So you are thinking about all of the great ideas you are seeing in the wedding mags and at the variety of shows you've attended. You can't wait to make sure everyone gets a personalized favor with your special date engraved on it! Let's be honest, how often do you use or keep the personalized favor from a friend's wedding?  Keep that in mind when you are planning your own event. If you would like to give something to your parents as a reminder of the day, they will love it! As far as family and friends, they don't really need one more favor to store away. The average bride I meet spends somewhere between three and six hundred dollars when she decides on a personalized favor. Nothing makes me sadder than to see hundreds of dollars of personalized candles left on the reception tables at the end of the night. I say skip it but if you must do it, go for something that is cost effective that everyone can use up quickly. The ones pictured above were done by a very frugal and creative bride, they were a hit and inexpensive.
    Now let's move on to the champagne toast. It's beautiful isn't it? Well, it's a beautiful and expensive idea depending on the crowd. If you aren't sure about it and still want to toast, try another approach. I suggest having a beautiful pitcher on the table with a special drink (with or without alcohol is up to you) that can be served in the wine glass at their tables. If you are going to do an open bar, let them lift whatever drink they have and toast. Myself and a lot of other planners will tell you that we see lot's of sad flattening bubbly in the glasses after everyone has left the gig. Take a bottle on the honeymoon and toast the extra day you can spend on the trip thanks to skipping the cost of bubbly and corkage at the reception.
   When I work with a couple trying to decide where they want to spend their money I ask a lot of questions about their lifestyle and the people in their lives. I ask them about what vibe they are looking for from their guests as they walk in. That starts to get their focus on what they really want to have on their day and not what the magazines and books are telling them. Ask yourself all of these questions. Look at your budget and try as hard as you can to make sure it does not include credit cards. If you are tempted to use them, set that amount aside for some of those things that you'd just like to do if you can. You may decide that the long pay off of that card is not worth some of those things. The big question is, what details will make the day for you?
    Remember that you are two people hurdling into a lifelong journey together into the crazy of life. It is an expensive and sometimes challenging road but one that is worth more than any money they can print. Fill your day with activities, food and a setting that fits you and not others expectations. It is after all one of the most joyous days of your life, make it a day they will never forget because of the couple of the day. It will beat the personalized votive as a reminder every time. Trust me, I have thousands of them crying in wedding decor storage and I can only burn so many that my wonderful brides send me home with!

I am in the midst of a busy holiday season as I am sure all of you are. I just wanted to take a moment and tell all of you how thankful I am to have had such a wonderful year at my little business. I enjoy every minute I spend with each of you, even the chaotic snags we have sometimes hit. It has been a pleasure developing the friendships we have over the years. I wish all of you a wonderful, blessed season. I look forward to the new adventures next year bring. Merry Christmas!

_It is exciting when someone you love invites you to hold the most distinguished place next to them at their wedding. It absolutely means that they love you and they trust you to be there for them. With that said, I have noticed that a lot of the duties of this place are ignored more and more in recent years. Understand that this place of honor comes with a lot of responsibility. You are representing yourself but more importantly that day, the bride.
The bride is the star. Whatever problem you are having with your hair, make up, dress or attitude in general is not her problem. Settle for the best you can do with yourself and keep the attitude in check. She needs someone to keep her spirits lifted during the countless things she will worry about through her special day. If she can manage this day and make wonderful memories thanks to the positive attitude you kept it will mean the world to her. She will remember how much love you poured into her special day and how many pits she avoided thanks to your help.
Once you have managed to get through the planning and the ceremony it will be time for the party! I can tell you as a coordinator that this is the moment that I sit back and smile. Everything is in place and my beautiful couple is married. All of the worries they have struggled with have dissipated. It is a blissful moment when they realize what is most important, the love they have for each other and their families who are there to celebrate the moment with them.
It is also the time that my team and I start to watch the wedding party closely. Most of the time there are no issues but when there are issues, they are generally due to alcohol consumption. If you are a member of the bridal party it is very important that you are very careful not to think of this as a night to drink like you would out at the club. This is a time to celebrate within reason. You do not want to have the unfortunate experience of embarrassing yourself and your dear friends.
You are a very special part of the bride's day, treat it as such.

