Theme weddings can be a lot of fun but you want to be careful not to turn it into a recollection of your junior prom. Here's a great scenario:
You plan a beach themed wedding! Sounds fun and relaxing right? You have fish bowl center pieces with fake "sea grass" in them, instead of real chairs for your ceremony, you decide to use to use folding beach chairs, and instead of shoes, your entire bridal party wears flip flops. Sounds cute right? Until you take a good look around and flashbacks from the 11th grade start to creep into your head and you think to yourself, "What was I thinking?"
Here are a few ideas to keep your beach theme classy, elegant, but still youthful and fun.
If your ceremony will be taking place on the beach, PLEASE use real chairs! I cannot stress this enough. You can decorate them with white tassels, delicate ribbons, or sophisticated Shepard's hooks with tealights at the beginning of each row. Use light colored flowers in your ceremony or create a "chuppa" using white fabric and wooden posts. If your wedding will be taking place in the middle of the very hot summer months, consider placing a basket with paper parasols at the beginning of your aisle. This is a very pretty way of creating a romantic ambiance during the day and giving your guests an option for shade. You can also define where your aisle will be by lining the sides with a mixture of flower petals and a few scattered sand dollars and star fish. For the reception, think about using tall, floating candle centerpieces. Submerge a few florals in the water and add a water-proof light at the bottom. For some "WOW" factor, maybe add a couple of small goldfish or Japanese fighting fish to the water. Now that's a classy beach themed wedding!
No matter what theme you choose, take the time to research the right flowers, linens, and accessories. You would be surprised how quickly you can turn an elegant event into something tacky by using the wrong materials.
If you are low on ideas on how to incorporate certain elements into your theme-scape, talk to your planner; they will have great ideas and most likely, the right connections to pull off your vision. And remember, if you don't have a planner yet, call us! We are always ready to design your dream event!
Happy Planning!
Evie Johnson
Bridal Consultant and Event Planner
Exquisite Weddings & Affairs, LLC.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Engagement Party or Engagement Announcements? Which is Best?
You have just called your parents to notify them that you have just gotten engaged and your mother says: "We have to have an engagement party!"
At 1st, you're very excited about being able to tell all of your friends and family that you will be getting married but then it dawns on you, this is a BIG DEAL and requires almost as much planning as the actual wedding. So now you are left wondering; "Do I really want and/or need an Engagement Party?"
An Engagement Party is a wonderful way for your families to honor you and and your fiance. It is an event that may be used to connect with old friends and family that you haven't seen in a long time. Everyone that shows up will be there to show that they love you and support your upcoming marriage. Engagement parties can be as memorable as the actual wedding. And as beautiful as well!
The 1st thing that needs to be discussed with everyone involved is BUDGET. Will another party fit into your budget? Engagement parties can sometimes be as expensive and detailed as your actual wedding because everyone that comes to your engagement party will most likely be waiting for your wedding invitation. Granted, you won't be spending as much money on your party attire as you will on your wedding attire but you will still need to feed a large group of people, supply entertainment, and send out invitations. These things do add up very quickly. If budget is not an issue, then comes question #2...
Do you even want a party at this point? If you are on a short time frame from your engagement date to your actual wedding date, an engagement party may just not be convenient. Or maybe you just don't want to deal with the extra work it will be to plan it.
This is where the trusty Engagement Announcement comes in!
An engagement announcement can be as formal as a printed announcement in the newspaper and a mailed out announcement or as informal as an email stating that you are engaged with a link to your wedding website. In this case, the cost of an Engagement Announcement is much lower than a party.
But here is the BIG question: If your parents' are footing the bill, will it hurt their feelings if you turn down the party?
This is a hard one. This is where you may have to compromise. If it is your family's dream to formally announce your engagement and you know that it may create a sore spot if you turn it down, you may just have to give in and let them run with it. This is supposed to be one of the happiest times in your lives but it can very quickly become sour due to hurt feelings.
What you can also do if you're just really not into the idea of another party is sit down with them and tell them that you are very thankful for all of their help, love and support but you would rather concentrate on the wedding itself and having to plan another party just feels like it may your attention away from all of the other planning that needs to be done. This way, they know how you feel and you won't be hurting any one's feelings.
Which ever way your choose to let everyone know about your engagement, make sure it's something that everyone is comfortable with, especially you and your spouse-to-be!
Happy Planning!
Evie Johnson
Bridal Consultant and Event Planner
Exquisite Weddings & Affairs, LLC.
At 1st, you're very excited about being able to tell all of your friends and family that you will be getting married but then it dawns on you, this is a BIG DEAL and requires almost as much planning as the actual wedding. So now you are left wondering; "Do I really want and/or need an Engagement Party?"
An Engagement Party is a wonderful way for your families to honor you and and your fiance. It is an event that may be used to connect with old friends and family that you haven't seen in a long time. Everyone that shows up will be there to show that they love you and support your upcoming marriage. Engagement parties can be as memorable as the actual wedding. And as beautiful as well!
The 1st thing that needs to be discussed with everyone involved is BUDGET. Will another party fit into your budget? Engagement parties can sometimes be as expensive and detailed as your actual wedding because everyone that comes to your engagement party will most likely be waiting for your wedding invitation. Granted, you won't be spending as much money on your party attire as you will on your wedding attire but you will still need to feed a large group of people, supply entertainment, and send out invitations. These things do add up very quickly. If budget is not an issue, then comes question #2...
