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Selecting a Ceremony Location

You’re engaged! You’ve decided on a date!

Now what?

Now you begin coordinating that date with your search for the perfect venue to celebrate your wedding ceremony.

Before you settle on a place, take time to insure that you have your priorities in line. While this is an occasion for the biggest party you will ever give, that shouldn't be the prime target.

Your wedding ceremony is symbolic of a huge decision and commitment that you and your special someone have made to each other. Where you will be married needs to be your first critical decision.

If a religious location is important to you both, and you are both of the same faith and attend a church or synagogue on a regular basis, your decision is easy. But if you are living in a different area, and away from your family place of worship, you will need to look for potential locations. Many churches and synagogues will only marry “parishioners”.

If you choose a non-religious location for your wedding ceremony, there are several options to consider. Public gathering spaces in historical buildings, museums, art galleries, and even sports stadiums have all been used for memorable ceremonies.

Whether you choose to be married at home, at the beach, or in the mountains, you can create a beautiful setting for this important day.

Remember that the ceremony is what this day is all about!

Wedding Cake. Yes, no, maybe?

If you don’t like cake, don’t have one. There are plenty of other dessert options that you can offer to your guests. But if your Mom can’t imagine your reception without a gorgeous cake, be gracious and include it – and ask her to select it. There is a long tradition of cake at a wedding and you might want to consider including one.

Cakes have been a part of wedding celebrations since Roman times. Be glad that the tradition has evolved since then or you could find yourself having a thin loaf broken over your head at the close of the ceremony. The wheat in the cake was thought to symbolize fertility and the guests eagerly sought the crumbs from that loaf for good luck.

In the Middle Ages it became the custom for guests to bring small cakes to the celebration as their gifts to the couple. The bride and groom were expected to kiss over the pile of cakes for good luck. At some point,
an enterprising baker (or wedding planner) decided to put all the cakes together and cover them with frosting. Thus was born today’s modern tiered wedding cake.

Many couples choose to include a smaller cake as a nod to tradition but offer their guests a wide range of
dessert options which can include pies, ice cream sundaes, tortes, cookies, bars, and sometimes even flaming desserts served by the full wait staff in a darkened room.

Will you be serving cake at your wedding?

Want to use this article in your newsletter or on your website? You can as long as you use this complete statement: Certified Wedding Specialist Dorna Love publishes the Love Wedding Planning monthly e-zine. For more wedding planning tips visit her website at www.plannedwithlove.com and get your F*R*E*E report "10 Simple Tips to Create Your Dream Wedding Without Going Broke" 

Tips for Creating Your Wedding Website

Since personal wedding websites have become so popular with couples who want to share the news of their upcoming big day, we've included one in our Full Service package. It's a great way to share your wedding story with your friends and family. Just send them your personalized wedding website URL so they can stay up-to-date on all your wedding news. 

Here's some tips for creating yours.

1. Don't wait too long! Set it up early in the planning process, (as soon as you have the date and location).  That way you can include your personal website address on your save-the-date cards so any guests who need to make travel arrangements will have the information they need in plenty of time.


2. Make sure it looks like you!  This is your wedding and all about you and your fiancé. Your wedding site should reflect your personal style as a couple so everyone, even those who can’t attend, can really get to know both of you.

3. Keep it tactful. Don’t list your personal website address on your actual invitations. And don’t overemphasize your gift registry by making it the first thing people will see.  

4. Keep it simple. Don’t make your site so full of details and pages that no one can find the essentials that they are looking for. Keep it to a few, well-designed pages.  

5. Keep it focused. Your wedding site is for details about your wedding. It’s not the place to include a lot of personal information. Remember, that your friends and relatives are going to be looking at this site for guidance and you want everyone who visits your site to feel comfortable and welcome. Some of your older relatives, or even your parents, may not want to know all of the details of your first kiss.


Follow these simple tips and your wedding website will be as perfect as your wedding day!

14 Unique (and Cheap!) Ideas to Make Your Wedding Totally "You"

It's time to reveal some of my favorite ideas to make your wedding unique and totally "you," so that your wedding is an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.

Why is this such a big deal?

