Wedding Planning? or Wedding Dreading?

Today, I overscheduled myself. I have a longer list than what I take grocery shopping, and I’m feeling a bit frazzled. It was a day that reminded me that I am not super woman just because I have a planner, a couple highlighters in different colors, and an optimistic mindset. I forget things, and remember them at the absolute worst time, and making sure everything goes smoothly is the first thought of my day. It inspired me to think about how intricate wedding planning is. Not only the planning, but also being organized. Even if you do have a wedding planner, there are still things that can get a little hectic. Wedding planning is meant to a blissful and awesome experience! It’s sort of like planning a vacation. Finding the perfect destination, booking it, and then counting down the days are half the fun. So why do so many brides engulf themselves in a negative perspective towards all of the planning? Is it the money? Is it the lack of time? Is it just not knowing what you want? Maybe it’s a difference of opinions. In any situation there is a remedy. Be realistic. If there are things that you just have to have at your wedding, realize there will need to be sacrifices and compromises in other aspects of your wedding. If there is a lack of time, looking into a professional, experienced wedding coordinator is probably a great idea. If you can’t make a decision, sleep on it. If you still can’t, look for other sources of inspiration. Staying organized with a positive attitude is always a plus, but realizing that all of this takes time is the key. Brides take months to plan for their wedding for a reason. Don’t overload yourself. Take time to do it, and just have fun bonding with your groom!

Wedding Planning Goes Positive!

Today, I want to introduce you to the newest member of our One of a Kind Team. Her name is Polly Polka Dot. Polly has come on board to remind us that in wedding planning and in every day life, it is all about your attitude. She wants us to play her “positive game” with her. In all of her relationships and in daily circumstances, she tries to look on the positive side and find something to be grateful for. Wedding planning can bring out the best and the worst in family/friend relationships. From the time you get engaged well meaning friends and family give you their opinions of what you should do for wedding color scheme, wedding flowers, wedding traditions, food, entertainment and on and on and on. Do you ever get the feeling that you wish you hadn’t told them you were getting married?!? Anyway, they do mean well but all that “advice” can sometimes bring on more stress in your wedding planning instead of helping. So in all that advice try to find something to positive or grateful for. When your dad is complaining AGAIN about how much all this is costing, remember that there are many brides and grooms that are paying for all of their own wedding expenses and be thankful that he is helping with a portion of your costs. When you mom is giving you more of her “advice” than you think you can take, remember that there are some brides whose mother is no longer with them to share in this experience and be thankful for her health and love for you. When your fiancé is complaining that you are working on wedding details again tonight, remember why you fell in love with him in the first place and schedule a night out for just the two of you (very soon.) Make it a wedding free zone and spend the evening just enjoying each other with no mention of the upcoming wedding. So over the next few months, Polly will stop by the blog to share some of her favorite quotes and will be turning up in all kinds of places to remind us to be positive. Keep checking out our website http://www.oneofakindevents.org/ and look for Polly’s page to play the positive game with her and be entered to win "one of a kind" prizes!!


Today’s quotes-
“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.” Maya Angelou

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

http://www.oneofakindevents.org/meet-the-designer/meet-polly-polka-dot/

Wedding Receptions Can be Fun!

Your wedding reception is the first and probably the largest party you will ever host as husband and wife. So think about what is important when you plan a great party – great guests (that is a given, after all they are your friends and family!), great food and tons of fun! So wow your guests with beautiful décor when they walk in and then feed them the best dinner that you can afford but don’t forget about what happens the rest of the night. Wedding receptions are much more than just cutting the cake and throwing the bouquet and garter. The best receptions that I have been to this year are those that gave the guests lots of activities in which to participate during the evening. Make sure you have a qualified professional DJ or band to get the mood set with music and to get the party guests up and dancing but don’t forget that everyone needs a break now and then and also not everyone is a dancer. So some of my favorite guest activities of this year have been:

Photo booths – Get a photo booth that fits more people than one of two so that your guests can take multiple pictures with each other. Find out if your photobooth company provides props ( hats, wigs, boas, masks, - get creative). Some of the professionals I have worked with set up an entire table and hat rack full of creative possibilities to help your wedding guests in the mood for fun. Obviously it worked for me and a couple of other crazy One of a Kind staff members at Holly and Dave's wedding this summer!  Then choose the option of having a scrapbook where the guests take one photo strip with them and place the other in the scrapbook for you, even adding a line or two of best wished beside their pictures. These photo strips can also serve as your favors and are a lot more fun for your guests than a votive candle with your names on it!



