Advice: Looking Back, What I would Have Done Different

Now that is has been almost 1 year since my wedding, I have done a lot of looking back on how things turned out and what I would have done differently.

Jeren and I had a very long engagement of 1 1/2 years and I think that would have been my first thing I would have changed. About half way through we were both wishing that the big day would be here and all the planning stress would be over. We had a LOT of family involvement which made things quite stressful at times since between us we have 8 parents...yes 8 parents! Due to the long engagement I feel like I procrastinated on the little details since I knew I had a long time to plan. The last few months went by so fast and I soon realized that I had waited too long to start on some of my DIY projects, therefore they were either rushed or not added into the wedding. I look back now and really wish I would have had some of those little details I kept seeing in my head all along.

The second and one of the most important things I would have changed looking back is not using a family friend as our photographer. I won't say much because it gets me so upset but this is one of the most important decisions you have in planning your wedding so take it seriously. Remember, you CANNOT redo your wedding pictures so what you get is what you get. This makes me so sad :(

Another thing I might have done differently is my dress. I only looked at dresses twice before buying the one I loved. The only problem, it was the last one available since the design was being discontinued AND it was a size 12. The reason this was such a problem...I am a size 1! I was determined to make the dress fit and be perfect so I found an amazing seamstress. After about 12 dress fittings the dress was practically a custom design and I loved it. Looking back at pictures I don't think that we were able to get the exact perfect fit that I was looking for but that could just be my OCD kicking in. My recommendation, find a dress that you love and you won't have to have it completely remade. It was an interesting process where I was able to spend time with my Mom, MOH, and Bridesmaids but it was very stressful at the same time since I had no idea what the finally product was going to be.

Well, I am sure over the next few months I will think up some other things I would have done a little differently but for now these are my thoughts! Hope it helps in your planning process.

Inspiration Board: Green Combinations

I love green as for a wedding color. I actually used lime green, ivory, black, and damask for my wedding! You can combine green with brown, white, yellow, orange, black, blue, purple...the combinations are endless! Hope you enjoy :)

Photos: The Knot

Vendor Spotlight: The Papery Willow {Handcrafted Custom Invitations}

This weeks Vendor Spotlight is featuring The Papery Willow. Babette Canacari is the designer of these beautiful custom handcrafted invitations displayed below. She will work with you to create the wedding stationary of your dreams while coordinating all the details of your wedding with one theme. Items available include: invitations, place cards, menu cards, guestbook, favors, save the dates, thank you cards, reception cards, and more! Contact her today to see how she can help.

California March 2010 Bridal Shows

Thought I would put together a list of Bridal Shows In March for all those California brides getting ready to start planning their wedding. Happy Planning!!

The Great Bridal Expo

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Show Time : 12.00pm - 4.00pm

Location: Westin San Francisco

1 Old Bayshore Highway

San Francisco (Millbrae) CA 94030

The Great Bridal Expo

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Show Time : 12.00pm - 4.00pm

Location: Fairmont Hotel San Jose

170 South Market Street

San Jose CA 95113

Festival of Brides, The Upscale Bridal Show

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Show Time: 11:00am-5:00pm

Location: Millennium Biltmore Hotel

The Crystal Ballroom

506 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Festival of Brides, The Upscale Bridal Show

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Show Time: 11:00am-4:00pm

Location: Montage Beverly Hills

225 North Canon Drive

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Bridal Showplace

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Show Time : 11.00am - 4.00pm

Location: Sheraton Cerritos Hotel

12725 Center Court Drive

Cerritos CA 90703

Sacramento Kings Brides & Basketball

Monday, March 22, 2010

Show Time : 6.00pm - 9.00pm

Location: Sacramento Kings Arco Arena

1 Sports Pkwy.

Sacramento CA 95834

Inspiration Board: Purple Combinations

It seems like purple is going to be a very popular color this wedding season so I thought I would put together some different purple color combinations for inspiration. My favorite are the shoes! Hope you enjoy!

Photos: The Knot

Vendor Spotlight: Lake Tahoe Vacation Homes

World Class Property Management, Inc. has a wide variety of South Lake Tahoe vacation homes for all of your shower, bachelor/bachelorette parties, weddings, and honeymoons! Feel free to check out their site World Class Property Management, Inc. for full details of all the houses.

Brides On A Budget!

Hello to all you brides trying to stay within your budget!

I thought I would share some budget friendly tips that helped me and other fellow brides stay within out budgets for our BIG day. These are just a few so feel free to share your tips as well.