Well, I don't believe ANYBODY'S wedding should be "cookie-cutter." Your wedding is YOUR day, and it should feel like the right fit for your personalities from start to finish.

The thing that makes your wedding unique is...YOU.

Now, before you tell me how obvious that is, think about it.  What is the one thing that is completely original and unique about your wedding day, that no other wedding day has ever seen or done before?

YOU.

Your guests have never been at a party celebrating YOUR love and relationship with your fiancé.  They've never seen YOU in that gorgeous gown, walking down the aisle, partying on the dance floor.

The secret to having a wedding that leaves a lasting impression on your guests and really feels like "you" is weaving as much of your personality as possible into your wedding day.

 

Believe me, I've seen lots of weddings.  Including the details of what makes you special, and the things you love, not only makes you FEEL how special you are that day, it draws your guests in, makes them feel connected to you, and without fail guarantees an unforgettable day for you and your guests. 

And these things cost LITTLE OR NO MONEY.

Some examples of how to do it...

1) Naming Your Tables.  Instead of using traditional table numbers, name your tables after a special interest or hobby that you share. Such as...players on your favorite baseball team, cities you have visited together, or types of wine.

 2) Newlywed Trivia. Create a list of trivia questions about you and your fiance for your guests to answer.  This not only lets your guests get to know you as a couple, it breaks the ice as guests answer questions at each table.

 3) Favors That Represent You.  Give your guests favors that say something about your interests.  One couple gave Pez dispensers since the bride was a big collector.  Another gave bottles of mead (honey wine) they had made themselves.

 4) Share Your Childhood Photos.  You can do this in a collage of photos of the two of you growing up, on a table with your signature guest book, or displayed on your gift table.

 5) Display Your Parents and Grandparents Wedding Photos.  This is a romantic and elegant way to share your family history.

 6) Love pie more than cake? Then serve it instead of the traditional wedding cake!

 7) A Groom's Cake.  Have a groom's cake designed to honor your fiance's interest or hobby.  A firetruck if he's a fireman; a guitar if he's a musician.  

8) Personalize Your Vows.  Write your own vows and add personal details like, "I promise to bake cookies with you" or "I vow to watch the game with you on Super Bowl Sunday" to let your guests glimpse more of your relationship.

 9) Tell Your Love Story.  Have either your officiant or your master of ceremonies share your love story with your guests. 

10) A Photo Montage.  Play a montage of photos of the two of you growing up and then together set to music.

11) Invite Your Guests To Perform.  If you have musicians or dancers in the family, ask them to perform at your ceremony or reception. (Just make sure they will still enjoy themselves!)

12) Make Memories With Music.  Play your favorite songs and artists during your ceremony and reception, or the songs that your family and friends love.  Some fun places to use your favorite tunes include your walk down the aisle, your introduction music, and your parent dances.

13) Dedicate a Song.  If there is a song that reminds you of one of  your loved ones, have your entertainer dedicate it to them.  It can be serious, sentimental, or silly.

14) Thank Your Guests.  Take a moment around the cake cutting or at the end of the night to thank your guests for sharing your special day.  

You don't HAVE to use all or any of these things.  But I do encourage you to express your personalities in a way that fits who YOU are, because it will engage and involve your guests like nothing else.

Here's to an unforgettable wedding!

Want to use this article in your newsletter or on your website? You can as long as you use this complete statement: Certified Wedding Specialist Dorna Love publishes the Love Wedding Planning monthly e-zine. For more wedding planning tips visit her website at www.plannedwithlove.com and get your F*R*E*E report "10 Simple Ways to Create Your Dream Wedding Without Going Broke" 

6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Wedding

Let’s face it: planning a wedding isn’t always a walk in the park. 

Sure, it’s exciting and inspiring to check out all the details, dresses, jewelry, exotic locations and honeymoon destinations.  But there is a lot to do and everyone and their mother (and your mother) seems to have an opinion about your day.

If you don’t watch out for these common mistakes, you could end up with a wedding day nightmare.  On the other hand, if you watch out for these mistakes, having an unforgettable wedding day where everything runs smoothly and you have the time of your life is almost guaranteed.

