A GREATER PLAN blog at BridesClub.com

Thanks to Christelle & Christian. It was a pleasure to be the hostess for their gorgeous ceremony & reception this August.

The ceremony took place in the stunning, circa late 1800s, chapel at Annie Wright School in Tacoma, Washington. At the base of the stairs, in the foyer, the bride and groom enjoyed a special meeting moment to share a warm embrace (but not a kiss; that was saved for the ceremony). As the hand-carved sanctuary doors swung wide, white, organza aisle swagging lined the brides big walk into the chapel, where her groom, in classic formal tux, waited. The brides maids wore cocktail length, port-wine hued, dresses. The men were in black tuxes with simple, elegant white rose boutonnières. Along with arrangements of rich, red roses, & crisp mini calla lilies, the classic attire was a perfect complement to the rich, warm architecture of the brick & wood buildings. The vows, spoken with obvious loving care, reflected the faith & affection that will support this charming couple in their lives together.

Following the ceremony, guests gathered out front of the main entrance of Annie Wright to cheer the couple as they were whisked away in a classic, white, Rolls-Royce to the reception, held at Tacomas Landmark Convention Center in the Terrace (Garden) Room. The room was lit with creamy pillar candles glowing through huge hurricane lanterns. Classic black & white linens & chair covers created a swanky cocktail atmosphere for guests upon arrival. The bride & groom arrived in grand fashion; each of their attendants were announced as they entered up the stairs & through double doors, followed by the bride & groom, breezing in to thunderous applause. The toasts, given by siblings and the brides father, were some of the most endearing, humorous & well-thought as any Ive heard while participating in wedding-events. On the terrace, the weather was a blessing; evening rays of an August sun warmed to horizon as a refreshing, light maritime wind skimmed over the downtown skyline. The bouquet & garter tosses had the striking backdrop of sky & city as they were enthusiastically performed on the terrace. An evening filled with celebration, & genuine affection, wrapped up with fun& flair on the busy dance floor.

Special Thanks to:
Lisa, my faithful Executive Assistant, for always being ready with a safety pin and encouraging words
Maria; your facilitation at Annie Wright was warm & welcoming
Debra Winchester of Debras Botanical Designs; the flowers were rich & elegant
Karen with Studio Six for her professionalism
Patrick, Melissa & Catering Staff at the Landmark; well done
Heidi, Doug & all the clients family; it was a pleasure

Oh, Sweet, Sweet Chocolate; Wedding Favors to Sink Your Teeth Into

Step Out of Trouble with Step Relatives-Ceremony & Reception Seating

Blended Family Ceremony Seating

For step-relatives, be sure your Planner or Ushers know who they are. Step-relatives should be escorted to their seats before genetic/birth relatives. For instance, step-grandparents would be ushered to the 3rd row before birth grandparents are ushered to the 2nd row. To avoid confusion, reserve a few extra rows directly behind immediate family for step-grandparents and stepsiblings.

When parents are divorced, in either the Brides or Grooms family, seat the parent who primarily raised the Bride or Groom in the front row with his/her spouse, and seat the other parent and his/her spouse in the 2nd or 3rd row. If relations are amicable, birth parents may sit beside each other in the first row, or they may share the front row with stepparents. Discuss this in advance to avoid awkward moments, and have your Planner or Officiant put actual names on the chairs/pews, to avoid confusion as the ceremony approaches.

The bride's mother is always seated last at a Christian & often in general, non-faith based North American ceremonies; the groom's mother is seated just before her. (In Jewish ceremonies, parents stand under the huppah with the couple). The seating of the bride's mother signals that the ceremony is about to begin.

Blended Family Reception Seating

Traditionally, parents & grandparents from both families are seated together, but if the Brides or Grooms parents are divorced, and seating them together will create any tension, each set of parents can host their own table of close family and/or friends. This could mean up to four parents' tables, depending on your situation.

