Wedding Insurance - Protect Your Investment!

Did you know you can insure your wedding?  Of course, we hope nothing would go wrong on your wedding day, but Hurricane Irene churning in the Atlantic has us all thinking about backup plans! There are several companies that provide wedding insurance, but here is some information from Wedding Protector Plan.

Some of the things that can be covered by wedding insurance include:

• No Dress. You can get repair or replacement cost if the bride’s wedding gown or groom’s tuxedo is lost or damaged.
• Lost Rings. You can receive repair or replacement cost if the bride or groom’s wedding bands are lost or damaged.
• Severe Weather.  If severe weather (such as a hurricane) forces you to postpone your wedding, we can provide reimbursement for non-recoverable expenses.
• Call to Duty.  If the bride or groom is unexpectedly called up to active duty, or has her or his military service leave revoked, forcing you to postpone the event, we can provide reimbursement for non-recoverable expenses.
• Damaged Gifts.  You can get repair or replacement cost if your wedding gifts are damaged.
• Sudden Illness.  If the wedding needs to be postponed because sudden illness prevents the bride, groom or their parents from attending, you can receive reimbursement for non-recoverable expenses.
• Venue Requires Insurance.  As an additional option to your policy, you can add liability coverage to protect yourself in case a guest is injured or causes damage to property.
• Liquor Liability. As an individual liability option to your policy, you can add this coverage to protect yourself against liability arising from alcohol-related occurrences (subject to policy conditions and exclusions).

Rates start at $165 for this company, and other companies offer similar prices.

If you would like to see a brochure, click the link below: http://www.protectmywedding.com/pdfs/Wedding_Insurance_Information_Wedding_Protector_Plan.pdf  And for rates, click here: http://www.protectmywedding.com/pdfs/wedding_event_insurance_rates_liquor_liability.pdf

Wedding Guest Etiquette, As Seen on WJXT's The Morning Show

I had the pleasure of speaking with Nikki Kimbleton on WJXT's The Morning Show again today - this time, the topic was Wedding Guest Etiquette.  Here are some of the tips we discussed:

Can you wear white to a wedding?

There is no hard and fast rule that says "no," but it is generally frowned upon. However, the bride will never notice what her guests are wearing!

Where do you sit if you are friends with both the bride and groom?

You can sit on either side. We ask our ushers to keep the seating balanced, so sit on whichever side has the fewer guests.

Should you bring a gift to the wedding? Gifts are never required. However, if you choose to give one, it's best to send it ahead of time to the bride or groom, or up to one year after the wedding!

Do you have to stick with the registry? I'm saying, YES! This is one of the biggest pet peeves we hear from brides and grooms. They spend many hours setting up their registry and choosing items for their homes - stick with their wish list.

Is cash better? What is an appropriate amount? Emily Post says, "Let your affection for the bride and groom be your guide." In general, think about the amount you would spend on a gift, and give the same as a cash gift.

What if you are invited but your significant other is not? You should never, under any circumstances, bring an additional (uninvited) guest to a wedding. However, you may want to gently ask the bride or groom to be sure there was not an error.

What is the #1 mistake guests make? Arriving late!  Plan to be in your seat for the ceremony 15 minutes before the time listed on the invitation. If you do arrive late, wait outside the church until the processional has finished, and then slip in a side door or the balcony.

Check out the interview here! http://www.news4jax.com/video/28810496/index.html

What To Put In Welcome Bags

Lately, we have been getting a lot of questions from brides about what to put in their welcome bags. In case you aren't familiar with the term, these are little bags or baskets of goodies delivered to the hotel room of your out-of-town guests. They can be as elaborate or as simple as your budget will allow! The container itself can be inspired by your wedding location, theme, or personalities - we've seen everything from cute beach pails to formal baskets to reusable shopping bags.  If you opt for the gift bag route, you can have them printed with your names and wedding date, or attach a cute tag to the handle.  The bag pictured here  is from FavorsYouKeep.com.

