Bridal 4-1-1

Meet our Member ~ Art by Leonhardt Photography

2011-12-30T20:14:00.001-08:00

Name: Tony Leonhardt

Business Name: Art by Leonhardt Photography

Website: coming soon!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/artbyleonhardtphotography

Blog: artbyleonhardt.blogspot.com/

Google Plus: gplus.to/artbyleonhardtphotography (Google+ page coming soon!)

What should a bride know about your expertise and experience?

I've been photographing weddings for the past four years, with over 12 years experience with classical black & white photography. I'm trained in both digital and film photography, having earned a Bachelor's degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Since moving out to the Seattle-Tacoma area from Miami only two years ago, I've shot photos for over 40 weddings.

What inspired you to start your business?

Weddings are a thrill to photograph! Who wouldn't want to start a wedding photography business? Having worked with various wedding photography studios on the West and East Coast, it's been impossible to not have fun documenting the memories of a bride and groom's perfect day. I think if one can't enjoy shooting a wedding, find something that is fun. Luckily for me, I have a blast each and every time I work as a wedding photographer. There's so much joy and happiness that it is infectious. This is why I'm branching outwards to establish a business of my own.

Do you do anything special or different from your competition?

The printmaking services that I can offer vastly differ from a typical digital photo package. I can print using classical black & white techniques, use antique alternative process style printmaking and maximize the potential offered by film and digital mediums. I love capturing the artistic image that other image makers may not see or notice.

As for the day of the wedding, I simply don't stop working. My work ethic on a shoot makes me extremely productive. I'm always on the go, shooting during every busy and slow moment so that I can capture every memory that happens that day. I don't leave any stone unturned, or any memory undocumented.

What was your most memorable wedding?

Last year I flew to Miami to photograph a destination wedding for a close friend. After the ceremony, the bride and groom checked in early to their honeymoon suite down on South Beach. With only minutes to spare before leaving for the reception, we all ventured out onto the beach for some quick photographs among the jaded Miami sun worshippers. To our surprise, the entire beach began clapping and cheering for the couple as they posed quickly for some unforgettable shots! It's one of the most unforgettable moments I've ever had as a wedding photographer.

What are some of the pitfalls a bride can expect if they don’t hire a professional like yourself?

I understand that everyone works within a budget for a wedding. However the services I offer -including my creativity and passion for the perfect photo- are well worth my value as a professional. My images and work ethic are the best references I will ever need. I can guarantee the value of my work and my years of experience definitely show with the superb quality of my photography.

Size Does Matter

2011-12-13T20:29:00.001-08:00

Newly engaged couples are so excited about their upcoming wedding they want to shout the news to everyone … and invite everyone and anyone they ever met. Think about this before you do that and how it will affect your budget.

I love big fun weddings and I know this sounds simplistic but in the excitement sometime we forget … for every person you invite your cost goes up considerably. Just ten extra guests can put you way over budget. For each invited guest you must, in some cases, even pay for another chair, six to ten extra guests means another rental table, plus tablecloths, napkins, overlays, centerpieces, chair covers and sashes, favors and the biggest cost of all, the food and drink. Sometimes you must even rent a bigger, i.e., more expensive venue to accommodate everyone.

As you should choose your wedding party carefully and never regret your choices, choose your wedding guests just as carefully. Of course, close relatives and friends and their significant others are on top of the list but everyone in your office building or yoga class does not need nor necessarily even want an invitation.

The Groom’s guy friend do not need to bring some gal, any gal, just so he has a date and the same goes for the Bride’s girlfriends. Hey, weddings are good places to meet your peers and potential love matches. It happens all of the time!

Example of nice spacing between tables/lots of guests but huge venue

A big trend now, especially for evening weddings, is to make them adult affairs only. Although most venues will give you a break on children’s meals, the cost can still add up fast for the little ones.

Don’t get me wrong, I love kids too but consider if there are children in your wedding party and what they will do after the ceremony. Are there friends and relatives that would really be upset if they could not bring their children or would most of them relish an excuse for a “date night” at your wedding?

Then there is the cake issue. Most children do not understand the significance of a wedding and only look forward to that slice of cake they have been promised. It is truly the centerpiece of your reception and you have spent hundreds of dollars on … cake. It literally has to be guarded all night long. It seems to be the kid’s very favorite place to hover and run around at every wedding!!! There is no right or wrong answer to this question and every couple has to answer it for themselves, keeping cost in mind.

Example of a crowded space/lots of guests/big venue but just not big enough

Even the cost of the invitations and postage should be a consideration when creating your guest list. My best advice is to go slow and consider all sides of the question, “to invite or not to invite” because the size of your wedding really does matter in dollars and cents (and sense too).

Contributed by Professional Member of Puget Sound Wedding Professionals - Janine

Lifetime Memories Weddings & Events

Meet Our Member ~ Bridesclub

2011-11-28T16:16:00.001-08:00

Each month we will be sitting down with a member of the Puget Sound Wedding Professionals Networking Group to ask them questions about their business, experience and insights on weddings. This month, we are with Brad Buckles of the Bridesclub

Name: Brad Buckles

Business Name: Bridesclub

Website: http://bridesclub.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bradbucklesbridesclub

Blog: http://bridesclub.tumblr.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/bradbuckles

How would you describe your business?

I would describe my wedding business, the wedding expo as an opportunity for brides and wedding professionals to meet and talk about weddings and services on a personal one-on-one face-to-face relationship. We find that brides are looking to hire somebody that they feel comfortable with. Wedding professionals do their best work for brides they care about - Wedding Expo is an opportunity for this relationship to start.

How did you get to where you are today?

I got to where I'm at today by spending a lot of time communicating with individuals and small businesses. Helping people achieve their goals and helping small businesses grow. I do this a lot with research, travel, the opportunity to meet with people one-on-one. Talking with them about parts of their dreams, plans and ideas. Goals that they can achieve. Helping them set goals. Helping them build their business first. I know if I can do that then my business will be fine.

What inspired you to start your business?

I can't really say I was inspired to start my business. I can say that I've been inspired several times throughout my career in making choices that would benefit my clients as well as help brides plan their wedding day. I do look for opportunities to stay inspired and relevant in our industry. I see a lot of wedding shows every year. I speak with a lot of wedding show producers frequently. We discuss everything about our businesses.

In what ways do you take a leadership role in the wedding community?

I have tried to be a leader in our wedding community by giving back in a variety of different ways. I serve on a couple of different board positions for a couple of different wedding associations, I believe in helping those that are in need of help at times when they are challenged with some of the biggest decisions that they have to make. I listen and offer advice to everyone I can!

Do you do anything special or different from your competition?

One of the ways that I have tried to be different is by listening to the individual needs of my clients. Trying to help them in a personal way. Build their confidence, help them, be there for them when needed. Sometimes I have to make difficult decisions and I try to do that with the needs of my clients first. Not always easily done.

One thing that we are committed to doing is helping to educate our clients with knowledge. We teach seminars and host speakers regularly throughout the year to ensure the necessary success of our participants.

Seattle Wedding Expo Jan 14-15

Hawaii Bridal Expo Jan 21-23

Tacoma Wedding Expo Jan 21-22

Everett Wedding Expo Jan 28-29

Wedding favors, are you doing your guest a favor?

2011-07-24T15:28:00.001-07:00

All you have to do is clean-up duties for a few weddings and you will see that there are favors left behind on the tables or left in what might have seemed like an ideal place for everyone to know that these were for guests to take home. If someone has put a lot of time into them, they will think of all the hours that have kind of gone down the tube! There's always ribbon that is abandoned that was wrapped around a box or some object with or without a personalized message on it. Also if favors are too much geared to female guests or male guests, a good number of favors will be left behind.

What favors seem to be used or make it home with their guests? I would say that in general they would fall into these categories.

1. Something with a little bit of practicality.
2. Food, if you have something that is prepared to avoid common food allergies and is so noted.
3. Something that has universal appeal. Take into account age and gender of your guests.
4. An object that has the bride and groom pictured in it. Perhaps they can use the frame for something else later.

Don't count on personalized napkins to be a favor! Who wants to take home a dirty napkin? No one that I know of! I'm not saying don't use personalized napkins. I think they add a nice touch. It might help people remember your anniversary date if nothing else!

If you have a centerpiece that is a live fish that someone will win at a particular table, that can get interesting. It's good if you're certain that one out of every 8 guests seated at a table is really going to want to go home with a fish. Please remember that if you do this, that you provide food and instructions on how to take care of the fish. If someone doesn't win the fish you want to still make sure that they have something to enjoy as a favor to take home. There are many creative ways to determine who wins the fish! It's also okay if someone doesn't want that little fishy and hands it off to someone who does.

Some people set up a candy buffet with containers for people to fill with candy and take home as a favor. I would suggest that you have some that are set up for diabetics! This will make them feel like they have taken into consideration rather than just another painful reminder that they can't enjoy candy or sweets anymore.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Janis Flagg of Greatest of Days, event planning and design.

Why Choose a Professional Wedding Photographer

2011-07-18T20:46:00.001-07:00

Not quite ten years ago my wedding photographer, a budding amateur, charged me for cost of film, processing and $200.00 for his time. He showed up without a flash, so most of the photos wound up being underexposed or grainy. Fortunately, he was Nikon based so I lent him my flash. He got some passable candid shots of people talking or hanging-out but no keepers of group shots of the family. Most of the relatives were 200 lbs. and beyond and didn’t appreciate seeing photos of them shoveling food down their nostrils or bellies protruding through a misfit wedding garment or rented tux. Nothing ever became of the photos. To this day they’re in a lost drawer collecting dust.

Did he have wedding photography experience? Yes, he had helped a couple of times and had a dynamite portfolio. A caterer had highly recommended him. Later, I visited the caterer’s home she had walls of his landscape work. Being an accomplished landscape photographer he had little experience with people or wedding photography. He even showed up in blue jeans. He worked as an assistant on a couple of jobs and just clicked the shutter while the contracted photographer posed and coordinated the shots. He had no real-time under pressure to perform wedding experience. He kept interrupting asking what shots I wanted next even though I had faxed a shot list a week earlier.

Ten years later the wife still reminds me that we should’ve hired a pro.

Pushing my personal experience aside, in 2010 the economy was depressed so many brides sought less expensive alternatives to professional wedding coverage. In the following three scenarios the client decided to either entrust the talents of a close friend or budding amateur.

Scenario #1. Dark-skinned Afro-American bride with fair-skinned groom.

Apparently our extremely young sleepy-headed groom showed up with problems. In the photos, his shirt wasn’t tucked in, clothing was badly wrinkled and hair was uncombed.

The groom’s images were properly exposed but his poor bride appeared darker than life. Apparently, the photographer had limited knowledge of flash photography and relied on the camera’s automatic settings thus underexposing the darker skinned bride. According to Mom, this was the photographer’s first attempt at photographing interracial couples.

Attempts to forewarn the bride’s mother proved fruitless. The bride claimed that her best friend had been dreaming of this experience day and night and she didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Nine months later, wedding images surfaced via Facebook. Mom was furious, the bride reportedly still cries whenever the topic arises and now she’s angry with her best friend forever.

Scenario #2. Outdoor ceremony in bright sunlight.

Bride #2 later admitted that she based her hiring decision on budget and on the photographer’s outdoor photojournalistic portfolio. The wedding took place outdoors at a local marina under intense bright sunlight. The bride figured what could go wrong… all the light is provided and the photographer claimed to be a natural light candid type photographer. Well, the bride didn’t factor in the photographers inexperience in dealing with bright overhead contrast producing light. Eye sockets were shadowed while faces were full of bright spots or specular highlights. Ornate details in her deceased mother’s refitted wedding dress were blown out or lacking. The photographer compensated by unsuccessfully using Photoshop filters on each image. The bride, a Photoshop guru, spent hours doctoring the images but was only able to rescue a few.

How could these problems have been prevented? Simply avoiding the bright sunlight would’ve been a bright alternative and using an off camera flash to balance a contrasting situation or maybe a combination of the both.

Scenario #3. A medium skinned Afro-American couple in white wedding garments.

They decided on a church friend “an up and coming photographer” who was good with a camera. The ceremony was an indoor church wedding. The photographer used a flash; but often, and more toward the end, the flash failed to fire. In the excitement he failed to notice that the flash wasn’t operating properly. The batteries were probably too exhausted to fire at the end so we ended up with dark shinned people in a dark church grossly underexposed. The photos showed a bunch of flatfooted, slouching, overweight, eyes closed people in basically uncomplimentary poses.

The bride printed some pictures at Wal-Mart but the contrast and colors were off. The faces turned out too dark so the photos were unusable. After fussing at the technician, Wal-Mart gladly refunded her money. The bride requested that I work with her to develop a professional album or adjust the digital files. I agreed to point her in the right direction; however, upon closer inspection, I noted black spots on the digital files in the same location on each image. The photographer had dust on his camera’s sensor which now has to be removed manually on each digital file.

On a minor note… most professional labs offer free color correction on prints. The MART type labs only offer as is type printing.

Summary

When all is said and done, the only tangible memories left are the photographs. Correcting another photographer’s mistakes is time-consuming and usually cost the bride lots of money so many pros seldom contract to do after-the-fact cleanup. Here we are in 2011 and these brides are still crying their eyes out because they got a second rate record of a once in a life time event. Take good advice, if you want to minimize post-wedding horror stories, contract with a pro. Your firstborn and unborn bloodline will hold you in high regard forever.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member John of Pendleton Imaging & Photography. They can also be found on Facebook.

The Bride-Zilla's List of How to Really Annoy your Wedding Florist*

2011-07-06T11:25:00.001-07:00

From the beginning to the end, these are sure-fire, tested techniques you can use to compromise the patience, flexibility and sanity of your wedding florist. Use these techniques with caution. You don't really want to cause her any irreparable harm -- or do you?

1). Make an appointment and not show up. Assume that if you texted her alone, or e-mailed her alone, she got your cancellation message. You will have wasted hours of her time, and caused her undue worry and frustration, while she waited for an actual phone call. And you can blame her for not being a good communicator because she didn't see your text or e-mail.

2). Reschedule and then cancel again at the last minute. Insist on another appointment. This will cause her to want to call her therapist.

3). Have no idea of what you want or even like for flowers. And when she shows you a lot of beautiful and creative options, act passive and emotionless. She'll wonder why you even came to see her, and how you managed to get engaged.

4). Be completely stuck on hard-to-get, out-of-season, very expensive flowers, because you saw them in a magazine and they're pretty. She will suggest other options. Accuse her of being closed to new ideas -- after all, the magazines are always "on trend," and she just "ties flowers together with a ribbon." What does she know, really? She will try hard not to be flustered by your lack of regard for her experience.

5). Don't bring any color swatches, pictures of dresses, samples of fabric, copies of your invitation, or anything at all to your consultation that might help her figure out your tastes. Leave her guessing all along. And when she finally comes close to guessing your taste, tell her she's the fourth florist you have interviewed, and you don't think you like her "style." She will try very hard to be nice to you as she walks you to the door, but as soon as you leave, listen for her to start slamming her head against the wall, or throw herself to the floor in a total melt-down.

