Don't Tell The Bride!

As l am from England,  of course l have BBC America! I absolutely love this channel and have come across a new television show (well new to BBC America anyway!) called Don't Tell The Bride.

This show follows the groom-to-be who has been provided with $20,000 to create his bride's wedding of her dreams. There is one catch however,  which is that the groom only has one  month to plan the wedding, from selecting the venue, invitations, wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses etc. and CANNOT speak or visit with his bride until the day of the wedding,  at the altar!

Throughout watching a couple of these episodes, l have felt excited, anxious, surprised and overwhelmed for these bride and grooms, and l do not even know these people! So this left me with a burning question for you bride-to-be's out there.

Would you let your husband- to- be plan your wedding from start to finish, including selecting your wedding dress?

If you would like to start watching this nail biting television show, the next show airs on BBC America, July 17th at 9.00 P.M.

Happy TV watching!!

(image from BBCAmerica.com)

Lauren & Jeff (07.11.09)

We were so happy to coordinate Lauren and Jeff's wedding at TPC Sawgrass!

The day started with the ladies getting glammed up by hairstylist Casey Powell and make up artist Kimtasha Armstrong.  The bridesmaids all looked amazing in their celadon gowns, but Lauren stole the show in her classic, lace covered mermaid gown.

Every moment was captured by photographer Agnes Lopez and videographer Turner Classic Weddings.  I can't wait to see the photos and video in a few weeks! In the mean time, here are some snapshots that I took with my camera:

The white backdrop and lighting by PRI Productions transformed the Sunset Room into a spectacular ceremony setting.  Even the groomsmen commented on how different the room looked from the day before!

The floral design and decor by Liz Stewart Floral Design was impeccable.  Lauren and her mom chose options that created a vintage, at-home feel, with four different floral arrangements on the guests' tables.  The tables were covered in a sophisticated champagne satin cloth and then topped with the Baccarat overlay from Tablewraps.

Lauren and Jeff had lots of family photos that we displayed throughout the second floor of the clubhouse.

This one is a bit fuzzy but thought I would post it anyway.  The Ponte Vedra Room looked stunning!  More great details to come...

Charity Donations as Wedding Favors

We're busy getting ready for another wonderful wedding at TPC Sawgrass this weekend, and bride Lauren had a question that I thought might good to share.

Lauren and her fiance Jeff are making a donation to a charity, rather than giving their guests favors at the wedding.  So how is it best to let the guests know that they just didn't overlook the favors?

We considered a few options:

• 2 small cards placed on each table around the centerpiece
• a note tucked into each napkin (they were not having a sit-down dinner so we didn't have menu cards to compete with)
• a small sign near the guest book
• a note in the ceremony programs

We finally made the decision to go with the small sign near the guest book, with a few small cards (business-card sized) scattered around the sign for the guests to pick up in case they wanted to visit the charity's website for more information about this special cause.

Do you have other ideas you'd like to share?

Something Borrowed, Something Hot Pink

Have you always been the kind of girl that has dreamed about a traditional wedding? Maybe you've never pictured anything but a modern theme on your wedding day. At either end of the spectrum, it's yours, and you make it what you want. You should never, at any moment, worry about what your guests think. Your wedding should be about you and your future spouse and who the two of you join together to be. Let's take a look at one of the most common wedding phrases...

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue."

Primarily, "something old" represents tradition. This is often a signification of your mom, grandmother, aunt, sister, etc. "Something old" stands for tradition and memories of the past, and traditions that you are continuing to carry on that will possibly be included in your granddaughter's wedding.

"Something new" is typically the style of the bride. It is what she wants to include in her wedding day that defines more of who she is and her sense of fashion.

A bride can sometimes receive a gift or item from a happily married friend or family member, alas "something borrowed." This may signify good fortune from one bride to another.

As far as "something blue" goes, the color and weddings have gone hand in hand for centuries. Brides in ancient Rome wore blue to symbolize many noble traits, while purity has been associated with the color because of Christianity's dressing the Virgin Mary in the color.

Whatever the theme, whatever the colors, whatever the traditions or lack thereof, your wedding is yours. Maybe your something blue should be something hot pink!

