Great Headpiece

I LOVE her headpiece. It's a great alternative to a traditional veil.

via: { j a c }

Any Ideas?

In 2 weeks I will be in Maui and I am so excited!! Its a long overdue family vacation with my parents and two sisters. I look forward to long, relaxing days on the beach and quality family time :)

That said, now that I am a Wedding Planner, I would love to visit great spots on the island for wedding ceremonies and receptions (just in case I get the good fortune of someone asking me to plan their wedding in Maui). Does anyone know of some good places you can reccommend for me to go and check out while I am there? I will be taking lots of pictures, so be expecting them when I get back :)

What a Great Idea!

If you don't have enough in your budget for floral centerpieces AND bridesmaids bouquets, I really love this money saving idea.

Have the bridesmaids' hold bouquets during the ceremony, then have the bridesmaids hand them over after the ceremony (before all the guests arrive at the reception) and use them as part of the centerpieces on each table. Its so genius!

Here is an example. I wish I had a better picture of the bouquet, but it was very sunny that day and the light just reflected off the white flowers. But you get the gist of it I hope!

Then after the ceremony was over, the bridesmaids went inside and just placed the bouquets on top of the vases to finish the centerpieces!

A beautiful mix of peonies, hydrangeas, and tulips

They had a few different vase shapes, with leaves folded over as a frame to the flower bouquets, and ribbon tied around each

If you are looking to save some money on the flowers, I hope this inspires and helps you!

Need a Fun Bridal Shower Activity?

If you are having a wedding shower, or are a bridesmaid planning the shower, and can't think of a fun activity for everyone, here is a great one.

I was recently at my cousin's bridal shower and thought what we did was such a good idea.

My cousins sister, the Maid of Honor, held the shower at her house. She did a great job decorating the place with streamers and confetti, etc. She also had a lot of good food and drinks for everyone. There was about 20 people there, and it was a good mix of family and friends.

The activity was a contest to answer the most multiple choice questions correctly about the bride. There was about 15 questions and each person had to circle the answer they thought was correct for each question. The person with the most answers right, got to win the prize (which was a very nice set of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion). Everyone went through and circled their own answers, then at the end, the bride told everyone what her answers were.

What made it fun was that the questions were very random and anybody had a chance to win. Some questions were easy for family, some were easy for friends, and others were difficult for everybody. It was really a great activity and a great way for everyone to know some random facts and a little bit more about the bride!

A Great Washington Wedding Location

If you haven't been to Novelty Hill-Januik winery in Woodinville, you should! I went there a few weeks ago just to check the place out, and I have been meaning to post these pictures ever since!

Its a very cool, modern winery with lots of straight lines. They have a great indoor facility as well as lots of outdoor space. This winery is great because it can be used for both weddings and other special and corporate events.

Entrance of the winery

Inside the front doors, looking out to the outdoor wedding space

This is the main room you walk into from the front entrance. The bar in the middle is for wine tastings and you can sit and enjoy the wine you buy at the tables. They can also clear off the tables and install a dance floor in this area, which is right outside of the indoor event area below.

This is the indoor event space. You can hang anything you like from the ceiling beams, so it makes for great atmosphere. This room seats 100 people in rounds and the kitchen is on the far back wall.

They have 3 of the huge barrel rooms side-by-side. The can transform the space for events with carpeting, soft furniture, tables, lighting and music.

This is an amazing room, located downstairs. The table is one HUGE piece of wood (I imagine it cost a fortune!) Along the baseboards, on the perimeter, are LED lights that can be changed to any color you like. It looks amazing with the blue, doesn't it? This room can seat about 30 people at the table.

This is one of the outdoor spaces used for wedding ceremonies. It is directly in front of the main entrance. Between the row of trees is the isle and folding chairs can be placed on either side for seating. At the end is a beautiful, tall, red fence. Its a lovely backdrop for the alter. Along with the isle space, you get the patio in front as well.

The red fence

It was a really sunny day, so I didn't get the best picture, but this is the second event space, taken from outside of the indoor event space, looking down to the red fence (above).

This is a picture of the same space, taken from the bottom, looking back up to the winery. That is a fountain (below) on the right hand side of the picture.