MISTAKE #1 – Having No Gap of Time Between Your Ceremony and Reception.

In life…and especially when it comes to planning a wedding…everything takes longer than you think.

If you have your ceremony and reception at the same location…

Or if you figure it's an 8 minute drive between the church and the reception hall...

Do yourself a favor and allow MORE time than you think you will need between the ceremony and reception

If you don't, you'll be stressed, miserable and end up with a wedding album where you are frowning on every page.

Use your wedding professionals as the expert resources they are.  Ask them how long they recommend for getting ready, receiving lines and photos.

MISTAKE #2 – Hiring Amateurs or Friends for Your Wedding Day.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of including your guests in the wedding day.  By all means, have Aunt Sally sing “Ave Maria” for your ceremony or ask your brother to perform a song he wrote on guitar.

But don’t expect amateurs and hobbyists to deliver a professional performance at your wedding.

There will be awkward gaps.  They will miss some of those important moments.  An amateur won’t know what to do when something goes wrong…which usually means things get worse.

If you like your friends and family…and you’d like to keep it that way…don’t hire them for your wedding day.   

*WARNING:  If you decide to hire an amateur or a talented friend to provide a service for your wedding day, make sure you adjust your expectations.  If less than perfect performance in that area is going to make you unhappy, please don’t do it.

MISTAKE #3 – Planning the Ceremony LAST.

Here’s a true story:

Jill and Kevin found the perfect wedding reception location at a beautiful country inn.  They plunked down a big deposit, booked the band and photographer.  Then they started looking at churches…

None of the Catholic churches in the area would agree to marry them because they weren’t members.  The beautiful Methodist Church was already booked up on their date and the only church available was in a run down building, with no heat or air conditioning.

Their parents were outraged that Jill and Kevin weren’t getting married in a Catholic church.  The couple faced the painful decision of dealing with parental rage and an ugly, overheated church or losing a large chunk of change in lost deposits.

If you are planning a ceremony in a location separate from your reception, make sure you can find an available, acceptable church or space BEFORE you book your venue. 

If you have your heart set on a particular church or minister, make sure they are open before you put down your deposit.  Otherwise, you can find yourself facing some tough decisions.

MISTAKE #4 – Not Considering the Weather.

If you don’t carefully consider the effect of the weather on your wedding day…for your specific location at that specific time of year…you can end up with a wedding day disaster.

True story…

Sara and Bob were getting married at a beautiful estate. Beautiful views, gorgeous mansion, amazing gardens.

Of course, they imagined their wedding day on a perfect June afternoon.  Instead, they ended up with a monsoon.

They didn’t have sides for the tent, so the guests got soaked.  The DJ moved onto the tiny dance floor to protect his equipment, which meant there was no room for dancing.  Everyone slogged through the mud for five miserable hours.

Don't let this happen to you!

Before you choose your location, consider the worst case scenario. 

What if it rains?  What if it is blistering hot?  What if it snows?

 

Make sure you are comfortable with your ceremony and reception location in EVERY possible situation.

Make sure your dream wedding will still hold up under the worst weather Mother Nature can possibly throw at you.  That way you know your day will be wonderful... no matter what.

MISTAKE #5 – Having an Unrealistic Day Of Timeline…or No Timeline at All.

Everything takes more time than you think.

Even some of our smartest brides, the ones who are always on time for everything, end up rushed and panicked on their wedding day because they didn’t allow extra time.

If you fall behind schedule on your wedding day, there is no catching up.  You can’t get those minutes and hours back.  Your party ends at the contracted time and there is nothing more painful than watching a bride who doesn’t relax and enjoy her day.

Get realistic estimates for the time it takes to do something, then add on some extra time for good measure.

MISTAKE #6 – Trying to Please Everyone

Every wedding website and book on wedding planning seems to know the “right way” to plan a wedding.  Your family and friends are more than happy to tell you what THEY think you should do.

Trying to make everyone happy is exhausting.  Plus, it’s an effort that’s doomed to failure.

Choose your battles.  If something is really important to you, stick to your guns.  You won’t be able to make everyone happy anyway. Make sure you make YOURSELF happy.