Remember, when dealing with blended families, be flexible. Set it up in whatever way best reduces your stress as a couple. If you're unsure, always strike up a conversation with the parents in question, to help you make your final decision.

Managing a Reception Menu

So, here are some thoughts after being a guest (not the coordinator) at an event; I love food. I mean, who doesnt enjoy a wonderfully presented, delightfully flavorful spread? In fact, the cuisine at a wedding, or any celebration can make or break the mood.

That said, here are some of the, often-overlooked, things to keep in mind:

1) Its OK to request adjustments to recipes, including seasoning. An example being, fresh mixed greens can be overpowered by too much garlic (or vinegar) in the dressing. Be sure you check small details at the tasting. An overdressed side dish can ruin your palette for the rest of the meal
2) If you are kind & generous to the servers, theyre more likely to pass that attitude on to your guests
3) Sometimes a poor cut of meat gets disguised with too much sauce. Be sure that the cut & seasoning that you sample (and approve) are what you actually get at your event.
4) Its better to have a few selections of higher taste and quality, than a bunch of selections that are bland & ordinary.
5) Lastly, order what you like. Of course, you want to keep your guests in mind, within reason. That doesnt mean you have to have the fail-safe pasta bar, when youre just dying for Thai food. Even with Thai, a good marinated chicken (not too spicy), will work for everyone.

Oh, and I always like to strongly urge the Bride & Groom to get through their plate of food, all the way through, once they sit down. This way, they enjoy the meal that they carefully selected, fuel-up for the party ahead, and keep the schedule of events on track for everyone involved.

Choosing Colors; A Basic Guide

I find that in going back to basic High School Art Class lessons is greatly helpful in choosing colors. Did you ever make up a color wheel? If so, you know that complimentary colors are opposite each other, analogous (or harmonious colors) are next to each other, and monochromatic colors are actually one color with various amounts of tint or shade.
Go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_wheel#Analogous_color_scheme for more details.

To give you a better idea of how this concept is applied, for a winter wedding, here are some examples:

complimentary scheme: pomegranate red, chartreuse & gold gilt (add a little chocolate brown for depth)
analogous scheme: lavender (purple), pale blue (blue) & white w/ silver accents
monochromatic scheme: royal purple, violet, periwinkle

Your colors can also be an expression of you, the season or a favorite hobby. An autumn wedding just bekons for tints of orange. You may grow sunflowers, so choose various shades of yellow. Sports fans may quietly incorporate team colors. There are so many places to gain inspiration.

A Planner can help you decide how much to use of your chosen colors, and where to utilize them.

Here is an example of monochomatic pinks.

It's Good to be Green.

Budget Basics for the Newly Engaged.

There are several aspects to beginning a financial plan. Three of the main elements for establishing a budget are: prioritizing, research and communication.
The "priorities" part consists of determining the areas of you celebration that are most important to the two of you, and ranking them. An example would be: #1 attire (the dress), #2 Catering (your guests) #3 Photography (your memories) #4 Floral (the setting).
The research part starts by gathering quotes. For instance, and experienced caterer should be able to get you a basic proposal within 2-3 days of contacting them with your event information. Be sure you ask them to include any services charges, rentals & taxes. Many vendors (photographers, musicians, and limo companies) have package pricing on their websites. By doing a little homework, you can get a clearer picture of what costs what.
It is so important to, communicate! You and your fiancé should talk about what you really want to stand firm on, and what elements are flexible. Really listen to each other. Planning your wedding a great practice round for planning a life together.
Other elements are: who is paying for what, what are you willing to give up if you start to run over, and what kinds of resources you have. In dividing up the financial responsibility, often youll need to bring family into the conversation. Included at the bottom of this entry is the traditional list of whos responsible for what. As you approach the big day, its common to run over budget. If you discussed ahead of time your must haves, its easier to eliminate or scale down some of the less crucial elements. Maybe your sliver vased orchid centerpieces become glass & candles, or his Armani tux becomes a linen suit. Its possible to adjust, without losing site of your vision. Also, dont forget about personal resources. You may have a friend whos photography hobby has grown enough to look semi-professional. Perhaps theres an aunt with enough sewing & crafting expertise to take care of the ring bearer pillow & unity candle. You probably have a business colleague whod do a great job on printing needs. Dont be afraid to ask.
Finally, keep your goal in sight. At the end of the wedding day journey, all the glitz and sparkle is really about beginning a journey of a lifetime. Recently I had a bride say to me, All I need is my fiancé, a minister and a witness. I just want to be his wife. She had her priorities straight.