If you want more edible wedding favors then you may opt for the interactive candy bar. Wedding guests LOVE these as they get to choose their favorite goodies to take home with them or eat while they enjoy the evening. This is another place that you can personalize your wedding theme and décor. Below are three very different candy bars that have been featured at our Indiana weddings. From the cool soft ivory and white shades with a touch of blue and very ornate cookies and pops, to the bold orange and hot pink and chocolate, to a table full of all their favorite candies, each of these reflects the bride and groom’s personalities and give a “sweet treat” in celebration of their love.

Hot pink and orange "Love is Sweet" with gerbera daisy trim featuring pink and orange carmel corn, orange covered malted milk balls,  raspberry and orange filled South Bend Chocolates and other decadent favorites

All the fun favorite from Tootsie Rolls, Skittles, M&Ms, Jolly Ranchers, Orange Slices, Spiral Suckers, and more (fill in with your favorites!!)- all set to be placed in small chinese take out containers to go!







 
An elegant all white/ivory and blue candy bar featuring white M&Ms, yogurt covered raisins, white chocolate covered Oreos, Salt Water Taffy,
white chocolate covered pretzels, Jordan Almonds, cake pops, and intricately decorated pretzel sticks and cookies! See the detail shots below!! A great feast for all the guests - they LOVED it!!!!

Make sure you think about your guests at your party and plan some FUN for you and them. They will remember this party for years to come!!!

Wedding Flowers and Color Trends for 2012

I am often asked by brides what I see for colors in wedding flowers and décor for the coming couple of years. This year was a year of shades of purple – from lavender to lapis in bridesmaids dresses as well as flowers and decorations. While I believe that we will still see many purple accents for 2012, next year will be the year of shades of blue. We have had some beautiful Fort Wayne weddings ahead of the blue trend this summer and fall. Our bridesmaids have looked gorgeous in gowns of deep navy, royal and horizon. Or mix in a touch of green and you will get great shades of teal, turquoise and pool. These blue gowns have been accented with wedding bouquets in great color combinations of navy, yellow and white and navy and pink. The turquoise and teal gowns have been accented in their favorite purple flowers with a touch of green or very natural green and white bouquets for great wedding photographs. For a softer look, choose simple gowns for bridesmaids in shades of tan, ivory, or taupe and have them carry bouquets of soft blue hydrangea.

Blue is a cool color and psycholocially makes us feel relaxed and comfortable. In the midst of crazy wedding planning, how great would it be to be able to relax and take some of the stress off! Also, blue is a color that goes well with all skin tones. Navy is becoming the new black, where brides don’t want to go all the way to black gowns, but navy dresses can be worn again and are very slimming on many figures. So as you are planning your wedding flowers and color scheme, think blue!

The other trend we see coming from the celebrity weddings of 2011 – the Royal Wedding and the Kardashian’s opulent affair is the luxury of all white. You need to be a little bit more daring to follow this trend all the way by putting your entire wedding party in white but it can be the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. Think of how great Kate’s sister Pippa looked in her white gown with all the little flower girls walking down the aisle of Westminster Abbey. The formality of black tie affairs are definitely back and there is nothing classier than all black and white. But if you are a little leery of having everyone in white gowns, then choose a dark tone in dresses and tuxes (black, navy or chocolate) or tans and ivory in attire and then do all of your wedding flowers and décor in shades of white and ivory. There are a wide variety of white blossoms available in all shapes and sizes and in all seasons . Whenever you choose to go all in one color make sure that you include different textures and materials to give you interest and style. So if a elegant, luxurious wedding is what you are looking for, think white and those classic photographs will be as elegant on your 50th anniversary as they are on your wedding day.

The Total Package!

What awesome weddings we have had the past few weekends!! One that particularly stood out was a four day event focused on the guests. Weddings are thought of as a day that is all about the bride and groom. But if you really think about it, isn't it just as much for the loved ones that are witnesses to the two people committing themselves to one another? This bride did an amazing job at making those guests, and especially the out of town guests feel welcome and comfortable for a weekend that was just as sweet as the couple.

the entry. plan b.

I used to think I had the absolute perfect wedding day pictured out. I didn’t know all of the details, but I had a general atmosphere I wanted to share with my guests. I think most brides feel this way. It’s just what we do as little girls…we dream. As I was helping coordinate a wedding, I saw a bride’s dream. It was overlooking the lake on a quiet evening. Lanterns were strung across the ceiling of a grand tent, hovering over numerous tables that were adorned with lush flowers and lights. A short while later, I saw it flying across the field, and toppling onto the saturated ground. The wind and rain in just a few short minutes, created a demolition site. In a panic, I looked to my boss. Guests were about to arrive, and we were back at square one. As the rainstorm died, my hope came to life. It was our job to make it the best and most beautiful day of her life. As guests arrived, the true essence of what family is showed through.  Bridesmaids replaced linens, guests helped place centerpieces, groomsmen hung soggy lanterns and wiped off chairs. It was her day. We had to reinforce plan b. It wasn’t her dream, nor what she wanted. However, she was marrying her best friend, and that’s all that mattered. As I walked away from that tent that night with wet hair, I realized there was a lesson involved. Maybe our “plan” doesn’t really matter. Maybe obsessing over every detail isn’t as efficient as we think. Maybe we need to step back, and appreciate the important things in life a little more often. Isn’t that what really matters? A marriage is bond between a man and woman in good times and bad. We love every aspect of our partner, even when times are down. When that tent was down, we had each other to be thankful, and a couple ready to show they were in it for the sunshine, as well as the stormy weather.

the entry. caitlin.

