The Reception: Is the Cake Enough?

Maybe this is a question that you have been thinking about but feel funny to ask. Is the cake enough to serve for dessert or should we offer more sweets? Well here’s your answer. The cake is enough to offer as a dessert. Anything else would be nice addition but absolutely not necessary. So if you are worrying about not offering other desserts, please worry no more. The wedding cake is enough to satisfy your guest’s sweet tooth after dinner. Now if you prefer to offer more that’s of course fine, it can’t hurt to have some additional choices, but if expense is an issue then please worry no more your cake covers it all!

Did You Know...

That it was considered bad luck for women to marry a man whose last name began with the same letter as her last name? They actually had a rhyme that surmised it: To change the name and not the letterIs to change for the worst and not the better It was also considered bad luck for women to practice writing her married name before the wedding. They considered it to be asking for bad luck by tempting fate! OK ladies, how glad are we that we live in this day and age!! Source: http://www.weddings.co.uk/info/tradsupe.htm

Children in Your Wedding Party

Traditionally you would see children take part in the bridal party as the flower girl or the ring bearer. They add an extra something to your day. You just never know what they are going to do. But this is a good thing because it’s usually something that will bring a smile to everyone’s face! So if you have a little cutie that would make your day even more special ask their parents if they can be a part of your bridal party! If nothing else they will look absolutely adorable all dressed up!

Live Band or DJ?

Let’s chat about the music that will be played during your reception. Are you going with a live band or a DJ? Both are great ways to keep your guests entertained during the reception. It really comes down to preference. If you are the type of person who really enjoys listening to live bands and you don’t mind that the songs will not be heard in its “original version” then a live band will be a great addition to your wedding design plans. If you like to hear music in its “original form” then the DJ is the way to go for your reception. Whichever way you decide make sure your shoes will be comfortable enough for you to boogy the night or day away!

Your First Dance

Have you had a chance to pick out your wedding song yet? Having a problem deciding which one you want? There are so many romantic songs out there it may be difficult. So we are going to reach out all of our brides to be out there! Let us know what your song is going to be or just share some ideas that you think will be good songs to have your first dance to. You can even share how you decided on your song. (Just a quick tip ladies, start thinking about if you want to dance to the entire song or just part of it, most DJ’s give you those options.)

Gifts for Each Other

Is it necessary to buy each other wedding gifts? That’s a pretty good question. The answer will depend entirely on what the both of you want as well as how much change is left in your pocket book/ wallet. Like with so many other decisions in the wedding design process this is totally up to you. There is no right or wrong answer here. Talk to your significant other and decide what you both think is best. Maybe you want to do something on a smaller scale. You could put a price limit on it. Or if you are the creative types you could each make something for each other and present it on your honeymoon night. Let us know what you decided and how it worked out, we really want to hear back from you!

Bride's Side or Groom's Side?

Worried that one side of the aisle is going to be fuller than the other? This is sometimes a concern for the happy couple, but there are a couple of things you can do to solve it. First would be to simply have your guests sit on both sides, you can just let your ushers know to keep it as even as possible when they are seating people. Of course this will not apply to the parents of both the bride and groom. They should definitely be lead to the corresponding sides. The other option would be not to worry about it all, as long as the two of you are standing up front that’s all that matters!

Seating Arrangements

It’s about that time to start thinking about where you are going to seat your guests during the reception. This can be challenging to say the very least. Wouldn’t life be so much easier if we could just say everyone just sit where you want? Unfortunately, this is not how it is done. When planning your arrangements try to keep in mind who gets along, and who has similar interests. If you can make sure you utilize your parent’s, and his parent’s opinions. You will be surprised how valuable their insight can be on this subject. Just do you best and remember that once dinner is served everyone will be able to mingle and move around for the rest of the reception.

