Finding The Perfect Color Palette February 12, 2009

Finding the right color palette for your wedding can prove to be a daunting task. Here is a really neat Color Palette Generator to help you select the right  shades, tones and colors from photographs or swatches that you have on your computer.

Check out this example!

Let’s say that you are “inspired” by the colors of the rose petals and you want to use this particular color scheme for your wedding.

Simply upload the image to the generator and it breaks the colors down for you. The palette can be download for future reference.  Fast & Easy! Once you’re finished you end up with a stunning harmonious color palette for your event! Fabulous!

Tents: A Blank Slate and Creative Palette October 5, 2008

There’s nothing quite like a wedding reception in a tent, with its uniquely informal atmosphere, customized decor and proximity to the elements outdoors.

Weddings and receptions with an outdoor component are incredibly popular in the warm months. And, with larger, more sophisticated tent structures boasting such comforts as built-in heating, tent receptions are even taking hold in the colder seasons as well.

Yet tents are so much more than simply shelter. I love tented receptions for their natural intimacy, and creative possibilities.

One of the nicest things about tent receptions is the creative possibilities they enable. Unlike the typical reception hall, a tent is indeed like a blank slate upon which you can build your own world, creating exactly the atmosphere you desire for your grand celebration.

This not only makes your reception more memorable for you and your guests, but also makes possible a unique and powerful set of visual elements that will translate to beautiful memories. A tent gives you the creative freedom to visual construct the venue of your dreams

Because the canvas is bare you don’t to work around the existing décor of a venue, which oftentimes clash with the overall theme and look that you are trying to achieve. With tents you have more latitude to create a specific feel.

If you use a tent’s creative freedom wisely, you can assure an environment that not only reflects your own aesthetic, but also creates a sense of warm intimacy that would be difficult, if not impossible, in most banquet halls.

The direct proximity to the outdoors opens up an entirely new dynamic of atmosphere and social interaction.

From a distance, at nighttime the tent just glows. They have a very warm and cozy feeling. Receptions are all about creating the sense of intimacy-the sense of space and place. Tent weddings/receptions are romantic and magical. I feel brides always look for these key elements when planning their wedding.

A tent changes the dynamics, climate and culture of an event.

Photo’s Courtesy of Beachview Tent Rentals

Make Your Wedding Day Personal September 21, 2008

A great way to make your wedding unique is by personalizing it. Whether you have a custom monogram created or infuse your wedding with a unique design graphic, the point is to set your wedding apart. I have found an awesome vendor to help you personalize your wedding.

iDoOriginals.com^TM was launched in November 2006 as an affordable avenue for brides to completely personalize every aspect of their own special day. Their primary mission is to create those special, personalized details that your guests will always remember.

Check out their products at http://www.idooriginals.com.

Wedding Gratuity Guidelines September 5, 2008

I am often asked what are the guidelines for tipping wedding staff and service providers. Here are some practical guidelines.

The following are guidelines to tipping those who helped make your special day an extraordinary affair…

Caterer/Banquet Manager

15% to 20% (usually included in contract, however, if the caterer or manager has done an exceptional job, an additional $1.00 – $2.00 per guest is suggested.)

Waitstaff

15% to 20% (usually included in contract, however, if it is not included, the tip should be given to the maitre d’ or head waiter along with an additional 1% – 2%.)

Bartenders

15% to 20% (if the bartender is not accepting tips from guests, an additional 10% is suggested, but not required.)

Limousine Drivers

15% to 20%

DJ’s

15% – 20% (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel he/she has done an exceptional job or has provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Bands

$25.00 per band member (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel he/she has done an exceptional job or has provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Photographer and Videographers

15% (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel he/she has done an exceptional job or has provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Florists

15% (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel he/she has done an exceptional job or has provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Bakers

15% (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel he/she has done an exceptional job or has provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Restroom and Coat Check Personnel

$0.50 – $1.00 per guest (if not accepting gratuity from guests, the host would be responsible for tipping personnel at the end of the event.)

Parking Attendants

$1.00 – $2.00 per car (if not accepting gratuity from guests, the host would be responsible for tipping parking attendants at the end of the event.)

Officiants

$75.00 – $100 .00 (Note: It is appropriate for a clergy member (priest, rabbi, minister, etc.) to accept gratuities or a donation along with their regular fee (if any), however, civil officiants (judges, clerks, etc.) receive a flat fee and are usually not allowed to accept gratuities.)

Ceremony Staff

$35.00 – $75.00 is suggested for organists/musicians. $5.00 – $25.00 is suggested for altar boys, sextons, etc. (gratuity is not usually required, however, if fees for the above are not included in the ceremony site fees, the suggestions above are appropriate.)