Inspiration of the Day

When I was flipping threw the Spring 2009 Martha Stewart Wedding magazine earlier today, I came across this picture and I cannot stop thinking about it! Its beautiful! The location is breathtaking and I love the fun summer colors! Such an inspiration!

Here is a closer image of the bridal party and the colorful dresses the bridesmaids are wearing:

This wedding was at Lauxmont Farms in Pennsylvania. It is so pretty with the small pool and stair pathway down to it. Here is another side-view picture of the Sunken Garden from the farm's website:

Boeing?

I am looking for a contact at Boeing in, or related to, Event Management. I would love to schedule a meeting with them to talk about Andy Mirkovich Productions and how we can help them ease and reduce costs of their events.

If anyone has a contact, please respond to me!

Thank you!

5 Common Wedding Reception Questions

1.) How do I manage my time at the reception? A great way to talk with everyone is to mingle with guests during the cocktail hour, then go from table to table during dinner as husband and wife, spending a few minutes at each table (just make sure you get something to eat realy quick first so you dont faint!).

2.) Where should we sit at the reception? You can either sit at a table with your wedding party and both families, or you can choose to sit at a table for two, just you and him. Either way, make sure you are facing the room and are centrally located so everyone can see you.

3.) Is there a good time to steal time with just the two of us during the reception? Usualy right after the ceremony, while evryone is headed over to the reception for the cocktail hour, is the best time. Then after you have made your entrance and mingled a little with guests, it is acceptable to step out fo the room for a few minutes to enjoy each other before heading back in.

4.) How do I prevent songs that I hate being played if someone requests the song? When you meet with your DJ or band, hand them a list of songs that you absolutely do not want played at the reception, even if someone requests it. Make sure the DJ or band understands this and has the list with them at the reception for quick reference. If someone does request it, the DJ/band can kindly explain to them that you have requested for it to not be played. Your guest should understand.

5.) How can I prevent too many people giving toasts? Have the maid of honor and best man contact the speakers beforehand and make a schedule. At the reception have the DJ or band announce that you and the groom are limiting toasts to make room for more dancing. Then have them start the music immediatley after the father of the bride makes his toast because he is usually the last toast of the night.

(tent from American Rentals Were in Tents)

What's a Bridesmaid To Do? pt. 2

Last week I let you all know what a Bridesmaid should expect to do for the bride and wedding before the actual wedding day. Well today I'm going to write abuot a few things the bridesmaids should be doing on the day itself, so read on!

The bridesmaid's job today is to ensure everything runs smoothly and to calm and relax the bride. If anything does go wrong, the bridesmaids should be on top of it first thing so the bride doesn't have to worry (Of course, if you have a wedding planner, that is what they are hired for, so the bridesmaids, or anyone in the wedding, won't have to worry about it).

The bridesmaids should come prepared with small snacks and water bottles for everyone to have in the room while getting ready. No one wants the bride passing out at the alter! Also, designate one bridesmaid to bring an Emergency Kit just in case something happens.

Help the bride with her hair and makeup if necessary and also help her get into the gown.

Last but not least, be on time! There's no need to stress the bride out by being late!

What's a Bridesmaid to do??

I have had several requests to give some information to the bridesmaids about what they are expected to do for the bride before and during the wedding day.

One of the main things to remember about being a bridesmaid prior to the wedding is to be as helpful and supportive as possible to the bride. There is much to do before the big day. One of the most common is assisting the Maid of Honor as she plans the bridal shower and the bachelorette party. This is a great way to get involved and help out.

Be prepared to help the bride choose decorations, and help pick out the bridesmaids dresses.

This is good for you because not only are you supporting the bride, but you can offer your opinion, and not get stuck with bad dresses that you don't want to wear. You can also help by making sure you are on time to all of your dress fittings. And, if the groom doesn't want to help pick out gifts for the registry, offer to accompany the bride. She will definitely appreciate your help!

One last thing for bridesmaids to do before the big day, is to be as informed as possible. If you are informed, family and friends will know they can come to you with questions, rather than pester the bride and groom. Also, if there is a rehearsal, the bridesmaid should attend on time and offer to help tie up any loose ends.

That ties up a few of the things bridesmaids should do before the wedding day. Next, I'll let you all know what bridesmaids should do on the day of the wedding. Check back soon for more info!