The Invitation List

One of the most frustrating tasks of your wedding design plan can be the invitation list. You don’t want to leave anyone out, but it can get pretty costly. So how do you decide? Well first of all you are going to include all of the family members on both sides. Once that is complete do a count and figure out exactly how much this is going to cost. After this you can decide how many more guests, if any you can both invite. Make sure you do your best to keep it fair on both sides you don’t want to include all of your friends and leave his out! Remember if you had an engagement party etiquette dictates that any guest that attended should also be included as a guest to the ceremony. At the end of it all remember that the two most important people will be there and that’s what this day is all about!

Engagement Party Etiquette

The question has been popped, you have accepted, so now what? Well if you want you can start planning your engagement party. Traditionally they have been used to announce and celebrate the engagement. However not everyone has one. Here are some tips to follow if you are not sure if you should have one or not. First, how long will your engagement be? If it’s going to be six months or then etiquette dictates that you should not. This is because it could be awkward to have another party so close to your wedding day. Another to remember that everyone you invite to the engagement party should also receive an invitation to your wedding, so you will want to keep track of this. And then there is always the cost to consider. Take these points into account while deciding if you are going to have one. To find out more visit http://weddings.about.com/

Bridal Party Gifts

Looking that special way to say thank you to your bridesmaids, maid of honor, and groomsman? Well look no further we have some great ideas that say just the thing! For the ladies you could have crystal (or regular) wine glasses engraved with their names along with a little thank you note, or give them a special little trinket like a bracelet with matching earrings, or how about a little basket filled with their favorite chocolates, bubble bath, etc. Now for the men you could go with an inexpensive watch engraved with a thank you note, or a bottle of their favorite scotch, whiskey, etc. I’m sure they will appreciate whatever you decide.

Your Honeymoon

Haven’t decided where you’re going to spend your honeymoon yet? Well let’s get thinking! Obviously you want it to be a romantic getaway. But the reality is it’s going to be romantic no matter where you go. The Poconos are a nice relatively inexpensive place to go. Or maybe you’re thinking on a larger scale like Hawaii, Aruba, Mexico, goodness the list can go on an on! Don’t forget about cruises either, they are a great way to spend your honeymoon. Do your research and let us know what your choice is, we can’t wait to hear from you!

The Modern Bridal Shower

Traditionally bridal showers have been strictly for the ladies of the families. But today you see more and more of them being held that include the men of the families as well. When it comes down to it, it’s really just a matter of preference. If you would like to include your fiancé in the shower then by all means go for it! You really can’t make a wrong decision here. Of course, you are not really the one who is planning this (it’s supposed to be a surprise, remember!). But there is no harm in dropping little hints around that you would like to include the men. Besides, they’re really handy to have around to help load up the car with all of the gifts you’ll be receiving!

Marry Monograms

Ok ~ so you want a special monogram to use as your logo motif for all things your wedding. But where do you start? What if you just want the deign to ue on whatever printed materials you have - even if printed by someone else? Well I say start here ~ Marry Monograms - Personalized Logos for Weddings and Special Occasions. Select from an enormous selection and customize for your needs, then use it on anything you like. Check them out - and some of seom great examples below!

The Bachelorette Party

Your special day is fast approaching and most of the designing plans are complete. Now it’s time for a party!!! Let’s talk about your bachelorette party. Now first of all do not confuse this with your bridal shower, that’s right according to my book they are two different things. Your shower is for all of your loved ones, usually the ladies, which include your aunts, mom, sisters, you get my meaning. Now your bachelorette party that’s when the ladies in your bridal party take you some place that you can relax, maybe have a couple of drinks, and just enjoy yourself. Some ideas that you might enjoy may be the hottest club in town, a nice restaurant, a spa, or maybe even a little overnight trip to the destination of your choice. Wherever you end up make sure you relax and enjoy!

REAL WEDDING: Jia & Charles - a day to remember!

