How’s that for a twist on the traditional family/group photo. How cool would it be to have your guests line up to form the numbers of your wedding date like 11-11-11! Thank you brides.com for opening our eyes to new, unconventional ways to capture wedding guests.
Be Marry,
C&C
Have you heard of or visited a personalized wedding website? Until recently we didn’t know exactly what these sites were. We assumed they were sites that couples created to announce their engagement and share photos. After hearing the buzz about these customized sites we decided to learn more and find the true purpose behind wedding websites.
Wedding websites are usually created by engaged couples who wish to keep their family and friends up to date on wedding planning. Couples can purchase customized domains sites that offer basic tools to upload music, post polls, direct guests to your registry, and upload photos and videos. Whether you purchase a site or create your own, via facebook, you are able to share your stories and add fun tid bits about the wedding planning extravaganza. Do keep in mind that whichever site you choose their will be maintenance and periodic login’s needed in order to view comments and threads guests leave.
Once guests have logged on to your page they can view your registry, RSVP, learn about your venue and reception site, view photo galleries, and learn about you and your fiancé. Every site is different and offers various features so its best to familiarize yourself with what you want and how you plan on utilizing the tools provided. When it comes time to post on your site be cautious of what sneak peeks you wish to share before the wedding and what you feel should be left as a surprise on the big day. You want to entice and impress them with your ideas and still leave big reveals during the wedding. Afterall, you want to see their expressions!
We were impressed with sites that offered planning tools in your package. A few sites offer checklists and programs to assist you when it come time to meet those dreaded deadlines. We loved the program that helped you create a seating chart and the guest list tracker that helped you keep tally of guest who have RSVP. One site even offered a way to help you keep track of payments and monitor your spending so you stay within your allotted budget. Programs like this make us favor wedding websites even more. Rather than whip up your own spreadsheet or seating chart you have one at your fingertips and it’s all in one window!
Wedding websites may very well be the new form of wedding communication. You get to share up to the minute, breaking, wedding planning information, and receive links about centerpieces, cakes, dresses, and venues from family and friends who know your personal preferences best. In other words, you get personalized help with photos and links to websites right at your fingertips. We can’t help but like wedding website more and more. You get opinions from the people you trust the most and when all is said and done, you get to stun your guests with the final outcome.
So that leaves us with one final question, what do you do with your site once the wedding is over? The majority of wedding sites will keep your wedding page up for 24 months but you can pay to have it up for an extended amount of time . If you thoroughly enjoyed the wedding site why not extend the site’s life and post adventures about the next chapter of your life? Maybe you will help create the next fad site.
Be Marry,
C&C
Create a separate email account just for wedding information.
Create a “wedding only” email account to gather information about vendors, sign up for bridal shows, subscribe to blogs, and stay up to the minute on the latest wedding trends. An email address devoted only to wedding related information will make organization easy and consistent. All your vendor contracts will be in one place, you will avoid unwanted spam in your personal account, and it is easily accessible to you and your fiance. Feel free to personalize your email address and include your names or your wedding date. Now here’s the fun part, once you have had your fill of all things wedding simple delete your “wedding only” email address and pay some much-needed attention to your neglected personal account.
Be Marry,
C&C
Guest’s will make your love soar to new heights with customized kites.If your dreaming of a cozy, outdoor, garden reception surrounded by giant trees, cool grass, fluffy clouds, and the warm sun shining on your face consider this the cutest way for your guests to have some fun with nature. Even if the weather does not provide blustering winds they still have a fun, do it yourself, favor to take home. For details go to www.marthastewartweddings.com
Be Marry,
C&C
Let’s give a big round of applause to Jessica! She planned her July 15th nuptials in less than two weeks while remaining cool and collected throughout the process. The couple was previously married during a small civil ceremony but wanted to celebrate their marriage with family and friends before they moved away. They had Reverend Judy DeMarco marry them once again in a sweet, heartfelt, twelve-minute ceremony complete with an honor guard. Jessica had white floor length linen draped on the tables that were complimented by peach napkins and peachy toned floral arrangements. Each guest received a pink box filled with candy at their place setting.
Party Favors
Believe it or not the flowers on the cake were hand-made using fondant. We thought they were decorative flowers until Jessica mentioned that her baker was up til 4am putting the final touches on them. The cake was chocolate with chocolate ganache (bride and groom’s favorite) and raspberry with chocolate.