(pink flower photo courtesy of Tibby Dozier Steedly)

Wedding Channel Blog Nominations

More blog nominations!  Check out Wedding Channel's first ever Bridal Blog Awards!  If you like our blog, we'd love it if you stop by to cast your vote!  Here's how it works: 1. Go to our nomination post in the forum: http://forums.weddingchannel.com/main.aspx/bridal-blog-awards_blog-nominations_something-talk-first-coast-weddings-events-blog

2. Reply within the thread and add your reason why you think our blog should win!

Nominations end July 8th.  Thanks for your support!

Featured Vendor Profile!

I am honored to be in the Featured Vendor Profile today on the So You're EnGAYged Blog!  If you aren't familiar with this relatively-new blog, here is a snippet from their website: So You’re EnGAYged seeks to match same-sex and allied couples with wedding vendors who actively support LGBT rights and freedoms, including, but not limited to, same-sex marriage. By highlighting voices from within the LGBT community, So You’re EnGAYged further works to build a community that can dispense advice, recommendations, and support to couples in the wedding-planning process. As the wedding industry has grown larger and more ubiquitous, we hope to serve as a reference for those who seek vendors whose business practices align with deeply held values.

A Few Extra Steps

One of the most important pieces to a bride's outfit on her wedding day is her shoes. While it is common for a bride to wear a pair of shoes she already has, many brides purchase a new pair of shoes for this special occasion. At the end of her wedding day, the last thing any bride would want is a blister. Unfortunately, new shoes are the epitome of such a situation. On the bright side, there are a few ways this unwelcome occurrence can be avoided!

Before purchasing, make sure the shoes you are interested in fit properly. Blisters usually occur because a shoe is too tight or too loose. If a shoe store does not offer the size you need for the shoe you love, ask them if they can check other stores for you. If this does not work, check the internet. Considering that another culprit of blisters is sweating, ensure that your shoe has plenty of breathing room for your foot. These are very important factors to keep in mind before you buy your wedding day shoes.

After making the purchase, wear your new pair around the house for a few hours. This way, you will not only break them in, but you can also make sure they don't blister in places like your heel, or pinky toe. If they do blister, you have two options. You can either exchange that pair for a different one, or arrange to wear Band-Aids in the proper places on your wedding day.

If you plan correctly, blisters and unpleasant foot pains can be easily avoided simply by taking a few extra steps before your wedding.

(photo courtesy of La Dolce Vita Studio, from Michelle and Jamaal's April wedding)

We've Been Nominated!

I'm so honored that we are a BlogLuxe Awards: Blog You've Learned From Nominee! Voting is open until July 6th, and each person can vote once per day. 2009 BlogLuxe Awards will be presented at the SocialLuxe Lounge event at BlogHer '09 in July!

I hope you will stop by and vote for us - and vote often!

Kedai Photo Kiosk

I just got an interesting email from fellow ABC member Lauren Saul about her product, the Kedai Photo Kiosk.  This a new take on the photo booth, incorporating your guests photos into one slideshow and online gallery.

Your guests simply take their memory cards out of their cameras, insert them into the special kiosk, and then choose the photos to add.  Each guest gets their own gallery on the website, and all the photos are compiled into an instant slideswhow.

Check out the website for great step-by-step videos!

Check Out Brides!

Have you seen the July/August 2009 issue of Brides?  I'll be honest, I hadn't read it yet, but then I got this email from my cousin (and bride-to-be) Celeste in Los Angeles: "I just read a quote and at the end it was from you!" If you have a copy, check out page 93 for a tip from yours truly:

"It's always nice to hear that someone really wants to work with you," says Heather Canada, of First Coast Weddings and Events in Jacksonville, Florida.  "If it seems like they are just looking for deals, I'm unlikely to discount."  Canada doesn't slash prices, but she'll throw in extra services or create custom packages for couples with modest means.

What an honor to be quoted in such a prestigious publication!  The complete article, called "How To Negotiate With Vendors," starts on page 92.

Love Note: Michelle + Jamaal

One of the best parts of my job is getting thank you notes from our lovely couples after the wedding.  This morning, I found this note from Michelle and Jamaal in my stack of mail:

Heather,

Thank you for making our day stress-free and perfect.  Your interpretation and execution of ideas is flawless.  You did a great job and made our day that much special.  Couldn't have done it without you.  God bless, thanks again.

Michelle & Jamaal

Diva's Night Out

I had the pleasure of attending the launch party for "Diva's Night Out" last weekend, and let me tell you, what a great way to spend an evening with your girlfriends!

