The Send-Off

The Send-Off

There are many heart-warming traditions that can make your wedding day special. A long-honored symbol of good luck is the group send-off of the new Bride and Groom. Whether they’re leaving the ceremony or the reception, guests help send the couple off to their new life by forming a human archway for the newlyweds to walk through. Another old tradition is tossing handfuls of rice at the happy couple. Now-a-days, many couples are using unique alternatives to modernize this tradition.

For the environmentally conscious, your guests could throw “natural confetti” made of seeds, herbs or flower petals. The lighter the materials, the slower they fall, which often results in beautiful pictures. If you have our winged-friends in mind, birdseed works just as well.  If you’re enticed by the idea of rice or seeds but wish to add a little color, sprinkles or colored pom-poms do the trick!

For a more romantic feel, couples often walk through a cascade of rose petals.

This adds color, elegance and a hint of fragrance to the moment. Plus, it minimizes clean-up. Another way to minimize clean-up but still add a little quirkiness is to have the guests blow bubbles as you and your groom walk past. It will form a beautiful cloud of bubbles which reflect the light and make for wonderful and surreal pictures.

Looking to add some pop to your exit? Ditch the confetti and try using sparklers or party poppers.

Sparklers are a beautiful light show against the night sky and make for gorgeous pictures. Party poppers are an exciting addition with a loud pop followed by colorful streamers.  If you want to avoid the mess but like the streamer aspect of the poppers attach streamers to wands and have your guests send you off in a wave of color.

If you want a more powerful effect you could say goodbye with a “release.” Balloons and Lanterns make for an artistic and special moment while live releases of butterflies or doves add a more extravagant feel. The beautiful creatures will forever live in your wedding photographs and will always remind you of that special day.

The list of possibilities is virtually endless. Just use your imagination and you’re bound to come up with something creative and special that will fit both your theme and personality.

~*~ Chelsea

Should We Break Tradition?

Should We Break Tradition?

Breaking Tradition: Seeing Each Other Before the Ceremony

We all know that traditionally, brides and grooms do not see each other on the day of the wedding until the moment when the bride begins her walk down the aisle. Some believe it’s bad luck for a couple to see each other before their ceremony. This superstition is actually rooted in the historic practices of arranged marriages – keeping the couple apart was a tactic to keep the groom from changing his mind about the bride before he married her. Crazy, isn’t it? Even so, there is no right decision in this matter. Every bride will feel differently, and whatever you decide is perfect for you! But it’s never a bad thing to consider your options before making a decision. J

Here are some reasons FOR seeing each other before the ceremony:

1. You’ll still get the magical moment where the bride and groom lock eyes as she begins her walk towards him. Brides may be concerned about losing the ‘wow’ factor; but I assure you, it will be a huge moment - no matter what. You’re about to get married! The emotion and intensity of the moment will not be lost if you see each other before the ceremony.



2. The few hours before the wedding is a time of many things happening at once – basically, chaos. Taking a few moments alone with your soon-to-be- hubby will give you a chance to relax and enjoy the day, and allow all the other little details to work themselves out (without you).



3. It also gives you a chance to have a moment alone with your significant other. When you walk down the aisle, you won’t be able to talk, kiss, touch, laugh or cry – but if you take a moment before hand, you can have a romantic moment to enjoy the enormity of the day! You won’t have to hold anything back, and the moment usually makes for some very cute pictures. Couples often note that they don’t have much time to talk while busy with guests during the celebration, so taking a moment will give you a chance to reconnect with the real meaning of the day.



4. Photos usually take a significant amount of time, and often leave wedding guests waiting anxiously at the reception for the wedding party to arrive. If you schedule time before your ceremony for photos, chances are you will have more time to use different locations and enjoy the photo shoot, because you won’t be stressing about getting back to your guests. That way, you can get to the party sooner after the ceremony – and who doesn’t want that?!

See? There are some pretty good reasons to break tradition, at least in this sense.

What do you think of couples seeing each other before the ceremony? Completely crazy, or something to consider?

-          Carina      

Back in action: Lace at its finest!!!

Oh the loveliness of lace! It’s romantic, delicate, and feminine—ideal for the classic, traditional bride.What makes lace so beautiful is the history that often comes along with it.  Your wedding day lace could possibly recall the story of your grandmother’s wedding day.  Or even if you didn't personally know the bride whose lace is now your something old, it’s still a treasure to behold. A touch of vintage lace can enhance your veil or headpiece.  Lace can accent the table or chairs or even inspire your cake design. Regardless of how you choose to incorporate the loveliness of lace into your wedding day, lace is beautiful in every way!