6). Have no budget to pay for your expensive tastes, and still expect that your florist will come through for you. After all, you've read all of her reviews, and past brides have said she's a "miracle worker!" This will give her stress-induced colitis, and make her head for the medicine cabinet.

7). Insist on micro-managing every detail, like exactly what number of rose petals will go into each paper doily cone, how many gel marbles will go into each centerpiece, and how many loops will make up each aisle bow, exactly what combination and quantity of flowers will be used in every single arrangement. This will tie her creative hands behind her back, and really make her nutty.

8). Change the parameters, drastically, after your initial consultation. Lead her to believe you have thousands to spend on your large and complicated order, let her work hard on a quote for you, and then after the fact, tell her that you have less than $500. Or, let her know you have a simple budget and simple needs, and then surprise her later with 40 complicated centerpieces. Be self-righteously annoyed that her estimate went way up. This will make her want to drink heavily.

9). Vandalize to Scandalize. After she creates picture-perfect bouquets for you, let your photographer convince you to throw them up in the air, or jump with them, to get a fun, active shot. Then, when they break, innocently send your bridesmaids running to her to ask her to "fix" them. Stand back and watch her reaction carefully. Did she stifle a very shocked expression? Then, CONGRATS! You've succeeded in scandalizing her!

10). Think of other ways to abuse the flowers early in your wedding day. Insist on hand-tied, very thirsty flowers, and then DON'T put them in vases at all during the day. Better yet, plan to cook them thoroughly in the hot sun hours before the wedding during your outside photos. Then accuse her later of giving you "flowers that died." She will really not know what to say, and just stand there, wondering if she should cry.

And a Bonus tip!

11). Have her make a nice tossing bouquet for you. Then don't throw it. Throw your own gorgeous masterpiece, or your maid-of-honor's bouquet instead, because you couldn't find the toss bouquet, even though your florist told you she would place it in a vase by the guest book. When she hears about it later, she will go bonkers -- especially if you fixate on it, accuse her of not supplying a tosser for you, tell all your friends about it, and actively try to gut her reputation online with uncharitable reviews.

*Author's note: These tips are intended only for True Bride-Zillas. Nice Brides will be given a list of their own in the next post.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professionals Member Julia Miller of Julia’s Floral.

DIY or Not?

2011-06-12T11:27:00.001-07:00

One or two generations before us, families pitched in to help the happy couple put on a beautiful, yet simple (compared to today's celebrations) wedding and reception. Brides purchased gowns or dresses that they could wear again for special occasions, and passed them to their daughters. Wedding flowers were plucked from the mom's garden earlier in the day. At the reception, guests were served wedding cake and punch — made by a family member. For most weddings, the only professionals were the pastor from the church, the organist/pianist and the photographer. Everything else was done by family and friends.

Today expectations are much higher for weddings and receptions. Extensive arrangements are made for the events, and there are wide choices of wedding professionals who have years of experience creating beautiful celebrations. Their experience can save the couple lots of headaches and money!

What to consider when DIY:

What is your time commitment and what are the costs involved? What are you expecting? If you or your friends are not experts, typically it will take more time and possibly cost more than you anticipated.
If you want to hold your wedding or reception at a home, remember that you will need to rent everything (tables, chairs, linens, etc.). Someone needs to set-up and take-down all of it. Someone needs to prepare the home and yard for a large crowd. Home bathrooms and parking areas are generally not suited for large crowds. You may have to rent porta-potties or buses to transport people. In the end, it may cost less to rent a full-service facility.

When to DIY:

If you, a family member or friend have an expertise in a field that relates to your wedding / reception, consider asking them to take care of it for you. First, see samples of their work. Set your parameters. Offer to pay for their supplies / costs or give them a gift for their time / services. Always write a thank-you note.
If your budget constraints require DIY, research costs of supplies, borrow what you can, shop at thrift stores, and find someone to do it for you — preferably not a member of the wedding party or a family member — they want to enjoy your special day.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member Paula R. Lowe, publisher, South Sound Wedding & Event Magazine. She is also the producer of the South Sound Wedding Shows.

Heirloom Brooches enhance Wedding Flowers

2011-05-20T00:12:00.001-07:00

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Heirloom Brooches enhance Wedding Flowers

As a hopeless romantic, I think there isn't much on earth as beautiful as flowers, except perhaps, gorgeously crafted heirloom jewelry.

So when Juliet met with me, and revealed her fondest desire for a vintage, romantic wedding in Tacoma's beloved historic, Gothic-style Holy Rosary Catholic Church, I just had to ask: "Do you have any heirloom brooches in your family?"

Juliet's maternal grandmother left behind some lovely things, including a nice variety of pretty brooches. Selecting a clear rhinestone brooch and matching earring set, I adorned the peony, dahlia and garden rose bridal bouquet, and then added a pink tourmaline brooch to contrast with its ivory organza handle.

Juliet wanted some eclectic design in her wedding as well, so I styled unique combination bouquets for each attendant. I still remember trying those five different brooches with the array of bouquets, finally deciding to contrast the jewels with the flowers, so they would be more visible and memorable features of the wedding.

These photos, by Gash Photography, give an idea of how heirloom jewelry can enhance a wedding. And the intangible benefit in this case was Grandma's presence with this family on Juliet's wedding day.

Look closely and you can see the brooches in these bouquets.

Each bridesmaid carried a different bouquet, all adorned with a family heirloom.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member: Julia Miller of Julia’s Floral

Why You Should Not Plan Your Wedding Online!

2011-05-14T08:40:00.001-07:00

What?? Well, not entirely, that is! If you are interested in truly getting the best deals, the best information and have your questions answered in real time by someone who isn't anonymous or unknown to you, you must meet vendors face to face! It's hard as millennials to get comfortable with this concept. This is uncomfortable for a lot of individuals, but particularly in this age group.

It feels like I am online almost constantly, but as a Wedding Coordinator, I know all too well that you cannot get the very best information for planning a wedding online. You will only get the best prices and advice by talking to people who are in the business and have relationships with real people who specialize in their particular area pertaining to weddings.

It's easy to sit at the computer, and it's actually a ton of fun to see all that is available out there to customize a wedding. However, planning a wedding isn't all about what it will look like or just picking vendors without really getting to know them. How do you know what questions to ask a vendor? How do you know if you are seeing the warning signs or not? How do you know if you are even going to like them? Do you really want to get advice from other brides on how to plan a wedding versus people who know what the realities are to every detail of a wedding? Do you know what you should ask before signing any contracts with a particular venue or vendor. Do you know why things costs what they do for your wedding, i.e. catering vs. a nice dinner out or why you might not be saving money getting your wine or champagne at the big box stores? Do you know why you're going to pay more for a particular type of flower at certain times of the year? Do you know what the laws are in your particular state as compared to advice you get online? How will you know if you have all the bases covered without getting an education first on the essentials of planning a wedding spoken from proven professionals?

What you don't know can hurt you! As a bride, you would have no way of knowing how many venues and vendors are hoping for Wedding Coordinators to conduct workshops to teach brides about the wedding industry. It's a concept that would prove to help brides and also make wedding vendors and venues be able to serve their clients much more efficiently which saves money for everyone in the long run. So why mention all of this? If this was not true, you would not be hearing more about venues requiring that a bride hire an independent Wedding Consultant in order to book a wedding at their venue.

For the benefit of all brides out there planning weddings, you must look for opportunities to learn in real live situations, workshops and stop limiting your advice only to websites, forums and yes....blogs! You have to get out in the real world to save yourself a lot of time and money. Hey, wouldn't it be cool to have a shorter engagement? Now that can save you a LOT of money! One example of how you can do that is to go to www.bridal4-1-1workshops.com and take a look at what you're not taking advantage of. For every 10 hours (maybe more) you spend on the computer filtering through information about planning your wedding, you could find more information from a workshop or a Wedding Coordinator in just 2 hours.

So it depends on how much you trust information online to be reliable as compared to a professional who makes it their livelihood and truly has a passion for what they do. If they didn't have passion for what they do and the greatest desire to help brides, they would probably choose another line of work. Their jobs require long hours before and after the wedding, weekends away from home and family, and a phenomenal amount of time marketing for the number of clients they might receive.
I absolutely love being online and I wouldn't have a business without it, but brides and wedding vendors alike, we have to get out in the real world to really know what is going on in the world of weddings. No matter what we would prefer, there is no substitute.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Janis of Greatest of Days Wedding & Event Planning.

Wedding Traditions (4-1-1)

2011-04-17T11:28:00.001-07:00

Earlier today I was skimming through various wedding related articles and found one from ‘The Knot’ about wedding traditions. This one was of particular interest in regards to your wedding day photography.

Old School: You shouldn't see each other until the ceremony

New Rule: Schedule a "first look" photo shoot (you and your groom meet with just the photographer before the ceremony). This frees up more time after the ceremony so you can actually enjoy your cocktail hour, and it also lets you spend a few precious moments with your soon-to-be spouse before all the wedding craziness sets in. (Trust us; it will!)

You can see the entire article by clicking on this link: The Knot – 10 Wedding Traditions.

(Photo found online – Queen Alexandra in her wedding dress and veil)

Many of the couples who hire us, opt to do their photos before the wedding and having a reveal – in front of the camera or in private. There are still a few who tell me “It’s bad luck” and wait until after the ceremony – we work with YOUR schedule! However, I still want to share how this tradition came about.

Long ago – back in the day of pre-arranged marriages, the bride and groom more often than not, never saw each other before the wedding ceremony. The bride wore veils covering her face during the ceremony until that first kiss sealing their marriage. If a groom were to see the bride and not show up, this often caused a war between the families, nations, etc. This is why it was deemed as ‘bad luck’ for the couple to see each before the wedding! Not really the most romantic thought knowing that it was because of fear that if the groom would see his bride, not like the looks of her and then bolt!

Even when couples were acquainted before they married, it was still considered bad luck for the groom to glimpse the bride pre-ceremony, as she would not be pure and new. Nor was the bride to see herself as it was believed that if she saw her reflection she would leave some of herself behind in the mirror.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional, Monica of Family Affair Photography

A bride’s best accessory is …

2011-04-10T11:08:00.001-07:00

… a beautiful headpiece? Fabulous jewelry? Nope. A bride’s best accessory is a well dressed groom!

You’ve gotten the perfect dress, but what is your man going to wear so he doesn’t look like the bartender at the reception instead of the groom?

If you’re wearing a short or tea length dress a tuxedo or dark very classy suit worn with an elegant tie would be a nice compliment to your outfit. Your groom could opt for a standard length tuxedo in a variety of colors if your gown has either a cathedral, chapel or sweep train. A shirt, vest and tie in the same color as your dress has a distinctly “groomish” look. Maybe it’s time for him to learn how to tie a bowtie. Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Kanye West all wear them. A cathedral train can also be worn with tails. A tailcoat, properly fitted makes a man appear taller and slimmer.

Whatever look you settle on a good fit and an elegant style are always in fashion.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member Barb of Top Hat Formal Wear

Six Reasons Your Clients Might Not Take a Vendor's Advice on Hiring a Wedding Coordinator.

2011-04-04T23:46:00.001-07:00

We've all been there when we have a client who says they have a friend who is caterer or a DJ, their brother has his own band, or someone they know will be really good at taking their pictures. With Day-of Coordinations this is more typical. You get what you get when it comes to the bride's mixture of vendors. Nothing is likely to change even though you see the recipe for a disaster and warnings often fall on deaf ears. (Put this in your contract!)

I cringe when I know there isn't going to be a professional DJ to work with as well as other professionals. I hear from the professionals all the time that they have told their client that they need a wedding coordinator. When I recently asked a very talented DJ how often they had a wedding where there was a professional Wedding Coordinator, he said it was about 1 in 10. He said that usually a mother will take care of all the planning. These wedding professionals love having a professional Wedding Coordinator as much as we love working with other professionals. It helps all of us do our jobs the way we prefer to do them and stay within our areas of expertise. We all want to make each other look good!

So, this is what I get from all of this. Wedding Coordinators must find ways to help these vendors who know what they're talking about, change their client's mindset to ever be comfortable enough to hire a wedding coordinator. I see that this task is one that Wedding Coordinators must take on to help other vendors who want to refer us.

I would love it if anyone would add to my list of ideas to help vendors promote a Wedding Coordinator or a list of reasons you believe a wedding coordinator is such a hard concept to "sell".

Possible myths they will run into:

1. Wedding Coordinators are only for "rich" people.

2. Wedding Coordinators are snobs!

3. Wedding Coordinators are just like the ones you see in the movies.

4. Wedding Coordinators take over your whole wedding.

5. The person at the venue is taking care of everything.

6. You can find all of your vendors at a show. (Maybe if all vendors participated in every show and you really got to know them in that type of environment.) What if a bride hates crowds?

Possible answers to those myths and misconceptions:

1. Wedding Coordinators save by way of passing on discounts to clients that the vendors give to them knowing that their job is going to be easier than if they didn't have a coordinator. Coordinators save vendors time!

2. Most Wedding Coordinators do what they do because they love to help people.

3. Being a Wedding Coordinator is a lot of really hard work. There's nothing glamorous about finding out that the city employee didn't open up the restrooms, graffiti appeared overnight, you're going over the floor with a lint roller to pick up confetti or glitter so that the client gets their deposit back. Like in the movies? Hardly!

4. A good Wedding Coordinator will listen above all else to what a bride envisions no matter how hard it is for her to convey her dream wedding. Wedding Coordinators are thrilled when they hear the words, "This is just the way I saw it in my mind, but I just didn't know how to make it happen!"

5. People at a venue even like it when a professional Wedding Coordinator is onsite so they can take care of their staff and venue responsibilities. The venue contact person cannot read a client or be counted to catch the bride's glance in their direction every time she needs something. If brides only knew how busy these venue coordinators and their staff were for an event, they would understand.

6. A Wedding Coordinator spends a lot of time getting to know vendors and the quality of their work. The same is true for studying venues. We want to know what will match the bride's style, personality and budget.

Most Wedding Coordinators give at least some amount of time in the form of a free consultation.

I never have a consultation without hearing a bride, groom or their family members say, "I never would have thought about that!" What pains me the most, is knowing that I could be helping people have a much less painful, less time-consuming role in planning their wedding and not be completely tired out on their wedding day, along with their family and friends!

As always, wishing you the greatest of days!

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member Janis Flagg of Greatest of Days Event & Wedding Planning.

A Week in the Life of a Venue Manager

2011-03-21T17:48:00.001-07:00

A day in the life of a venue manager just won’t give you the full picture of everything we do – so here’s a picture of a week!

I spend the first part of the week putting together “the packet”. The packet consists of Banquet Event Orders – the paperwork that details menu selections, start and end time, setup, audio-visual, etc., for each event we have coming the following week. The packet varies from one page to forty pages, depending on the number of events and their complexity. Along with the packet, I create an Excel spreadsheet each week that lists all of the events and monetary details so the rest of the building is aware of what business will be coming in and where the events are located.