WOW - what an incredible day Sunday May 3rd was...Jia & Charles finally got married. And what an amazing celebration of love, joy, family and just plain big time party. Jia wanted a dramatic and memorable atmosphere for her day so we worked tirelessly for 14-months to make it so...and it was. Check out the blog of Art Pinney Photography - an amazing artist is what he is...nothing less! Thank you all - couple, friends, family and vendors for making their day what it was....phenomenal!! http://www.artpinneyblog.com/

The Bachelor Party

One of the wedding design plans that brides usually have no control over would be the planning of the bachelor party. This can be quite irritating to some brides out there. Now ladies, I get it. I really do. But let’s take a deep breath and try our best to relax. I want you to start thinking about that great guy who will soon become your husband. You said yes for a reason right? Start remembering them and decide to trust your man. Consider it the first test of your marriage even though you are technically not married yet. I promise trust will go a long way in the success of your relationship. Besides don’t forget that you get to have a bachelorette party! Trust works both ways, right!

Outdoor Ceremonies

Spring is here and summer will arrive before we know it. This means that some of you will be designing outdoor wedding ceremonies. Outdoor ceremonies can be quite beautiful if planned for appropriately. Since the weather is unpredictable at best, it will pay to have a back up plan ready and waiting just in case it rains, or if it just becomes too darn hot! If you are planning to have an outdoor ceremony, make sure the vendors you are working with have a contingency plan available and ready to be implemented. For example, if it rains will there be an indoor facility available, or will there be an enclosed tent large enough to keep all of your guests dry, etc. So if you’re designing an outdoor ceremony contact your vendor on the phone right now to find out what their back up plans are. I promise you’ll be glad you did!

Destination Weddings

Are you torn between deciding on a destination wedding or keeping it local? This can be a tough one for those of you with large families. The idea of a destination wedding is wonderful however there is a lot to consider before making the final decision. The biggest issue that may arise though is the cost to your guests. Is it proper or fair to expect them to pay for their travel, hotel, and other costs that will arise during their stay? I am sure that all of your family members will want to be there to share this day with you. Just something to think on before you set the schedule. At the end of the day the question that must be answered is this: How special will your day be if some of your loved ones may not be able to attend? If your answer is that it will be just as special then go ahead and plan! However it the answer runs in the opposite direction maybe keeping it local is the best answer.

What'sYour Theme?

OK ladies, we know that you have a lot going on right now with all of your wedding designs plans, but let me toss out yet another idea to add to your already never ending list of ideas. How about designing your wedding ceremony with a theme? Just think about it for a second. You could do a Mardi Gras, your favorite romantic movie, or how about a luau? Now keep in mind that just because you may decide to go with a theme it does not mean you have to give up the gowns and tuxedos, you can keep it strictly to the decorations only just to add a special décor to your event. Whether you decide to plan a theme or use the traditional your special day will be a blast! Think about and let us know what you decide. Happy Planning!!

REAL WEDDING: Johnie & David ~ April 5th ~ Biltmore Ballrooms, Atlanta

Finally – some sneak peek pictures of our recent wedding of Johnie & David. I have to say, this is the first wedding in a while where I had to hold myself back and not hit the dance floor myself. The mix of music –especially the Caribbean beats kept trying to draw me in - but I stood my ground as any good planner should and remained in the background…tapping my feet and with a little bop of the head!

The Entry

The Reveal The Ballroom The Cake

{ A Prize Johnie won from the Four Seasons Hotel at the Spring Bridal Show hosted by The Atlantan Brides}

Anyway, enjoy some detail shots of the beautiful reception. Shannon Wright was a great photographer to work with and I know that she captured some wonderful moments, so I can’t wait to see the rest of the pics.

And the FAB couple – wow, what a joy! Truly it was our pleasure to be there and our honor to make sure that everything went off without a hitch. It was such a great day!

I’ll post more soon as I get them and give more wonderful stories of the day…so stay tuned!

The Fur Bus – The UnFURgettable bus providing an unFURgettable experience

I just had to tell you about The Fur Bus, it's too cool not to!