If you’ve already made some of these mistakes, never fear.  Now that you know you can fix them.  Just being prepared is the best way to avoid a wedding day disaster.

And if you haven’t made any of these mistakes…CONGRATULATIONS!  Learn from the brides who have gone before you.  Have fun planning your wedding and decide to make it your best day ever, no matter what.

You’re marrying the one you love.  In the end, how can that ever be a disaster?

Happy planning!

Want to use this article in your newsletter or on your website? You can as long as you use this complete statement: Certified Wedding Specialist Dorna Love publishes the Love Wedding Planning monthly e-zine. For more wedding planning tips visit her website at www.plannedwithlove.com and get your F*R*E*E report "10 Simple Ways to Create Your Dream Wedding Without Going Broke"

Confirming Details With Your Wedding Vendors

It may seem as though your wedding planning efforts have consumed your waking hours for months and it’s probably true. As the final weeks before your wedding day approach, now is the time to hold pre-event meetings with your suppliers and venues. It is what our professional planners do and you should as well.

A pre-event meeting is something that all reputable suppliers do throughout the industry as a matter of course. Schedule meetings with every one of your suppliers. In person is best, if all are in the same local area.

The purpose of these meetings is to make sure that there are no surprises. Review your plans with florists, caterers, photographers, musicians etc. Confirm details. Take your planner or point person or personal attendant or whomever else you’ve enlisted for help with you. Make sure everyone hears the same information.

It is recommended that you hold the meetings two to four weeks prior to your wedding.
Remember that you are the client, and it is YOUR wedding day. You’ve been working on this for some time and it needs to be delivered in the way you planned. It is your vision for your wedding and you have hired these vendors to make that vision a reality. The pre- event meetings will serve as a double check that everything has been done and nothing has been overlooked. Ask any questions you may have. Leave none unasked. These meetings insure that planning and preparation come together to make your wedding day go smoothly and as planned.

Want to use this article in your newsletter or on your website? You can as long as you use this complete statement: Certified Wedding Specialist Dorna Love publishes the Love Wedding Planning monthly e-zine. For more wedding planning tips visit her website at www.plannedwithlove.com and get your F*R*E*E report "10 Simple Ways to Create Your Dream Wedding Without Going Broke" 

Wedding Day Assistance

It's your Big Day! The day you've been dreaming of for so long is finally here! And you should be enjoying every moment of this magical day, not running around with a to-do list.

Unless you've hired a professional wedding planner to help you with all of the details of your wedding, you really should consider accepting help from those friends and family who offer to assist you.

No matter how much planning you do, there will always be details that require attention on the day of the wedding. And honestly, as the star of this long awaited event, you have more important things to do than chase down missing boutonnières.

We know the close friends and family in your wedding party will be there, but I’m sure there are others who would be glad to assist you in any way they can. If someone offers, and you think they are serious about the offer, you can certainly use their assistance. And people who are involved in helping tend to have a wonderful time as a participant rather than an observer. Think of these folks as your back up plan for details prior to the wedding day as well as the big day.

These are not “make work jobs”. These are details that you really don’t need to handle yourself. You just need to have someone on the spot to make sure they happen as planned.

Ask someone you trust to be your personal assistant for your pre-ceremony details. A close friend or family member should be available to help the bride and her attendants dress. She will handle any emergencies and help arrange trains and flowers for photos.

Likewise, a male friend or uncle would be a big help to the men in the wedding party, making sure that ties are straight, cuff links and shirt studs are worn appropriately and boutonnieres are pinned on in a uniform manner.

You should have a point person who will quietly leave the ceremony after your vows and arrive at the reception site well in advance of the guests just to make sure that everything is as ordered. That person can serve to welcome early arriving guests and direct them to the reception area, until your parents (the official hosts) are able to arrive.

You will also need someone to stay behind at the wedding ceremony site and make sure that any personal items left in the bride’s room are collected and brought to the reception site. This person can also be responsible for moving flowers to the reception site if that is part of your plan.

If the groom drove his car to the ceremony site and will join the bride in the limousine after the ceremony, he will need someone to drive his car to the reception site.

Our wedding consultants can help you with plans for a smooth and seamless day.