In between the packet and the spreadsheet, I am welcoming the clients whose event is onsite that day, answering questions for the staff, and answering the phones when the front desk cannot. (As we are a hotel, I serve a few more functions than just a venue salesperson would.) My role allows me to wear many hats; if an event also has group rooms, I take care of the booking and contracting of the rooms and the event. I often do tours upstairs of the sleeping rooms in addition to our banquet/meeting space. I also manage the changes to events where the packet has already gone out – whether that is a change in count for meals, the client needs to change setup, etc. Sometimes I work from home at night if I receive pertinent emails after hours to ensure the client’s needs are taken care of.

All week, I answer inquiry phone calls and emails about future events. We receive leads and inquiries from multiple sources, so I often have several events that I am bidding on or filling out a proposal for. Sometimes I’m needed by the staff to assist in setup or service at an event. I check in with them several times a day to see how everything is going, and run interference if a client has a question or billing issue. I try to be onsite for our major events, first to initially greet the client, and then to be present for the duration of the event to ensure they are comfortable and everything goes smoothly. I have a fantastic staff that I never have to worry about, but the client often feels better just seeing me. J

Thursdays are typically spent mostly in meetings. I have a meeting with the Chef and the Banquet Captain. It’s their chance to ask questions or give me feedback on the last week’s events, as well as review the upcoming events. After the Food and Beverage department meeting, we have our weekly staff meeting. The managers of each department meet once a week to go over any issues that have arisen, upcoming projects, upcoming events, maintenance needs, etc. Upon the completion of this meeting, the Sales Department (again, I wear multiple hats), meets to talk about strategy, groups we are bidding on, and sales activities we are planning on participating in. By the time I am out of meetings for the day, I usually have just enough time to respond to emails and voicemails, and then it’s time to go home!

Fridays are catchup and project day. Our newsletter and media projects are typically done on Fridays, along with any other items left until the end of the week.

Saturdays are almost always spent with clients, doing site visits and planning, and events! I am off Sundays and Mondays so I can work Saturdays, the most popular day for social events (weddings, auctions, anniversary parties, etc.)

By the end of Saturday I’m ready for my weekend, so I can start all over again!

Contributed by Puget Sound Member Kati Wright, The INN at Gig Harbor

Convertible Wedding Dresses

2011-03-17T16:47:00.001-07:00

One thing I’ve heard several brides complain about is how difficult it is to dance in the long flowing wedding gowns – even when bustled. The option has been to buy a second gown/dress for the reception. With the costs involved in a wedding many can’t afford the two dress option.

The new trend is ‘convertible wedding dresses’, which gives you the classic wedding gown for the ceremony and then when it’s time to party, with a quick adjustment you are now free to dance the night away!

David Tutera for Faviana

Martina Liana

Morgan Boszilkove

Would you consider a convertible wedding dress or do you want to stick with a traditional dress or even have two dresses? Please feel free to leave your opinion/thoughts below in the comment section.

Simple and Sentimental Solutions to Wedding Problems

2011-03-15T18:25:00.001-07:00

I had a bride who wanted an outdoor ceremony and she did get just that and the weather was beautiful. This bride hired me very late in the game and I needed to find out as much as possible about her dream wedding and do it very quickly. I soon learned that they wanted a program placed on all of the chairs. Are you thinking the same thing that I thought at that moment? Outdoor wedding, programs on chairs. Hmmmm. I saw programs flying all over the place with any gust of wind.

Since I knew that this bride was very much into doing what was "green" for her wedding, I suggested that they put nature into the wedding ceremony to solve the potential problem. I explained to them some of the ways a rock ceremony can be a part of a wedding. I was also thinking that rocks could hold those programs securely in the chairs! This bride was very creative and turned it into a very sentimental part of their ceremony. Her family had property on a beautiful lake with a type of stones on its shore that were flat. This lake had special meaning for many family members as you can only imagine all the good times they had together, probably tossing these types of stones into the lake as kids.

After the ceremony, all of the guests who had been instructed to hold the rock and make a good wish for the bride and groom and place the rocks into a special box. I love the picture of the bride and groom walking through a meadow with the groom carrying the box filled with good wishes.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member Janis Flagg, Greatest of Days

Planning for Wedding Shows

2011-03-06T14:22:00.001-08:00

Are you planning for your wedding? Wedding shows are one of the best ways for a future bride to get to know the latest fashions, meet wedding vendors and get dozens of tips.

Are you planning for your wedding?

Wedding shows are one of the best ways for a future bride to get to know the latest fashions, meet wedding vendors and get free consultations on just about anything that you would require for your big day whether it is the bridal gown, the wedding venue, the wedding cake, the floral arrangements, the bridal bouquet and the list goes on. Whatever it is you might be looking for, you are sure to find it and much more at a wedding show.

The best reason for attending wedding shows is that you can compare the various wedding vendors all under one roof while you would have to rush from one place to another otherwise. It is basically a place for you to know what your options are and to get familiar with the wedding vendors so you can decide on whether you want them to be part of your wedding day or not. You can make appointments with those wedding vendors that you might be interested in. This will save you a lot of time and effort.

Before you go to a wedding show, arm yourself with a little notebook and pen. There will be plenty of things for you to write down. It would be a good idea not to carry a handbag but to put the cash and other things you require in your front pockets in case you leave it somewhere or have it stolen. When you enter the wedding show you are generally greeted by a somebody with a bag filled with all kinds of brochures inside. This is just right to collect all the extra information that the wedding vendors are more than willing to give you.

At wedding shows, you will find a lot of wedding vendors including bakeries to provide you the wedding cake, bands to provide you music, designers for your wedding dress, vendors selling you wedding venues, caterers for your wedding buffet and many more. Many vendors offer free or discounted coupons so make sure you don’t pass up these offers. Make sure you take a look at every booth at the Expo unless of course you have already placed your order for the item they are dealing with elsewhere.

Generally there is a fashion show; here they will showcase the latest wedding gowns as well as other fashion accessories and jewelry including wedding bands. There almost always is some entertainment so the entry fee that you pay covers that. Make sure you know the timings of the important events that you are interested in when you visit a wedding show.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Brad Buckles of Bridesclub and the Bridesclub Wedding Expos.

DJ Interview

2011-03-04T20:03:00.001-08:00

We’ve been given the opportunity to share a few snippets from the following interview on our blog. To view the entire interview please check out Red Letter Events “Behind the Veil".

RLE: What is the biggest misconception that brides have before they meet with you for the first time?

Ollie of Gen X Productions: The biggest misconception that we run into is the difference between a DJ playing music at their wedding or having a professional DJ company that helps with planning, day-of coordination of the Ceremony and Reception, keeping the flow and being very professional. DJ’s have an incredible amount of control at a wedding and can really affect its overall outcome and success. Lots of our clients are amazed as we walk them through our planners at the amount of details that weddings can have.

RLE: What are some questions that brides should ask when interviewing DJs?

Ollie of Gen X Productions: There are many but here are some of the most important ones that are asked when meeting a Professional DJ Company:

Are you the DJ that will be at my wedding? If not, will I be able to meet them before I book with your company?
How long have you been in business and could I read some recommendations of some of your past clients?
Do you have a contract or agreement; are you insured and do you have a business license?
Are there any extra costs with equipment and meetings of what we have gone over?
Do you drink or take smoke breaks at weddings? (We never do)
Do you provide both MC & DJ services? (They should)
Do you have backups in place for unforeseen circumstances? (Most companies don’t like this question)
Do you use professional grade equipment, microphones and speakers? (Just gage how they respond, if they are confident,then you’re OK)
Do you charge for setup & take-down and how early do you show up on the day of the wedding? (No charge & 1-1.5 hours is recommended)
What do you wear at weddings and are there any options?

There are many more questions but these are the most common.

Contributed by Puget Sound Members Generation X Productions and Red Letter Events.

Becoming a Wedding Photographer

2011-02-26T14:14:00.001-08:00

Often times we, as wedding vendors hear from people stating that they want to become a wedding photographer, DJ, florist, wedding planner and so on. Over the next several months we will feature entries on becoming a wedding _______ (florist, DJ, etc.) written by current professionals in the field . We will start this series with ‘Becoming a Wedding Photographer’, contributed by Monica of Family Affair Photography.

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Many times I get the impression that those wanting to get into wedding photography think it’s an easy way to make big money and that it’s going to be one big party. Before I go into ‘becoming a wedding photographer’ I’m going to share how I ‘fell’ into this profession. It actually started with an offer to photograph my nieces wedding. I refused several times, they repeatedly offered and finally sweetened the deal and I said yes.

Immediately, I started reading everything I could get my hands on about wedding photography, and I also spent a considerable amount of time studying the work of other wedding photographers. The exhilaration, the adrenalin rush of the wedding day is what inspired and motivated me into starting my own business. I think to this day that it was my sheer eagerness and JOY of the field that propelled me and not aspirations of making big money or parties. When I talk to other successful wedding photographers I often hear the same thing, this is a career that brings them joy and often times the first weddings were those of friends or family.

Since that first wedding, I have learned a lot from experience and from talking to other wedding professionals who were willing to offer some guidance.

Let’s get this out there: Great camera’s don’t make great photographers! Learn photography before anything else. A wedding photographer is responsible for capturing the most precious moments in life, and a wedding is NOT the place to learn photography! As a wedding photographer you are expected to know your camera intimately, to be a master of your chosen craft. Unfortunately having a new camera doesn’t automatically make you an efficient and reliable photographer. Learn composition and develop your artistic vision.

Things don’t end once you’ve photographed a wedding. In fact it’s after the wedding that the work starts. I’ve heard from several photographers who have said that for every hour shooting at a wedding it will require about 2 additional hours in post production work. This means learning and mastering digital workflow, processing the RAW images, file management, image correction, color management and enhancement. Even great images often need a little something more. It’s pretty much expected you’ll be doing some correction. Don’t think you can shoot and burn and get a reputation for great work.

LOVE photography more than anything else. Don’t come into the wedding photography field filled with aspirations of making BIG money. While it’s true, there are many successful wedding photographers that make a lot of money. Many of those photographers are also successful speakers, teachers, mentors, etc. to other wedding photographers. According to the Professional Photographers of America, the average photographer in America makes about $24,000.00 a year.

When you start photographing a wedding learn to focus on QUALITY vs. quantity. Is there really a need to take 2000 photos per hour? No bride is going to want the quantity, they much rather have the heartfelt and beautiful images. Think about your shots, look for the special moments. Keep your eyes and heart open to capture the unique and beautiful moments that naturally occur during the day. Remember that long after you have moved on, your photographs will last forever and will someday be viewed by future generations of that family.

During the wedding day, keep moving even if your tired of being on your feet for 8 plus hours, you need to be ready and alert what is happening around you. There is a fine line you need to learn as to when you hide and become ninja like and when you get out and interact with the guests. Knowing this will produce some wonderful images of the day. Experience is going to be your best instructor on this. Starting off as an assistant for a photographer would give you an edge on this, you can learn by observing the pro and by asking them questions after the event.

There is an old rule for the successful photographer and it’s one I admit that I still struggle with to this day. The rule is “80% business, 20% photography” Sometimes it feels like it’s 90% business and only 10% photography. Unfortunately if you want to make photography your business you have to be much more than a photographer while still excelling at offering your customers great images. If you want to get hired you need to sell yourself, make your customers happy and promote your abilities. Being a great photographer is much more than clicking that shutter! If you aren’t ready to handle the business end of photography, you can always work with other photographers.

Lastly learn something new everyday by taking classes, reading or getting out with your camera. Join different photography groups. There are many professional photography organizations that offer different levels of membership based on your skills and knowledge. Some worth checking out: Professional Photographers of America (PPA), and Wedding Portrait Professionals International (WPPI). Attend their workshops, seminars, and meetings. Learn and share tips, techniques from other professionals in the industry. Never stop learning. Always practice, observe and study.

There is so much to share when talking about becoming a wedding photographer. It IS a joyous and rewarding career. If you decide to pursue wedding photography, always remember that as a wedding photographer you’re in a service business. Always serve your clients with care and attention to detail that you would expect on your own wedding day or daily life for that matter!

Exploring the Possiblities

2011-02-10T18:05:00.001-08:00

Puget Sound Wedding Professionals is proud to announce to upcoming events that are being produced by a couple of our members. The first is the inaugural Wedding Walk Tacoma on Sunday February 20th, followed by the Bridal 4-1-1 workshops that will be held in Tukwila and Tacoma in March.

Wedding Walk Tacoma

Wedding Walk Tacoma is a one day event that will introduce prospective brides, grooms, wedding attendants and their family and friends to Tacoma, as a one-stop shopping destination for weddings, while sampling excellent food, wonderful beverages and touring Tacoma’s most beautiful places to get married.

Brides, grooms, friends and family will walk the Downtown Tacoma Business District, stopping at the Marriott and Pacific Grill Event Center, then walking down Pacific Avenue to the Tacoma Art Museum, Union Station, and the History Museum before crossing the Chihuly Bridge to the Museum of Glass on the water.
There are approximately 60 premier businesses and sponsors participating from categories such as floral design, formal wear, hotel and banquet halls, invitations and printing, jewelers, photographers, salons and spas, shoes and accessories, and bakeries.

Participants can choose to walk, ride in a limo, or hop on Tacoma’s Link light rail to the featured venues. After visiting all locations, participants will be entered to win a Grand Prize Raffle.

http://www.weddingwalktacoma.com

Bridal 4-1-1 Workshops

Wedding Tips from Professionals
Planning Advice for your wedding
Q & A with up to 16 different vendors
Wedding Checklists, Giveaways, DIY Advice

If you are planning your wedding and have questions or concerns, these workshops are for you! Every bride has questions and sometimes no one to ask. Come listen to wedding professionals with answers. The workshops are designed to help you learn to interview potential vendors such as photographers, florists, DJs, wedding planners, officiants, caterers, etc. The workshops will provide you with information to make wedding planning decisions with ease, choose the best wedding dress or wedding flowers for you, and connect you with wedding professionals with DIY solutions.

Each workshop is a series of four 2 hour sessions with up to four wedding vendor presentations each session. Sign up for one session or all four. The first workshops will be held in Tacoma and Seattle/Tukwila starting in March 2011 . Future workshops are planned for Auburn, Gig Harbor, Sumner and other upcoming locations .

$10.00 per person for each session through January 31, 2011. Starting February 1, $15.00 per person.

Call 206-601-6957 or email nancy@simplycelebrations.com

For more information and to buy workshops, go to www.bridal4-1-1workshops.com

Unusually Unusual

2011-02-06T16:49:00.001-08:00

We recently asked our members of the Puget Sound Wedding Professionals group to share memories from weddings that had an unusual, different or creative twist on their event.

