Was I Always Meant To Be A Wedding Planner?

I just had to share this piece of paper with you. It's a list my mom recently found in a stack of old papers...

Apparently, although I had no clue, owning Megan Kocher Wedding and Event Design was always in the cards for me. I was never one to drool over Tiffany, and I did not dream up the details of my big day until I was engaged. But growing up I did plan a wedding for some girl named Kristen. Too funny!

Today, the checklists I make for each wedding are about 13 pages instead of 13 points. Still, there is a lot to learn from the list of a little girl:

1. Always double check that you have your wedding bands ready to go for the ceremony.
2. Pamper yourself by letting someone else worry about your hair...
3. ...and your nails.
4. Buy yourself something new to wear on your honeymoon...
5. ...and don't forget to pack well ahead of time. (P.S. Don't forget sunglasses! They are often left behind in all the wedding craze.)
6. It's easy to skip lunch on the big day, but don't do it. You are going to need energy.
7. Buy something special for each person in your wedding party. They've been such a support along the way.
8. Pay all of your vendors.
9. Sometimes we make notes in haste that we can't remember later. Oh well, it couldn't have been that important.
10. Find moments to relax and unwind. You deserve it.
11. If you are leaving for your honeymoon right after the reception, make sure your luggage is handy.
12. Bring your dress home when the alterations are all done and it is cleaned and pressed. Who could forget this one? Most brides are dying to bring their dress home.
13. When all is said and done... enjoy, celebrate, and eat cake!

Love is...

...holding on tight no matter what, celebrating and living every high and low together.

Wedding Day Weather -- Face it and embrace it, because you cannot control it.

You know that I'm a stickler for taking care of every last little detail. The better the planning ahead of time, the smoother your wedding day will go. Though, one thing you cannot control is the weather. Duh, we all know that. You can have a tent on standby, have heaters waiting in the wings, or coolers just waiting to be turned on. However, my biggest piece of advice when it comes to wedding day weather is to embrace whatever it ends up being that day, and incorporate it into your celebration.

If it is blazing hot the week of your wedding, have your coordinator set out a refreshing drink bar of lemonade, iced tea, and water to welcome your guests. I love this lemonade jar and stand from Sur la Table...

If it looks like it's going to rain, there is always a Target nearby for us to pick up some elegant or colorful umbrellas.

Most of all, acknowledge the fact that you can't control this element and then go on enjoying your wedding day. The best weddings of all are the ones where both the bride and the groom take time to take it all in and enjoy themselves.

P.S. Don't worry, as wedding and event consultant, we've got plenty of other tricks up our sleeves to deal with the uncontrollable elements. That's our job -- to take care of it all so that you don't have to worry about a thing.

Straws Are a Bride's Best Friend...

...when it comes to getting ready for the wedding. They not only ensure that your makeup won't be messed up, but they also lessen the chance that you will spill on your beautiful dress before the ceremony even begins. Make sure you have some on hand while you and your bridesmaids are getting ready. They really come in handy!

Crate and Barrel Wedding Finds

I recently suggested checking out Crate and Barrel's new store, CB2, for some of your wedding decor. If you haven't done it yet, your really should. However, let's not forget about the original Crate and Barrel. While I was in there the other day, two items in particular caught my eye.

These memo clips would make fabulous modern table number holders:

And their hanging basket votive holders would be perfect for an evening backyard or garden reception:

Thanks to Ryan, my husband, for being my hand model and humoring me while I took pictures.

Remember, almost every store you shop in has wedding potential. Keep your eyes open for inspiration, good deals, and great finds!

Love Is...

... a couple sitting on a bench, in silence, sharing the same thoughts.

Make Money Off Boxes From Your Wedding

Tip: take the boxes and packaging you have left over from all of the gifts that were shipped to you. Break them down, bundle them up, and list them on Craigslist. There are actually people out there who want to buy them, and you can make some easy cash out of your trash. It's not like winning the lottery, but it can be enough for a date night for you and your new spouse.

Check Out CB2 For Decor For Your Wedding Ceremony and Reception

I love Crate and Barrel, so when I heard about CB2 I was excited to check out their wares. CB2 is Crate and Barrel's new 'affordable modern' store. Their most recent opening is in Los Angeles, and while I haven't made it there in person yet, I already found some great items on their website to decorate both wedding ceremonies and receptions. Did I mention that their prices are pretty reasonable?

This hanging candle holder would be stunning hanging in the trees of a garden wedding. These modern vases can take your flower arrangements to a whole new level.

Forget traditional glass cubes (although I love those too), and add a splash of silver.

These whimsical balls were too cute not to include. Toss them on a staging table to add pop.

Happy shopping!