Black-Eyed Pea Decor for New Year

We are only a few short hours away from ringing in 2010 and I know many are excited to put the pitfalls, shortcomings, politics, economic recession, housing market crash and others behind us. We are all ready for a new beginning, clean start, fresh inspiration and good things to come! This post is from one of my favorites, Amy Atlas, as she reminds us of the good luck and prosperity message behind Black Eyed Peas, not the musical group, but the legume and how you can help to share this message with others. Enjoy!


Black-Eyed Pea Decor for New Year

20 things that Grooms like to do

I read this article in the January 2010 issue of Brides Magazine and just had to share! A lot of wedding traditions are changing and being modified by the couple so why not the role of the Groom? When I was married seven years ago the only thing my husband was interested in was knowing what time he had to be at the church, but that is all changing!

20 things Grooms like to do:

• Asking his best friend to be his best man
• Designing your wedding web site
• Working on the playlist
• Picking out the appetizers
• Creating a wedding microbrew
• Choosing what he'll wear
• Comparing cake flavors
• Researching the Honeymoon
• Figuring out the map/directions cards
• Going to the menu tasting
• Proofreading invitations, programs, etc. (Guys like to find mistakes.)
• Wielding the scan gun when you register (My husband's favorite part!)
• Getting a day-before massage
• Choosing your wedding day ride
• Writing his vows (you'd be surprised!)
• Attending the bachelor party
• Unwrapping presents
• Organizing pyrotechnics of any type- fireworks, sparklers, etc.
• Practicing the first kiss

Updates

I am sorry it has been so long since my last post, but I've been busy working on lots of new projects!

• My new niece finally arrived December 22, 2009 weighing 6 pounds 14 ounces and she is beautiful!
• My new website is just hours away from being rolled out after months of work; a few editing issues that I need to fix and it will be rolled out!
• I am two lessons away from obtaining my Professional Bridal Consultant License
• My contest is ready to debut in the January issue of Northwest Arkansas Wedding Ideas
• I am participating in the January 16th Premier Bridal Show at the Springdale Northwest Arkansas Convention Center from 10:00-4:00
• My contest rules are almost ready to post on my blog!
• I will be offering a 10% discount to brides who book with me at the Premier Bridal Show and another great discount to brides who book with me before February 13th!

Wow! Schedule a consultation today (479) 422-1697 to see how your next event will be "A Party to Perfection"!

PSA from a Non-Bridesmaid

This came to my Inbox this morning and I felt compelled to share it with all of the Brides who are just beginning to plan their 2010 and 2011 weddings. There is a "planning protocol" that should be followed when you first begin to plan your wedding to avoid some of these pitfalls. Enjoy!

Cocktails & Details: The Wedding Planners' Fabulous Blog » Blog Archive » PSA from a Non-Bridesmaid

Found on Etsy.com

Who cannot and has not spent hours searching through Etsy? I have spent hours on Etsy and found fabulous items from homemade thank you cards, to bolero jackets, to wedding programs, and to these great wooden signs from My Primitive Boutique that would be perfect for a vintage or outdoor wedding. The name plates (left) would work great as escort cards for your guests and the wooden sign (right) is perfect for an outdoor wedding or a venue off the beaten path.

Feeling stressed? A Coordinator can help.

One of my favorite Wedding magazines, Bride and Bloom has this wonderful article on their website. There are so many details involved with a wedding and it takes great planning and "been there done that" to know what to anticipate and come prepared to handle. A wedding coordinator can be one of the last things a newly engaged couple thinks about, but can be one of the best sanity savers and safeguards to make sure your wedding goes according to plan. Enjoy!

Where to start your wedding planning process

Two weeks ago officially started the Engagement season and with that, the wedding planning season. There are thousands of brides currently planning their Spring and Summer 2010 weddings and the reality is setting in; this is a HUGE process! Brides today are completely overwhelmed with the amount of information available to them in print and online. Here are a few suggestions to help get you started in a calm and organized manner. Enjoy!

1) Decide on your budget

As I've mentioned in previous posts, the average wedding in Northwest Arkansas ranges from $16,000 to $25,000. This is a large amount of money to plan this one "perfect" day and it is not recommended that you come home from your glorious honeymoon to mounds of wedding debt. According to the December 2009 issue of Brides, 59% of today's brides and grooms are paying for their wedding themselves. Decide who is contributing to the wedding and how much they are contributing. Are your parents covering 100% of the bill or are they willing to just cover certain categories (attire, catering and venues). Make sure that you set your expectations in line with your budget and decide which items are the most important to you and what other items are negotiable.

• Remember that the easiest way to control your budget is to control your guest list.

2) Selecting your Venue(s)


Many brides tend to pick their wedding date because they desire a June or October wedding, their parents were married on the selected date, etc. only to find out that the venue they desperately want is booked. If you begin planning early enough you might get lucky and get both! Keep in mind when selecting your ceremony and reception venues the type of event you want for your wedding. Does the modern museum help with your sailing theme? Does the Celtic church help with your chic modern theme?

• Keep in mind the number of invited guests


• The season


• The time of day your ceremony and reception begin

3) Selecting your date

Be cautious when selecting your wedding date that you are not booking on a major holiday or on a three day weekend. You can schedule your date, but this may affect your guest's attendance. Make sure that you give your guests plenty of notice (four to six months in advance) if you plan to marry on a holiday or long weekend so that they can make arrangements. Also make sure that your venue is suitable for your wedding season. Your guests will appreciate the proper venue and accommodations in the rainy and cooler seasons

4) Selecting your Style/Theme

This is where the fun begins! This is where you and your bridegroom get to personalize YOUR wedding day. You can choose a color scheme, theme, style, favorite hobby, favorite city/state/country, whatever you want and have fun. Once again, make sure that your venue is suitable for the style of wedding you are wanting.

5) Guest list

Begin compiling your guest list early. The best way to approach the guest list is to have you and your fiance compile your own lists and then have both sets of your parents compile their lists. Bring all four lists together, cross off any duplicate names and start from there.

Tips:

• If you have never met nor seen someone in twenty years, it might be best to send them a Wedding Announcement after the event.
• When it comes to co-workers you are not obligated to invite your entire office. You can invite those that you are truly close to and send an Announcement to the rest of the office staff.
• Make sure that your guest count is in line with your budget and venue capacity
  

6) Vendors

Wedding vendors are all vying for your business! You should research all vendors; check out their websites, blogs, Facebook pages, portfolios, testimonials, etc. Make sure that the vendor is someone credible and legitimate. Once you have selected your venue(s), wedding date and budget schedule an appointment with your top vendors. Be prepared with names of other vendors in case your top vendor(s) is booked for your wedding date. This isn't the case with all vendors, but photographers and wedding coordinators may only book one wedding a weekend.

There are plenty of details that need to be addressed when planning a wedding, but these are the biggest issues that should be handled promptly. Once these have been secured the rest of the planning should begin.



Call today to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your wedding needs!

(479) 422-1697

Book your event before December 31st to receive $50 off of your package price!

Etiquette Q &A

This question has become a touchy subject today with many men beginning to grow their hair; on both their head and face. Hope this settles the sensitive subject.

Q: We're going to have a very formal wedding at a country club, and my older brother, who's a groomsman, has grown a long, raggedy beard. I want him to trim it, but he says I"m being a control freak. Can I tell him to either shape up or ship out of the wedding party?

A: That depends. What means more to you: how your wedding party looks, or your relationship with your brother? (Hint: Go for the latter.) Back off until the wedding day. Then ask Mom to "encourage" him to run a comb through his beard before he walks down the aisle.