The highlite of the nite was the mother, son dance. The groom wanted to cut the song short because he felt it was going to be “awkward”. As the bride and her father took the dance floor Kyle started dancing with his mom playfully. He danced her around the dance floor once and then felt he was done. He started dancing towards the door yelling “bye”. His goofy side truly came out when he danced his mom out the door. It was funny to see mom’s head slowly disappearing out the door.
Congratulations to Kyle and Jessica! You were wonderful to work with and best wishes on your new ventures.
Be Marry,
C&C
Speech Etiquette
You have been given the opportunity to present a lovely, heartfelt, speech at a wedding and the added nerve inducing bonus of delivering it in front of all the wedding guests. Don’t be intimidated by the number of eyes staring back at you, simply embrace the opportunity and follow these simple rules to give a spectacular speech:
Speak precisely when delivering a speech. This is not the time to mumble or speak to quickly. Take your time and enjoy the moment.
Guests want to hear what you have to say about the couple. If they are unable to hear you they will tune out or look to their neighbor to discuss what you may have said. Therefore, no whispering, use your outside voice.
Hold the microphone close to your mouth. We have seen numerous guests deliver speeches and hold the mic below audible range. If you don’t hold the microphone close enough guests won’t be able to hear your speech.
Beware hand gestured talkers. If you know you speak quite a bit with your hands make it a habit in the weeks prior to avoid doing so when delivering your speech. If you wave the microphone around your not making friends with the microphone or the audience.
Share a funny story or cherished moment you had with the bride or groom. Retelling a story makes you relatable to the audience and when reflecting back on the moment it will come from the heart. Sharing past experiences with the bride or groom reveals their integrity, personality, and gives the audience a glimpse into their inner circle.
Practice your speech in front of the mirror or to a friend to work out any kinks. Other benefits of practicing include: receiving a second opinion, perfecting your delivery and tone, and it boosts your confidence.
Cheers to a flawless speech!
Be Marry,
C&C
A heartfelt story behind the amazing photos of Hilary and Evan’s wedding. It is a must read! The story comes directly from one our favorite vendors blog, Imagery Concepts’ A Brides Story . They are a husband & wife team “offering dual perspective with an exciting blend of romantic, candid and photojournalist qualities.”
Evan & Hilary
Now here’s a couple that were destined to be together since the very beginning of their lives…too bad they just didn’t know it at the time! They first met in pre-school, but soon after, Hilary moved away. Then when Hilary was 7 yrs., her mom purchased a home just two doors down from where Evan lived– complete random chance!
Evan is a brilliant guy (he’s a physics engineer), but a bit shy when growing up and never talked to Hilary. High school and college years go by, and even then, still no communication.
On Mother’s Day in 2008 (when they were in their early 20’s), Hilary went to visit her mom and noticed Evan outside his mom’s house. She went over to say “hi” and soon discovered through their conversation that they were both living in Huntington Beach; literally 5 minutes away from each other! They exchanged phone numbers and thought about hanging out sometime (as “friends” of course!). After Evan tried twice to text Hilary, each without an answer, he just gave up. Then one night while Hilary was hanging out with a girlfriend at a bar, she sent Evan a text to see if he wanted to come over. Literally within 15 minutes, Evan shows up with 5 of his friends! After that night, they got together “as friends” quite a bit. One night, Evan went along with Hilary’s whole family to the Spaghetti Factory for dinner and surprised everyone by paying the entire bill. That’s when the “light-bulb” turned on for Hilary that she should give this guy some serious thought!
Hilary is definitely a “take charge” kind of girl and doesn’t mess around. They were getting very serious and Evan was getting ready to make some career decisions. As Hilary put it, “I didn’t want to be the girl who follows her boyfriend from state to state, then eventually gets dumped and has to find a way back home.” So she basically said that they needed to get married. To her great surprise, Evan agreed without over-analyzing it like he does with everything! Before you know it, Hilary had a ring made and a 7-day cruise booked (yes, she was planning her proposal too!). All Evan had to do was propose anytime he wanted during their cruise. Days went by and still no proposal; Evan took his own sweet time! Finally, on the 6th day of the cruise, Evan “secretly” attended a “Build-A-Bear” class on the ship. When he returned to their room, he made Hilary leave. He tidied up the room, changed into nice clothes, told her to come in and then pushed the button on the Build-A-Bear and she heard his recorded voice ask her to marry him. So, although she didn’t get to watch him say the words “Will you marry me?” she can hear him ask the big question over and over to her heart’s content with a simple push of a button!