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I'm not sure how common this practice is, but I was exposed to it for the first time last year and thought it was a great idea. After receiving their engagement session images, my clients spent an afternoon at a local winery where they took part in a wine tasting and then made small batches of their own unique wines for the upcoming summer wedding. The winery tended their wine until the fermentation process was complete, at which point the couple returned to bottle, cork, and label the wine. They were able to select several photos from our engagement session to create gorgeous bottle labels. The guests loved the personal touch and everybody wanted to take a bottle home! These wines would make great guest favors or bridal party gifts as well. Two Puget Sound Wineries I know of that provide this service are Classic Winemaker's in Lacey and Castle Bridge Winery in Kent.

Katie Cann-McTaggart

R e d S p a r r o w P h o t o g r a p h y

www.redsparrowphoto.com

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We photographed a wedding several years ago where the guests at each table had to sing a love song of their choice before they would get released to the buffet line. Most of the tables would all sing a verse together while other tables would let one brave singer sing solo and allowing that person to go to the head of the line.

The bride and groom, along with all the guests were laughing and enjoying the selection of songs, some were sung off key, some with verses wrong, but it made for a fun way to get released to the buffet line.

We didn’t hear any objections to the singing from any of the guests, even the ones without singing voices since this was a group participation activity.

Monica

Family Affair Photography

www.familyaffairphotography.com

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Here are two great unique ideas that a bride of mine an I came up with. The boxes that look like a wedding cake are for cards that guests bring to the wedding. It was super cute and different than the usual basket etc. The other was the wall banner. What to do with a big ugly wall? Her theme was monograms so her friend painted the plain muslin and hung it on a dowel and then we up-lit. It was a great backdrop to the head table instead of the plain wall.

Melanie Benson

Melanie Benson Floral Design

http://melaniebensonfloral.com

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I’d love to see a wedding catered by one of Seattle’s award winning food trucks – www.marinationmobile.com. They have the BEST food. The wedding could take place at a nice outdoor location with a place for the truck. The reception area could be decked out Hawaiian – Korean Style. Paper lanterns and grass skirts! Bright colors. I think I would be a fun, casual, delicious event. Maybe I’ll do it for my birthday!

www.marinationmobile.com.

Cheers! Rachel

www.rachelrauschphotography.com

www.photomusela.blogspot.com

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1. We have an upcoming wedding that will have the ring bearer carrying a pillow with the bride’s ring and the flower girl carrying a pillow with the groom’s ring.

2. I’m seeing more rainbow weddings. The latest example is a bride that picked black dresses but then gave her bridesmaids a swatch of ribbon in either yellow, orange, pink, purple or blue and asked them to buy whatever shoe they wanted in that color. Their flowers will be that same color and the groomsman they are walking with will have a tie that is predominately that color and a matching boutonniere.

Barb

Top Hat

http://www.tophatfw.com/index.html

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A while ago I got to photograph an Afghani wedding. I also did the engagement party, which, though these are common in their culture, was bigger than most regular weddings I shoot! So while the music, food, and traditions were all different and a lot of fun, there was one in particular that was REALLY enjoyable to watch. Dance battle for the cake knife. When it came time to cut the cake, the groom's cousin danced onto the dance floor carrying the knife. Every attempt at retrieving the knife on Ajmal's part resulted in a graceful twirl away and no knife! Thankfully, as the night had progressed, Ajmal's parents had been stuffing his pockets with moderately sized bills. Very quickly, a rhythm was established to the dance-- bribe, rejection. Bigger bribe, further rejection! By the time she decided to give in, I counted the dancer to have made somewhere between $150-$250!

And all for a piece of cake. I hope it tasted good! I have to tell ya, I WOULD love to see this at more weddings. (And maybe more traditional Afghani food!)

Jason Comerford Photography
http://www.jasoncomerford.com
http://jcomerfordphoto.blogspot.com/

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Feathers and fishnet are a few other popular trends brides tend to overlook. Remember ladies, your the star of the show!

The Bella Look

Http://www.thebellalook.com

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Popcorn stand. Latte stand.

Angie

www.angiedphotography.com

http://angiedphotography.blogspot.com/

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One of my best girlfriends got married at the Pantages in downtown Tacoma. The ceremony was on the stage and the reception in the gorgeous lobby. That made it a unique wedding but she had other touches that made it a wedding to remember. They had decided early in planning they didn’t want a traditional cake so when it came to that reception moment for cake cutting the D.J. quieted everyone down and told us to listen. Off in the distance we could hear the ice cream truck music and it was getting closer! The truck pulled right up to the door and everyone was invited to go out and pick whatever they wanted. It was such fun!

Barb VH

Top Hat formal wear

http://www.tophatfw.com/

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I recently saw this at a wedding, they had a ‘ring warming’ ceremony. During a ring warming, the couple’s wedding rings are passed among their guests, who are asked to say a prayer or make a wish for the couple over the rings while holding them. This intimate exchange injects all of the loving energy of the couple’s friends and family into the rings that they’ll be wearing for a lifetime.

It makes for a very inclusive element of the ceremony and further connects the couple with their loved ones in attendance.

Nancy

Simply Celebrations

http://simplycelebrations.com/

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Many weddings will have guests throwing bird seed or blowing bubbles as the couple exits and leaves the reception.

At a wedding we photographed, the wedding party went out and stuffed the get-a-way car with helium balloons. So, before the couple could make their escape, they had to let all the balloons escape from the car! It had all the guests cheering and laughing.

Monica

Family Affair Photography

www.familyaffairphotography.com

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In reality all weddings are unique in their very own way, just as no two snowflakes are the same, no two weddings are the same either.

Not all of my groomsmen live locally. What should I do?

2011-01-22T00:55:00.001-08:00

“Are you nationwide?”

Almost every bridal party has someone coming to the wedding from out of town. One of those guys standing up there with the groom lives in another city, state or even another country. This groomsman is probably not going to arrive until a couple of days before the wedding.

How do you make sure that he will be wearing exactly the same thing as everyone else is, that it fits him and it is ready for him when he arrives in town for the big day? Simple, keep it all in one place. Let one store, the one you trust to get the job done, take care of everything. The only thing your out of town guy needs to do is get his sizes taken by a formalwear specialist.

A simple internet search of the International Formalwear Association (www.formalwear.org) website will guide him to where he can go get professional measurements in or near his town. Once he finds a store he asks them for a complimentary fitting. It is a service that tuxedo rental businesses provide for each other. If there is no listing in his area he can go to any store that rents tuxedos and they will do it. No one wants to have him come into town and not have his tuxedo fit because he measured himself.

That being said I know the next question is why can’t he just get his tuxedo there? Let your formalwear specialist do the work for you. Don’t burden yourself or your groomsmen with style names, color and pattern combinations of the tuxedo. Once you have selected what you want let us take care of the rest. Our job is to audit each and every detail of each and every order making sure it’s what you want. Every tuxedo ordered for your wedding is going to be checked and inspected by one set of quality control standards. One call can let you know which groomsmen have their sizes in and which might need a little extra prodding.

Your wedding is the biggest day of your life, but weddings are our life. Let us help you make it as easy and beautiful as possible for you. Trust in a formalwear professional.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member – Barb of Top Hat formalwear

Children At The Wedding

2011-01-14T18:46:00.001-08:00

It's been nearly 25 years, and I still remember this event: After having sewn half of the bridesmaids outfits, designed most of the flowers, and generally bent over backwards to be a very supportive sister and bridesmaid, moments before the wedding (and not well beforehand), her groom insisted that our 4 month old (still nursing) baby was not welcome in the sanctuary during the ceremony. He said that a baby crying during their vows would ruin the experience for him.

My husband slipped out of the sanctuary and remained throughout the entire wedding in the cry room of the church, with a baby as good as gold. We paid a sitter for our older son, but the babe-in-arms needed to be with mommy, because I'd have to be at the wedding and reception from set up to clean up -- about 11 hours. No other babies or children were present that evening. My truly biased opinion is this. You are more likely to have your vows interrupted by a ringing cell phone than a crying baby.

However, if you are still worried, try to place yourself emotionally in the shoes of the mother who may still be nursing the baby. Give her plenty of notice to make plans. Offer to have a sitter on site during the ceremony, so she and her partner can enjoy the wedding together. Little children bear no malice, and will only "ruin" your wedding if your heart is not open to them, or if you have not planned in advance to make any kind of accommodation for them. Most parents will be responsible for their little ones, so check your worries at the door.

I'm sure the wedding planners of our blogging community will have more ideas-- this is just what happened to me. By the way, he (groom) never did stop trying to control -- and they are now sorting out the final details of their divorce.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Julia Miller of Julia’s Floral.

What if I Don’t Want Kids At My Wedding?

2011-01-10T17:33:00.001-08:00

There is nothing worse than imagining the day of your wedding and during your vows a child starts screaming or crying! Your moment is interrupted and you will be reminded of that moment every time you watch your wedding video.

What is the best way to ask people to not bring their children?

First of all, when addressing your invitations, you only address it to the parents and do not include the children’s names or “and family”. That is the first hint that only the adults are invited.

Secondly, you can put on your invitation at the bottom when mentioning the reception - “Adult Reception to follow”.

Lastly, consider making arrangements with a nanny service to have on-site care for the guests’ children so that they can enjoy themselves and be able to check on their children at points during the evening.

If you are inviting children, be sure and have activities, special meals and treats. Consider an area with tables and maybe an “Activity Director” for them so that everyone can enjoy the evening!

Submitted by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member Valerie of Valerie's Invites. You can also find her on Facebook.

What Do You Mean By Officiant?

2010-12-28T18:10:00.001-08:00

You can go online and anyone can become an officiant if they register through Universal Life Church to fulfill the legal qualifications to become ordained and choose whatever title you prefer from a selection of categories. Many people do it just to be able to perform wedding ceremonies for friends or family. You have to promise to honor all beliefs and comply with all state laws. In Washing State, you have be ordained through some church. It's about 10-minute process through ULC which has been around since 1959. We could do any kind of ceremony, but we stick to weddings.

My husband and I have both gone through ULC to be able to officiate for weddings. I enjoy helping people design their wedding ceremony. Many people just want a very small wedding, have mixed beliefs in their families, don't want to go through months of counseling through a church so an officiant is a great solution to these situations. Some people are widowed or divorced and don't want to go through all the pomp and ceremony that come with traditional weddings. We have performed wedding ceremonies where there were hundreds of people, however. Some people choose an officiant simply because they want to be able to customize their ceremony more than what they could in a regular church. We let family members of friends of the bride and groom participate in any of the religious aspects to the wedding. We choose to remain very neutral.

I won't speak to other states, but there are only two lines (never seen or met anyone who performed this type of ceremony) that are necessary in Washington State to make a couple legally married. The, Do You?, Do You? (questions to make sure they aren't entering the marriage under duress), and then pronouncing them as husband and wife. Really, that's all! We would do those too, if people wanted it that way, but people like to personalize it. We avoid ceremonies that take on the feel of a theatrical performance rather than a solemn occasion. Speaking from experience, we were disappointed to get a review on not being theatrical enough. Sorry, that is not why we do perform wedding ceremonies! At that same wedding, people said it was a wonderful ceremony. Go figure!

Some people choose an officiant to make it a legal marriage and then have a more elaborate wedding (sometimes even with an officiant) months or years later when they can afford a bigger wedding, when someone has returned from being overseas, or any number of reasons.

You won't believe this, but when we say that we can officiate, some people really think that we are qualified to officiate at sporting events!! No! That's a totally different game!!

You should always check into your own state's laws.
Wishing you the greatest of days!

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member: Janis Flagg of Greatest of Days Events & Wedding Planning.

5 Creative ways to “number” your reception tables

2010-12-18T23:03:00.001-08:00

Your ceremony is over and you are married. Wow! The first part of your day is complete. Now comes the fun part….your reception. While you and your husband have pictures taken, your guest will be heading to the reception. Once they arrive, where will they sit? If the food at your reception will be served buffet style, open seating works perfectly. However if the meal will be plated, you will need to do place cards and perhaps also assign tables. Doing the seating chart is a fair amount of work and is straight forward…..not a lot of room for creativity. You will need a list of all your guests, which entrée they will eat and where they will sit. Place cards and table numbers do not need to be fancy or expensive, but these can be a place you show your creative flair or continue the theme of your wedding. Here are five ways to be uniquely you with your table assignments:

Name tables instead of numbering – use your favorite wines or types to label your tables: Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, etc. Your place cards could be bottle shaped or the color of each wine type.

Label your tables with names of states you have visited together or lived in – each table could have a story about being in that state: the state where you met each other, where you each grew up, where you vacationed together or went to school. Place cards could have a ribbon matching a color in the state flag or a picture of the state plant or bird. You could do cities instead of states. Have fun with this!

What if you and your groom are big readers, you could use favorite author’s names or book titles. You can really take off with this one. Your place cards could be bookmarks with the guests name, entrée and author/book. You could include your names and wedding date and their place card can double as your favor. Your guests now have a keepsake from your wedding to use again in their favorite book or magazine.

Add some bling to your guest tables and use gems as the names. You could go really glamorous with this one. If your base table cloths are white or ivory, you have a great “canvas” for adding some color to your tables. The Diamond table could have rhinestones around the center of the table and the place cards can have a “diamond” glued to it. Think your birth stone, his birthstone and then your whole bridal party for gems to use. Craft stores have rhinestones in many colors and shapes.

Let’s say you love to garden. What is your favorite thing to grow? This one has lots of options. Pick your favorite culinary herbs and spices for table names. Try flowers, vegetables, fruits, or shrubs. Your place cards could have a picture of the plant, vegetable, fruit, etc. Your favors could tie in with corresponding seed packets for your guests. Or choose wildflowers and there is actually handmade paper that has wildflower seed embedded in it. The paper can be used for place cards and table sign, and then the really cool part: seeded paper can be planted and the seeds will produce wildflowers. From table décor to place cards to table sign into a guest favor. Eco friendly and creative too!

Part of the fun part of wedding planning is being able to infuse the personality of you and your groom into the day. Be uniquely you all the way to your reception tables. I would love to help you create unique ways to name your tables. Seating charts can be a chore and you can hire me to do these for you.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member: Nancy Skipton of Simply Celebrations & Events LLC.

Winter Wedding Tips

2010-12-15T17:24:00.001-08:00

Do you want your wedding to be memorable? A winter wedding can be a great way to do something new and different for your wedding. We compiled a list of tips from the wedding professionals who are members of the 'Puget Sound Wedding Professionals Networking' group.

