{Tuesday Tip} Don’t Leave It Behind

You make a check list for all the items you WILL NEED to bring with you the day of the wedding, but you don’t make one for all the items that will need to return with you. Several items that get left behind include:

I.D.’s or credit cards from open bar tabs

Clothing that you arrived in

                                                                                                   

Centerpieces

Shoes. They get really uncomfortable and you kick them off somewhere and then forget where exactly.

Sand ceremony vases or unity candles

Jewelry

The best thing to do to ensure that items like these don’t get left behind is to assign your parents or bridal party members jobs. Now do make sure if mom and dad will be responsible for gifts that they not bring dad’s sleek, two-seater, sports car to the wedding because they will be making numerous trips to get all the gifts home.

 

Be Married,

Creative Coordinators

{Tuesday Tip} Wedding Shoes That Wow

 Wonderful Wedding heels

When picking out shoes for your wedding day you definitely want comfort to be your first priority, but why not go for something a bit out of the ordinary too?

It has become a rather big trend to wear colored wedding shoes instead of traditional white. Colored shoes allow you to make a statement and embrace your own personal, everyday style on your wedding day without completely taking away from your wedding dress. The majority of wedding gowns are floor length so you don’t have to worry about your sassy heels taking away from your ensemble. However, when they do decide to make an appearance from under your dress they will be noticed and admired.

We have seen plenty of alternative bridal shoes and by far the most popular color is blue because it covers the traditional something blue. However, many brides opt for colored heels that tie in with their reception color. One bride wore a pair of sparkly, white, Tom’s shoes from their wedding collection so she wouldn’t have to worry about foot discomfort throughout the evening. Comfort wise, wedges are the best heels to wear for the evening because they are easy to walk in and less straining on the balls of your feet. Finding strappy, multicolored heels is easy during the summer season because they are a hot item.  In the event that you do find a pair of plain white shoes you can get them dyed to match your shade or pick a style of your choice at: http://www.bridalshoes.com/

What we really like about alternative wedding shoes is that you can wear them again. You can pair them with a summer dress during your honeymoon or don them again with a pair of chic capris and a simple tee. So what color will you be wearing?

Be Married,

Creative Coordinators

{Tuesday Tip} A Few Extra

Plan Ahead and have on hand.

Make sure to have a few extra seats and dinner setups; plates, flatware, glasses, and napkins for any surprise guests who may show up. This happens more often than you would think. Last wedding we were partook in was at a rented facility that everything was brought in and we had six extra sets (including chairs) and ended up using four for unexpected plus ones and the other two for little guests who just so happen to drop their items on the floor. Always a great idea to plan a few so no one is caught off guard by these moments. We were able to add these extra guests in with ease and even help the little ones out who lost their flatware before the meal began.

Be Married,

Creative Coordinators

{Tuesday Tip} 5 Things To Splurge On

5 Things Worth Splurging on for your wedding in 2015 

We know we know most everyone has a budget and most people don’t want to hear we think you should spend more on something but here ate out top 5 picks we really truly think you should send a little extra on in 2015. We give you the A-OK to splurge on the following!

1. An Extra Bartender

If you have over 125 people or an extra heavy drinking crowd. Even if you just plan on the extra bar tender for a portion of the wedding like from pre-ceremony beverages till the an hour after dinner (normally a 4 hour minimum) trust us your crowd will thank you for keeping the crowd at the bar moving.

2. Your Bouquet ( how often do you get to carry flowers?)

Come on its your big day and you get to choose so don’t skimp on your bouquet.

3. The Best Photographer in Town

Photos are worth a 1,000 words and trust us you will thank us if you opt for the best photographer you can find.

4. The DJ

And Music you cant wait to dance all night to for that matter!

5. Superfab shoes you can dance in all night.

If you are already set on super tall heels for the ceremony you aren’t sure you will be able to dance in make sure to plan for a second pair you can dance in.

