The Wedding Binder, Every Bride Needs One

On the shelf with all of your most prized wedding books and magazines, you absolutely need to have an wedding binder. While the first thing you need to do in planning your wedding is make a budget, the second thing you need to do is set up a binder to keep track of everything. Trust me, your binder will be worth its weight in gold!Organization is key when it comes to having a beautiful wedding day. Your binder doesn't have to be fancy, but it needs to be organized. And hey, if want to have a little extra fun go ahead and decorate it / get a binder with a clear cover so that you can insert a scrapbook page.Inside the binder you will want color tabbed dividers with pockets. The pockets are to keep all the loose papers you will accumulate / things you may not want to 3-hole punch.Label your tabs. Must have labels include:

• Venues
• Attire
• Catering (Food/Drinks/Cake)
• Flowers & Decor
• Music
• Photography & Videography
• Honeymoon Budgeting & Finances
  

This binder should contain everything actually pertaining to your day. Note: I recommend keeping separate files for vendors and ideas you are still considering so as to keep things as clear cut as possible.

Take your wedding binder with you to all your vendor meetings and the whole planning process will go a lot more smoothly.

Love Is...

...an elderly couple at Applebee's, having a drink, watching basketball, ordering salads, and then the husband immediately giving his wife all of the tomatoes off of his salad.

This is the first post in an on-going series I'm calling 'Love Is...' Love is all around us in different places and in different ways. Typically, when two people get engaged they are in the middle of a very romantic period in their lives. What's important is keeping that love and romance going throughout the years. With time, things change and so do the ways we show each other love. However, love is powerful in every form. These posts will be a way for me to share random instances of love with the hope that they will inspire us all.

Wishing you a good start to a very loving week!

All Inclusive Honeymooning

In my last post I talked about the importance of giving yourself little breaks form all the crazy wedding planning. Well, even better is the big 'break' that comes after you say 'I do' -- the honeymoon!

There are lots of routes you can go with the honeymoon, and you should do what suits you and your spouse best. That being said, I'm going to take a moment to praise all-inclusive resorts for the best rest of your life. I think they are something every couple should consider. Doesn't this look amazing?
During the year we were engaged, the hubs and I were not only finishing up our college degrees and working, but he was designing a large scale project and I was publishing my thesis. Graduation came exactly 1 month before our wedding day, and then came Christmas and New Years. It was a crazy busy time.

We decided to honeymoon with Palace Resorts in Playa del Carmen. Best choice ever! Neither of us have ever been so relaxed in our lives. The room service was limitless, our fridge and bar were stalked daily, the hammock on our balcony was perfect, and laying on the beach with people tending to our every need was unbelievable! You know I'm a sucker for a deal. Did I mention that they have great rates? Once you book, you don't have to worry about a thing because everything is included. They aren't even allowed to accept tips. It's a very nice change of pace after planning so many details leading up to the wedding. Oh yeah, every single room has an ocean view and a spa tub.

Are you jumping out of your skin yet just wanting transport yourself this paradise? Well, whatever you decide to do remember to treat yourselves well. Happy wedding planning, happy honeymooning, and happy ever after...

You Deserve A Wedding Break

I had another wedding and event planning post in mind for today. However, looking out my office window...I have this big, beautifully pink rose staring back at me:Thus, here is what I have to say today instead: It's important when planning a wedding or big event to remember to give yourself a break. No matter how excited you are, it's easy to burnout. I'm going to be cheesy here and say, 'Remember to stop and smell the roses!'

Before burnout sets in, take lots of mini breaks. Grab a Starbucks or flip through a non-wedding magazine. **Gasp!** And remember to also take a big break now and again. Have a planning free weekend with your fiance or treat yourself to a pedicure. Your event will be better off because of it.

Mother of the Bride, aka MOB

Mother's Day being this past weekend has gotten me to thinking about mom's and their role in their daughters' weddings. Traditionally, the father of the bride walks the bride down the aisle, has a special dance, and often makes a toast. However, there aren't any outstanding traditions when it comes to the mother of the bride. Thus, I think this aspect can often be overlooked when planning your wedding. I regret not honoring my mother more than I did on my wedding day.