Traditional Financial Responsibilites
Ceremony
Bride and family pay for church or synagogue, sexton, organist, etc.
Your budget will determine the type of wedding you will have, so it should be one of the first things you tackle. Groom and family pay for marriage license and officiant's fee.
Clothes
Bride and family pay for bride's dress, veil, accessories, and trousseau (read: lingerie and honeymoon clothes). Groom and family pay for groom's outfit. All attendants pay for their own clothing (including shoes).
Flowers
Bride and family pay for arrangements for church (including huppah if a Jewish ceremony) and reception, plus bouquets and corsages for bridesmaids and flower girls. Groom and family pay for bride's bouquet and going-away corsage, boutonnieres for men, and corsages for mothers and grandmothers.
Honeymoon
Groom and family pay for complete honeymoon.
Photography
Bride and family pay for all wedding photos and video.
Prewedding Parties
Bride or groom's family plans and hosts engagement party; if there is more than one, bride's family hosts the first one. Groom's family plans and hosts the rehearsal dinner. Bride plans and hosts bridesmaids' luncheon. Groom hosts and plans bachelors' dinner. Maid of honor and bridesmaids host shower. Best man and ushers host bachelor party. Friends may throw additional engagement parties or showers.
Reception
Bride and family pay for all professional services, including food, drink, decorations, and music.
Rings
Bride and/or her family pay for groom's ring. Groom and/or his family pay for both of the bride's rings.
StationeryBride and family pay for invitations, announcements, and wedding programs.
Transportation
Bride and family pay for transportation of bridal party to and from ceremony and reception.

A Little Blue? It's Expected on Your Wedding Day.

In keeping with the theme of ways to add personal touches to your big day, I'm addressing a long standing tradition and offering some fresh ways to approach it.

Something Blue
... represents loyalty and faithfulness. This symbolism dates back to Biblical times, when blue stood for purity and constancy. Brides often choose to wear a blue garter to keep with this tradition or blue ribbons in their hair. If you want to strive for a more unique way to honor this tradition, Violets represent loyalty and faithfulness, and can be incorporated into your bouquet, or pressed and put in a locket. Offering Personalized Violet Flower Seed Favors to wedding guests ties in nicely with this theme (Forget-Me-Nots are another romantic option for this spin on blue). Another stylish and tasteful trend to arise lately is blue silk emboidery on the dress itself... this allows you to bring together "something new" and "something blue". I recently saw a fun-loving bride who had her shoes dyed a pale shade of turquoise. It was a singularly unique and light-hearted surprise under a very elegant and traditional dress.

Remember that your wedding day is a celebration, as well as a serious commitment. Infuse your choices with joy and personality. This will make the experience memorable for, not only you and the groom, but for the guests who come to witness the occasion & support you in your lives together.

Hints and Tips as Bridal Expo Season Approaches

Gathering Information During Expo Season

As the Bridal Expo approaches, I want to offer my help and advice. It is exciting to meet vendors, comparing prices and services. I absolutely encourage this, as it will help you brain-storm ideas for your big day. It's also a great way for the bride and the mother-of-the-bride to discuss their opinions, and come to an accord.

1) Get fuel:
Remember to take snacks and bottled water to any Expo. It will take you two to five hours to get through, especially if you stay for a fashion show. You'll need your energy.