-Use a local flower warehouse
-Have a lunch reception instead of dinner time reception
-Never be afraid to NIGOTIATE with your vendors. The worst answer will be no but at least you tried!
-If the time allows, shop around before making quick purchases. This will help for your dress, invitations, wedding party gifts, etc.
-Have food stations for your meal instead of a plated sit down meal
-Keeping your wedding party small with help with wedding party expenses and stress!
-Figure out what elements of you wedding are most important and spend the extra money there
-Having your wedding on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday can save a ton of money off not only the ceremony & reception site but some of your other vendor as well. Make sure to ask about these discounts
-DIY projects can save you a lot of money because you can make only the amount you need rather than buying in large quantities, works great for favors, invitations, menus, place cards, table numbers, etc.
-Having a candy bar for the favors can save a huge amount of money as well as guest can take the "favor" if they wish therefore, cutting down on wasted premade favors
-Wedding cupcakes instead of wedding cake can be less expensive but also may allow you to save on that pesky "cake cutting fee" reception sites charge

Happy Planning!

Lisa

WEDification Event, Destin, FL

WEDification is a weekend long event about all things wedding. This huge event is designed to help the newly engaged make their wedding day as memorable and flawless as possible. At this event you will get a chance to see everything that is out there for 2010. You will also be able to meet with amazing wedding vendors from all over the area.

WEDification, Destin FL
Start time: Friday March 12, 2010 at 5:00 PM - Central Time
End time: Saturday March 13, 2010 at 11:00 PM - Central Time
Where: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, 4000 S Sandestin Blvd, Destin, FL 32550

You can check out their website for more information: http://wedification.com/

Happy Planning!

Favor Ideas I Love!!

Hope you enjoy the favor inspiration board. I love favors in general because there are so many great ideas but I personally feel that they should be something that your guests can really use. Let's face it; wedding favors can be very costly depending on the size of your guest list. Why give them something that might go to waste?

At my wedding we decided to have "G" shaped cookies for out last name and a candy bar. The candy bar concept has become very popular in the last few years and still is. It is a great idea because you can tie in your colors and your guests can take what they like. The candy bar and other edible favors are great because they are usually a little less expensive and won't go to waste because you know someone will eat them!

I also like the other ideas below such as flip flops in your colors, fans, etc. because not only do they tie into your wedding but they can be used right then and there.

Happy Planning!

Lisa

Photos from: TheKnot.com

Your Engaged!!!

Congrats to you!! Now what...

After the excitement calms a little bit it is time to start thinking about the date for you BIG DAY! Start thinking about the time of year you would like to get married along with whether you are interested in having an indoor or outdoor wedding. Keeping these things in mind will help you narrow down your date and venue location right off the bat. I thought it would be super helpful to post a wedding planning "To Do" checklist. This is a good guideline to follow in you future planning. I will be posting some more timelines & checklists for other very important wedding related events. Happy Planning!

9 - 12 Months

* Announce engagement to family & friends
* Arrange for formal engagement photograph
* Shop for engagement ring
* Set wedding date & time
* Set up wedding budget you can live with
* Decide who is contributing what financially
* Hire wedding consultant if you plan to use one
* Select your wedding attendants
* Decide style and color scheme of wedding
* Reserve wedding and reception sites
* Determine size of wedding guest list
* Start compiling guest list addresses
* Choose your gown, veil & accessaries
* Select your bridesmaids outfits
* Begin researching your honeymoon
* Buy a memory album & start your personal journal
* Meet with officient to discuss pre-marital counseling and the wedding service
* Select photographer, videographer, DJ or band, florist, caterer, emcee and schedule planning meetings



6 - 8 Months

* Begin any required pre-marital counseling
* Discuss wedding vows
* Order your bridal gown & confirm delivery date
* Order headpiece & other accessories
* Order bridesmaids dresses & accessories
* Research invitation styles
* Finalize invitation wording
* Decide on necessary invitation inserts
* Reserve all rental equipment (tents, chairs, etc)
* Decide on reception decorations
* Begin researching wedding cake designers
* Discuss & reserve wedding transportation
* Register for wedding gifts
* Keep a careful record of all gifts received
* Write thank you notes immediately
* Finalize honeymoon plans & make any deposits
* Order invitations, inserts, announcements, thank you notes, napkins, reception place cards, etc (Proof read !!)



