the center of attention and allows the bridal party (their court) to sit with their spouse or invited guest. I have heard time and time again from bridal party members that their guests sometimes feel awkward because they don't know anyone at the wedding and this set-up avoids that entirely. The sweetheart table also allows the couple to steal some moments of private conversation in the mist of all their guests. And if you are on a budget, it could certainly decrease your floral bill because the brides bouquet could be used as the focal point and surround the perimeter of the table with votive candles.



Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/; http://www.theknot.com/; http://www.projectwedding.com/; www.weddingbee.com; http://www.vsphoto.com/)

Aisle Style! WOW Style!

My favorite moment of the ceremony is when I fluff the bride's train, position her bouquet and whisper, "Walk when you're ready"! Now imagine that moment heightened by a rose petal aisle masterpiece. The photos speak for themselves!!!

But don't fret should you not be able to have the designed creations above, you could always blanket the aisle with rose petals. But whatever you decide, make sure to have your center aisle roped off before the start of the ceremony to avoid some curious guest walking down the aisle before you do.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: http://pics.boards.weddingbee.com/; http://the6chicks.com/; http://www.weddingsbygeorgia.com/; http://www.wishspecialevents.com/; http://www.kristenweaverblog.com/; http://www.theknot.com/; http://www.maharaniweddings.com/)

Engaged and Display

Now that you have hired your wedding photographer, it's time to schedule that engagement session. I have always heard from photographers that the session is more beneficial for them than the couple. Now of course, you get to have fun on film as a couple, but the shooter gets to learn your mannerisms, good and bad, so that he can capture your wedding day to the fullest. But what can you do with those photographs after they are edited, ordered and delivered to you? Instead of purchasing individual shoots or a book to leave at home, consider a display of your engagement session at the wedding reception. And below are some unique ways to do just that.

Have your favorite engagement photo framed and on display at the entryway of the reception.

Allow your guests to sign a matte around your framed engagement photo. Or create your own signage board showcasing several engagement photos. Either version can later be displayed in your new home for years to come.

And my fav just happens to be creating an album of all your favorite engagement photos and turn it into a guest book for your guests to sign as they enter into the reception. What a wonderful token to have after the wedding.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/; www.impressionsareeverything.com/; http://www.myweddingfavorsetc.com/; http://www.wheretogetengaged.com/)

Corsage Briefing

As you begin meeting with florists to plan out and order your personal wedding flowers, consider the women that will be wearing corsages. What is a corsage? It's a small cluster of flowers constructed to be worn on the wrist or pinned on a garment. Who wears a corsage? The mother's of the bride and groom, the grandmother's of the couple, special relatives who may or may not walk during the ceremony, readers and hostesses.

When considering your floral budget and desired look:

• Note that the flowers used for corsages do not have to match the bridal bouquet.
• Ask your florist to mark what corsage belongs to who so that distribution can run smoothly.
• Last, make sure not to select flowers so large that it looks like a garden growing from your mother's wrist or out of her gown.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: http://www.kensingtonflorist.com/; http://www.bizarreweddingflowers.com/; http://www.firstclassweddings.com/; www.brideandbloom.com )

The Perfect Blend

Since today is National Coffee Day and that just happens to be one of my favorite beverages, especially with French Vanilla creamer, I give you my ode to the "Perfect Blend"!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - http://www.jeffnewsome.com/; http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/; http://www.sararosso.com/; http://www.shannonleahy.blogspot.com/; http://www.weddingandcakes.com/)

Really?! Shooters for Dessert!

I've come across my 1st bride for the 2011 wedding season that does not like cake. Now I've informed her that I still plan on cake tasting on her behalf, but will come up with an alternative for her dessert after the entree. A fake wedding cake will be involved for the cake cutting ceremony, plus one of my newest loves...dessert shooters. These yummy little shots of heaven typically contain crumbled cake, a pudding or whipped cream, and fresh fruit stacked inside of a shot glass.

Can't you see it... Your guests are seated, feeling good after that GREAT entree you provided, and now comes out on a dainty saucer with a cute little spoon to match - a dessert shooter reminiscent of you and the groom's favorite dessert. Watch for the smiles after first the sloooooowwww bite!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - http://www.fortecatering.com/; http://www.flickr.com/; http://www.sprinklescakes.net/)

Going to the Chapel

I believe it's always a nice addition to provide your guests with directions to the ceremony and from the ceremony to the reception. This information can be placed on your wedding website along with hotel accommodation information. Or should you make welcome bags or baskets for out-of-town guests, consider adding a map along with things to do in the city over the weekend. The map can also be an enclosure with your invitation ensemble or given to guests as they are departing the wedding ceremony.

When creating this type of information, you have to decide do you want an actual map showing a compass, highways and landmarks, or do you want to only use text on the map. I'm actually very fond of using both. I think a drawn map looks so lovely mixed in with the wedding invitation attachments. Then I love the idea of the guests receiving a map after the ceremony by a hostess or usher.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: http://www.bigdaymaps.com/; http://www.ohsobeautifulpaper.com/)

Dry Your Eyes!

There are two moments during the wedding ceremony when you will see people dabbing there eyes trying to prevent the waterworks...when the bride walks down the aisle and during the vows, especially if they are personalized. I sometimes need to dab my eyes when I fluff the bride's train and send her down the aisle escorted by her dad. It's such a "Happy Tears" moment and I NEVER have a tissue!

So instead of having the large Kleenex box on the 1st pew of the church or it being passed down the aisle to tearful guests, consider adding another signature element to your wedding...personalized tissues. I'm not speaking of the brand "Swankies" that offer small packets, but of a DIY project that simply takes a tissue or two and places them in a holder or envelope. Then have the tissues passed out by your ushers, offered in a basket by the guest book or placed nicely on the ceremony chairs. Your guests will try appreciate the gesture.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - http://www.a-weddingday.com/; http://www.beau-coup.com/; http://www.theknot.com/)

This Seat is Reserved For?

Traditionally during the wedding ceremony, your immediately family will be seated in the first rows on both the left and right side. Of course there are exceptions based on remarriage, but featured on those rows are your parents and grandparents. Having an usher escorting guests to their seats before the start of the ceremony is always proper, but you could also accent those honored seats or rows with a little extra flair. Consider some of the following ideas to add yet another signature element to your wedding day.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - www.allconsumedbride.com; www.yinvivo.etsy.com; www.projectwedding.com; www.photovanbeek.com; http://www.panettascatering.com/)

Time Alone on Your Wedding Day

The wedding day, although one of the most happiest days of your life, will also be the one day in which you have to share your groom with all the invited guests. Now this can be a little frustrating at times when you want to steal that personal moment to gaze into each other's eyes.

So should you want a little private time with your new husband, consider doing the following...or planning this time into the wedding day schedule:

• Right after you have exited the ceremony, dash off to one of the dressing rooms for about 10-15 minutes instead of staying with your bridal party. While the ushers are exiting guests out of the church, you and your groom can share a tender moment and talk about when you first looked into each other's eyes during the ceremony.


• During cocktails, make a brief exit and walk around the grounds of the reception venue or stand out on the balcony absorbing the day.


• And after you have greeted your guests at their tables, when it's time to freshen up, ask your groom to come along...I'm sure he'd enjoy helping.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - www.weddingleague.com, www.allegrophotography.com)