What once began as the greatest party bus in the world has now captured the hearts of all Atlantans! The Fur Bus is a lounge-like setting full of magical lights, a thundering sound system and of course, fantastic fur. We provide transportation for all occasions including business outings, staff parties, sporting events, concerts, birthdays, weddings, proms, children’s parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties. The Fur Bus has been featured on MTV, Nickelodeon, Elimindate and My Sweet 16. The busses are rented by the hour and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The atmosphere and interior of the Fur Bus is designed to bring people together to have an incredible time. Take the ordinary out of your transportation and ride The Fur Bus for an extraordinary experience. Let us make your next special occasion unforgettable." You just have to check them out: http://www.furbus.com/

A Wonderful Friendly Reminder: BABC Gown Sale This Weekend!

2009 Atlanta Gown Sale Information ***Bride Sneak Preview Sale Reservations - Click Here***

Location:The Defoor Centre

1710 Defoor Avenue, NWAtlanta,

Georgia 30318

Dates/Times

Sneak Preview Event!

Thursday 4/16/2009

6:30PM - 9:30PMGet

1st Pick of the Gowns!

Reservations Required.

Walk ins are not allowed in to this ticketed event.

Friday 4/17/2009: 10am - 8pm

FREE AND OPEN TO PUBLIC

Saturday 4/18/2009: 9am - 1pm

FREE AND OPEN TO PUBLIC

Parking: Free parking is available at The Defoor Centre

Map/Directions: Click Here

Bride Registration: Click Here

We will also be showcasing some Atlanta area wedding professionals at this event, so you might be able to find the gown of your dreams and some great wedding vendors too!

We are excited to announce that DeAnna Pappas, co-host of Get Married’s show on Lifetime Television and star blogger on http://www.getmarried.com/, will be joining us on April 16th for the Sneak Preview Event for the Brides Against Breast Cancer. Having been a part of so many weddings, this former Bachelorette knows a lot about being a bride’s best friend and making the day extra special for the bride-to-be. DeAnna has a personal connection to this great cause, and we’re thrilled that she will be part of our event. Come meet and mingle with DeAnna, snap a photo and share your wedding excitement. In the meantime, you can watch DeAnna on Get Married airing weekday mornings at 7:30am ET/PT on Lifetime Television and posted 24/7 on http://www.getmarried.com/, and read her blog on http://www.bloggerbrides.com/.We will let you know as soon as we have information about a 2009 sale in Atlanta.

About the Gown Sale The Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to granting last wishes for men and women suffering from Stage 4 (metastatic) breast cancer, has received thousands of wedding gowns for its "Brides Against Breast Cancer" Nationwide Tour of Gowns.

On April 16, 17 and 18, the Tour will return to Atlanta with a truckload of grand and beautiful bridal gowns from well-known sources in sizes ranging from 2 to 44. Most gowns in the collection have been donated by members of the bridal industry; some are runway samples, modeled at recent Market shows. Others are gifts from individuals across the country.

The selection - one of the largest assembled in the U.S. -- will include hundreds of current styles from a long list of well-known designers and manufacturers at unbelievably low prices. An impressive array of veils, crinolines and other accessories will also be offered. Most gowns have been marked down 40% to 75% below traditional salon prices. Prices range from $99 to $799 for values to $3,500. A collection of Designer and Couture bridals retailing to $8,000 will also be included, with none priced higher than $2,499.

For the past 4 years, Lei Lydle, Founder of AtlantaBridal.com, has chaired the Atlanta Brides Against Breast Cancer Gown Sale and her team has raised over $150,000 for the breast cancer organization, Making Memories.

The Making Memories Foundation determines the cities and schedule for the gown sale each year. AtlantaBridal.com has no control over the date of the event. We also do not have control over the gowns or how the organization is run. Our only affiliation with Making Memories is to organize this particular fundraiser in Atlanta. AtlantaBridal.com is dedicated to serving the community through fundraisers like this. Please check back for future gown sale dates or visit the Making Memories Web site for more information.

Is Etiquette Going Out of Style?