Evan & Hilary enjoyed their beautiful wedding at Menifee Lakes Country Club. Instead of a sit-down dinner, they chose to have variety of yummy appetizer stations so that their guests could mingle and interact. Their cake was designed and created by Jodee’s Bakery and everyone danced the night away with music played by Tijuana Dogs (great band choice by her dad Sam!).
Hilary chose purple as her color– “cool” purple that is! She was referred to Imagery Concepts by a nearby bridal boutique where she found “THE” dress (or so she thought!). This is a whole story in itself, but to make a long story short, Hilary cut out a bunch of pictures of wedding dresses and asked Evan to pick his favorites. She did this several times and of course he never picked her dress. Needless to say, she learned he didn’t care for the dress she chose (he didn’t even have the slightest clue that she already bought it). Needless to say, she now owns two wedding dresses!
Evan and Hilary are currently living in New Jersey. Evan is doing fabulous in his career and Hilary is going back to school. Her sister Jillian recently hired us for her upcoming wedding next May 18th, (which is our wedding anniversary too!)
Hilary’s advice to future brides is simply this –
“Don’t micro-manage. Hire the absolute best vendors you can possibly find and let them do what they do best. This way, you can relax and everything will turn out far better than you could have managed anyway!”
Troy and I are so grateful to have met you guys and we look forward to seeing the entire family again at your sister’s wedding next May!
-Marjorie
For futher information about the amazing duo visit:
Website:http://www.imageryconcepts.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/imageryconcepts
Blog: http://abridesstory.com/
Phone: 800 IC PHOTO
Be Marry,
C& C
Custom Wedding View Finder
We stumbled upon this find via www.brides.com and instantly had nostalgic memories of clicking through photos of the world’s wonders on view finders. Clicking through photo reels as a child were inspiring and made you feel like you were actually at Disneyland or the Grand Canyon. The fine folks at images3d.com decided to bring the childhood nostalgia back to life only this time with a twist. The photo reels in these view finders are your favorite shots from your wedding day that guests can take home!
We have also seen them made into invitations where all the important information that would normally be in a traditional invitation is included in the photo reel. What a better way to incorporate photos than with a custom wedding view finder!
Chalk.
Keep a stick of white chalk handy while you’re getting ready. In the event that you spill or brush your dress against something take a stick of chalk and lightly “color” over the stain. Chalk is great for footprints on your train. The chalk will mask an unwanted splashes of color and keep your dress in pristine condition. Chalk is also fantastic for occupying bored flower girls and ring bearers. So keep some chalk on hand.
Be Marry,
C&C Team
Jessica and Jake Studer’s wedding on Sunday, July 3, 2011 was airy, crisp, and serene. The room was draped in white and dusted with gold organza sashes that provide just enough color. The sunshine coming through the windows gleamed upon the white linens and brought an immense amount of light to the room. The highlights of teal and gold accented the neutral colors and complemented the natural wood work of the vaulted timber ceilings.
Placed at each table setting was a sugar cookie shaped to look like a wedding cake and a small vial of bubbles that were to be blown as the couple had their first dance. We were smitten with the ‘mini wedding cake’ cookies and amazed that not one looked identical. Each cookie had its own unique frosting color, design, and intricate flower or beading detail in shades of white or Tiffany blue. A small note was tied onto the wrapping thanking each guest for attending the wedding. It was a wonderful way to provide guests with a thoughtful and personalized wedding treat they were sure to enjoy.
Mini Wedding Cakes
Now, the actual cake was amazing. It was the tallest cake we have seen in quite a while. It was beautifully decorated with quilting and accents that were similar to the sugar cookies and white roses. The cake topper featured a porcelain bride and groom in a loving embrace that reminded us of the sweet-natured couple.
The Towering Cake
In addition to the gorgeous cake the bride and groom created their own candy buffet. They used sweets that tied in with the gold and turquoise tones but still delighted tummies. Tasty treats included: chocolate dipped marshmallows and pretzels in Tiffany blue colored chocolate, Reese’s peanut butter cups, lollipops, Hershey’s chocolate, and jelly beans.The candy buffet was definitely a big hit with guests. Each time we passed by there was at least three guest always hovered around the buffet.
Be Marry,
C&C Team
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