The event started with some yummy hors d'oeuvres and "adult" punch provided by our host, The Omni Hotel Jacksonville.  While we were mingling, some ladies got their makeup done by Patricia Kozack, while others enjoyed a quick, sassy photo session with Jennifer Brum of Peek Romance Photography.  Then it was time for the real fun!

Lynn Maxey of VIP Women’s Dance Parties led the group in some basic belly dance moves, followed by a sexy chair dance demonstration.  But ladies, this isn't just for fun - talk about a work out!  Lynn actually teaches these classes for fitness - one hottie in the group lost a whole dress size after just a few weeks working out with Lynn.

Following our dance lesson, we got to hear about some of the exciting (no pun intended) products from Sugar and Spice Passion Parties.

And of course a diva party wouldn't be complete without some treats!  Edgewood Bakery provided a yummy cake for us to enjoy.

These parties will be great for bachelorette and birthday parties - check out the website for more info!

Fall 2009 Color Trends

I was just looking over the 2009 Fall Color Report from Pantone, and realized that I hadn't posted about it.  Here's a peak if you haven't see the hot colors for fall:

Download the Pantone Fall 2009 Color Report (PDF)

I ♥ so many of these color combinations.  The possibilities are endless!  What are your favorites?  Are you using any of them in your fall wedding?

Why Not To Replace Your DJ With an iPod

There is a lot of talk among the D.I.Y. set about cost-cutting measures for your wedding.  One I overhear frequently is "don't get a DJ - use your iPod for reception music."  This couldn't be a worse idea.

Think back to the last wedding reception you attended.  What do you remember?  The bride's dress?  The type of flower?  No.  You remember if you had fun.  And 9 times out of 10, "fun" is directly related to the entertainment.

A good DJ will not only play music - they will act as a Master of Ceremonies, keep the party going, make sure that everyone is where they need to be for important events (if you don't have a wedding coordinator!), and play music that the crowd responds to.  If everyone is having a great time dancing to disco, will your iPod know that and keep playing more?  No.  (Not yet anyway, although I wouldn't but it past the geniuses at Apple to come up with that feature in the future!)

So how do you adjust your budget to get a good DJ?  Take a look at your menu.  Do you have a fruit and cheese platter during cocktail hour in addition to passed hors d'oeuvres?  Cut it out.  It is probably about the same price as a DJ.  And I can guarantee that no one will miss it!

The video above was created by the American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA) showing what can happen when iPod weddings go bad.  It's a bit long but I encourage you to watch it if you are considering this option.  It's a real eye-opener.  It turns in to a bit of a commercial for ADJA at the end, but the overall message is great.

(And no, your wedding coordinator will not run your iPod for you all night.)

10 More Questions to Ask

As you begin interview potential wedding vendors, you will probably see a variety of lists of "questions to ask."  While these are a great place to start, here are some additional questions you may want to consider for coordinators:

1. How long has your company been in business, and how long have you been with the company?
2. Tell me more about the weddings in your portfolio.
   1. How much were you involved with the couple?
   2. Were you a day-of coordinator or did you help from the beginning?
   3. What was the design concept?
   4. What were the couples' personalities?  What was most important to them?
   5. Looking at specific details, did you come up with these or did the bride/groom?
3. What is your process for designing an event?
4. What should I expect from you if I hire your company?
5. Do you have a staff or other backup plan in case of emergency on the wedding day?
6. Is this your full time job or a second job/hobby?  (the only reason this really matters is in regards to the amount of time they will have to dedicate to you)
7. How many weddings do you personally work on at one time? (this shouldn't be too high - again, you don't want them to be stretched too thin!)
8. What makes your company different from the competition?
9. Are you involved with any professional associations?  Are you an active member?  To you participate locally, nationally, internationally?
10. MOST IMPORTANT:  Do you have a business license and liability insurance?

Of course, you should always ask for references - and check them!  I recommend asking for the names of other wedding vendors that they have worked with, as well as former clients.  DJs, photographers and venue coordinators will espeically be helpful.

Remember that anyone can put pretty pictures on a website - but were they really involved in that wedding? Or are they stock images?  Are those reviews online real?  If you spend some time researching reputible wedding consultants, they will have all the same information on the vendors they suggest to you, making your job so much easier!

Michelle + Jamaal in Florida Times-Union!