* Plan for inclement weather. What happens if it snows or rains heavily on your wedding day? Will people still be able to get to your ceremony and reception venue if this weather happens? Think about how weather could affect getting from your ceremony to your reception. ~ Nancy with Simply Celebrations

* Gloves. Stock up on some of those $1.00 stretch knit (one size fits all) gloves for guests who forget to bring their own gloves. These will be appreciated especially for those who enjoy an impromptu snowball fight at a snow resort venue. ~ Monica with Family Affair Photography

* Remember that winter days are shorter. Without strategically placed accent lighting, richly colored flowers will fade to gray and black -- especially burgundy, dark blue and purple flowers. If you're planning an evening wedding, and you don't up the lighting effects, consider using more white flowers and add mirrors, crystals and metallic accents to reflect light. ~ Julia with Julia's Floral

* The most expensive days are on Friday & Saturday in December, competing against company holiday parties for the venues. Photographers, DJ's and your guests already have full holiday schedules in December. Alternatively a November, January, February wedding means your guests can focus on your big day, without competing event invitations. Also vendors are eager for your business in the slower months so typically you can negotiate to make your budget go farther. ~ Corine with Billy Baroo's Restaurant

* Plan your event on a weekday, most vendors work for less on those days! ~ Adam with Adam's DJ Services

* Consider using an old mansion or private estate with a gorgeous spiral staircase (perfect for that grand entrance) or with a warm cozy fireplace to create an intimate setting. ~ Phyllicia with Realtime Weddings Consulting.

* A winter wedding doesn't have to mean "Christmas"! Ask the venue if you can hang decorative snowflakes from the ceiling to soften the look of the room. ~ Katie with The Inn at Gig Harbor

* Centerpieces can be very easy if you use bare branches with lights strung in them or use natural forest greens. ~ Katie with The Inn at Gig Harbor

Plan ahead, book your event before most companies book their last minute holiday parties. ~ Adam with Adam's DJ Services

* Buy decorating items during holiday sales. Clip coupons for further discounts. ~ Paula with South Sound Wedding & Event Magazine

* Get a massage! Holidays can be stressful enough, but add a wedding to the mix and it can become utter chaos! Treat yourself to a peaceful hour and enjoy your wedding and holiday season to it's fullest and make this a season and event you will never forget! ~ Francesca with Papa Eddie's Catering

* Don't be afraid of the rain and cold when it comes to your photography! A little preparation can make all the difference for getting some truly amazing and unique wedding pictures. Too often, a bride and groom will feel like they have to stay indoors for their pictures because of the winter weather and they miss out on the beautiful diffused soft light we often have during the winter months. A fun or antique umbrella and some colorful rain boots can be a recipe for some of the most romantic and unique wedding pictures ever! Many wedding dresses are made of materials that will bead light rain right off and dry extremely quickly and a few pictures of you and your groom playing in the rain or kissing under an umbrella or standing in a puddle with your colorful rain boots will definitely be pictures you will treasure the rest of your life and will almost certainly set your pictures apart from all of your married friends! ~ Gabriel with Van Wyhe Photography.

* Have a fun & memorable wedding ceremony, work with your wedding theme or include a Santa, ask the minister to dress for a Victorian look. Many ministers are asked to dress for a Hawaiian, Western or Sea Captain for summer weddings. Why not have fun with your winter wedding too? ~ Bob with 'I Need a Minister'

* In winter skin and lips can get exceptionally dry so take care to use a nourishing moisturizer and to exfoliate in the run up to the wedding. If skin looks good then make up will look good. These steps should keep skin as smooth as possible in preparation for make-up. If lips are prone to exceptional dryness then use a lip balm made from plant based ingredients which will nourish the lips deep down. A protective petroleum type product could be used during the day or if going out in the cold windy weather.

~ Creamy textured make-up looks smooth and covers skin well. Try cream foundations and cream blusher.

~ Avoid liquid stains as they can soak in to dehydrated areas and look patchy.

~ Choose a lip stick formula with added moisture to keep lips looking soft and supple.

Cassandra with The Bella Look

* Candles, candles, candles! ~ Corine with Billy Baroo's Restaurant

* What foods are readily available during the winter months? What vegetables or fruits taste great during the winter months? In season foods taste better, cost less and is readily available locally. What foods will your guests expect to be eating this time of year? What foods would be a refreshing change and a nice surprise for your guests? ~ Nancy with Simply Celebrations

* White poinsettias and white Christmas lights are a stunning and inexpensive backdrop to a ceremony and floral decor. ~ Corine with Billy Baroo's Restaurant

* In case of snow or ice, plan to start the ceremony 15 or 20 minutes later than scheduled as guests do hate to be late. When they arrive late they arrive in a stressful state-of-mind. They are relieved to know the "show" hasn't started yet. Loreli with Heart 2 Heart Weddings

* Hire a coat check company! During winter months it's often cold and wet promoting people to wear coats. Is there a plan and place to accommodate these? Coat check companies often handle the coats as well as providing gift security and guest concierge services at weddings. ~ Marni with Coat Check Complete

* For an evening wedding, if you are using signage to direct guest, be sure it's reflective so people can read your signs ~ Paula with South Sound Wedding & Event Magazine

* Don't forget the specialty cocktails as guests arrive to the reception, serve a saketine (rice wine and sweet vodka) in a glass trimmed with sugar crystals ~ Phyllicia with Realtime Weddings Consulting.

* If the venue allows it, a candle-lit ceremony is both beautiful and meaningful. There's always LED tealights and candles as well. ~ Katie with The Inn at Gig Harbor

* Have large colorful (wedding colors, rainbow colors, etc) umbrella's available in case of snow or rain. These can be used to usher guests in from the elements and they can also be used in some of your wedding portraits. ~ Monica with Family Affair Photography

* Choose a venue with interesting inside spaces, fireplaces, brick walls, soft leather furnishings which create a natural backdrop to a winter wedding. ~ Corine with Billy Baroo's Restaurant

* "Winter Time" Burrr! Warm up guests with "hot" cocktails or hot non-alcoholic beverages such as Hot Buttered Rum, Coffee Royale, Hot Spiced and Spiked Apple Cider, non spiked hot Spiced Apple Cider, rich Hot Chocolate with whipped cream or marshmallows. Yummm! ~ Loreli with Heart 2 Heart Weddings

*** To our readers, if you have a tip that you feel we forgot to mention, please feel free to add it in the comments!

Helpful Wedding Invitation Hints

2010-12-06T11:40:00.001-08:00

Your invitations will be the first glimpse of your wedding that guests will see. So think about the vision you have for your wedding and how you want to let them know the joy you have for this day!

1. Start looking and be inspired! If the internet is your first choice of where to start your research, that is fine. Just remember, you can't see true color, size, and texture of the paper or ribbon with a picture on the internet. Look at magazines, papers and even wrapping paper to find a color combination that will make your day beautiful!

2. Make your invitation list! Remember to count couples and families as one invitation. A common mistake when counting guests. For 100 'guests' you will probably only need 50-60 invitations depending on couples. As a rule of thumb, order 20% more than your list total to allow for last minute invitees.

3. Allow plenty of time for invitations printing and addressing! It can take from 2-6 weeks to have invitations printed and another 2 weeks for addressing. Don't use labels! If possible have your invitations hand addressed. So, order your invitation 4-6 months before the event.

4. Check for correct name spellings of parents and how they want to be addressed! I know that sounds funny, but better to be certain than be embarrassed later on. If your parents are divorced, it will be best to ask them how they want to be addressed.

5. Do not include a registry card with your invitation! This is considered tacky and an impolite gesture. Put this information on your wedding website and also rely on family and friends to let guests know where you are registered.

6. Don't forget your thank you notes! It is easy to order these with your invitations and then you will have them when you need them. Thank your guests and vendors on a timely manner for their gifts and services.

7. Mail your invitations 6-8 weeks before your wedding. If you are having a destination wedding and will have several guests traveling, you might want to send them 10 weeks before the event. Save the dates should be mailed 6-9 months before your wedding.

8. Postage. DO NOT purchase the stamps for your invitations until you have a full ensemble put together and it has been weighed by the post office. Square invitations will cost more in postage due to the size.

9. Time! If you are considering making your own invitations consider your time and resources. Don't rely on your friends.

10. Have fun! Don't be afraid to express you and your fiance's style and who you are.

Submitted by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member Valerie of Valerie's Invites. You can also find her here on Facebook.

What should I consider when selecting a wedding photographer?

2010-11-28T18:07:00.001-08:00

Style:
First you want to determine the style of photography you want. However, with that said you want to keep in mind that some photo editing applications, tricks, etc might be the ‘it’ thing right now. But, will those editing styles still be desirable in 2 or even 20 years? Over the past two years alone I have seen several editing trends come and go. A well composed photograph, one that tells the story of the day and expresses the emotion of the day is something that will last throughout the years.

Experience:
It’s often said you get what you pay for. This is when it’s a good idea to arrange to meet the photographer so you can see if they have a history of producing a quality level of work that you would want for your own wedding.

As a wedding photographer, I can tell you that wedding photography can be one of the most challenging yet exciting forms of photography.

Don’t be afraid to ask how much experience they have? Have they photographed a few weddings, a few hundred weddings? Is this their business or a hobby?

Do they have experience at your venue or a similar venue, especially if it’s a low light venue or a venue with it’s own set of challenges such as bright sun (windows or outdoors), or any other lighting situation, each can present their own little challenges. An experienced photographer is going to be ready for any situation!

One thing we have noticed lately are people with little experience who are trying to take your focus off the actual photograph by over-editing and adding a lot of creative add-ons. While there are a lot of fun and interesting techniques that can be done to the photographs will they still be desirable in 2 to 5 or even 20 years from now? Look past the fun edits, and make sure the images are good from the beginning.

Credentials:
Many professional photographers who take their craft seriously are members of various professional photographer associations such as:
PPA - Professional Photographers Association
WPPI - Wedding & Portrait Photographers International
WPJA - Wedding Photojournalistic Association

Also what I feel is the most important credential is a happy customer! So, don’t be afraid to ask for references from past customers and check for online reviews.

Personality:
Personality counts! I’ve had family members of our customers tell us stories of past photographers that they dealt with and obviously didn’t recommend them for the wedding we were photographing. We would hear about these photographers who were invasive, pushy, very demanding who had family or even the bride in tears on their wedding day. You want a photographer you can spend the day with, who isn’t going to add stress to your day. They don’t need to be your BFF but, you certainly want someone you are at ease with and who can work easily with all the personalities at your wedding.

The Photographer:
If you are working with a studio that has multiple photographers make sure you meet with the photographer who would be photographing your wedding face to face before signing any contract. Also, ask if this is their work you are viewing or a collective gallery of work. Many larger studios will send whoever is available, this happens more often than you can imagine!

Money Matters:
There are several things to consider when looking at the photographer’s packages and pricing structures. Do you understand what your getting? Is there room for changes and what will the changes cost? How much time will the photographer be at your wedding? What happens if you need more time?

~ How many photographers will be covering the event?
There are still several photographers who prefer to work alone and others who work as a team of two - usually husband/wife teams. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Most importantly though it’s a matter of personal preference of the bride and groom. If the photographer is used to shooting alone, it’s often awkward when they are required to bring in a second shooter. They need to be on the same page and work smoothly together. Photographers who work in pairs have that established pattern, they know each others moves and communicate well together.

It’s also important to consider your venue and wedding size when determining if you want one photographer or two. It wouldn’t make sense to have two photographers photographing a wedding at a small chapel with 20 guests.

~ How many hours of coverage will be provided?
Coverage means what time they start to the ending time. If you require your photographer to start at 10 am to photograph the bride getting her hair and make up done and the reception ends at 10 pm, that would be 12 hours of coverage. If your photographer is committed to their job they will have little to no down time during those 12 hours. When they aren’t photographing the bride and groom, they will be shooting details, guests and family.

~ How many photographs will they be taking?
This isn’t much of an issue with digital cameras. I’ve heard of some photographers who shoot about a 1000 images per hour! Personally, I call this the “Mad Clicker”.
If they are taking this many shots they obviously aren’t putting a lot of thought into composition.

~ Do they edit the photos?
This is often a big part of the cost of photographing a wedding. For every hour of event coverage the photographer who cares about their art is going to take 6-10 hours editing the photographs from that one hour of coverage. For example an 8 hour wedding can take anywhere from 48 hours to 80 hours to edit. Or another way to calculate how much time they spend is about 2-5 minute PER IMAGE.

~ How many photographs will they edit?
Some photographers will only edit and give you 50 to 200 images from the entire event. Others will select X amount of photographs to edit per hour of coverage. And finally you have others who will edit all photos that have turned out. These are all things to consider when looking at their package pricing and to be sure to get what is offered in writing in a contract.

There are also photographers who offer a “Shoot & Burn” package. Meaning they come and shoot the wedding and provide you a DVD of the images unedited in RAW form. This can be an issue if you don’t have the proper editing programs!

~ Will you receive proof prints or will the proofs be in a gallery for viewing?
This is a personal choice. Proofs are meant to serve as a way to allow you to view your images and choose which ones you would like turned into professional prints.

~ Are professional quality prints provided?
It’s hard to determine what size and how many prints you want before your wedding. Many photographers are now offering a print credit with their packages. It’s not only important to know the value of the print credit but, to see their print prices prior to signing. Photographer ‘A’ might give you a $100.00 credit and you can only buy 2 8x10’s with that credit. While that same $100.00 with Photographer ‘B’ will fill a wall!

Get it in Writing:
Once you’ve selected the photographer you want to cover your big day, be sure to get a contract in writing that states exactly what you’re getting and when you’re getting the final product. A professional should be providing one without asking.

Read through it before signing. Is it clear? Fair? Everything spelled out? Make sure you have no doubts before signing! If changes are made on the contract, be sure to show the amendments and initial them with the photographer. Example, if you ask not to have your images on display on their website. Make sure it’s written on the contract.

Final Thought:
Keep in mind when planning your budget that your photographs are going to be one of the few physical reminders of your wedding and I find as years pass the photographs increase in sentimental value. No two photographers will photograph your wedding the same, like a painting, photography is a work of art.

Submitted by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member Sonny & Monica of Family Affair Photography

Fall Bridal Open House

2010-10-05T18:56:00.001-07:00

Are you planning a wedding or an upcoming event?

The Attic and the Hansen Place will be hosting their Fall Bridal Open House on October 24^th from Noon to 4pm. Come tour two distinctly unique venues, sample food and meet with wedding professionals in a beautiful yet, relaxed setting.

The Attic: 1003 Main St, Sumner, WA

The Hansen Place, 823 Main St, Sumner, WA

Come meet the following members of the Puget Sound Wedding Professionals:

The Hansen Place, The Attic, Simply Celebrations & Events, Absolute Music, Top Hat Formal Wear, Betta Mansions, Adam’s DJ Service, Greatest of Days, Ceremonies by Cynthia, Getting Personal Imprinting, Family Affair Photography, Simply Irresistible, and Valerie’s Invites. Several other vendors will also be participating in the Open House.

This open house has been organized by Nancy Skipton of Simply Celebrations.

Bridal 4-1-1 Workshops

2010-09-23T21:41:00.001-07:00

Wedding Tips from Professionals

Planning Advice for your Wedding

Q&A with up to 16 Different Vendors

Wedding Checklists, Giveaways, DIY Advice!