So what goes inside?  The most common items are:

• Bottled water.  An absolute must!
• Snacks.  Something salty, something sweet, and perhaps something with a local flair. (More on this below.)
• Information about the area.  Contact the local visitors' bureau or chamber of commerce, and they will be more than happy to send you brochures and maybe even coupons!
• Information about the wedding.  If you have an action-packed weekend planned, include an itinerary and maps/directions if transportation isn't being provided.
• Contact information.  Assign a local friend to act as your concierge for the weekend to help with last minute questions from your guests.

From the basics, you can upgrade to include bottles of wine, personalized toiletry items like lotion or bubble bath, even slippers!  If you are planning a beach wedding, perhaps a pair of flip flops and bottle of sunscreen.  For a garden wedding, a lovely hat. Just remember that your guests will have to pack these items for their trip home, or leave them behind.

When our brides ask us for "regional" favorites, we suggest:

• Peterbrooke chocolates
• Florida oranges
• Boiled peanuts
• Datil pepper sauce
• San Sebastian wines

What are some of your favorite welcome bag items?

Wedding Tips, As Seen on WJXT's The Morning Show

This morning, I got hang out at Channel 4's The Morning Show and share some tips for planning your wedding.  Here is a recap of the tips I discussed, plus a few more we didn't have time for!

Budget-Saving Tips:

• Plan ahead - don't rush your decisions, and spend time comparison shopping. This will also save on rush charges.
• Remember to factor in all aspects of a purchase; for example, your wedding gown may cost $1000 but you also need alterations, shoes, a veil, jewelry, and undergarments. These extras can almost double the price!
• Check websites like Craigslist or Ebay for decorations, centerpieces and accessories.  Brides often sell their decorations after a wedding.
• Consider investing in wedding insurance to protect your deposits and purchases.

Watch out for:

• Additional venue fees, like room rental, bartenders fees, and overtime charges. Sometimes these are included in the menu price, sometimes they are not.
• Large companies that can't guarantee you will be working with on your wedding day - especially DJs, photographers, videographers.  Be sure you can meet with the person you will actually work with to be sure their style matches yours.
• Unlicensed or uninsured vendors.

Some general tips:

• Check the Better Business Bureau, online customer reviews, and actual client references before hiring anyone
• Know your budget before you book anything, and prioritize your wish list.
• If you are ordering a product online, order a sample first (invitations, programs, favors).
• Ask about return/refund/cancellation policies; these should be clearly stated on the contract or receipt.
• Use a credit card to add a layer of protection to your deposits.

Words of Wisdom from Randy Fenoli

I recently attended an event in Orlando for wedding professionals featuring none other than Randy Fenoli, star of Say Yes To The Dress and Fashion Director at Kleinfeld Bridal. At the end of his presentation, Randy opened the floor to questions.  I asked, "What is the one thing you wish every bride would do before their first dress appointment?"  After the shouts of  "wear underwear!" from every seamstress and bridal shop owner in the audience, Randy answered the question quite simply: bring  in  pictures!

He suggests pulling  a few pictures (don't get carried away) from magazines of dresses that you like.  He said he can tell a lot from a picture - and it's not always about the actual dress.  It might be the fabric, it might be the look on her face.  So don't be afraid to bring in some ideas when you make your first appointment to try on gowns.

Randy has a new book coming out in November, which you can pre-order on Amazon.com.  It will have tons of his tips - and will feature only photos of real brides in real dresses in every shape and size.  We can't wait to read it, Randy, and thanks for helping make every bride beautiful!

Royal Wedding Tips: Flowers

While we still don't know exactly what the flowers for the royal wedding will look like, it's been reported that Kate has been very deliberate in her choices.  According to Shane Connolly, floral artistic director for the wedding, "One of the things that has been very important to Catherine is the meanings of flowers and the language of flowers."  Some of the flowers planned for Westminster Abbey include azaleas, the Chinese symbol of femininity, and lilacs, which represent first love. During the Victorian Era, flowers were sent as coded messages, allowing individuals to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken.  What are some other flowers the "speak" of weddings?

