From Bottom to Top

I visited the venue of one of my July 2012 brides yesterday and the space was "ceiling inspiring". The ceiling beams of this venue had my designing wheels turning! Plenty of locations will not allow you to touch the ceiling when planning the decor outline for your wedding ceremony and reception, but when allowed, take full advantage of looking at the space three-dimensionally - floor, walls and ceiling. Consider some of these ideas if your venues ceiling are screaming for some enhancements :)

Adding some fabric panels or draping to the ceiling softens the space and creates a more intimate feel.

Rope lighting or string lights can liven up any ceiling of a reception venue.

Balloons in your wedding colors are always playful and dance around the ceiling with ease.

Patterned lights on the ceiling can create a wide range of emotions and can interchange throughout the evening.

Consider adding unconventional elements like paper lanterns or umbrellas to enhance the ceiling decor and create a conversational piece for your guests.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: http://www.deco-mantone.com/; http://www.itsajamiething.com/; http://www.paperlanternswholesale.com/; http://www.projectwedding.com/; http://www.aperfectcelebration.com/)

Bye-Bye Munchies

I love the idea of offering late night snacks! The idea is fun and memorable for your guests as they eat little snacks that you and your fiancee' adore or that are representive of the city in which you were married. The idea is to have them served or displayed an hour-to-an hour and half prior to the end of the reception. Guests will either eat their treat there or package to take home. Try some of these on for "bite-size"...

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: http://www.weddingbycolor.com/; creativeinspiration.tumblr.com; penniesonaplatter.com; Style Me Pretty; http://www.marthastewart.com/; www.realphotography.com)

Cocktail Details

When it comes to the details of your wedding day, don't forget about the cocktail hour as apart of your design. I'm not saying spend an enormous amount of money on this one hour, but don't forget about the small touches that lend to the fabulous-ness of your reception that will begin the following hour.

Some simple inexpensive ideas for consideration:

Finish the hiboys with linen and a sash to compliment your overall color scheme.

Use fruit, herbs or whimsical finishes to garnish your signature drink.

Add a drink stirrer to your beverages.

Complete the drink with a personalized cocktail napkin.

Add a fresh flower to the serving trays of your appetizers.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.amyatlas.com; www.abbyjiu.com; www.bellissmaphotography.com; www.desmoinesrental.com; www.weddingpaperdivas.com)

Candle Creative for Wedding Day

I love candles...in my home, at an event, and especially at a wedding ceremony and reception!!!But how about we get creative with the use of candles and not just settle for them surrounding centerpieces. Consider candles to flank the aisle of your ceremony or the walkway leading to the cocktails hour. How about candles being used as the sole decor element of your tablescape or the use of whimsical candles to create a conversation piece. Check out the options below:






Until next time...WEDologize!


(photo credits: http://www.beautyandthegroom.com/; http://www.marthastewart.com/; http://www.onewed.com/; http://www.theknot.com/; http://www.weddingsbycolor.com/)

Favoring Your Guests

Although I have been finding a lot of couples making donations to their favorite charities in lew of guest favors, you still have the couples that love that tradition. My biggest suggest is keep it simple and edible! It's amazing how many keys chains and wine bottle stoppers I pick up at the end of the reception and give back to the couple along with their other packed items. But an edible guest favor...WOW...all you see are empty wrappers on the tables. Consider some of these unique suggestions:

Delicious organic truffles from Katherine Anne Confections...and her caramels are to die for, too!

How about Hot chocolate on a stick by http://www.petrossian.com/

A Whoopie Pie by http://www.wannahavacake.com/ that I'm almost sure your guests will eat before they depart!

Caramel or chocolate-dipped fortune cookies from http://www.myluckyfortune.com/

Yummy bag of cotton candy from http://www.flosszone.com/

And my fav absolutely has to be cake bites! Check out my newest Twitter fans of My Cake Bite Delights...you'll love them!

Until next time...WEDologize!

Making Sure Guests Are Comfortable

Plenty though goes into the design elements of planning a wedding, but what about the comfort of your guests as they spend at minimum an 8-hour day of celebrating with you and your soon-to-husband. Consider some of the ideas below, especially if the ceremony and/or reception is outside.


How about a water station set-up before or after the ceremony especially if it's a hot day.


Consider giving guests suntan lotion if the days activities are going to be outdoors...and they can double as wedding favors.


Use Parasols when the ceremony is outside to shade away the bride sun.


How about placing fans on the ceremony chairs and depending on the design, they can double as wedding programs.


Place a basket of Flip Flops near the DJ for the ladies who want to dance the night away, but their heels might prevent it from happening.


Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.lunabazaar.com; www.paratinovia; www.theknot.com; www.tgkdesigns.com; www.shorechic.com; http://www.nuanceoccasions.com/; www.kaboodle.com)

Blending Families

I was involved with a wedding yesterday and was so inspired by the involvement of the couples children. Many couples are merging families and the adjustment for the child can sometimes be difficult. With all the wedding planning, they can feel left out and it's very important to make them feel included during the planning process and on wedding day.

I've listed some suggestions below that just might help alleviate the "sad face":

Allow the child to be involved in a few of the planning meetings and give their opinion.

Give the children perimeters, but allow them to select their attire for wedding day.

During the unity candle lighting or sand ceremony, have the child join you both at the altar and make them apart of this important ceremony.

Ask the children to come the altar before the pronouncement of husband and wife, and ask the minister to pronounce you as "Husband, Wife and Family".

During the ceremony, present the children with a loving token like a necklace or bracelet to show them they play an important role in the new family.

Include the children in the engagement photo session and display not only couple photos during the reception, but photos showcasing the "new" family.

Have a kids table with goody bags and treats during the reception.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.intimateweddings.com)

Lounging Around the Space

I love the addition of lounge furniture to the reception space. Typically done around the dance floor, in a corner sectioned off in the venue, or a separate room, this look can give the most traditional reception ballroom a splash of contemporary flair. But as you know, it could certainly be an expensive addition to your already tapped budget. Consider the following ideas to get that look you've dreamt about.


Speak with the venue about using their "waiting" furniture, especially if you are the only event in the space. See if they will allow you to move the furniture into the ballroom or rearrange it's placement in the foyer. And don't forget to tip the "movers" because this would be an additional job for the reception location.

Create your color palette with the furniture on location by adding some pillows in your color scheme to the chairs and couches. Or add a throw for a big punch of color to the unsightly furniture (or stain) to make it blend with your idea.

Should you not be able to rent furniture, consider renting tables and ottoman's. They are not as heavy and would be less expensive the move. Then you could blend them or place them within the furniture that is already at the reception venue.

Also, check out your local stores like Target and Walmart around "Back-to-School" season. College dorm furniture and tables have that simple look that could be easily decorated with some fabric touches and pillows. But the best benefit, it's on sale ;)

Last, ask the venue if they have any older furniture on location that they'd be willing to bring out of storage...or course for a fee :)


Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.tothegathering.blogspot.com; www.nyeventfurniture.com; www.projectwedding.com; www.darinfong.com)