If you are planning your wedding and have questions or concerns, these workshops are for you! Every bride has questions and sometimes no one to ask. Come listen to wedding professionals with answers. The workshops are designed to help you learn how to interview potential vendors such as photographers, florists, DJ's, Officiants, Caterers, etc. The workshops will provide you the information to make wedding planning decisions with ease, choose the best wedding dress or wedding flowers for you, and connect you with wedding professionals with DIY solutions.

Each workshop is a series of four 2 hour sessions with up to four wedding vendor presentations each session. Sign up for one or all four sessions. Workshops will be held in Tacoma, Seattle/Tukwila, Kent, Gig Harbor and other upcoming locations.

#15.00 per person for each session or save $10.00 and buy all four for $50.00 per person.

Call 206-601-6957 or email nancy@simplycelebrations.com Call 206-604-1908 or email jan@greatestofdays.com

For more information and to buy workshops, go to www.bridal4-1-1workshops.com.

Workshops are designed and sponsored by Greatest of Days and Simply Celebrations & Events, LLC.

Wish Upon a Wedding

2010-07-15T02:48:00.001-07:00

Couples planning to be married can bid for wedding-related auction items online starting in October or at a Blissful Wishes Balls Nationwide in November, with all proceeds benefiting Wish Upon a Wedding .This new organization is the world’s first nonprofit that provides weddings for individuals facing life-threatening illness.

Wish Upon a Wedding is currently seeking donated products or services in 46 cities, ranging from wedding gowns to tuxedos, invitations to cakes, and limousine services to honeymoons. It only takes a moment to register and make a difference in someone’s life at https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?auctionId=115386483

For those donating, be sure to add your item to the correct category (city), and don’t forget to include your company logo and URL. What a great advertising opportunity~ and you’ll be making a positive difference in someone’s life who truly deserves it!

Best Honeymoon Destinations?

2010-06-28T10:31:00.001-07:00

Of course the BEST place to go depends on your taste, the activities
you want, your budget and the season. The following are the Best
for satisfaction in their category.

Honeymoon Seclusion:
1. Fiji
2. Tahiti
3. Bali
4. Turks & Caicos
5. Cook Islands
6. St. Lucia

Honeymoon Affordability:
1. Mexico
2. Jamaica
3. Dominican Republic
4. Bahamas
5. Hawaii
6. Thailand, Bali

Honeymoon Snorkeling and Diving:
1. Fiji
2. Tahiti
3. Belize
4. Turks & Caicos
5. Australia
6. Aruba, Hawaii

Honeymoon Exploring:
1. Australia
2. New Zealand
3. Italy
4. Costa Rica
5. Ireland
6. European Cruise

Honeymoons from the Pacific Northwest:
1. Hawaii - Maui, Kauai and Oahu
2. Mexico - Cancun, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta
3. Caribbean All-Inclusive - Jamaica, Dominican Republic, St. Lucia
4. Caribbean Cruise
5. Tahiti, Fiji
6. Thailand

An honorable mention goes to winter honeymoons at ski resorts in Canada, Colorado and Lake Tahoe.

Be sure to talk with your travel planner in detail about all of your wishes to be matched to the right destination, activities and resort values to have YOUR dream honeymoon.

Submitted by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member:
D. Paula Demmer of Travel Leaders - Lakewood, WA www.Tahiti3.com

Why are DJ's so Expensive?

2010-06-03T03:04:00.001-07:00

We recently asked a couple of DJ's in our group to answer the following question: Why do DJ’s charge a lot of money to DJ a wedding? The first to post a response is Adam of

Adam's DJ services.

Here’s what we put into our events. First, as the owner of the business, I spend a lot of money marketing the business to get our name out there; advertising, networking, community service, etc. We also have lots of costs involved, from licenses and insurance, our extensive music collections and the gear we use.

Another important aspect is time. I am willing to meet with every potential client face to face prior to having them make a decision. This can take up to 4 hours sometimes, including mileage and travel expenses. Our next step is planning. On average, we spend over 25 hours for each event we’re involved with (weddings take more time). We are here for our clients 24/7 to answer questions and help guide them throughout the planning process.

With most wedding packages we offer, our DJs have a final consultation with the client – again, a face to face meeting. These meetings usually run anywhere from 2-4 hours! It helps getting to know the clients personally to understand their needs and wants for their events. Then we prep our gear (cleaning, organizing, double checking certain things), make sure our music collection is up to date and make sure we have the appropriate gear for each event (some customization depending on each event’s needs).

On the day of the event, we show up early to setup and make sure all is in order before guests even arrive. Hopefully, all goes as planned and the event is a success. However, it doesn’t end there. One of the things we like to do to add value to what we provide is offer to record the audio from an event; like a photographer captures the visual elements of an event, we like to capture what was said during the ceremony and toast for our clients.

Again, transferring audio and editing files takes time! Other things we offer to do are pre-wedding slide shows, post-wedding photo montages, and running extra equipment most other DJ’s don’t have (video projectors, spotlights, karaoke, etc.)

One more thing to point out, I’ve personally DJ’d over 600 weddings in my career – I’m no longer the weekend warrior with minimal equipment or music collection – I’m a pro who does this for a living. And most of our DJ’s on our team have DJ’d over 100 weddings. It’s kind of like the difference between purchasing a meal at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse vs. McDonalds! Service and quality are two things we offer and live up to with our clients.

So know what you’re getting into…hire a reputable company to help with music on the day of your event, one with a backup plan in case something happens to your assigned DJ – not one who may cancel on you if he’s in a car accident the day before your wedding!

If experience is important to you, be willing to work with and pay for a company with a good reputation who does this all the time, not just on the side.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member Adam Tiegs of Adam's DJ Service.

What is the Role of a Wedding Coordinator?

2010-05-24T13:28:00.001-07:00

We recently asked a couple of the wedding coordinators in our group the following question:

What is the role of a wedding coordinator?

___________________________________________________

I believe a Wedding Coordinator, should be your guide and confidant. Wedding coordinators help you pull all you thoughts together and then translate those ideas into real workable plans, we focus on budget and being as cost effective as possible.

We bring ideas and proven resources to the table. A good coordinator/planner is helping her bride by building towards a unified consistant vision (That BIG picture) so the result on the wedding day are beautiful and perfect.

We take the stress and confusion out of the planning process, and we are the couples liason with the other venders on the wedding day.

When the big day arrives, we take over so the Bride and Groom, and their families can be free to enjoy and relax as their day unfolds beautifully the way its was planned.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member -
Colleen Melott of Twice as Nice the Bride

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Unlike what you might see on the TV shows and movies about Wedding Coordinators, our job is not as glamorous as one might imagine. It is exciting, however, and an honor that we get to spend more time with a bride than any other vendor for her wedding.

Most Wedding Coordinators will offer three basic variations of planning packages with a few more that are a blending of those basic packages. This is just to give you a picture of what a Wedding Coordinator can do for a client and everyone involved in her wedding.

The first level of of planning packages is more than likely just to help a bride in choosing vendors/venues in which the Coordinator will offer a selection of 3 or so for a set price per vendor category search.

The second package is probably along the lines of a Day-of- Coordination (DOC). These packages are popular when a bride has chosen the vast majority of her vendors. This bride feels that she needs some help pulling everything together, is somewhat overwhelmed thinking about her wedding day and has concerns about how everything is going to come together on her wedding day.

The third basic package would be a Full Coordination in which the Coordinator helps a client choose a vast majority of her vendors. It could even include assistance in choosing the wedding gown, attire for the bridal party, reviewing a venue, meeting together with the bride and different vendors and anyone who might be closely working with the bride.

With the two previous planning packages mentioned, a Coordinator will work closely with all of the vendors and a bride to develop a timeline for the entire wedding day so that things stay on schedule. This can save a bride a lot of money because if you have to pay for an extra hour for a DJ or a limousine that's sitting outside the building because things are behind schedule those extra dollars can be significant. If a venue charges you extra for an additional hour, pretty soon you could have hundreds of dollars added to your venue bill.

Sometimes it's the little things that make a difference when there is a Coordinator on the scene. We realize that your guests are the most important people in your life and will go out of our way to make sure everyone is comfortable. If you have a grandmother going through a particularly hard time who you think could use a hug, we'll be glad to get acquainted and give her an extra smile and a hug.

At one wedding that I accompanied my husband to that he was officiating, the mother of the bride said that they wouldn't need me to bring a bridal emergency kit but I always do anyway. Perhaps she was thinking it would cost money, but I wouldn't do that because I thinks it's just good customer service. Within five minutes of arriving, I was helping a bridesmaid get makeup off of her dress and also making repairs to the bride's dress so that the bustle would stay in place. Again, it's the little things that make your day easier. Each Coordinator will have his or her own special ways of dealing with everything to set their client at ease.

Back to the unglamorous part of being a Wedding Coordinator, we handle other types of emergencies or situations that come up. Since are usually the first to arrive on the day of the wedding and the last to leave, we make those discoveries that have appeared overnight. Imagine surprise graffiti, someone took off with the garbage cans, the city employee didn't unlock the restroom doors as promised and so forth. Think of Murphy's Law. We do our best to make you unaware that Murphy ever showed up! We like to take care of problems in such a way that you might not even know that there was a problem.

One more thing! When do you think we hear the statement from a bride or her family that they wish they had hired a coordinator? It is just before a wedding and right after a wedding! By hiring a Coordinator early on you can save yourself a lot of stress, save money through discounts we can pass on to you, and save some relationships. Yes the latter is sad but true when nerves get raw, emotions run high, and when anyone in particular feels overworked or even exhausted from someone constantly changing their mind.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member Janis Flagg of Greatest of Days Event & Wedding Planning.

How to Cut the Wedding Cake

2010-05-12T14:34:00.001-07:00

We recently found this guide that shows how to cut popular shaped wedding cakes. The first step in cutting is to remove the top tier, and then begin the cutting with the 2nd tier followed by the 3rd, 4th and so on. The top tier is usually saved for the first anniversary, so it is not calculated into the serving amount.

To view this handy guide just click here: Wedding Cake Cutting Guide.

Printing Rights vs Copyrights

2010-05-09T01:12:00.001-07:00

As a photographer, I'm often asked if I provide a copyright release. My answer is "No, I provide a printing release". So, what is the difference and what does it mean to you, the customer?

A printing release gives you permission to reproduce the images for personal use. With our business (and I can only speak for ours) we provide an 'unlimited release' which means you can print and give away as many photos as you like to family and friends for as long as you desire. You cam also use the images on Facebook, MySpace, blogs, etc without seeking permission prior to use.

The one restriction placed on the DVD's is that the images can not be used for commercial gain. Meaning they can not be entered into a photography contest, sell the images to magazines, or sold as stock photos, etc.

This hasn't been a problem for our customers. What they want is the right to print and use their photographs for their personal use. What do we, as photographers get from this? We get to keep the ability to use your photographs to advertise our business. We can use the images on our website, our blog, brochures, etc.

Think of an image like you would another form of art. think of a song. A radio station has the right to play the song but only the artist has the right to sell the song

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member Monica & Sonny Allshouse of Family Affair Photography.

Bridal Open House

2010-04-26T17:11:00.001-07:00

Are you planning a wedding or an upcoming event?

The Attic and the Hansen Place will be hosting their second Bridal Open House on May 2nd noon to 4pm. Come tour two distinctly unique venues, sample food and meet with over 20 wedding professionals in a beautiful yet, relaxed setting.

The Attic: 1003 Main St, Sumner, WA

The Hansen Place, 823 Main St, Sumner, WA

Come meet the following members of the Puget Sound Wedding Professionals:

The Hansen Place, The Attic, Simply Celebrations, Gen X Pro DJ Services, Angie D Photography, Top Hat Formal Wear, Betta Mansions, Elyse Juarez Make Up & Hair, Greatest of Days, Pastor Pat, Susan Haas - Harpist, and Family Affair Photography. Several other vendors will also be participating in the Open House.

This open house has been organized by Nancy Skipton of Simply Celebrations.

White Dress, Green Wedding?

2010-04-23T16:37:00.001-07:00

It is very cool and chic to be earth friendly these days particularly in the Northwest. What most people do not know is that it can also be very budget-wise to be “green”. Even if “fair trade”, “sustainability” and “carbon neutral” are not in your daily vocabulary, you can benefit from incorporating some of these eco-friendly tips to reuse, renew, and recycle:

· Use rental (reusable) items instead of buying new. There are many local rental companies to supply you with table décor, linens, place card holders, etc. Or if you do buy items for your wedding that can be reused by someone else, there are websites you can list your items on to be bought and used again by another bride. Try Bravo Bride for this.

· Consider asking your floral vendor about which flowers are in season locally at the time of your wedding. Not only will it save you money but you will support local growers and reduce the carbon emissions caused by shipping flowers long distances. Use your altar arrangements twice - once at your ceremony and then have them moved to your reception and use them at your head table or on your buffet. This will save you money and reuse your arrangements. Bridesmaids’ bouquets can be placed in vases along the head table at the reception instead of doing more centerpieces.

· If you are not attached to saving, cleaning and preserving your wedding dress, consider selling it on Bravo Bride. Your bridesmaids can donate their dresses to Cinderella’s Closet which benefits young ladies who cannot afford to buy a new prom or homecoming dress. Brides Against Breast Cancer will also take “like new” wedding dress donations.

· Try to use local vendors whenever possible to reduce your carbon footprint caused by shipping items long distance. Supporting local businesses is great for your local economy and almost always costs you less to buy local and in season.

Reuse a family member’s items from their wedding. A grandmother’s embroidered handkerchief can be used to dry your tears of joy and your grandma will love you for using it. If your mother’s wedding dress was a classic timeless dress and close to your clothing size, you can have it altered to fit you. This is a lot less money than buying a dress new. This can be your something old or something borrowed!

Here is a very simple cost effective tip you can utilize at the beginning of your planning. Find a venue that can hold both your ceremony and your reception. You save by paying for only one location for your wedding. Your guests save time and gas (emissions) by not having to drive from the ceremony to the reception. All your flowers can easily be moved from ceremony to reception.

Give favors that are appealing and can serve a dual purpose. A program printed and made into a paper fan for a late summer outdoor wedding can be the program and a favor all in one and keep your guests cooler. Consider a plant-able favor like a tree seedling in a mini terra cotta pot that makes your guest tables look great and can be planted later and green your guests’ yards.

So walk down the aisle in your white wedding gown but think “green” while you plan.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member: Nancy Skipton of Simply Celebrations & Events LLC.

Dos and Don’ts of Visiting a Venue

2010-04-14T23:39:00.001-07:00

Do make an appointment. You want to ensure that you will be able to see the space and have the undivided attention of the venue’s onsite representative. You wouldn’t want your wedding day interrupted with a stranger checking out the party, so we extend the same courtesy to them on their special day.

Don’t be shy about asking questions. We would love to make sure everyone is on the same page earlier rather than later. Good questions to ask include parking options, how long you have the venue for, what the venue’s expectations are for setup and cleanup, how much the deposit is and what, if any, is refundable, etc.