• Calla Lilies:  "Magnificent Beauty"
• Chrysanthemum: "Wealth, abundance, truth"
• Gardenia: "Purity, joy"
• Hydrangea: "Understanding"
• Orchid: "Love, beauty"
• Stephanotis: "Marital happiness"
• Sunflower: "Pure thoughts"

But stay away from yellow roses, which symbolize a decrease in love, and petunias, which signify anger!

Royal Wedding Tips: The After Party

Prince William and his bride Kate will certainly have a busy wedding day!  Immediately following their wedding ceremony, Queen Elizabeth will be hosting a reception for the newlyweds.  Then in the evening, 300 of the couples' closest family and friends will dance the night away at Buckingham Palace.  But what about the after party?

Prince Harry has that covered.  He is said to be hosting a breakfast at 6:00 am for those still on the dance floor.

The concept of an after party has grown in popularity over the past few years.  Some couples choose a nearby bar for a more intimate celebration with their friends after the reception ends.  Others create a whole second reception!

We've seen couples transform a smaller ballroom at the same venue into a trendy dance club, complete with lounge furniture and mood lighting.  Often, another round of food is served - the "late night snack" that includes everything from mini-pizzas to sliders to McDonald's French fries.  The photo above is from our friends at Room Service, a great source for lounge furniture rentals.

How will you be continuing your wedding celebration?

Royal Wedding Tips: The Guest List

With the royal wedding just days away, you may have heard talk of who did, and didn't, make the guest list.  While most brides and grooms don't have to deal with the political protocol that William and Kate do, there can be tricky situations when creating you wedding guest list.

How do you decide who to invite?  Maybe one of you has an extremely large family while the other's family is very small. Maybe your parents want to take over and invite their business associates from across the country.  Maybe your venue can only seat half of those you'd like to invite.

Family: Start with your immediate families.  Next add your extended family - grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins.  Many of us have friends that we are closer to than our family; they should be next on the list.

Friends and co-workers: I often tell my brides to imagine watching their wedding video or looking at their photo album in five years - will you still be friends with that person?  If you were having a small dinner at your home, would you invite this person? If the answer is no, then cut them from the list.

The Plus One: Does every person have to bring a guest? No. If they are married, engaged, or living together, then they need to be invited.  But your frat brother doesn't need to bring whatever girl he picked up the night before!

Lastly, don't feel obligated to invite someone just because you went to their wedding. Relationships can change over time, and you shouldn't feel awkward about it.

Royal Wedding Tips: Traditions

Yes, THE wedding is almost here! It's finally the week of the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton.  So we'll be doing a series of posts with things you can learn from the royal couple. First up, we'll look at traditions.  It's been reported that William and Kate have been in charge of all aspects of their wedding  day, unlike most royal weddings in the past.

Kate chose  her wedding cake and its baker, reportedly a multi-tiered cake  with cream and white frosting with scrollwork, leaves and flowers.  The couple have  also chosen the charities that will benefit from donations in lieu of gifts.  And the choice to have the wedding in Westminster Abbey, a "small," intimate venue that only seats 1,800 was reportedly their choice as  well.

So if William and Kate can break with family traditions, why can't other modern couples?  Many brides and grooms find themselves torn between two families, two cultures, or two religions.  But a wedding ceremony should truly reflect the couple getting married, and who they will become as a new family.

It's always best to try to incorporate little  touches from each  family, but there is no reason for the bride  and groom to give in to every whim!  Start early, 6-9 months before the wedding, by asking each set of parents  (and grandparents, if that's  important to you), what traditions they would like incorporated into the wedding day.  Make a list,  and then prioritize them.  Be sure that equal priorities are given to each side of the family, and then begin exploring ways to include those traditions.  If there  is something you feel strongly about, be honest.  But remember that in the end, it's YOUR wedding day!