Happy Planning!

xoxo

Katherine

Thank you Notes!

So your big day is over, gifts are unwrapped, you're back from your honeymoon and all the craziness is over. So many people contributed to your beautiful day and you want to thank them. Remember, not all your work is done after the wedding - making sure to thank your guests for all they have done is the very last step! A snail mail thank you note will put a smile on your guests' face. Set aside a few hours to concentrate in a quiet, relaxing space. Don't expect to get them all done in one sitting - pace yourself but don't wait until the last minute! 

Curious as to what is appropriate and what is expected? Here are a few tips:

1.    1-  Yes, this is an extremely busy time in your life, but your wedding guests made your day as wonderful as it was! It is recommended to send a thank you letter to each and every one of your guests within a maximum 3 months after your wedding. And that's a maximum. Much sooner than that - about 2-4 weeks after you're home from your honeymoon- is preferred. 

2.    2-  Handwritten thank yous are a must! Never, ever, ever write a preprinted thank you note. A beautiful penned letter from you and your husband is a priceless, thoughtful touch that will make your guests smile. Make sure you mention the specific gift you received, as to make it personal and thoughtful.

3.     3- Put your current return address on the envelopes. This saves your guests a step in trying to figure out your old or new address. Plus, it may be the first time you and your hubby share a return address :) 

4.    4-  Naturally, different types of gifts will be received at your wedding. For specific gifts, mention the item and when you intend to use it or why you love it. For a monetary gift,  something like this is appropriate: 

Dearest Uncle Phil, John and I want to thank you so much for the check you sent for our wedding.  We have been saving for a down payment on our first home and have added your gift to our special account.   It was so thoughtful of you.   Someday soon, we will be inviting you to our housewarming! Can't wait to see you again. Love, Jenna

5.    5-  Blue or black ink, only! Keep it classy and readable.

Finally, make a list of all the letters you have to write and check them off when they are signed, sealed and delivered. This is a huge accomplishment and great feeling. Plus, you don't want to send two of the same letters!

Happy writing!

xox,

Sierra

Asked to be the Maid of Honor, Now What??

Are you the Maid of Honor in a friend of family member's wedding? Congratulations, it's a huge honor!

Lucky for the bride, they tend to have a big support system to help plan and make sure their special day goes off without a hitch. While she may have present and future family members by her side to help her, her number one person is her Maid or Matron of Honor. If this is your pleasurable duty in someone's wedding, there are many tasks that you need to be ready to deal with. While it may seem like a lot of duties, you will never realize how important your help is and how thankful the bride is that you are there for her. The duties that you as the Maid of Honor will have will be for both pre-wedding activities and wedding day activities.

Pre-wedding Duties:

• Scout wedding locations.
• Select invitations and help with invitation prep.
• Explore floral options and other decorative choices.
• Help the bride shop for her wedding dress and choose bridesmaids' dresses.
• Oversee delivery of the dresses, monitor fittings and assist with other wardrobe functions.
• Encourage the bride to register for gifts, spread the word about where the bride is registered and answer any gift questions that may arise.
• Help with honeymoon planning.
• Help with seating chart details.
• Attend the cake tasting and make recommendations.
• Attend the catering meetings or tastings and make recommendations.
• Host the bridal shower.
• Host the bachelorette party.
• Maintain timetables and be of general assistance to keep things moving forward.
• Attend the rehearsal dinner.
• Keep a list of gifts received.

Day of Wedding Duties:

• Help the bride dress and deal with her hair, jewelry and the unavoidable wedding day jitters.
• Check the last minute details, like instructions for the photographer and deliveries to the hall.
• Act as a messenger between the bride and groom (and various and sundry family members).
• Handle dress and veil issues. Maneuverability could be important here, even in the restroom, so this is an important and sometimes unexpected duty involving lifting, fluffing, arranging and rearranging.
• Hold and protect the groom's ring.
• Hold the bride's bouquet for the duration of the wedding ceremony.
• Witness the marriage license signing.
• Be part of the receiving line at the reception or act as a greeter.
• Toast the bride and groom.
• Participate in the first dance at a formal reception (partnered with the best man). 

Even if the bride turns into a bit of a bridezilla on her wedding day, it is your job to be the level-headed support systems she will need!

Happy Planning!

Emily

Something blue, Something you!

Wedding days carry many superstitious and traditions that are made to ensure that the day and the marriage goes perfectly. The one tradition that has evolved into allowing the brides to personalize it for themselves is the "something blue". 