Be Married, 

Creative Coordinators 

{Tuesday Tip} Stay Stress-free

We always tell couples to pretend their wedding date is two weeks before their actual wedding date. It is a great way to motivate yourself to get things done. If you are lucky enough to stick to this plan and fit in getting everything done two weeks before the big day you will have some time to do all those last-minute things that always pop up. Then you can really enjoy the things that can only be done a few days before the big day like getting your nails done.

Be Married,

Creative Coordinators

{Tuesday Tip} Follow the Directions

Drive Your Directions

We recently read about this interesting tip in  BRIDES Magazine and believe it is a tip well worth sharing!  Before you send out your invitations recruit a friend who has never been to your venue to drive the Map Quest, Google Maps or Venue-provided directions to make sure they truly take you to the correct location.

This is a wonderful idea because there is nothing worse than ending up on a dead-end street and having no idea where or how to get to your destination.  Keep in mind that not everyone has a fancy phone with a built-in GPS or navigation system. Remember that Grandma and Uncle John avoid cellphones and technology at all costs. If you know written directions are the only form of information they will use make sure they are clear and easy to follow.

If you happen to notice that Map Quest or Google directions take you to a dead-end share this information with them. They don’t have the time to drive every road and update every change all over the world so it may be possible to inform them about the updated  streets in your neighborhood. If you discover this problem far enough in advance they may be able to update it before your wedding.

If you want to make driving directions a little more fun and personal we love the idea of Cartoon illustrated directions. They bring out the excitement you felt when you were a kid and dreamed of finding a map to buried treasure.  You can attempt to make your own or venture to a shop that can create a custom map that incorporates fun, detailed places that are special to you. What is great about customized maps is they are easy to read,  pleasing to the eye, extremely detailed, and one of a kind.

We found the following photos at: http://www.acartoonist.com/wedding.htm and something tells us this is going to be a growing trend with weddings.

Cartoon Save the Date

{Tuesday Tip} Know Your Venue’s Neighborhood

Know your venue’s neighborhood.

If you are not familiar with the area, ask  your coordinator or local gal pal where to find the closest drug store, grocery store, or specialty craft store. You may need items like cough drops, ibuprofen, snacks, food, and water  from your local grocery or drug store. You may also want to know where the nearest craft store is  for last-minute wedding needs like a forgotten guest book, cake cutting set, or ribbon. It’s a wealth of knowledge to know where the closest ATM or bank is in case you have to purchase  items. Let them know if there is an ATM on site in case they need to donate funds to the couple or need cash to purchase drinks. If you have an idea of where these stores are located share it with guests who are not familiar with the area, it will make scrambling for these items less chaotic.

Be Married

Creative Coordinators

{Tuesday Tip} Wedding Email

Create a separate email account just for wedding information.

 

Create a “wedding planning” email account to keep for all vendor information, sign ups 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 Married,

Creative Coordinators

{Tuesday Tip} Be Open About Your Budget

Don;t hide your budget.

Be clear about what you can spend when you meet with vendors. It saves time and will spare you from browsing fancier options that may tempt you into spending more than your means. Also remember, it is your wedding and their means of business so be polite.

Be Married,

Creative Coordinators  

{Tuesday Tip} Don’t Be A Fool

  Planning Is A Must

Weddings are  big events in our lives and there is a lot of things to think about from hiring vendors, to picking the perfect location, to who gets an invite. Many people ask what is the first thing you should plan and prepare for your wedding. Well first, you should really think about who you are going to invite that way you can find a location that fits the size of your wedding party. You don’t want to fall in love with a great location that only fits 75 and then start your guest list and end up with 200 people you have to invite.

Next, you should find the venue for the big day.  It’s best to start early because the venue may already be booked on the  day you want to get married  if you do not  reserve it early. So before picking the perfect date and time think about where and when.

After you have your venue locked in, you officially have a wedding date and you can start filling in all the rest of the amazing details for you wedding like your dress, fittings, and alterations.

Remember, a little planning can go a long way and planning ahead will pay off in the end and help you get one step closer to that amazing wedding of your dreams.

 

 

Be Married, 

Creative Coordinators