Escort Cards vs Place Cards: What's the difference?

Often mistakenly interchanged, escort cards and place cards actually serve two distinctive purposes.  Simply, escort cards let guests know where they are sitting. In effect they escort guests to their seats.  These cards are often seen creatively displayed on a separate table just outside the dining area.

Alternatively, place cards sit on each table and indicate the specific seat where a guest will sit. In addition they are often used to indicate to the catering staff which meal you guests have chosen, if they have been given a choice between two or three items.

And what if you have open seating? Well then cards aren't necessary at all! For the couples who to choose to use escort and pace cards, use it as an opportunity to enhance your decor! For example escort cards can be hanging from a tree or enclosed in an envelope. Place cards can be placed inside a frame or attached to a single flower. Don't be afraid to get creative!

Prioritizing Your Wedding Budget

One of the most important aspects of the wedding planning process is deciding what your wedding budget will be. How much "should" a wedding cost, you ask? Well there is no right answer. The wedding budget is as individual as the couple themselves. That being said, the average cost of a 150-person wedding is $25,000-30,000. According to The Knot.com the budget is typically broken down with the following percentages: Reception: 48-50%

Ceremony: 2%-3%

Attire: 8%-10%

Flowers: 8-10%

Entertainment/Music: 8%-10%

Photography/Videography:10%-12%

Stationary: 2%-3%

Wedding Rings: 2%-3%

Parking/Transportation: 2%-3%

Gifts: 2%-3%

Miscellaneous: 8%

To avoid stress, allot about 5% of your budget for a "just-in-case" fund.

If you are paying for your honeymoon yourselves, remember to budget for that as well!

Once you have decided on your total budget number, the next step is determining your priorities. Both the bride and groom should make a list of their top three priorities for their wedding, for example photography, cake and flowers. Once your top three are decided, allocate a little bit more to them; then do the opposite for your bottom three choices.

Once you have your budget drafted, start making phone calls for your top three priorities to see if they are close to your budget. Before you start attending lots of meetings and signing contracts, get estimates on a few things to make sure your budget is realistic. If not, go back to the drawing board before moving forward!

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Taking Care of Your Engagement and Wedding Rings

Often considered one of the most valuable pieces of jewelry a women will ever wear, your engagement and wedding ring should be cared for carefully and properly.  Most women, however, don’t know how to take care of their rings. Use the following tips to ensure that your ring maintains its beauty and luster for many years to come.

• Make sure to have an accurate appraisal of your wedding ring set in case it gets lost.
• Put your rings in the same place everyday in order to avoid misplacing it.
• Store your ring in soft cloth or in a jewelry box away from exposure to dirt or chemicals.
• Take off your rings before cleaning with harsh chemicals to avoid possible dissolve or damage your stone.
• Clean your rings in a solution of water and mild liquid detergent.
• Don’t be afraid to take your rings off. This is especially true when playing sports, working out at the gym and gardening.
• Have the stone in your ring checked at least every 6 months by a jeweler to make sure that the stone has not come loose in the setting.

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Workplace Wedding Etiquette

Soon to be brides should be take heed. Tred lightly when it comes to discussing your wedding in the workplace. Although it is easy to be consumed by the planning and details, it is important to be thoughtful when it comes to discussing every shade of pink, and type of rose with the people in your office. You don’t want to be “that” girl.  Save it for meetings with your wedding planner. For further insight on how brides should navigate the workplace we asked etiquette expert Toni Downs of Etiquette For Success for advice on how to gracefully manage these types of situations:

Q: Should you invite coworkers to your wedding?

Toni D: I believe it depends on how close you are to your co-workers. If you are close to several, go out socially, and if the budget allows it, ask them.

Q: What if there are some coworkers I want to invite, but not others?

Toni D: You may tell your other co-workers there is a limit to how many people you can invite to your wedding.

Q: What if all your coworkers chipped in for a wedding present?