2) Stay organized:
Have and alphabetized accordian file to slip information into, sort by vendor name, or sort by type of services; florists, caterers, bakeries, bridal salons/apparel, photographers, musicians, planners etc.

3) Two's company:
Take your groom. Drag him, entice him with food, promise him a full afternoon of football with no interuptions, just get him there. By making the expo a date, he'll 1) understand how much work there is to do 2) in understanding, he'll appreciate you more 3) Guys are visual. Seeing details, in person, will help him to communicate what is important to him as the two of you plan your wedding.

4) Pace yourself:
Plan on going to the 1st day of the bridal show. Remember, most expos are 2 day events. If you are overwhelmed, or pressed for time the first day, you can come back the second day.

5) You're not alone:
As you collect business cards and file away brochures, please remember that there are professional consultants who can help you. After you've looked around on your own, even if you've picked just the right florist, or the perfect dress, there is still SO MUCH to do: negociate contracts, choose a theme or colors, book locations, find a caterer and menu, meet with cake creator, set up timelines and budgets, decide on a photography package, select and send invitations, outfit the wedding party, purchase gifts, arrange travel plans, and much more. Seeing to all the details is both joyful and STRESSFUL, it's great to have a professional help you.

6) Have fun! Your planning the biggest, best party of your life... leading to the most important moment of you life. Celebrate together.

Call me if you need help. I'd love to be of service.

See you at the Tacoma Fall Bridal Expo, September 8-9!

-Gina

A Message to the Groom: How Does the Groom Stand Out on the Wedding Day?

I read an article today about how the groom can stand out. It was anti-climactic, outlining the basics, that any wedding planner or fine men's wear shop should already know. 1) Choose a subtly different tux/suit from the groom's men 2) Have a slightly different, perhaps "fancier" boutonniere 3) Wear a different color or style of tie 4) Wear a different color or style of vest/cummerbund. While these are all simple, effective ways of having your attire stand out, I was hoping for some advise with more substance.

I firmly believe a wedding isn't just about how everyone/everything looks. There needs to be depth. After all, this is an emotional, romantic day about two individuals making a meaningful, life-long commitment to be a loving couple. Perhaps the groom should stand out, not only by his attire, but by his actions. Lovely, sweet gestures, planned by the man have incredible value.

Here are some ideas that show how the grooms actions speak louder that men's wear. 1) Order your bride a special flower arrangement for the big day. Have it placed in her ready-room with sparkling cider (or champagne), and a personal love note from you. 2) Before or after the rehearsal dinner, steal some time by planning a mini romantic get-away to a favorite spot, have a picnic waiting, and propose a toast to your bride & your lives together 3) Plan the honeymoon & fill it with personal touches. Example: write a note for each day youll be away and have one delivered to your hotel room, with a single red rose, each morning. 4) At your reception, surprise her with a slide show of your lives before each other & after meeting 5) Dont just thank the guests for coming when you offer a toast at the reception. Thank your new wife for choosing you.

Finally, remember this isnt just a day. This is THE day you start the rest of your life with the woman you love. Make it count!

Besides being Prince Charming, the Groom is also friend, counselor, & partner. Make a meaningful mark at your wedding and start your marriage off right!

Eco-friendly, "Green" Weddings & Events are on the Rise

Environmentally friendly weddings & events? Yes, we do.

In a desire to serve our growing variety of clientele, and respect the gorgeous surroundings of our Pacific Northwest, A Greater Plan now offers (among so many other services) "green" events.

Inspired by my Environmental Sciences degree-holding sister, and guidance from author Danny Seo, we now offer our customers the option of fabulous fetes using eco-friendly materials & ideas.

Call or email for more information on how you can think outside the box, and join the eco-entertaining movement.