A typical blue piece that a bride incorporates into her attire is wearing a blue garter. However, this is not the only way that brides are embracing their "blue". Here are some unique ways to add in blue to your day:

1) A blue accent jewelry piece

                                   2) Blue nail polish

3) Blue bridesmaid dresses

4) Blue flowers or decorations on your bouquet 

                     5) Blue crinoline under your dress

6) Blue undies or undergarments 

        7) Blue shoes

8) The wedding date sewn in blue in the dress

9) Blue sash on the wedding dress

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These obviously aren't the only ways to incorporate blue into your wedding, but hopefully these ideas will spark your creative mindset and you will come up with something great!

Happy planning!

Emily

Have Your Cake and Eat It Too?

Have you ever wondered how to defy the saying, “you can never have your cake and eat it too”?  Well, I’m here to tell you that on your wedding day, you can! Thanks to the tradition of saving the top tier of your wedding cake, brides and grooms everywhere are able to eat their cake at the reception while saving the top to eat whenever you want.

The whole tradition started in England with their brandy-soaked fruit, most served at weddings.  The newlyweds would save the fruit and bring it out to eat again on their one-year anniversary or the christening of their first child. Although it was easier to preserve back then, people today still choose to stick to the tradition... and we're happy they did! It's a great way to keep the love alive and rekindle all emotions from your wedding- months after the big day.

The key is in the way it’s packaged! Before the wedding, purchase a plastic container big enough to fit the circumference of the tier, and an airtight lid. Bring the container to the reception (or have event planners, like Paisley Events, take care of it for you). After the cake is cut, immediately place the tier into the container. If you are going on a honeymoon, have a close family member or friend take it to their house to freeze. Don’t forget—before putting the container in the freezer- wrap the whole thing in tinfoil! With all the protection, it is almost guaranteed that the cake will be ready to thaw and eat with your loved one just in time for your one-year anniversary. Enjoy!

***Remember to tell your baker you're planning on saving the top tier so you still have enough cake to feed all your guests***

Example of top tier one year later

Trash The Dress

Hi there! As a consultant-in-training, I wanted to take a look at some growing popular trends in weddings. I became interested in a trend that usually takes place after the wedding – a fun photoshoot where the bride gets to basically go crazy – in a good way. A fast-growing trend known as “trash the dress” is a fun, creative photo shoot where the bride doesn’t have to be as clean and pristine as you may expect.

A few popular photoshoot themes are:

•        underwater
•        pools, beach, fountain
•        cars
•        paint
•        whatever is personal and fun for you! 

Check out some examples below.

Often times the shoot takes place a few days or weeks after the wedding. But, if you have time on your actual wedding day, it could be a fun whimsical way to release some stress and have fun! Don’t worry - a lot of these ideas can be reversed with a little laundry detergent and water. The memories from these shoots will last a lifetime. Happy “trashing”!

XO, Sierra

The Leap on Leap Year/Leap Day Traditions!

 Leap Year Madness!

History reveals new odd traditions every day, and over the years, marriage proposals have not been not immune to the strangeness. Rules of courtship are quite different these days (and much less strict), but long ago women who were hoping to marry had to wait for their beaus to propose. They were not "allowed" to pop the question themselves, except on one day: leap year (February 29th) which occurs every four years. The tradition dates back hundreds of years to when the leap year was not recognized by English law; the day was simply "leapt over" and ignored. Since the day had no legal status, formal traditions did not apply. Consequently, women who were not content to wait for a proposal took advantage of this anomaly and popped the question themselves!

It was also thought that since leap year corrected the discrepancy between the calendar year (365 days) and the time it takes for the earth to complete one orbit of the sun (365 days and 6 hours), it was an opportunity for women to correct a tradition that was one-sided and unfair.

The idea spread around the world and soon there were many Leap Year Balls and Leap Year Dances. Some were being held so the women could ask the man to dance. And some were specifically for the woman to ask for a man's hand in marriage.

Leap Day and its festivities, are often mistaken for Sadie Hawkins Day, which is actually in November. The only similarity between the two days is that it's a day when the woman has the opportunity to do the asking. February 29 is not Sadie Hawkins Day, it is Leap Year Day, or simply, Leap Day.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there were many postcards depicting women asking, even begging, the man to marry her. The postcard below is a perfect example of the woman asking for his hand. She has gone straight to the man's father to ask him.