Want to use this article in your newsletter or on your website? You can as long as you use this complete statement: Certified Wedding Specialist Dorna Love publishes the Love Wedding Planning monthly e-zine. For more wedding planning tips visit her website at www.plannedwithlove.com and get your F*R*E*E report "10 Simple Ways to Create Your Dream Wedding Without Going Broke" 

Wedding Planners Can Handle A Lot

But there are some things that should be handled by the bride or her family.

At Love Wedding Planning, we help our brides pull their vision of their wedding together.  We help them screen and hire local vendors. We see that everything goes as planned from your processional to your get-away.  We can also help you save money and stretch a wedding budget from here to tomorrow, but some things the bride and her family must control.

• Manage who sits where.  Our wedding planners will assist you with your seating arrangements, but only you know the complex family arrangements and relationships that govern who sits where and why.You need to decide on those seating arrangements and just let your planner know your decision.  She can be a compassionate ear if you wish to talk through your decisions, but you need to make that final choice.
• Your budget is your budget.  You know how much you can afford to spend.  Be honest with your planner and let him/her help you have a fabulous wedding within those budget guidelines.
• Select the wedding party.  Nobody but you can decide who matters in your life enough to be selected as a member of the wedding party.  No one else can make that call for you.
• Choose your music.  Wedding planners can offer a wide range of music choices for your ceremony and reception.  But only you can make the final choice of what matters to you, what touches you, what are your favorites.
• Write your own vows.  Wedding planners can offer many options and ideas to get you started, but this highly personal statement of what you and your future husband mean to each other is way beyond your planner's arena. Think how hurt you’d be if you found out that someone else wrote your groom’s vows for him.  If in doubt, use the accepted/standard vows from your church or officiant.
• Write your own thank you notes.  No exceptions!

Want to use this article in your newsletter or on your website? You can as long as you use this complete statement: Certified Wedding Specialist Dorna Love publishes the Love Wedding Planning monthly e-zine. For more wedding planning tips visit her website at www.plannedwithlove.com and get your F*R*E*E report "10 Simple Ways to Create Your Dream Wedding Without Going Broke"

Some Romantic Inspiration for Valentine's Day

Romantic Pink Wedding by bridelady on Polyvore.com

Gray Heart Themed Wedding by bridelady featuring chiffon bridesmaid dresses

You’re engaged to be married! Now it’s time to celebrate!

Who should host the party to share the happy news?

Planning the party is usually left to the bride and her parents. But if your parents aren’t able or available to do so, other relatives and/or friends may give the party.

If possible, it’s usually held at a time to coincide with the newspaper announcement.

Any type of gathering  -a cocktail party, buffet, brunch or barbecue is  appropriate.You may also wish to have a sit down dinner and serve food that reflects your heritage. An international hors d’oeuvres, wine and cheese party or an elegant candlelight dessert party - all have appeal. If it’s a wintertime affair, have a Sunday afternoon open house and serve hearty Irish stew, chili or thick soup along with a variety of breads.


During the party your father may propose a toast to the two of you. Remain seated and do not raise your glass to drink. Your fiancé then rises and proposes a toast to you and your parents. After that, you toast the groom to be, your parents and the assembled guests.

Be sure to invite everyone to the wedding who has been invited to the engagement party.

While engagement party gifts are not necessary nor are they expected, be aware that some guests may choose to give an appropriate gift for the occasion. You will of course, send a prompt and sincere thank you.

Let the celebration begin!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. And if you're having it in New England in the winter, it may be one of the coldest. Don't let your "something blue" be you in your beautiful strapless gown. An elegant little cover up will help to keep the chill off your shoulders.

• Jacket - The wedding jacket can be made out of satin, lace, faux fur, or anything that would best complement your wedding dress. Having a removable jacket is also a way to indulge in the trend of changing your outfit from ceremony to reception without the added expense of purchasing another gown.                             

DEMETRIOS - SENSUALLE

Style No. GR155

DESTINATIONS BY MON CHERI

Style No. 29128

JASMINE COLLECTION

Style No. F173

• Shrug/bolero - A shrug or bolero is a short jacket that basically covers the shoulder area. Like a jacket, it can give your dress that touch of style that makes your look uniquely yours.