4-5 Months

* Shop for wedding rings
* Complete guest list
* Plan ceremony decorations
* Make final arrangements for ceremony including readings
* Meet with organist/soloist to select music for ceremony
* Have mothers coordinate and select their dresses
* Reserve mens formal wear
* Pick up printed invitations (proof read again !!)
* Address invitations & announcements
* Make or buy favors for guests
* Arrange for guest parking at ceremony & reception site
* Finalize menu & confirm all details with caterer
* Order cake & cake topper
* Select flowers for bridal party
* Select flowers for ceremony & reception
* Check requirements for getting a marriage license in your state
* Finalize living arrangements for your new life
* Discuss whether or not to have a prenuptial agreement
* Plan rehearsal dinner
* Research passport & visa requirements
* Write thank you notes immediately



3 Months

* Coordinate accommodations for out of town guests
* Review ceremony with officiant
* Select ceremony music
* If using personalized wedding vows, begin writing them now
* Schedule first bridal gown fitting
* Schedule first bridesmaids gown fitting
* Shop for bridal lingerie
* Experiment with makeup & hair styles
* Make all hair, nail & makeup appointments
* Make sure all attire for flower girl & ring bearer has been ordered
* Discuss reception traditions you plan on using
* Order table numbers & menu cards for reception
* Consider taking dance lessons if desired
* Finalize plans for wedding rehearsal & rehearsal dinner
* Shop for honeymoon clothes
* Obtain all passport & visa requirements
* Write thank you notes immediately
* Have all accessories...toasting glasses, garter, ring pillow, candles, guestbook/Pen, etc



2 Months

* Pick up wedding rings
* Finalize ceremony specifics with officiant including music
* Select responsible person to handle guestbook
* Schedule dress fittings
* Assemble directions & accommodation cards for out of town guests
* Mail invitations
* Design & print wedding programs if using
* Confirm all reception details
* Give invited head count to caterer & review details
* Finalize all details with florist & entertainment
* Finalize music selections
* Confirm details with photographer & videographer
* Write thank you notes immediately
* Plan bridesmaid's party
* Draw up any prenuptial agreement
* Make rehearsal arrangements



1 Month

* Buy gifts for attendants
* Arrange for final gown fittings
* Begin breaking in bridal footwear
* Mail announcements
* Give all musicians list of music to be played
* Have your formal bridal portrait taken
* Give photographer list of photographs you would like taken
* Finalize wedding transporation arrangements
* Write thank you notes immediately
* Host bridesmaids party
* Complete all physical & dental appointments
* Get blood test & marriage license
* Get necessary forms for your name change
* Buy gift for your fiance, if you are exchanging gifts



2 Weeks

* Contact invited guests who have not responded
* Confirm that all vendors received necessary payments
* Prepare any wedding toasts
* Plan seating arrangements for reception
* Designate reliable person to be in charge of gifts brought to reception
* Give final counts to caterer and review all details
* Confirm delivery arrangements with baker
* Write thank you notes immediately
* Attend bachelor/bachlorette party
* Confirm honeymoon arrangements and start packing
* Get traveler's checks for your honeymoon
* Confirm hotel reservations for the night of your wedding. Guarantee late arrivals
* Mail wedding announcements to the newspapers



1 Week

* Go over special seating arrangements with ushers
* Pick up wedding gown
* Pick up bridesmaids dresses
* Pick up grooms attire
* Make sure you have all wedding attire & it fits
* Write thank you notes immediately
* Arrange for gifts brought to your reception to be delivered to your new home
* Make sure you have your marriage license
* Have wedding rehearsal & rehearsal dinner
* Provide transportation company with written wedding day itinerary including addresses
* Provide entire wedding party with written wedding day itinerary including addresses



On Your Wedding Day

* Be sure you eat something before everything starts
* Do hair and nails at least 3 hours before ceremony
* Allow plenty of time to apply your makeup
* Give your honor attendants your wedding rings
* Have programs delivered to the church
* Assign someone to transport flower arrangements from the church to the reception
* Be sure best man has the soloist's fee, tips for the officiant's assistants, as well as payment for the organist and DJ or band
* Have all accessories together
* Girls begin dressing about 1-1/2 - 2 hours before ceremony...especially if you are having a photographer arrive before ceremony. If bridesmaids getting ready elsewhere, have them arrive a minimum of 1 hour before leaving for ceremony
* Don't forget to bring marriage license to ceremony

* Relax & Have A GREAT Time

Wedding & Honeymoon Transportation

With all of your guests coming in from out of town thye may just need a rental car to get around. It is always nice to be able to provide your guests with money saving ideas since attending a wedding, especially an out of town wedding can be costly. Also, you may beed a rental car on your honeymoon. Here is a discount like for Hertz that just might help! :)

http://link.hertz.com/link.html?id=17184&LinkType=HZLK&TargetType=Homepage

Cake Trends For 2010

The cake trends for 2010 are very bold and elegant. There will be a lot of artistic definition and use of color. The theme of your wedding can really be tied in with these new cake ideas. Take a look at some of the beautiful ideas I liked.