Toni D: If everyone at the office chips in to buy you a wedding present, then everyone should receive a personal thank you note. This is a thoughtful way to share you care about your coworkers.

Q: What if a coworker is angry with me for not inviting them to the wedding?

Toni D.: There will always be hurt feelings with someone, but it is your and your man’s day. Don’t let other people ruin it.

Thank you Toni for sharing your great advice with us!

Wedding Bustles 101

With a long history dating back to the 1800s bustles were originally worn by stylish women who wore a frame underneath their dress to support the back of their full skirts. Today brides bustle their dresses in order to lift the long trains of their gown off the floor (not to mention staying clean), making walking and dancing on the big day much easier!! Most bridal dresses don’t come with bustles and are instead added during the alteration process. There are many types of bustles:

• Over Bustle (Ballroom)

Is the simplest and most inexpensive type of bustle. However this type of bustle is prone to breaking during the reception, so brides with long trains or particularly heavy gowns should take this into consideration.

• Under Bustle (French or Victorian Bustle)

This type of bustle is very popular and great for brides who plan to be very active during their wedding. The under bustle is secured in place by tied ribbon.

• Tufted Bustle

This type of bustle utilizes jeweled appliqués at the gathering spots in order to highlight the tufts on the skirt of the gown.

• Pick up Bustle

This bustle is best for wedding dresses with shorter trains. There is only one pick up point selected and anchored much lower on the dress then on other bustles.

When deciding which bustle style to use for your wedding dress, keep in mind the fabric of your dress. If the fabric on your gown is delicate, like organza for example, make sure to choose a bustle style that reduces the weight on each bustle to avoid tearing. Also keep in mind your alterations budget, as bustles range in price depending on the type of bustle, length of train and fabric being used.

Image courtesy of Brides.com

Royal Engagement Photos - Theirs and Yours!

Unless you live under a rock, you know that Prince William and his soon-to-be bride posed for their first official engagement portraits recently.  And, as expected, they look amazing!  So how can you get awesome engagement photos without the celebrity photographer?

• Choose a photographer that you get along with.  If you feel relaxed, you will be relaxed in your photos!
• Be yourself.  Don't were ridiculous outfits that have nothing to do with your personalities.  If you are jeans and t-shirt people, by all means wear jeans and t-shirts!
• Along the same lines, think about having a theme for your session.  If you love a certain area of town, a tv show, or have an interesting hobby, why not incorporate this into your shoot?
• Bring a few changes of clothes so that you have some variety to your  photos; just remember that patterns aren't great in photos.  Also remember to bring touch-up makeup, especially lipstick!
• Rely on your professional photographer to get fun and unique shots.  Don't be afraid to do something crazy - it might just be your favorite shot!

Pantone's Color Of The Year 2011

It's official - Pantone has released their 2011 Color of the Year:

Is anyone thinking of changing their wedding (or business) colors to add in this new choice?  2010's color of the year, Turquoise, will always be OUR color of the year!!

Wedding Trends: How Do You Keep Up?

I had a great question from a bride last night at The Wedding Party's "Fully Engaged" event - "How do you keep up with all the new trends?"  And my answer was simple: a lot of the same ways you do!

• Magazines: In fact, I have the latest issue of Weddings Unveiled sitting next to my computer as I'm typing this.  Hopefully I'll get to read through it one of these days!  In addition to bridal magazines, I also read lots of industry publications regarding special events, catering, etc.
• Blogs: I have over 200 blog subscriptions in Google Reader right now.  Does that mean I read every one, every day?  No.  But I love reading the headlines, scanning the photos, and if something really catches my eye I'll read it in more detail.  Not all of them are wedding-related either; some are about interior design, some are about fashion, some are about running a business.  You never know where inspiration will strike!
• Conferences and Trade Shows: This one is more unique to industry pros, although you may find ideas at your local bridal show.  Personally, I attend at least two conferences a year, where I can see over-the-top decor ideas, learn about new products, and talk to other event planners from around the country.