Do ask about preferred or required vendors. Often we recommend vendors that we know do a great job, and they are familiar with our venue and the ins and outs. While some venues do not require you to use the vendors on the list, some do, and it’s good to know in advance.

Do ask about what’s included with the venue space. Is there a bride’s room? A groom’s room? If you are only using the location for the reception, keep in mind that you may not need this space if you are coming straight from the ceremony location.

Do ask about restrooms. Are they indoor? Are they close by? How many are available for your guests? Sometimes venues do not have enough stalls available for the number of guests expected and this can cause frustration for your guests.

Don’t assume the caterer at a venue automatically includes rentals. We’ve heard of brides that make all of the arrangements with the caterer only to find out there’s no silverware on their wedding day – the bride assumed the caterer would bring it and the caterer assumed the bride rented it. Most venues with onsite food and beverage provide serveware, glassware, china, silverware, etc., but it’s always best to ask and make sure there’s not an additional rental. Conversely, off-premise caterers typically can rent these items to you or arrange for the rental if they don’t stock them, but you don’t want to be surprised (by lack or cost of items) on the big day by not asking about them before hand.

Do ask if outside catering is allowed. Some venues have an exclusive onsite caterer or in-house food and beverage. Ask if the culinary staff in the venue’s restaurant is the same for banquets – if it is, the restaurant’s meals can give you a good idea of the banquet food! For venues that allow outside catering, be sure to ask about preferred vendors, or if there is a required list. Often there are preferred caterers as they know the venue and rules, and the venue knows the quality of the product and service staff to maintain a professional image.

Don’t ignore Mother Nature. If you have an outdoor wedding or reception planned, ask the venue about options for tents in case of rain (especially if in the Pacific Northwest!). As a courtesy to your guests, you may want to have sunscreen (or umbrellas), bug repellant, and/or tissues available. Some guests may have allergies aggravated by an outdoor location, so let your guests know the venue is outdoors so they can prepare. Garden or outdoor weddings can be gorgeous and provide for wonderful pictures. A little bit of advance planning can make everything smooth. If you have an indoor venue but the forecast looks like rain, consider having large golf umbrellas available and put the ushers/groomsmen to work at the end of the reception to escort guests to cars. This little touch will be remembered for a long time.

Do ask about exclusive use of the venue. Does the venue reserve the right to sell space in the morning before your wedding? How much time are you given for access? If you are at a venue that offers other services, such as a restaurant or golf course, what is the flow of wedding guests vs. patrons? Will there be other events going on at the same time as your wedding? By asking in advance, you won’t be surprised by Aunt Gertrude’s 90^th birthday party down the hall. (This also goes back to the restrooms!)

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Members:

Kati Wright, Catering and Sales Coordinator, The INN at Gig Harbor & Trista Shinnick, Food and Beverage Manager, Trophy Lake Golf and Casting

Brides Club Spring Wedding Expo

2010-03-23T16:36:00.001-07:00

If your planning a wedding it's once again time for the annual Spring Bridal Expo at the Tacoma Dome! There will be several members of the Puget Sound Wedding Professionals who will have a booth at the show.

The following members have confirmed having a booth at the show: Adam's DJ Services, Makeup By Nika's Mobile Makeup Services, Motion of Life of life Video, Party Bee Entertainment, Knots about Balloons, Paula Demmer with Travel Leaders, Red Letter Events and Twice as Nice as the Bride.

Don't miss the fashion show that features wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, mother-of-the-bride dresses, plus-size fashions and tuxedos from local boutiques. There are also vendors who will have dresses for sale at the show.

You can also save some money by buying discounted tickets online www.bridesclub.com.

Tacoma Parks Open Houses

2010-03-08T17:23:00.001-08:00

The Tacoma Parks and Recreation will be having several facilities open and available for viewing allowing you see the venues first hand and learn about their wedding day services. The following venues will be open: Point Defiance Lodge, Pagoda, and Fort Nisqually all at Point Defiance Park. They also have Titlow Lodge, 8425 6th Ave and South Park Community Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way.

Three of the venues will feature a variety of vendors to complete your wedding day; The Pagoda, Titlow Lodge and South Park Community Center. The open houses will be on Sunday March 21st from 11 am to 4 pm.

We have several members of the Puget Sound Wedding Professionals group who will be at the open houses. Please be sure to check them out to see what they offer to make your day extra special.

Adam's DJ Services - The Pagoda, Titlow & South Park Entertainment Masters - The Pagoda, Titlow Lodge Extra Hands Catering Services - Titlow Lodge Family Affair Photography - South Park Getting Personal Imprinting - Pagoda Grand Affaire Catering - South Park & Titlow Lifetime Memories - South Park Motion of Life Video Services - Titlow Lodge Party Bee Entertainment - South Park Simply Celebrations - South Park South Sound Wedding & Event Magazine - The Pagoda Streamside Photography - South Park Trendy Events - The Pagoda, Titlow Lodge & South Park Vivid Images - Titlow Lodge & South Park Wallflower Photography - The Pagoda

We all look forward to seeing you there! For more information you can check out the Tacoma Parks site: Bridal Open Houses

Tips on How to Hire a Wedding DJ

2010-02-26T19:22:00.001-08:00

With the wedding planning season in full swing, it is time for a tip that relates to my industry niche – the wedding DJ and how to hire one.

I have spoken with over two dozen brides this past weekend, and when I asked them if they have ever hired a wedding DJ before, or a DJ for that matter, none of them answered “Yes.” So, the following is a list of tips and advice to use as a quick educational tool that will hopefully help you find the best entertainment value you can.

Narrow the list down to a few potentials. Look at the DJ company’s marketing materials – is it professionally done? Next, look at what they are saying – is it about “Us” or is it about “You”? Remember, this is your day, your DJ service should speak about serving you. Next, look at their website – does it look professional, clean, elegant? Or does it look messy and unorganized? How a DJ presents himself will be a direct reflection upon his service – pick the DJs whose presentation stands out and write their information on your list.
Meet with every DJ on your list, in person. I know, email is convenient and much can be discussed over the phone – but it’s hard to fully disclose what a company’s service entails and the value you receive for your entertainment dollar in a ten minute conversation or via text documents. Consider the DJ’s personality, his appearance, how he conducts himself, how he speaks - this is going to be the spokesperson that represents you! The other need for a consultation is for comparing DJs – consider it a live performance (us professionals do!). Not all DJs are the same, nor do they provide the same service.
Ask them questions, but make sure the question that uses the “P-word” is last. Here is seven questions every bride should ask:

1. What do brides like best about your style?

2. Have you ever done a reception at our venue?

3. How good is your equipment?

4. What’s your secret to getting my guests on the dance floor?

5. Can you do anything special for my formalities?

6. What are the hottest ideas for wedding receptions these days?

If entertainment is a priority, and more brides are telling me it is, make sure your DJ company delivers on the level of service you are looking for.

4. Ask for demo announcements. Go ahead, ask them how they introduce the wedding party. I can guarantee mine will be much different than what others may come up with. And then I’ll explain the reasoning behind it.

5. Understand that a DJ can do much more than just play good music. Ask your DJ what else he provides in his service. Brides have been walking out of my consultation meetings going, “Wow, I didn’t know DJs can do that and I can see the value your services have!” This is why a consultation meeting is a must! I provide personalized packages – and simply asking me for an email quote based off what you desire is not going to convey the value or quality I provide my clients with. Even the quality of the equipment can make a world of difference.

6. Price differences may shock you – but do your homework! This is why I say ask for pricing after the consultation has been completed. I have had some brides ask for some huge packages and quote over the phone and email - seven hours! karaoke! monogram gobo light! uplighting! two sounds systems for the ceremony and reception! a photo montage! love story! – and then been shocked at the price quote I put out – they simply didn’t think it would cost that much. But ask the DJ to show you a copy of the planning process he uses – how much time is really invested into you? The package before would easily include over 45 hours of time invested into that client – plus expense costs to create the magic she was looking for. Add on top professional fees to do this full-time and perfect my craft – and it’s no wonder why $15 an hour wouldn’t make sense. Find out if your DJ is full-time or part-time – and then ask him to breakdown his preparation hours. Simply put, the day-of time for a reception-only service is generally 8 hours – if only 12 is being put into you, are you really getting a great service?

7. Have fun! Remember, the reception is about you and the guests – make sure your DJ will inform you on how he will make your guests become apart of the reception – not just attending it. And your search for a DJ should be fun – after all, this is entertainment and no one wants a boring wedding reception. In an informal survey of my 2008 brides, I asked them, what have your friends commented on about your wedding? Their answer: “The choice of the DJ.” Make hiring a quality DJ a priority – and your friends will be saying, “Your wedding is the best wedding I have ever attended.” That is, after all, what most brides want – the best wedding reception, ever!

I hope this helps – I understand most brides have no idea where to start. Take what you have seen from other wedding DJs and start your basis there – and then see if you can find one that “WOWs” you. If you need help looking for quality wedding DJs, please feel free to contact me, sometimes I am perfect for a bride, other times, I am not - but I will direct them to a DJ that is a better fit!

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Tony Schwartz of Tony Schwartz Weddings. You can also find him on facebook.

How to Use a Honeymoon Registry

2010-02-24T22:32:00.001-08:00

Do not expect your whole trip to be paid for unless your parents or grandmother have already indicated they will treat you to a nice honeymoon!

After booking the honeymoon that suits your style and budget, why not ask your friends and family to gift you with extra special experiences such as an upgrade to beach front lodging, a couples massage, a snorkeling tour, or private dinner on the beach instead of more towels and a toaster?

Your friends and family will love being able to gift something special for your wedding that they know you would like, but yet have options to choose what they can afford. With out of town relatives or a destination wedding, it also saves them money on gift wrap and shipping it to your home.

There are 2 main honeymoon or travel registry systems to consider:
Gift certificates for a specific activity they book through your travel planner (who has your wish list). Or a dollar amount applied to your honeymoon package. This version works well for older relatives and those not comfortable with the internet. Any reputable travel agency can do this and may have cards so you can announce your registry.

Online Registries where you have a page to post your wish list broken into smaller increments much like a set of dishes split into place settings. The better your description is – the more likelihood of getting the gift! Some companies charge a fee to the bride & groom. IMO, that’s paying to receive your gift. Other companies charge a small handling fee to the giver which ends up costing less than wrapping and shipping housewares.

When do you tell people you have a travel registry? As soon as you have booked your trip. Or when you send “save the date” notices. That way you might get some great experiences for shower gifts. Or a with a card inserted in your printed wedding invitations.

When do you get the funds? Gift certificates would be as soon as the person gives it. Online registries work like an escrow account and you receive one check just before the wedding and sometimes a second one a couple weeks after with the last minute gifts. Since registry funds come in after you have made your package final payment – it’s best for adding optional experiences, upgrades and during travel expenses.

Of course, you send a Thank you card saying how much fun you had with or doing the gift they selected not thanks for the cash….
From my experience, many couples keep their options open with a combination of agency gift certificates and our affiliation with the oldest online registry plus a store registry such as Macys or Target.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member Paula Demmer of Travel Leaders.

Love Story in 6 Words

2010-02-11T18:28:00.001-08:00

Earlier this month we found this article on the Washington Post website. Your Love: In Six Words. Below is a small sample of what people submitted to the Post.

Craigs List. True love. Who knew?
Submit to passion, never go back.
Past gone, future unknown, present bliss.
He ignites passion never known before.
Serendipity, luck, karma, brought us together.
Marriage is a neverending slumber party
Learning that love comes from within.
No hesitation. No limit. No doubt.
Mid-life brings love without fear.
Still waiting for honeymoon to end
He ignites passion never known before.
Love yourself first, others will follow!
He gets me like no one else
His most romantic words:"I'll cook!"
Seven dollar wedding. Twenty-four priceless anniversaries.

Submitted by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member: Monica Allshouse of Family Affair Photography.

Be sure to share your 6 word love story with us in the comment section!

Dressing The Groom

2010-02-05T16:18:00.001-08:00

You have fantasized, dreamt, searched and finally found the perfect dress. You have set the tone for your entire wedding. Now how would you like the love of your life to look standing next to the most beautiful woman he has ever seen?

The groom’s attire is just as important as the bride’s dress; after all it is his big day too. That is where your tuxedo experts come in to play. Our job is to help you coordinate the groom and his groomsmen to compliment and enhance the look and feel of your dress. Whether it is a classic gown with a cathedral train or a short flirty contemporary style your groom should look like he is standing next to the right bride.

Picking the tuxedo or a suit for your wedding party should be stress free and fun. Your formal wear specialist should guide you through the myriad of styles to find exactly the right look. You may be looking for the “James Bond” classic style or maybe more George Clooney on the red carpet. It may end up being a bare foot beach look or a fun “match these Chuck Taylor’s” outfit. Do you want the groomsmen to wear the exact same color as the bridesmaid dresses or should they just go together? How important is the color, maybe you are looking to have the classic black tie affair or a tropical explosion of color and texture?

Some details for you to consider; will your guys be in flat front or pleated pants? Do you like the look of the standard or wing tip collar shirt? Is your dress white or ivory, the men’s shirt should match your dress. What about the fathers, how would you like them to look in the pictures? If they are going to rent, what color accessories should they be in, same as the groomsmen or in a neutral color so the moms can wear any color? Do you put the groom in the same exact look as the groomsmen or would you like him to stand apart from the rest of the wedding party? What does the groom think; surely he will have an opinion about this aspect of the wedding plans.

So just as you did with your dress, fantasize, dream, search and find the perfect ensemble for the men in your wedding party. Start by looking at pictures, online or at your photographer’s studio, red carpet photos, go back and look at your bridal magazine with an eye for only the men. See what stands out to you, what you love and the styles that you don’t love will all guide you in the right direction. The easiest and fastest way to select what you want is to go into a tuxedo rental store and let the professional guide you. We are immersed in formal wear everyday. We know the trends, the styles and we have seen many wedding successes and even a few flops. Let us help you, with our knowledge and experience, find the perfect look for the groom so he will look just as perfect as you.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member Barb Van Haren with Top Hat Formal Wear. They can also be found on Facebook.

Newlywed in the Kitchen

2010-01-21T18:57:00.001-08:00

Time once again to share another recipe that was brought to our attention.

The Smooth Groove for Two

1 small bananas, broken into chunks

1/2 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries

1/2 (8 ounce) container vanilla low-fat yogurt

1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons milk

1/4 cup sugar or Splenda

In a blender, combine bananas, frozen strawberries, yogurt and milk. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

* You can also substitute blueberries and peaches in place of the strawberries.

This makes for a wonderful on the run breakfast. Let us know what you think. Also, if you have a recipe you would like to share simply e-mail us at ps.wedding.vendors@gmail.com

Event Planners Can Save ...

2010-01-18T23:00:00.001-08:00

... You Money and Sometimes the Day!

As an event planner the biggest myth that I try to dispel is that we are only "for the rich people". In reality, if you want to save money in the process of planning for your wedding, it's a good idea to hire an event planner!