So what does the mother the bride do? Well, for me my mom was my anchor. She was the person I talked to about every last little detail and stress. The person I shared every planning joy with. She hunted every store in the area for the perfect brown ribbon, even sending me numbered samples all the way in another state. She addressed all of my invitations in her beautiful handwriting and got creative making gift bags for all of the out of town guests. That is just this tip of the iceburg. I could go on for pages and pages about all that she did for me and my wedding. However, the greatest thing of all is that she was and is my best friend, there for me in every way.

My mom and I the morning of my wedding.

So while there aren't any traditions when it comes to moms and the actual wedding day, I encourage you to take a moment in your planning to find a way to honor your mom. Think of something personal, something that relates to your relationship. Maybe you could present her with a special keepsake and thank you during dinner. You may wish to incorporate a rose ceremony before your vows, where you and your fiance present a flower to each mother. Most importantly, ask your mom how she would like to be involved in your day.

To my mom, endless thank yous for all that you have done for me, on my wedding day, before, after, and all through my life. Thanks for being my biggest cheerleader. Thank you for teaching me how to be a strong and loving woman. Thank you for making my wedding day so special!

The Flower Fields & Wedding Inspiration, Part III: Eye Candy

This is the third and final post in my serries about The Flower Fields and wedding inspiration. If you missed a post, go here and here.

Today is all about eye candy. I'm not going to write anymore, but rather I hope you will scroll down and find your own inspiration. Enjoy!

The Cravens Estate

One of the great things about being a wedding and event consultant in Southern California is that there are thousands upon thousands of amazing venues. Yesterday, I got to swing by one that is new to me --the Cravens Estate, also known as the Chapter House. It's nestled in a residential neighborhood in Pasadena, just a few miles from the Rose Bowl. And this rustic garden retreat offers a lavish locale for almost any event.

I believe in catching your guests' attention from the moment they arrive, and this wrought iron entrance followed by a rose lined path will do that:
The brick building is a beauty in itself. Here is a shot of the back side:The surrounding landscape creates an enchanted garden feel. With a few up-lights and some candles you may just feel like you are on a movie set. Did I mention that this local has been used for many TV shows, including current scenes on Desperate Housewives?Just as I was finishing up my visit, I spotted this butterfly. As she flew off she revealed golden yellow wings.I've got a wedding coming up there soon, and I cannot wait to share photos from the day with you. Until then, check out photos from past events on their website. Their photos do the place much more justice than mine. ;-)

Happy Birthday To The Blog

One year ago today I made my fist blog post. I titled it Blessed, and here is what I had to say: 'I am blessed to have a job that never seems like work to me. It is an honor and a pleasure for me to help others create seamless events that show their personality, fit their budget, build memories, and exceed their expectations.'

I am thrilled to say that today I feel the same as I did then. A lot has happened in a year - new clients, new events, new challenges, new opportunities - and I'm still loving every minute of it. I take every wedding I plan very personally, and I would like to thank all of my clients for allowing me to feel so blessed. Thank you to all who read this blog, and thank you to my wonderful husband, mother, brother, family, and friends who continue to enrich my life and my work.

The Flower Fields & Wedding Inspiration, Part II: Shades of Green

We will get back to the brilliant blooms and pops of color in the next flower inspiration post. Right now, I am going to stick with the color green. Why? Because I think this is a good opportunity to talk about color scheme. Traditionally, weddings have two main colors in addition to black and white. Notice I said traditionally. I don't believe in doing anything in your wedding just because it is tradition, and I don't believe in doing anything that doesn't ring true to the bride and groom's personalities, interests, and tastes. That being said, don't ever feel that you have to stick to two colors.

Using the whole rainbow as your pallet can be tricky and must be done carefully and tastefully. However, if your tastes are simple you may want to consider using just one color. I love monochromatic weddings. The utilization of varying shades of color can be elegant and unique. Here's a green pallet I created from my pictures of The Flower Fields. Notice how well each shade goes with the other:

Another bonus with monochromatic based color schemes, you don't have to worry about constantly matching a color. The ribbon you want your florist to use doesn't have to perfectly match the swatch from your bridesmaid dresses. You don't have to shell out extra to get the napkins exactly matched to your invitations.
Instead of focusing on more colors, you can think about shapes and textures. Varying these elements can have a huge impact on the appearance of your final product - an absolutely stunning and chic wedding.

Consider using various blooms in your chosen color to create depth and height differences. This will keep the eye entertained, and it's a free consideration in terms of upping your decor.