This is the entry. Who am I? I am merely a broke, stressed college student doing what I love.  I take on a little more than I can handle. I have high standards, and have learned to have low expectations. I believe, trust, and love in a higher power that is bigger and more amazing than anything I could ever dream of. I think that any negative experience is a blessing. Not only is it a lesson learned, but an opportunity to create something positive. I believe that if you want great things and you want to do great things, there needs to be great risk involved. I know everything happens for a reason. I want to be a loving wife and very involved mother someday. I aspire to be an event planner that exhibits my best qualities and sets me apart. I don’t mind that I do things differently. I prefer it actually. I think a temper is necessary sometimes. I suppose that smiling and saying, “thank you” needs to be done more often. I am still growing and learning. Please teach me something?  An entry of my life. An entry to my life. This is me, Caitlin R. Turner. 

 

 

Hey! I am Caitlin, One of a Kind Events' intern! I am a Junior at Indiana University Purdue University, Fort Wayne studying Hospitality Management. My area of interest is event planning. However, a better word would be area of obsession or passion. I will be guest-blogging on the One of a Kind Events' page talking about my experiences as a busy college student while also getting to do what I love-working with brides and coordinating weddings! I juggle my time between classes, my internship, and also another job at Charlotte Russe. I love every second of it. I called my blog, "the entry" as it not only serves as a blog entry, but also the entryway to my perspective. More importantly, I aspire to inspire and help create the perfect day you envisioned.

2012 Wedding Trends - Part 2

The secound big trend we saw for 2012 was the use of dramatic color and design in weddings. Have you ever been called a "drama queen"? Then your wedding is a great time to let that drama come out! I don't mean turning into a bridezilla and making it to that crazy TV show! I mean you are wearing a gown that is larger than any other piece of clothing that you will ever wear - this is the time to add dramatic flourishes to the rest of the wedding plans. We are seeing a huge use of the color red in weddings in the next couple of years. Red has long been considered the color of love and passion and makes a very dramatic statement in wedding design. It can be used as the primary color or as an accent color with black, white, plum, pink or with other vibrant colors such as orange, yellow and turquoise.  Red does catch the eye so if you love it, use it in bold groupings of color such as the entry piece shown here.

When choosing red flowers as with other colors, consider the shape and texure of different flowers and how you are going to use each of the individual varieties. Will they be in bouquets, on the men's lapels, or in fantastic decor for your reception? There are many different shades of red so don't be afraid to mix deep rich black magic roses with anthurium and ginger from the tropics and add in textures with hypericum berries, dianthus and anemones.

Drama doesn't have to be achieved by just color choices. When planning your decor for your wedding and reception, think about making a couple of dramatic statements. Many of my brides and grooms opt for what we call the "WOW" factor. This means that when your guests walk into your reception, they gasp and say "WOW". Even if you are on a limited budget, consider creating a couple of areas that will make the guests' eyes pop when they walk in. Many times this can be achieved by placing a grouping design at the entrance to your reception area. This also makes a great place for guests to have family pictures taken or stop and sign notes to the bride and groom or pick up their escort cards.

Sometimes adding larger designs in a couple of places in the room make much more of an impact than dividing your budget with medium sized centerpieces on all the guest tables. Think of what you want the guests look at and do during your celebration. Is it a time for them to sit and watch the bridal party - then consider a beautiful backdrop and setting with a sweetheart table for you and your groom or for the entire bridal party. Do you want your guests to roam around the room and have pictures taken, visit the candy or ice cream sundae bar, or gather to talk with friends and family they haven't seen for a while? Then set up small vignettes to draw them to these activities and away from just sitting at their tables. Remember this is the first party that you and your new husband have thrown and you want your guests to enjoy themselves.
So if you want to create an unforgettable experience for your wedding guests - don't forget to include some dramatic touches to your decor and events with color, design and activities that will make them say "WOW, this is the best wedding I have ever been to!"

2012 Wedding Trends - Part 1

There are several trends coming to the forefront for 2012 wedding planning and decor. So if you don't find yourself comfortable in today's topic, check back for the next couple of posts and see which of the trends is most like you. The first trend we saw in design for next year is the return to nature and natural products. With the number of our One of a Kind brides opting for outdoor weddings this year, I think this trend is already in full force.