We can get discounts that we in turn pass on to our clients with very few exceptions. In my case, the only time I might keep some of that discount is when I have less than three months notice to plan a wedding or if the guest list is over 250, depending on the time of the year. These discounts can range from 5%-20% on average. When you think of how many vendors it takes for a wedding, that can be a lot of savings!

We save you more than money. The obvious things that come to mind are time and stress. Sometimes what you don't know can truly hurt you, if you are not lucky.

One bride that I was hired by later on in the planning process as a one-day coordinator, had chosen a venue that had chairs that were black. They felt very strongly due to cultural considerations, that they didn't want the color black to be in their wedding. She had ordered chair covers and sashes to the tune of over $600. When I did a review of the venue, I knew from looking at the chairs that it would be a rare day that you would find a chair cover to fit those chairs!

If you want to think of an equivalent picture, think about trying on a pair of jeans several sizes smaller than what you fit into now! The chair covers that had been ordered didn't even go half way down the back of the chair! The solution ended up being renting wooden chairs that had seat cushions to match one of the wedding colors. The best part? They were less expensive than chair covers and sashes, and she was very fortunate that the chair cover vendor returned her money!

If not, imagine that much money going down the drain! The worst part would've been, in this situation, that the black chairs would not have been covered. In some cultures the color black is strictly for times of mourning or thought to bring back luck.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member Janis Flagg of Greatest of Days Event & Wedding Planning. You can also find her on Facebook.

How to Find the Right Photographer ...

2010-01-14T17:52:00.001-08:00

,,, for your wedding

The number of wedding photographers in the Puget Sound is staggering! Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you will make. The photos of your wedding will preserve your memories, not only for you but it will tell your wedding story to future generations - your children, etc. Don’t trust these precious memories to just anyone!

So, how do you find the right photographer for your wedding?

Ask your married friends for referrals! Ask them about their photographer! If they were happy with their photographer, chances are you will be too. Check out the photographers website, their online portfolio and see if they have any reviews of their services.

Meet with a couple of photographers. Find 2-3 photographers that you liked based on the style of their work. Don’t overwhelm yourself with more as it can just make it more confusing and non productive. When looking at their work can you visualize yourself in the photographs? What is their primary style? Photojournalistic? Posed? Artistic? Other? If they only show posed photographs ask to see samples of candid shots that capture the various moments of the day. It is a lot more challenging to get the exposure right when capturing moments as they happen than when the photographer is in control as in a posed shot.

Be prepared to ask the photographer questions. How many hours are covered? Will the Photographer who captured the samples you were shown be the one who photographs your wedding? Do they edit the photos? Is there a limit of photos you receive? Do you get a CD with full resolution images? Many provide you with a CD of reduced resolution that are only good for sharing online not for making prints. Do they have back up equipment? Are they prepared for the unexpected?

Wedding experience, there are many photographers who only photograph a couple weddings a year and work in another field the rest of the time, others do a few weddings with their primary business focus being on portraits in a studio. The more experienced a photographer is with weddings, the better for you as you are hiring a professional who knows all the ins and outs of a wedding. They are alert to all the nuances of a wedding and are prepared to quickly react and photograph all the emotions and love of the day.

Warning signs of the inexperienced photographer… Looking at their sample photographs, are they over saturated so the colors remind you of a comic book? Are they over exposed so even though you can tell it was a nice sunny day the sky looks milk white? Do they use an excessive amount of black and white? Black and white photos have their own appeal but often photographers will try to hide an over exposed photo by converting it to black and white.

Other things to consider. Are you comfortable with your photographer? Remember they will be shadowing you ALL day. You want someone you are comfortable around. They don’t need to be your best friend but you want someone leaves you feeling secure and relaxed so you don’t have that added stress on your wedding date. When you are comfortable, some of the best photos are the candid behind the scenes photos.

Beware of inexpensive photographers. If someone offers to shoot your wedding for a few hundred dollars it’s probably because they are inexperienced. They are trying to buy experience. The more experienced the better the odds that they will know how to deal with the lighting at your venue, how to deal with different family situations, and how to stay balanced if things go crazy. There are many good photographers who are inexperienced and deserve the opportunity. However, do you really want to take that chance with your wedding memories? Once the day is over the main thing you will have to commemorate it will be the photographs so don’t scrimp on saving those precious memories!

You don’t always get what you pay for. Just because they charge a lot is no assurance of quality work. Ask to see an album or a proof book showing a wedding from start to finish rather than just images hand picked by the photographer from various weddings. They should have enough good quality photos to tell the story of the wedding from start to finish.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional members: Monica & Sonny Allshouse of Family Affair Photography. You can also find them on Facebook.

Wedding Invitation Wisdom

2010-01-10T12:42:00.001-08:00

Think of your wedding invitations as a preview of your wedding ceremony on paper. Your wedding invitation conveys more than just the date, time and place of your ceremony, but also the theme and feel of your wedding.

Elegant or shimmery paper; ribbon accents or photos; raised, flat or engraved print and lined envelopes or pockets give your guests clues as to how formal or informal your ceremony will be. The look and feel of your invitation tells your guests a little more about your personalities and your tastes.

Choosing invitations can be daunting. The choices and options are vast. Take your time and keep these ideas in mind when shopping for invitations:

1. Before ordering (or making) invitations, take the time to visit an invitation dealer who has invitation albums you can browse. There are all kinds of online invitation companies. While most of the online invitation companies offer samples of their invitations few brides take the time to order samples. And an online image of an invitation doesn’t really convey how that invitation feels. When you can actually see an invitation, you’ll have a better sense of how your guests will react when they receive your invitation.

2. Give yourself plenty of time to order your invitations. The rule of thumb is to mail your invitations 6-8 weeks before your wedding. I recommend you order your invitations about 4 months before your wedding. Allow yourself time to see and share a proof of your invitation. Keep in mind that most invitation printers can take up to 5 working days to complete the printing of your order. And regular group shipping can take up to a week. Then consider how much time it will take you to address your invitations before you can get them in the mail.

3. Keep an open mind when shopping for invitations. It’s great to have an idea of your perfect invitation in mind when you come to a dealer’s shop, but take the time to look at the albums so you don’t miss out on invitations you had never seen that might even be better than the ones you imagined.

4. Don’t think you can’t afford professionally printed invitations. It’s possible to get 100 professionally printed (raised print) invitations for around $30. Wedding magazines often feature very high end invitations, but the majority of invitations are very reasonably priced.

5. Take advantage of the online proofing tools available from most invitation companies. You can play with different wording options, type styles and even ink colors. Compare and contrast your favorites with your wording.

6. Don’t get talked into purchasing enclosure cards you might not need. Almost all brides need Invitations and Respond Cards; sometimes it’s important to also order other enclosure cards. An experienced dealer will be able to help you determine the best invitation package to suit your needs.

Have fun researching and selecting your invitations and when you come across your perfect invitation, you’ll know it. And you’ll be able to cross a big item off your to do list!

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member: Judi Brown of Getting Personal Imprinting LLC, they can also be found on Facebook.

Newlywed in the Kitchen

2010-01-07T14:46:00.001-08:00

This is the first in a series for our newlyweds or nearly weds in the kitchen. Here you will find recipes designed for two. If you have a special recipe you want to share please feel free to submit it to PSWeddingPro@gmail.com.

Oh so 'Easy & Good Mexican-rice' Chicken

1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil

2 tablespoons sour cream

1-1/2 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese

3/4 cup fresh sliced mushrooms

3/8 (16 ounce) jar salsa

3/4 cup cooked white rice

4 ounces boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and diced

In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Saute mushrooms.

Combine mushrooms, sour cream, cheese, salsa, rice, and chicken. Place in a greased casserole dish.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 35 minutes

Happy cooking and check back for more wedding planning information, inspiration and yes, even recipes.

Why Are Wedding Flowers so Expensive?

2010-01-06T00:23:00.001-08:00

Let’s take this question and divide it into two respects--

In one respect, the question, “why is something so expensive,” is often rhetorical in nature, and could be applied to any wedding vendor category, or to new cars, or even to fine wine. We’ll get back to that idea in a moment.

In another respect, in our new global economy there are real factors affecting the supply of flowers on the market, as well as the channels through which people buy flowers. The result is that people are beginning to think that florists are “expensive.”

With the flexibility if internet shopping, people are now able to purchase “grower-direct” flowers. Additionally, the influx of South American-grown roses into the U.S. has driven down the price people expect to pay for roses. Both of these trends has hurt independent flower shops, and created the question in the consumers’ mind, “Am I getting what I pay for when I buy from a florist?” And, “Can I get the same thing from a warehouse store?”

By the end of this blog-post, I hope that your perspective will be broadened somewhat.

First, the rhetorical question: Why is any bridal-related product so expensive? You can buy bridal satin at a fabric store for less than $10 a yard, so why does the dress cost $1,000? Why is it so expensive to rent a limousine? Why should I pay hundreds of dollars for a DJ when I have a perfectly good iPod? Why do I hire a professional photographer when Uncle Merle has a decent digital camera and a tripod?

The simple answer to the question of expense -- for flowers or any other professional service you hire for your wedding -- is that your purchase is a return on a professional’s investment of time, effort, expense, expertise, education, skill, energy and spirit applied toward doing excellent work for you, so that you may have a beautiful, joy-filled, stress-free wedding. The money you spend on wedding flowers, or your bridal gown, or limousine, or photography, or professional music entertainer will help provide food and shelter for those, your fellow human-beings.

Plus, it stimulates the economy.

Now, back to flowers.

Most people, unless they know a florist fairly well, or are related to one -- will never witness the amount of effort and sheer strength of will it takes to pull together a sizable array of beautifully designed flowers, from the largest of ceremony bouquets to the ring bearer’s tiniest boutonniere, delivered in perfect condition, to the bride’s specifications, on deadline, with a smile.

Professional florists do this week in and week out. Our job is to listen to you, help to clarify your thinking, and also respect and honor your vision, and do our best to make your wedding dreams come true with flowers and decorations. We often do it with very limited budgets.

And once the wedding flowers are delivered, and installed perfectly in place, we head home exhausted -- usually plopped down on the couch, useless to our loving families who’ve been patiently waiting for us to have some time for them!

The reality is that no bride can have magazine-perfect flowers for her wedding unless she hires a competent professional.

Last June, I designed the flowers for a morning wedding at a local military chapel. The chapel was booked immediately following for a noon wedding, so I could see the flowers coming and going.

My bride, Jamie, knew precisely what she wanted. She chose a cascading bouquet of pristine white Phaleanopsis Orchids, which I delicately bound together and manipulated to perfectly display each blossom, without bruising any of their tender petals. I finished the creation by entwining the stems with lush white double faced bridal satin ribbon, accented with pearls and gemstones. Then I babied that precious bouquet until I could lay it into her hands. No kidding. My darling husband drove to the chapel, so that I could keep her bouquet safe on my lap.

I applied similar, appropriate care to all of the other floral pieces that I created for Jamie’s wedding and reception. It’s about striving for perfection. Every bride dreams of this day, and wants it to be perfect. My role is to be picky, and to take on all the stress, and to care in such a way that all I touch and bring to her wedding will be as close to earthly perfection as possible.

Jamie had thousands of satin rose petals all over her aisle. Knowing that the chapel needed readying for the next wedding, I returned to help the wedding coordinator clean up the petals.

Well, the next bridal entourage arrived on the scene, and I didn’t need to ask where they got their wedding flowers, because the look mega-phoned, “Costco.” The bridal and attendant bouquets resembled the rounds of roses in the refrigerated shelving units. An hour and a half before the wedding, the flower girls were already worrying their little bouquets to death. Nobody was there to see to it that the corsages and boutonnieres were pinned onto the right people. The pew bows were amateurishly handmade.

I rarely get a glimpse of “you get what you pay for,” but I did that day. And it made me sad. The Costco bride was probably happy with her flowers. I don’t know. I didn’t ask. But I know that she didn’t receive the quality of flowers, or experience the level of care and service that I provide to my brides.

Most assuredly, Jamie got what she wanted for her wedding flowers. She definitely got what she paid for.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member: Julia Miller of Julia's Floral. To see more images and learn more about flowers you can also find Julia on Facebook.

5 Ways to Reduce Your Wedding Stress

2010-01-04T00:04:00.001-08:00

1) Stay organized. Don’t wait until the last minute to do your favors or print your programs if you are making them yourself. Keep a well organized file or folder with records of what is done and what still needs finishing. Have a designated place in your home to store all your wedding information and materials. You won’t waste time looking for items related to your wedding. Use a check list and mark off the items you have accomplished already. Take satisfaction in the fact that the list is getting shorter and see how much you have done!

2) Ask for help. Yes, you have done the amazing job of organizing and planning your day, perhaps with little help from others. You do not have to do it alone. Delegate what does not have to be done by you personally. People feel good when they can contribute. Accept offers to do things for you. You deserve it! Your Maid of Honor or bridesmaids will enjoy being involved with some of those final projects. Ask your groom to help you with some of the things you know he might enjoy (maybe booking the limo, picking his favorite songs for the song list for the DJ, selecting the micro brews for the reception bar, your slide show technicalities, etc.) Hire a wedding coordinator to handle the areas for which you need expert help.

3) Take care of yourself. Stay hydrated - make sure you drink enough water. Not only does this keep you healthy but it will help make your skin look great for your wedding day. Eat as healthy as you possibly can. Add a few more fruits and veggies to your meals. Have your morning cup of coffee but don’t let your caffeine or sugar intake increase too much. These will make you jittery and then more tired. Get enough sleep. If you have a lot of things on your mind that are keeping you up, write them down and vow to handle these the next day. Exercise releases chemicals in your body called endorphins which helps you feel more relaxed and actually feel happier. It is true!

4) Plan each day for some non wedding time. Your groom will appreciate this! Take at least one hour every day that you do not talk about the wedding, work on the wedding or think about the wedding. Plan a date with your groom and make anything wedding related a forbidden topic during your date. Watch a favorite movie or TV show. Pamper yourself with an activity you enjoy. Take the dog for a walk and get some exercise.

5) Let go. As the day approaches, start focusing on what the day is really about: marrying your groom, the man you fell in love with. Yes, your dress, the flowers, the cake and the food is all important. Yes, you have spent a lot of money and effort to make this day happen. You want it all to be perfect! These are all totally normal wishes. Sometimes an unexpected or unplanned moment is what a couple remembers and cherishes most about their wedding years later. Most of what you want will probably happen smoothly on your day. In the end, the wedding day is only one first day in your whole long marriage. Have fun and enjoy it.

All of these are simple and basic common sense. When we get stressed and overwhelmed, we tend to forget the simple stuff. I hope these tips help to bring you back to the basics and to become a more relaxed, happy and calm bride

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member: Nancy Skipton of Simply Celebrations. You can learn more about her services on her website and on Facebook.

Coming Soon

2009-12-17T19:01:00.000-08:00

Please come back January, 2010 for informative entries written by members of the Puget Sound Wedding Professionals group.