Best regards,

Gina Lillie
Owner/Lead Consultant & Designer
A Greater Plan Weddings & Events Consulting

Using locally grown, organic flowers is a great way to be earth-friendly. Then, what to do with all that floral abundance after your event? You can donate to hospitals, churches or retirement/nursing homes to share your joy.

Seasonal Themes & Color Trends; How to Make Them Work for You

As spring unfurls all new green and sunshine gold, I’m transfixed with the possibilities for color; color in layers, color in textures, color in varying shades & tones, color expressed through themes and seasons. While the opportunities for color are absorbing, they can also be endlessly confusing. So, where to begin?

1) Start simple. One way to do so is to think seasonally. For instance, the hot-hot trend for spring and summer is bright! Start with a bright that appeals to you. Are you a racy candy-apple red kind of woman, or does daisy-button yellow light up your world? Maybe, Mediterranean blue sweeps you away. Choose one color statement, then accent with neutral white and a single complimentary pastel.

Examples of this strategy: white & yellow w/ periwinkle, white & candy-red with chartreuse, white & bright blue w/ light coral, white & violet w/ butter-cream).

Note: Another simple, fail proof way to implement brights is color-on-color, aka, monochrome (which is a term that sounds so boring, I rarely use the ho-hum word for such a brilliant idea. Blah.). Start with your bright. Then add a tint* of the same color two degrees lighter, and another tint two more steps down. Getting a graduated paint chip sample is a great way to establish a visual of this idea.

2) Add texture. A color-on-color scheme can become more dramatic with texture incorporated. For a beach wedding in neutrals (like khaki) & pastels, the interest in injected with the addition of reed & bamboo centerpieces, woven grass mats, soft lighting and the reflective surfaces of copper lanterns and a shell & beach glass aisle runner.

3) Choose a theme. Though the theme is not mandatory (I recently worked with a bride who was in a minor panic because she didn’t have one. “Is this a requirement?” she asked me, obviously perplexed.), it often helps clarify a cloudy vision. Carefully pick and choose what elements from your inspiration you’d like to incorporate. For instance, an Autumn Harvest wedding is going to naturally lead you to warm, welcoming color choices. Pick a few seasonal elements (pale-yellow crookneck squash, creamy colored wicker baskets, shady+-crimson chrysanthemums, rust-tone maple leaves), and STOP. The challenge with a theme is to walk the fine line between too-little-to-notice, and so-much-excess that your wedding becomes an amusement park attraction. Because of this balancing act the theme wedding is one very good reason to look for a Planner.

4) Lastly… have fun with it! My last, most important piece of advice is that this is your wedding! Don’t give up your favorite shade of fresh lime green because your third bride’s maid prefers cocoa-latte satin. Yes, you should be guest conscious, within the bounds of reason. But if you try to please everyone all the time, you won’t be pleased yourself, Be true your dream. Your wedding day is the last day you ever want to have “what-if?” regrets.

*tint: color w/ white added
+shade: color w/ black added

Where, Oh Where Will the Wedding Be?; Last Minute Location Hunting

Are you still looking for a reception site? Have you not found the right location because they're all booked on your date, or the pricing is outrageous? I challenge you to think outside the box!

Often, frustrated brides come to me because they've tried typical web searches ("tacoma banquet venue", "seattle reception hall") and keep getting similar results. Especially on short notice, it can be a challenge to nail down a location. This is where a little experience and creative thinking come into play. One of my favorite strategies is to suggest a park. Most Metro & County Park Systems have picturesque indoor and/or outdoor locations that are affordable and available, even on short notice. Think towering pines, sweeping views, streams, rivers, historical buildings or grassy meadows. There are even contemporary, urban parks for a more modern look & feel.

I also find that many parks departments are flexible about usage of space; a park that may not be listed as an events venue is often happy to welcome you in with your own tenting and rentals, for a minimal donation to the park's fund.