Sexy April newlyweds Michelle and Jamaal were featured in Sunday's Florida Times-Union! In case you missed it, here is the article by M.C. Finotti:

Never underestimate the resolve of a high school sweetheart.

Jamaal Fudge and Michelle Gibbs didn't formally meet until their senior year at Ed White High School in 2001. But Michelle had watched the shy, handsome football standout for months, especially in the cafeteria.

"I loved seeing him inhale his lunch, as if it was going to get up and run," said Michelle, laughing. "He was serious about his chicken nuggets."

One day, Michelle - who also describes herself as shy - approached Jamaal.

"I went up to him and I said: 'I just want you to know I like you,' " Michelle, now 25, recalled. "Then I ran away."

Jamaal didn't know what to think. "She ran off before I could say anything."

But he answered back a few days later when he inscribed a football card to Michelle, signing it: "Your friend, Jamaal."

The two soon became inseparable, spending the rest of their senior year and the summer before college together.

In the fall, Jamaal, now 26, left to play football at Clemson. Michelle went to the University of Central Florida and FAMU, where she majored in biology.

The two stayed together several years, but the physical distance between them took its toll. Both eventually started dating other people. But they remained friends, keeping in touch with e-mails and phone calls. And they always saw each other during the summer back home in Jacksonville.

Jamaal returned to Jacksonville in 2006 to play special teams and back-up safety with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Michelle and Jamaal started seeing more of each other, but only as friends. Then Jamaal hit Michelle with a bombshell: He was getting serious about his girlfriend from Clemson, who had gotten a job up North.

"And that's when I got really scared. I thought I was going to lose him forever," Michelle said.

But Michelle grabbed hold of Jamaal's heart and wouldn't let go. The soft-spoken Jamaal explained it this way: "I prayed, and I talked with my mother," said Jamaal. In the end, he decided to marry Michelle.

The two said "I do" April 25 at The Lodge in Ponte Vedra. Jamaal is now a safety for the Atlanta Falcons, and Michelle will attend a chiropractic school in Atlanta this fall.

Jamaal's cousin, Marvette Tooks, says she thinks it was a good thing they both tried dating other people because they were both so young when they first met. As Marvette put it, "We always knew they'd end up back together." Read the original article here: http://jacksonville.com/lifestyles/relationships/2009-05-31/story/i_do_i_do_high_school_sweethearts_find_each_other

Photo by La Dolce Vita Studio (www.LaDolceVitaStudio.com)

Erin & Eric (04.25.09)

On April 25^th 2009, l had the pleasure of coordinating the Erin O’Connor and Eric Rehmeyer wedding at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. The weather was perfect and l had a great team of people to work with, including Darrin from Deland Entertainment, Judy and Lynette from Rose of Sharon, Michael from Jax Notary, Elizabeth McKee from the Hyatt and Zach Thomas from Zach Thomas Photography.

Zach Thomas took some of these amazing pictures of the wedding day, which are shown below. He is a great people person who puts everyone instantly at ease. He has a unique creative vision, and really captures the energy of the moment. To find out more information about Zach please check out his web site ztphoto.com.

Working with such a talented group of people is always an amazing experience, especially when you see everyone’s individual ideas come to fruition, creating a seamless wedding day event.

Michelle & Jamaal (04.25.09) - Part 3

More from our sexy April 25th newlyweds... the teaser video from In Motion Video Productions!!

New Spotlight Wedding!

We've updated our spotlight wedding feature on our website!  Be sure to check out some super-hot images from Michelle and Jamaal's wedding.  Thanks to Melanie and Bradford at La Dolce Vita Studio.

Another Bad Wedding Planner

I never bash my competition.  If a prospective client comes in and tells me she is meeting with other planners, I always ask who, and tell them a few great things about that person.  I am always happy to give advice to newer planners.  And of course, I love promoting the Association of Bridal Consultants. But this recent news story is such a sad commentary on our industry today: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=137748&provider=rss

This is the second "wedding planner" (and I use that term loosely) that has been in the news this year.  So as a reminder, please, please, please do your homework before hiring any wedding professional!

• Check with industry associations to verify claims of membership or certification
• Research the company with the Better Business Bureau
• Ask for referrals from past clients - and check them!  I usually ask for references from other vendors too - reception venues, DJs, photographers and videographers tend to see and hear a lot at weddings!
• Be sure they are licensed for their industry - check local/state websites for proof
• Get everything in writing