Granted that in today’s world lots of the rules of etiquette may have been forgotten or not necessarily true anymore. However, certain rules of etiquette will most definitely add a touch of class to any gathering, especially during your reception. For example having a cocktail hour, an open bar, and making sure that photographers, etc are working on a full stomach are all ways to help ensure that everyone is enjoying themselves, and that the reception runs smoothly. They are also rules of etiquette that have been followed throughout the years. One of the rules of etiquette that really does not apply anymore is the one that has the bride’s parents paying for the entire wedding. More and more families (bride’s and the groom’s) are helping out with the cost of the wedding. If you have any questions or what to find out more about wedding etiquette visit www.brides.com Source: www.brides.com

Wedding Planning: Choosing Vendors

The question has been popped, and you have accepted, Congratulations! Now the real fun begins. You will need to start planning your big day. Now the question becomes, how do you pick the right vendors for you? There are a couple of things to consider when picking them. First would be the price, are they offering the service you need at a price you can afford? Second would be availability, are they available on the dates you need them? And probably the most important, do you feel comfortable with them. Are they really listening to what you are saying when you tell them what you want? Pay attention to this one, if you are getting the feeling that you are not getting your point across to them during your conversations then maybe they are not the right fit for you and your wedding plans. Find the vendors that work for you and make you feel secure in the fact that they want your wedding day to be as much as a success as you do.

Your Wedding Day Doo

Yet another decision to make for you big day, how will you wear your hair? Will you go glamorous, romantic, classic, modern, bohemian, or beach causal? OK, maybe you have not reached this point yet but let’s just get the definitions of each style so you can start thinking about it. Glamorous is the look for the dramatic, leading lady, jet-setter type of personality. Then we have Romantic this style if for the feminine, princess, and dreamy type of gal. Next is Classic is for the timeless, elegant, ladylike divas out there. The Modern look is for the minimalist, trendy, and simple chic. Let’s not forget the Bohemian style this one’s for the ethereal, earthy, and free spirited bride. And last but not least there is the Beach Casual this for the relaxed, breezy, and pure souls among us. Now if you’re not sure which style best describes you and your personality visit: http://www.brides.com/ to take your hair doo personality quiz! Source: www.brides.com

The Wedding Gown: What’s Your Style?

One of the most enjoyable activities in the wedding design process can be going shopping for your gown. But have you thought about the style of dress you would like to wear? There is so much to think about when choosing your gown. For instance, do you know the type of fabric you prefer? How about your price range? What type of embellishments (lace, embroidering, and/or beading) are you looking for? What about the color, neckline, and sleeve type? How long do you want the train? No doubt you are going to look like a princess when you are walking down the aisle. Just wanted to give you things to start thinking about, so this way when you are ready to go get that perfect gown you have a better idea of what you are looking for. Happy gown hunting!

Vintage Jet Setters

Getting Married ~ Johnie & David

Ok, so today is just 5 days from the wedding of the sweet and wonderful Johnie & David! I have had the incredible pleasure and honour of helping this awesome couple plan their big day for many months and now the day is finally here. Take a look at their website and I promise to post pics after the big day this weekend. Johnie & David Biltmore Ballrooms - Atlanta, Ga Sunday, April 5, 2009 Wedded Blessings!

The Engagement Ring: Does Size Really Matter?

You have stared at it a million times, held it up to the light to watch it sparkle and shine, and maybe even have put that hand out in front of practically everyone just so they can see it and remark upon how beautiful it is. And why shouldn’t you? You should be proud and excited! But have you ever secretly thought to yourself, “If only it was just a little bit bigger”? Well, if you have don’t feel bad, who doesn’t want the biggest diamond ever in their engagement ring? It’s only natural, but since most of us fall in love with people who are not related to the Rockefeller’s it’s important to remember what that ring symbolizes. Take a moment and think about what it means to you. Now you tell me, does size really matter?

Source: Project Wedding

Sneek Peek - Weddings Unveiled Spring 2009

Yippee, the nw Weddings Unveiled mag hits newstands this week! This is definitely one of my favorites in print and the ladies alwsy do such a wonderful job. So take a look at their Sneek Peek and make sure to find your copy! Weddings Unveiled Spring 2009 Wedded Blessings!

Gothic Elegance