Here are a few suggestions:

HOT TIP: Tacoma Nature Cente: they're having a bridal open house on Sat. Feb. 10th!
www.metroparkstacoma

Titlow Lodge
www.metroparkstacoma.org
Seymour Conservatory
www.metroparkstacoma.org
Dumas Bay Centre
www.cityoffederalway.com
Buck Lake Park
www.kitsapgov.com/parks/regionalparks/buck_lake_county_park.htm
Silverdale Waterfront Park
http://www.kitsapgov.com/parks/communityparks/silverdale_waterfront_park.htm
Scenic Beach State Park
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Scenic%20Beach
Saint Edward State Park
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Saint%20Edward
Washington State Heritage Parks:
http://www.parks.wa.gov/heritage.asp

Kids are Guests Too.

Great music, gourmet menus, candle light & cocktails... we put so much effort into seeing to our wedding guests' comfort. It makes the big day memorable for everyone. While we take time to cater to our peers, we often forget the littlest party-goers.

If you are hosting an all-inclusive event, be sure you take time to make it family friendly. Serve some kid-hit foods (like, pigs in a blanket, apple dippers, and pastas) and provide them with age appropriate activities. Moms & dads will appreciate your thoughtfulness even more than the kids.

Some ideas:

Big Budget:
-hire a balloon artist or face painter
-rent or purchase puppets & a theater and let the tots produce their own show
-rent an inflatable bounce toy or a ball bin (they are now made in various sizes, and can fit indoor venues)
-create an ice cream/soda counter (dispense a limited amount of tickets, to keep little ones from eating themselves into a tummy ache)
-bring in a dress-up chest of fancy clothes, so kids can play at wedding (or fireman, or super hero, or princess)

Small Budget:
-reserve a table or tables for crayons, washable markers, pads of paper, legos & tinkertoys
-for an outdoor venue: fill a small wading pool with sand, buckets, shovels and dump truck toys
-get inexpensive craft kits so children can make their own wedding favors(have a highschool-age friend oversee this)

Lastly, provide ammenities for infants & toddlers. High chairs, and a place for the itty bitty ones to crash are thoughtful touches. Rent or borrow a couple of port-a-cribs, and station them in a quiet corner (or a seperate room with a monitor). This consideration will let moms & dads stay past early baby bedtimes, or having to bow out because it's tiny-tot nap time.

resourses:
www.orientaltrading.com
www.parents.com
www.kidscraftweekly.com

Color, Fashion and Glamour

Well, I have to say, I’m inspired. Recently I spent the weekend at the Fall Bride’s Club Expo at the Tacoma Dome. The displays were artful, the vendors personable and the clientele delightful. New ideas in floral, fashion, and entertaining abounded. As I have a love for art & color, I was particularly aware of how color was employed for a variety of effects. There were rich chocolates complimenting glamorous gold. Peacock blue was a delightful surprise; with feathers gracefully arcing out of floral arrangements. Deep eggplant added subtlety to vibrant chartreuse & lipstick pink. Expectedly, autumn hues dominated the day, but candlelight added ambiance, crystal sparkled and lilies dazzled. This was a quality event. If you missed it, don’t let the January show pass you by.

Thank you to all the brides, their friends and their families for coming out to the Fall Expo at the Tacoma Dome. Your response was warm, your comments all positive and receptive. The weekend was a great experience for A Greater Plan. We hope it was the same for you.

-Gina at A Greater Plan Weddings & Events Consulting

Bangles, Beads and Precious Stones; Jewelry & Accessories

In my continued endeavors to provide brides with ways to make thier day unique, I have another lovely idea. Custom jewels at affordable prices. Why stop at the perfect wedding ring? Go a step further and have a custom choker, chain or bracelet created just for you.

Weddings are full of tradition and sybolism. You get to pick and choose which ones are right for you. Why not add the timeless beauty of custom made jewelry to your special day?

