Archive for the ‘Wedding Cermony’ Category

Pink Wedding Inspiration Board

I fell in love with the color pink after watching the movie Pretty in Pink.  I became addicted to pink after I saw Shelby’s Blush and Bashful wedding in Steel Magnolias.  After that, pink became my signature color too!  100% of the time, I am wearing or carrying something pink.  I just love this color!  I don’t know if I like the color because I look great it in or because I’m a girly girl.  Who cares?  Pink is wonderful!

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Weddings Hot or Not

HOT                                                                              NOT
Destination Wedding                                                Drive Thru Vegas Wedding  
 
Honeymoon Registry                                                 Website for guests to contribute money
 
Using local, organic foods/wines                            Overpriced luxury hotel catering
 
Allowing your bridesmaids to                                   Identical bridesmaids dresses                                      
choose a dress that fits their body
shape & personality                             
 
Tower of your grandma’s favorite                               Six layer wedding cake
chocolate chip cookies
 
Making charitable donations for favors                     Bubbles & disposable cameras
 
Late night snacks                                                         Crash diets
 
 

PersonalizeYour Wedding

The basics of a wedding are all the same, no matter who the couple is.  Here’s a list of opportunities to put your personal mark on your wedding.

1.  Ask your caterer to prepare you or your finance’s favorite dish or your grandma’s holiday pie that’s a family tradition.

2.  Design a personal logo as an element of decor throughout your wedding - invitations, menu/place cards, lighting, favors, and cake toppers

3.  Instead of the tried and true wedding march, have your ceremony musicans play a song that’s special to the both of you.

4.  Design your own wine.  At the reception or cocktail hour, service wine that you’ve made yourselves.  Try Crushpad in San Francisco.  If you’re in an area without wineries, create your own wine lables.  Try www.bottleyourbrand.com

 

Nixon Library Open House

Last Sunday,  I went to an open house at the Nixon Library with my sister, a bride to be. I was there as her wedding planner and maid of honor. There were many different vendors exhibiting cakes, food, invitations, flowers, entertainment, and the champagne flowed freely.
The ballroom was elegant and stunning with a timeless look and feel. The ballroom had beautiful gold and crystal chandeliers with hard wood floors. No paisley carpet or striped wallpaper here. The grounds were immaculately landscaped with a long reflecting pool surrounded by flower beds.
Of all the vendors I met, I was impressed with the following:
JME Entertainment is 10 piece band that performs everything from oldies, top 40, and R&B. Their sound and style was amazing. I could not stop dancing. www.jme.la
Visions Entertainment played a non-stop mix of dance hits that would keep your guests busting a move for hours. www.visionsentertainment.com
Crème de la Crème catering was delicious. Their appetizers just bursts with flavor when you popped them into you mouth. Delish! 

Marathon Wedding

I had the pleasure of coordinating Tuyet and Danny’s wedding on Thanksgiving weekend this past year.  It was a multicultural Vietnamese/Chinese affair with a Catholic ceremony - East meets West.  The bride’s day started at 6am and ended after midnight..  The marathon wedding included a Vietnamese Ceremony, Tea Ceremony, Catholic Ceremony, and Wedding reception with over 250 people.

The bride and groom were rock stars the whole day.  The happy couple were bright and energetic for the entire 18 hours.  The bride looked amazing the whole day - her makeup was flawless and not a single hair was out of place.  FABULOUS!

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Wedding Budget Analysis

Once you have determined the budget for your wedding, it is very important to allocate a percentage of your budget to specific purchases before you start spending your hard earned cash.
As a rule of thumb, you can follow the following percentages for your wedding budget:
50% - Reception
·         Venue
·         Rentals
·         Wedding cake
·         Food & beverage
10% - Attire
·         Wedding gown, accessories, and alterations
·         Groom’s tux, accessories, and alterations
·         Hair & makeup
10% - Flowers & Décor
·         Bouquets
·         Boutonnières
·         Reception centerpieces & decor
·         Ceremony arrangements
·         Lighting
·         Miscellaneous
10% - Music
·         Musicians
·         DJ or band
·         Audiovisual equipment
·         Dance floor rental
10% - Photography/Videography
·         Photographer
·         Videographer
·         Wedding album & prints
2% - Favors & Gifts
·         Bridal party gifts
·         Favors for wedding reception
·         Welcome gifts for out of town guests
2% - Wedding Ceremony
·         Site fee
·         Officiant fee or donation to the church
2% - Stationary
·         Wedding Invitations
·         Postage
·         Thank you’s
·         Programs
·         Save-the Date’s
·         Place & menu cards
2% - Wedding Bands
·         Bride & Groom’s wedding bands
2% - Transportation
·         Limousine rental
·         Valet parking
·         Parking fees
 
$30,000 Sample Budget
 50% Reception - $15,000
10% Attire - $3,000
10% Flowers - $3,000
10% Music - $3,000
10% Photography - $3,000
2% Favors - $600
2% Ceremony - $600
2% Stationary - $600
2% Wedding bands - $600
2% Transportation $600