Wedding Planners / Coordinators

10% – 20% (gratuity is not usually required, although, for something better than usual to exceptional a 10-20% tip is not unheard

Wedding Mapper August 20, 2008

Founded in January 2007, Wedding Mapper has become the premier online destination for couples to create an interactive and fully customizable wedding map. The Wedding Mapper map allows couples to share a large amount of detailed information such as ceremony and reception details, lodging, travel logistics, popular tourist sites, and places that are important to the engaged couple through markers on the map. Personalized descriptions and photos can be attached to each wedding map marker. Guests can use the map to plan their travel itinerary, get driving directions, and familiarize themselves with the wedding location. Whether a bride and groom are creating a hometown or destination wedding, Wedding Mapper makes planning the wedding, sharing information with guests and trip planning easier than ever.

In 2008, Wedding Mapper is leveraging its mapping product to create a local platform capable of serving thousands of local areas from San Francisco to Rome, Duluth to Davenport. For each local area there will be honest and engaging content, ratings, reviews, and photos from real brides, vendors and wedding guests, message boards, and other local features. With this new functionality, brides from smaller markets will no longer have to rely on listings from the closest big city. And brides in the throes of planning destination weddings will be able to share information and resources with other brides who have just wed or plan to wed in the same beach or hilltop destination.

No matter where in the world you decide to wed, Wedding Mapper wants to be a part of the inspiration and creation of this special time

Click here to visit weddingmapper.com

Lighting – The Illuminating Impact August 12, 2008

Sensational designs focus on the key element of illumination. Simply put “designing the most entertaining and whimsical event requires fantastic and interesting lighting”. Lighting, while so basic, has always drawn the eye in with astonishment.

Whether gazing at stars or showing off that big diamond ring in the light, people are always fascinated by the sheer principles of lighting.

Including lighting in your wedding design ensures the “WOW” factor couples try to achieve. There are several different focal points for lighting. Of course a general room wash, has the most impact as color splashes the walls and transforms a room from a location into glorious space. It’s almost as if the walls disappear and a magical kingdom is created.

Whether you are hosting a wedding reception of 100 or a gala for 10,000, lighting always adds the extra touch needed to warm up a space. Every space has its own unique lighting needs and every event has its own style.

For those a little less dramatic, but still wanting the effect, centerpiece lighting is an excellent option. Up lighting from the base will highlight flowers and elements in the piece enhancing the ambiance of the room with subtle sophistication.

Lighting can provoke so many emotions, whether clean and pristine or wild and bold, there are so many options to add a glamorous shine to your wedding!

Photos Courtesy of Bentley Meeker Lighting & Staging

The Long and Short of It August 6, 2008

Setting Your Bridesmaids’ Dress Length

When it comes to your bridesmaids and their wedding day attire, the choice is yours! Now, of course you don’t want to make everyone wear something that they absolutely hate. The rule of thumb is that you make the decisions in terms of color, style, shape and length of their dresses.

Although your bridesmaids’ dress length may seem trivial in comparison to the millions of other things running through your brain, it has a subtle but integral part in setting the tone, the theme and the character of your nuptials.

Decisions, decisions.
Though today’s bridesmaids may be allowed to choose a style of dress that best suits their body type, a defined dress length is a statement of elegance for your wedding

When deciding on your bridesmaids’ dresses and whether they should be long or short, you will have to consider the type of wedding you are having (formal vs. informal), time of day and the time of year.

Formal (black-tie) weddings call for floor-length gowns, while an informal wedding (i.e. cocktail receptions, black-tie optional and/or daytime) is the perfect place for a cocktail-length dress, which is usually above, below or directly at the knee. Whichever length you choose, make sure that each bridesmaid is aware and compliant with your decision.

If the ceremony is taking place during the day, keep the dresses at cocktail length, as opposed to evening affairs where short, t-length (mid-calf) or floor length are a personal choice. Sundresses for a wedding on the beach are perfectly appropriate, while a t-length dress is a great option for an evening wedding at home.

When it comes to a climate, consider how it affects your bridesmaids. If it’s 30-degrees, your ceremony will most likely not be outside, therefore both short or long dresses are plausible However, if you, your bridal party and your guests are going to sitting outside in 90-degree weather, with little breeze and lots of sunshine, be kind to your friends by letting their legs breathe.

Straight down the line.
Directly after your bridesmaids purchase the dress, you must specify to all of them how many inches the dress should be shortened from the floor when the shoes are on. Call them directly, or send them an email with the specifics because this is often overlooked, resulting in the bridal party looking uneven.

A floor-length gown should be no more than 1 to 1 ½ inches off of the ground, with the shoes on. Therefore, when your bridesmaids go to their dressmakers, they must have the shoes they purchased for it with them. If you are firm, direct and pleasant in your instructions, they will have no problem with complying, and will look nothing less than extraordinary for your day.

**Bridesmaids Dresses from The Jim Hjelm Occasions Line

Remember, even the most understated ceremony no one plays a more significant role than the bride’s attendants. From the youngest flower girl to the maid of honor, they provide a prelude to the much anticipated coming of the bride.