Just as flowers have their own language, so do precious and semi-precious stones. Some examples are: Pearl: understanding and love for the true values in life....touches the deepest emotions. Rose Quartz: The stone of love... sybolizes the calm and serene emotions. Tourmaline, pink: beauty, happiness and love.

Look for a custom artist in your area. Some work in traditional fine jewelry, based on castings in gold and precious cut stones ($$$). Others may specialize in custom sterling & gold wire work, pearls on silk cord, hand made beads or original clasps and findings ($). Look for someone to fit your particular style, vision & pocket book (local art fairs, and even Farmers' Markets, can yield uniquely talented vendors). A favorite vendor in the Gig Harbor area is Reverence Jewelers, on Harborview Dr.

On your Big Day, match the sparkle in your eyes with a custom sparkle at the neckline. After all, all of us ladies know that it's all about the accessories.

-Gina at A Greater Plan

Mini-Maid Meltdown; Happiness tips for Flower Girls

Just a "happiness" tip, based on an experience this weekend...
If you choose a 3-year-old flower girl and she has meltdown at the top of the aisle, don't force her to walk it. You'll feel terrible, and so will she.
The way a Wedding Consultant works, is she helps mangage all the little details, including relations with vendors and other help. But, there is only so much a Consultant can do to when a determined mom and a cute, but cranky, toddler are involved in the scenario. So again, I say, if your Flower Girl if feeling traumatized, don't insist (in all fairness, it was mama, not the Bride) that she make the long trek in sobs and tears. It's just too sad. Do remember that you, the Bride walk down right behind this miserable child. Where would you like your Groom's focus to be?
So, what to do? My 1st suggestion is to curb the possibility of crying to begin with, by getting an age appropriate gift for this littlest attendant. A white teddybear with a big ribbon, that she could carry down the aisle with her, has worked beautifully for me in the past. Or, as we ended up doing in this case, you might have to have the Consutant/Hostess request that mama carry the child down the aisle (a mama of a 3-year-old aught to be asked in advance to choose attire that would allow her to do this in style). Lastly, if none of the above have hope of working, let it go. Have the sad sweety calmly removed to the side with a tissue, cookie and glass of water. Don't focus on toddler tears just as you're going to take that momentous journey down the aisle. Now, take a deep breath and smile!

Dress for Less; Brides on a Budget

For many Brides, getting a beautiful wedding and staying within a limited budget contradict each other. For instance, often a right-out-of-college woman is paying off loans & dealing with living costs. Even if the Bride doesn't have this worry, because her parents are generous or her own finances are in good order, the Bride's Maids might have these financial concerns. So how can a girl get great style with out breaking the bank?...

Problem: You want picture perfect style for your wedding, but the budget is tight.

Solutions:
1) Think rental: While the Bride may resist this idea for herself, the Bride's Maids are likely to be thrilled with the idea of this budget-saving option. Look for formal dress rental companies in your area, or online. You can save up to 75% off what you'd pay for a "keeper". Most of these rental businesses will also rent high-quality coordinating accessories.

2) Shop After-Season-Sales: Post Christmas/New Year's Sales & Post Prom Season clearances are great opportunities to secure a rock bottom price on sky-high fashion trends.

3) Don't be afraid of large Department Stores. At the time of this blog entry, Macys, Saks and other major stores are preparing for their Mem. Day Sales. Dresses by Evan Picone, Maggy London, Donna Morgan, Vera Wang, BCBG, Anne Klein, & Kay Unger are, and will be, fabulously marked down (I am particularly fond of the platinum "Vera Wang Maids" Satin V-Neck currently on clearance at Macys.com).

4) Remember not to be afraid to think out of the box in any area of your wedding. As an example, I did a search online for "cocktail dress", and "silk dress". This sent me to resources not normally associated with bridal shopping... Chadwicks, Speigel, Overstock.com, metrostyle.com (a Lerner partner) and specialty boutiques.