But the real answer to the question is this:  We don't keep up with the trends, we create them.

Most wedding magazines are published only two to four times a year.  That means that the weddings in the current issues may be over a year old already.  Which means the details that went into that wedding were planned for at least a year before that.

I keep hearing about trends like "feathers" and "monograms" and all sorts of other wonderful ideas - but we have been using those ideas for several years now.  As an example, check my post about Kimberly and Victor's March 2008 wedding using these "trends."

Re-creating something in a magazine is great, but ask your event designer, florist or planner about creating a look that is uniquely "you!"

Bridal Show Week!

It's bridal show week again here at First Coast Weddings and Events!  In case you don't know, we co-produce the Jacksonville Bridal Connection bridal shows, held twice a year at the UNF University Center.  If you are interested in attending, click for all the details:

http://www.JacksonvilleBridalConnection.com

While we're busy getting ready for the show, we thought we'd share some bridal show tips:

• Pre-register if you can.  Often, there will be a discounted admission if you register online, plus you can skip the hassle when you arrive.  Registering will qualify you for some awesome prizes at the show!
• Have pre-printed labels with your name, address, email, phone number, and wedding date.
• Bring your schedule (calendar, Blackberry, iPhone) with you - you may want to schedule meetings with vendors right away!
• Don't be afraid to ask questions!  The pros you meet do weddings all the time, but they know that this is you're a novice.  There are no dumb questions.
• Wear comfortable shoes.  You will do quite a bit of walking and be on your feet for 2-3 hours.
• Grooms can have fun too!  Most shows have a wide variety of food and cakes to sample.

We have FREE tickets left for Sunday's show, so drop by The Wedding Party to pick up a pair!

Awards - What Are They All About?

If you look at any wedding professional's website, you are likely to see some type of award they have won.  Which is great! But before you use that solely as your decision-making factor, take a look at that award and see how it was earned.

• Brides voting:  These awards are usually reputable.  The Knot has awards, Wedding Wire has awards, and many other well-known wedding sites have awards.  But also remember that anyone can register as a "bride" and vote, so there is still a slight chance of not-so-honest results.
• Industry peers or associations:  These awards mean the most to me.  They show that not only do your clients love you, your fellow professionals do too.  The field is often limited, and judging is usually done by well-known folks in the industry.
• Paid "awards": Yes, they are out there.  "Send us $100 for your plaque..."  I don't think I really need to explain this one!

I was honored to be nominated for one of the National Association of Catering Executives' Best Wedding Reception of the Year awards.  NACE has a very lengthly submission process, and from those submissions, only a handful make it through to actual nominations.  This year's awards were held at the NACE Experience! 2010 conference in July, and while I didn't win, it was such an honor just to be a nominee.  I even got to wear a little sticker on my name badge that said "Award Nominee!"  Out of 600 conference attendees and over 4,000 members, it was so special to be in such an elite group.

As you are interviewing prospective vendors, please be sure to ask questions!  Not only about awards, but also certifications, education, and associations.

Tuesday Tips: Making It Personal

The days of the "cookie-cutter" wedding are long gone - but how do you find just the right look for your big day?

• Start with something meaningful to you.  Did you get engaged in Italy?  Do you have a hobby that you both love? Start by incorporating touches that reflect your life together as a couple.
• Before you send  save-the-dates, create a monogram, motif or other design that you can incorporate into all of your printed materials.  Just remember, your monogram should not include you new last name initial until after the wedding.
• Work with your cake baker to create a custom design that reflects the look of the reception.  Your cake is an important focal point for your wedding (and especially your photos!) so don't skimp here!
• Tie your reception menu in with your theme.  Or, incorporate your favorite foods or family recipes!  Most chefs are willing to discuss custom options, all you have to do is ask.
• Don't forget to add tablecloths, chair covers, and other decor to match the overall look!

(image above by Ten23Designs)