_It is almost impossible to send out invites to an event of any kind without ending up with a few youngsters at the party. Some hosts do not have a problem with flat out telling invited guests that they will have to leave their little treasures at home, and that's that. For most though, they wouldn't think of it. There are a few things to think about when making this decision and here are a few helpful ideas.
Take into consideration whether or not your event would be a safe and accommodating environment for a child. Maybe this is just simply a venue that is not kid friendly. If this is the case you could of course just ask that children not attend. If you would still like to have them there then make accommodations for them. What would they enjoy while at your event? The perfect idea might be separate tables or a separate room with a responsible sitter. If you choose this option then make sure you hire enough people to take care of and entertain them.
If you are in a situation of having babies in attendance then there is more to consider. Yes, you want the parents to feel welcome. You also want to look back on this day or watch your wedding video without a screaming baby and an uncomfortable set of parents in the audience. If you have a wedding planner, talk to them about the seating arrangements for these guests. They should always be seated near an exit on a row in case they need to leave. Someone on staff for the planner should be nearby to assist them as soon as they need help. This will make for a smoother ceremony and a relieved parent. As far as the reception and babies, be sure Mom or Dad know there is private place for changing and feeding.
Finally, what do you do with an unruly kid? If you have an event planner, send them to handle it. That is why you hire us! If it is just you, designate someone you trust to be kind for that job. Once you have spoken to parents and behavior continues down a bad path, it is perfectly acceptable to ask them to take them out of the room.
The truth is, this is not an easy subject to approach with some parents. Just keep in mind that they are a guest, invited by you. If you make arrangements in advance for these guests, you will be amazed at the difference in the day. The kids and parents will appreciate the thought you put into having them as guests. I have often attended weddings and parties where not only the host is frustrated but also that poor parent of child. When I plan an event I remember those times and am sure to accommodate the kids no matter what the age. It really has made all the difference in the world.

_Have you ever gone to bed, cuddled up with your remote and had that overwhelming feeling that there was something very important you are sure you forgot to do? Planning a wedding is the equivalent of that every day from the engagement date on. You are in a constant state of panic over every detail because you fear that guests will walk around judging every detail. In some ways you are right, some will. My advice on that has always been, you are letting them in on a wonderful part of your life, they should just be appreciative. The fact is, the people that love you will just share in your joy without picking your work apart.
With that said, keep you list of to do's in check. I rarely see a bride who is organized and on schedule. The plans they are trying to create are more than they have time for but they are not willing to downscale. This is generally when I get a call and have to put out a lot of fires. I do not mind at all but I feel terrible that they are so overwhelmed. This should be a calm, happy and memorable experience.
Sit down with your groom and discuss a budget, one that you can both live with. I assure you if you take out a loan for a wedding, your first married argument will likely be about money. Consult a planner even if you think you can't afford one. You may be pleasantly surprised that you can or that you can at least afford to hire them for some hectic details. Even if you do not hire a planner it will give you an idea of what you are facing. Stick to your budget, it will be the best thing you ever do for yourself. There are a number of wedding expenses that can be cut without affecting your big day.
Every bride wants the satisfaction of knowing she has included small details in her wedding to wow the guests. Let me say, you are your own worst critic. Make a check list with dates along side of the tasks. Keep a binder of every contract and receipt you receive. If you stick to just these two small organizational tools it will make a world of difference.
The one constant in my job is that every brides worry melts away as she walks down that aisle. It is a moment of absolute joy for me as well. The one thing you need to keep in the forefront of your mind is that you show the person you are about to marry that you have not forgotten what this day is about.