These will not only benefit the cold weather brides, but also those who need to meet certain modesty requirements for their ceremonies. (If you need to cover your arms and shoulders for religious purposes, consult with your officiant on what is allowed.)

And if you're looking for outerwear to get from the car to the building, you might choose a velvet or faux fur-trimmed cape or capelet for a little glamour. With your cozy cover up on hand, you'll be snug and happy! An elegant cover up is one more way to add style and personality to your wedding day look.

Bridal Show Tips

It's that time of year! It's bridal show season and we have a few suggestions for getting the most out of them.

1. Register before the show. Admission is usually discounted or free when you do this.

2. What to bring. Bring a notebook and pen to take notes, a camera, a calendar for setting up appointments, your wedding color swatches, a very large bag for carrying all the literature and freebies you collect, a list of questions you want to ask vendors, and printed peel-off labels with your name, address, email, and wedding date to use when signing up for mailing lists or registering for prizes.

3. Wear comfy shoes. You'll be doing a lot of walking and you don't want blisters!

4. Make a list of vendors you still need, and when you get to the show, visit them first.

5. Make a note of the vendors you're interested in and jot down price quotes and tips they offer. By the time you get home, you won't remember which vendor told you what.

6. Bring a friend or two. They can help you carry all the literature you'll be collecting and they can offer an objective third party opinion on things.

7. Gather as much literature as you can. What you may not be interested in now, you may be interested in later.

8. Check fashion show times so you can get there early and get good seats. However, if you already have your gown, you may want to skip the fashion show and visit with vendors. The crowds at the booths are usually smaller during the fashion show, and vendors will be happy to speak with you.

9. Don't feel pressured to sign a contract at the show. Shows are usually very crowded and noisy, and if you don't have the opportunity to talk to the vendors in depth, how will you know if they're right for you? It's better to set up an appointment with them at the show to meet with them at a later date.

10. You'll be getting a lot of information sent to you after the show. Consider setting up a wedding only email address and when the wedding is over, simply cancel it.

11. When filling out forms, (if you don't bring peel-off labels), be sure to print clearly. You don't want to miss out on hearing from a vendor you're interested in or miss out on a door prize because they couldn't read your handwriting!

12. Don't bring small children to the show. They will get tired (and most likely bored) and keep you from your mission of finding vendors for your wedding.

I hope you find these suggestions helpful. If you have any other bridal show tips you'd like to share, please let us know!

RSVPs

It's always amazing to me when seemingly well-educated people don’t get why they should RSVP when the invitation clearly requests it.

Knowing the total number of expected guests is critical at weddings and other large events because of the costs and deadlines involved in meal planning and preparation.  But even for smaller social events, I regret the fact that people either don’t know what RSVP means or worse, choose to ignore it.

Here are some social “rules” to keep in mind. 

1. As Emily Post says, “No one is obligated to accept an invitation or to explain their reasons for not accepting.  However, when someone is kind enough to extend an invitation, one should be just as kind and reply to the invitation.”  Unfortunately, this is not always done.

2. Ask for help.  If you have invited someone to your wedding and have included a reply card with a return by requested date and you still haven’t heard back, the best solution is to press bridesmaids or family relatives into helping you contact all those persons who have yet to reply.  If a phone call is in order, helpers can say something like this:  “Hi _______, this is _________.  I’m calling to make sure that you have received the invitation to __________’s wedding.  The bride hasn’t heard from you yet and needs to know if you plan to attend.  The count needs to be in by ________. Everyone is looking forward to seeing you.”  If you are leaving a voice mail message, add “ Please call me back at ________”. 

3.  Respond in the same manner that the invitation was issued. If an invitation to an event has come via 

     e-mail then an e-mail response is in order.

4. Reply as soon as possible.  Don’t put the invitation in the “to do” pile unless you need to ask the availability of the other person whose name may be on the invitation with yours.

5. Keep replies brief.  You don’t need to go into great detail about why you can’t attend.

6. If a reply is not requested, it is not necessary to respond.  However, it is nice to acknowledge the invitation and let the host know when you cannot attend.