Lastly, take time to consider, not only your vision, but the well-being of those persons you've asked to join in the celebration. Remember that your big day is really about WHO shares in the special moments, not WHAT they are wearing.

Sincerely

Gina at A Greater Plan

Leaning Tower of Cake

OK, here's a funny story with a happy ending, and a tip to Brides:

A few weekends ago, I was coordinating a Ceremony (plus parts of the Reception). It was an elegant, elaborate affair with over 300 guests and many special details. As the day began to unfold, things were falling neatly into place (bonus: I was blessed with an especially lovely set of clients)... the wedding party arrived as planned, the photographers were exceptionally organized and personable, our floral caterer was prompt and creative and the timeline was right on target. I love it when a plan comes together.

So, about the time photos were wrapping up, an unforseen architectual glich occured. See, this wedding had not one formal cake, but two. The second cake was picked up by family and transported approximatly 60 miles to the site. Here's the lesson: Tell your Consultant about ALL your little details.... The Bride opted to handle this detail on her own (without dropping me the contact # for the bakery). Unfortunately, as the days got increasingly busy leading up to the wedding, she forgot to call and confirm the pick-up time for this elaborately stacked/tired Norwegian-style confection. As a result, the cake WAS NOT READY when the appointed family member dropped by the bakery to pick it up , just hours before the Ceremony. In a panic, the bake-staff quickly assembled this tower of cream and cake. Now, this delicate, hastily built, very TALL cream cake was being driven (by a man), on a sunny day, to the Ceremony-Reception site... do you see where I'm going with this? Thankfully, it arrived intact. However, once placed on the cake table, it developed a decided lean... and just kept slowly sliding, like a famous tower in Italy, built on a soft foundation. Happy Ending: With some emergency culinary doctoring (bamboo skewers are a good thing to have on hand), a pastry distaster was averted (thank you, Hollin, for taking the lead on solving this one).

So Brides, remember, your Consultant is your friend, your buddy. Tell her all your little nuptial secrets. You don't give up control of your creative vision, but you do get your to have your cake and eat it too!

To Plan, or Not to Plan.

What is a Wedding Planner? Why to hire a Wedding Planner.

A Wedding Planner is a professional whose expertise and contacts will help make your wedding as close to perfect as it can be…and let you relax and enjoy your wedding. You can count on a wedding planner to support you in many roles, including, but not necessarily limited to, advisor, coordinator, supervisor, mediator and financial planner.

What Will a Wedding Planner Do for Me?

In addition to helping make your wedding dreams come true within your budget—perhaps even saving you from making some costly mistakes—a consultant will save you time. With today’s hectic, career-oriented lifestyle, many bridal couples and their families do not have the time for the detailed planning and work that results in a beautiful wedding. A Wedding Planner, working with you, can handle the smallest details, allowing you the freedom to do what you want to do.

What If I Want to Plan Part of the Wedding Myself?

A Wedding Planner will work with you, handling as much or as little as you want. The Wedding Planner is there to help you and make your day perfect. Planning the wedding can certainly be fun for the bride, but it also can be an added stress. After you’ve formulated your basic plans, a wedding planner is there to help check sources for each service, making sure all the details are in place, and negotiating the best deals for you.

Can I Afford a Wedding Planner?

Or a better question is: Can I not afford one? Think of how most brides quickly spend money on cake & food (which you don't get to keep), but hesitate to spend money on a coordinator, who helps make memories to keep for a lifetime. Consider, you often save money because the Wedding Planner might be aware of the most cost effective alternatives and can often obtain discounts from suppliers. Above all, a Professional Wedding Planner will work with you to bring about your dream wedding.

Do I Need a Wedding Planner?
You may view a Wedding Planner as a distinct asset. Wouldn’t you rather spend time with your fiancée and your families rather than worrying about all the details? A Wedding Planner will take care of the details, leaving you enjoy the most important day of your lives!

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Top of the Tower- A Gorgeous Terrace Reception Location