In Britain and Ireland, it is a tradition that women may propose marriage only on leap years. While it has been claimed that the tradition was initiated by Saint Patrick or Brigid of Kildare in 5th centuryIreland, this is dubious, as the tradition has not been attested to before the 19th century. Supposedly, a 1288 law by Queen Margaret of Scotland (then age five and living in Norway), required that fines be levied if a marriage proposal was refused by the man; compensation was deemed to be a pair of leather gloves, a single rose, £1 and a kiss. In some places the tradition was tightened to restricting female proposals to the modern leap day, February 29, or to the medieval leap day, February 24.

• In Denmark, the tradition is that women may propose on the  leap day, February 29, and that refusal must be compensated with 12 pairs of gloves.
• In Finland, the tradition is that if a man refuses a woman's proposal on leap day, he should buy her the fabrics for a skirt.
• In Greece, marriage in a leap year is considered unlucky. One in five engaged couples in Greece will plan to avoid getting married in a leap year.

Well, here in the early part of the second millennium, it is more of a romantic idea than law. There are many people wanting to ask, or even get married in a Leap Year. Either way a proposal is one of the ultimate professions of love! When the proposal is made, it doesn’t matter who asks.  (But here's a shout-out to the ladies who decide to do it!) 

Happy Leap Day!

xoxo

Katherine

The Ultimate Face Off: Wedding Cake vs. Cupcakes

Due to my anxiety and excitement about this coming weekend's wedding related activities (I am meeting up with my June couple and their parents as well as meeting my summer intern!), I took out all the pent-up energy on a batch of Superbowl inspired cupcakes. While attempting to scrape blue food coloring off of my fingers, I began to think about cupcakes and their recent high society take-back. I'm not sure if you are aware, fellow bloggers, but cupcakes have made a return to the "trendy must-haves" list for weddings and other events. They have been popping up again and again as a trendy cute way to save or add a fun twist to the dessert portion of your wedding. 

So keeping that in mind, I plan on using this post to scout out the truth. Are cupcakes the ultimate alternative? Taking a cue from a recent wedding article, I will be casting my vote in the wedding cake vs. cupcake face-off, based on the categories of cost, style, and tradition.

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COST: Unfortunately, in this economy, cost is often the main factor for a choice. When wedding cupcakes first entered the spotlight, they instantly became a big money saver.  Who wouldn't want to spent 1-2 dollars for a single cupcake as opposed to 6-10 dollars for 1 slice of cake?!

The thing here is that wedding cupcakes are just as much work if not more than a traditional 3+ tier wedding cake. If you think about it, each individual cupcake needs to be baked, iced, and decorated identically…. That takes some serious dedication to detail on the baker's part. In the end, it all comes down to choices.

Winner: A tie! When it comes down to the choice, you can do cupcakes more inexpensively than you can buy a wedding cake, but in the end, a beautiful wedding cake provides valuable memories.  And it's probably cheaper to have a memorable wedding cake than to decorate each individual cupcake... especially if you do it yourself!

STYLE: As a fellow blogger said to me, “There's something so whimsically childlike about unwrapping a cupcake.” Ironically, that is the most divisive aspect of these sweet treats!  As much fun as they are, do cupcakes really scream sophistication? If you are leaning towards a traditional formal wedding, you may want to steer away from the pint-size morsels and stay true to the grand formal wedding cake. If your wedding guests are traditional people, they might think that cupcakes are too casual, or worse, cheap. 

On the other hand, if your reception is relaxed and fun is your primary goal, tell everyone to be a kid again and grab a cupcake! Once they're up and having fun on the dance floor, they won't have to sit again for dessert. They'll just grab a cupcake and keep on groovin'. 

Winner: Cupcakes! There's just a bit more punch to a cupcake. You can dress them up or down, but they'll always be fun. 

TRADITION: Lets face it, wedding cakes have been the standard for over 100 years. There are traditions linked to the cake, such as the cake cutting, and cake toppers, that go hand in hand with them. Cupcakes leave no room for a cake topper, or at least not a normal sized one, and a cake cutting on a cupcake is just a little silly (though much easier to clean up if you're in the mood to stuff cake in your new spouse's face!). 

On the other hand, couples have found ways to have the best of both worlds. They can order a small round to sit on top of the cupcake tower and use it for the cake cutting, as well as a perch for everyone favorite wax figurines. 

Winner: Wedding Cake! There is no arguing it, cupcakes will never be as elegantly traditional as wedding cake. 

Overall, it's a tie!  With these pros and cons, and the help of a few tips I've mentioned, you can figure out which is best for your wedding.

Keep an eye out for the next Ultimate Face Off!

Stay Sweet!

xoxo
Katherine