Do you even want a party at this point? If you are on a short time frame from your engagement date to your actual wedding date, an engagement party may just not be convenient. Or maybe you just don't want to deal with the extra work it will be to plan it.
This is where the trusty Engagement Announcement comes in!
An engagement announcement can be as formal as a printed announcement in the newspaper and a mailed out announcement or as informal as an email stating that you are engaged with a link to your wedding website. In this case, the cost of an Engagement Announcement is much lower than a party.
But here is the BIG question: If your parents' are footing the bill, will it hurt their feelings if you turn down the party?
This is a hard one. This is where you may have to compromise. If it is your family's dream to formally announce your engagement and you know that it may create a sore spot if you turn it down, you may just have to give in and let them run with it. This is supposed to be one of the happiest times in your lives but it can very quickly become sour due to hurt feelings.
What you can also do if you're just really not into the idea of another party is sit down with them and tell them that you are very thankful for all of their help, love and support but you would rather concentrate on the wedding itself and having to plan another party just feels like it may your attention away from all of the other planning that needs to be done. This way, they know how you feel and you won't be hurting any one's feelings.
Which ever way your choose to let everyone know about your engagement, make sure it's something that everyone is comfortable with, especially you and your spouse-to-be!
Happy Planning!
Evie Johnson
Bridal Consultant and Event Planner
Exquisite Weddings & Affairs, LLC.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Why DO I Need A Planner?
Why should you work with a Wedding Planner Professional?
First of all so you can enjoy your day.... and enjoy each other and not be worried about the details! While planning your wedding, it is good to have a second opinion, a second eye to accompany you to your dress fittings, help you plan your flowers, your menu, listen to the entertainers and help you make the right decision. A professional who is:
Like your mom…. but without criticism.
Like your best friend but without competition.
Like your sister, but without jealousy.
Like your Fiancée…. But without rushing you.
Like other wedding planners, but since there is no commission, no pressure to pick something you do not like.
What is a REAL Wedding Planner?
A REAL wedding coordinator is a professional who has been trained to see to the every need of the bride from the planning process to the last dance.
A REAL wedding coordinator interviews the bride and groom thoroughly to acquire a personal connection to their vision and personal taste for their wedding.
A REAL wedding coordinator will offer vendor choices to the bride based on that information and will set up and attend interviews along with the bride.
A REAL wedding coordinator will scrutinize contract offers and advise the bride so that she is able to make an informed decision.
A REAL wedding coordinator will be in touch with the bride and the vendors throughout the planning process and then will be there to oversee the delivery of the contracted services.
A REAL wedding coordinator will do whatever it takes to make sure the event runs smoothly, whether that means mopping a floor to keep the musicians from being electrocuted in a downpour or climbing under and over a deck to provide additional electrical service to a band whose equipment is blowing fuses during the reception.
A REAL wedding coordinator knows that it is not all flowers and romance and will not be unable to deal with details that are necessary to create the bride’s vision.
A REAL wedding coordinator becomes the right hand of the bride throughout the entire engagement period. Today’s bride is busier with continuing education, highly demanding professions and more often than not, a remote family.
So, do you want to schedule an appointment with us? Just email us at evie@exquisitewed.net or call our office at (908) 497-7985.
Happy Planning!
Evie Johnson
Bridal Consultant and Event Planner
Exquisite Weddings & Affairs, LLC.
First of all so you can enjoy your day.... and enjoy each other and not be worried about the details! While planning your wedding, it is good to have a second opinion, a second eye to accompany you to your dress fittings, help you plan your flowers, your menu, listen to the entertainers and help you make the right decision. A professional who is:
Like your mom…. but without criticism.
Like your best friend but without competition.
Like your sister, but without jealousy.
Like your Fiancée…. But without rushing you.
Like other wedding planners, but since there is no commission, no pressure to pick something you do not like.
What is a REAL Wedding Planner?
A REAL wedding coordinator is a professional who has been trained to see to the every need of the bride from the planning process to the last dance.
A REAL wedding coordinator interviews the bride and groom thoroughly to acquire a personal connection to their vision and personal taste for their wedding.
A REAL wedding coordinator will offer vendor choices to the bride based on that information and will set up and attend interviews along with the bride.
A REAL wedding coordinator will scrutinize contract offers and advise the bride so that she is able to make an informed decision.
A REAL wedding coordinator will be in touch with the bride and the vendors throughout the planning process and then will be there to oversee the delivery of the contracted services.
A REAL wedding coordinator will do whatever it takes to make sure the event runs smoothly, whether that means mopping a floor to keep the musicians from being electrocuted in a downpour or climbing under and over a deck to provide additional electrical service to a band whose equipment is blowing fuses during the reception.
A REAL wedding coordinator knows that it is not all flowers and romance and will not be unable to deal with details that are necessary to create the bride’s vision.
A REAL wedding coordinator becomes the right hand of the bride throughout the entire engagement period. Today’s bride is busier with continuing education, highly demanding professions and more often than not, a remote family.
So, do you want to schedule an appointment with us? Just email us at evie@exquisitewed.net or call our office at (908) 497-7985.
Happy Planning!
Evie Johnson
Bridal Consultant and Event Planner
Exquisite Weddings & Affairs, LLC.
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