But if the thought of bad weather, back up plans or heat stroke makes you nauseous, then use natural elements to create the outdoors inside. The use of branches, mosses, river rock and many unique types of greenery and foliages give this style a very rich set of textures. Succulents such as hens and chicks as well as large leaves and grasses can give your wedding a very organic feel. This style of bride wants more style than a ball of colored roses to carry and is weaving natural elements into bouquets, boutonnieres and decor.

photo courtesy of Marah Grant Photography

Weddings we have designed in this style in 2011 have included pods, berries and even log and bark slabs on table tops in a wide variety of color combinations to achieve that natural look. From a fresh white, ivory and green to a bold orange, red and yellow combination the foliages, branches and elements from nature will incorporate your love of the outdoors into a comfortable air conditioned setting in the summer and a heated venue for a winter wedding. So if a love of nature is a love that you and your fiance share, then give your wedding that natural feel in decor, designs and personal touches that mean the most to you!

San Francisco Inspiration

What an inspiring week at AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers) Annual Symposium. Once a year in July our membership from all over the world gets together somewhere in the United States to share ideas, industry trends and of course FANTASTIC floral art. Since my induction into this prestigious organization in New York City in 2004, it is an inspirational highlight of my summer each year. This year we met in sunny San Francisco where the temperatures were in the cool 70's and the city gave us an incredibly diverse culture to explore. From little Italy to Chinatown, Nob Hill to Fisherman's Wharf and the historic cable cars to Union Square with its upscale shopping, San Francisco has something for everyone.

This would make a great honeymoon destination!! But over the next few posts, I want to share with you some of the outstanding design and trends for the coming year that we experiecned at AIFD Symposium! Stay tuned!!

Honeymoon Heaven

I hope you and your loved ones had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!! After spending time with my loving husband on a romantic vacation to sunny and warm St. Lucia and then coming back and spending time with family and friends, I feel very blessed.  I have been married for almost 4 years now and Greg and I plan on having a honeymoon every year so today's topic is: honeymoons!!  When planning your honeymoon, the first thing I suggest is to not over plan it with activites. The weeks and days leading up to your wedding will be filled with activites and stress and you need some time on your honeymoon to just enjoy each other and relax. Maybe warm tropical beaches is not your idea of paradise but let me share with you my thougths and you can translate them to your destination, wherever that might be.

I am a huge fan of  "all inclusive resorts". You have just planned the biggest event of your life and hosted a party for many of your friends and family. Now it is time to let someone take care of you! The top of my list is the Sandals resort experience. Their all inclusive packages include all the food AND drink for your stay (note that most cruise ships include food but not drinks and your bar bill when you get set to get off the ship can be mind-blowing!) I loved that fact that none of the restaurants had prices on the menus. You could order anything you wanted because it was already all paid for. The tips are also included with the Sandals packages so when you are done eating there is no reason to wait for the waiter or waitress, you just get up and leave! There are also many activities poolside and beachside to participate in during the day or in the evening so you can be as active - partying and meeting people as you want to be. Or you can choose to lay by the pool and occasionally swim over to the bar in the pool to quench your thirst and relax the day away! The staff at Sandals is incredible and there to serve you. They truly understand and are the epitome of customer service!

Another hint for a great honeymoon - use a great honeymoom specialist/travel agent. It is easy to look at a travel brochure or look on line and get excited about the incredible pictures. But to book a honeymoon takes more knowledge than pictures. A good honeymoon specialist has been to the various properties and can tell you where the best rooms are at that resort. Which ones have a "view" of the ocean through the trees and over the highway and which rooms are actually on the beach. She can share which resorts best fit what you are looking for in a honeymoon. Let me share with you my honeymoon booking story - When we had been married a year, I decided to take Greg on a second honeymoon and wanted to take him to a tropical island to get warm and away from the Indiana winter. I got in touch with a local honeymoon specialist and told her my plans. Kim asked " What do you like to do - scuba, deep sea fishing, or what?" I told her that I don't swim so the watersports were not my thing but my husband and I love to golf. She immediately said, "Then you need to go to the Grande in St. Lucia because it has a golf course included in the resort property." There is no way we would have known that without Kim's help but with her expertise we arrived and were taken care of in style by our own butler who made our dinner reservations, brought us drinks and food (at all hours of the day and night!) and took incredible care of us. It was a vacation to remember and we will be taking many more in the future thanks to Kim's knowledge and expertise.

Many couples think that travel agents are expensive and they can find better deals on line but travel agents can many times find you better deals on flights, accomodations and excursions than you can find, and without you having to spend hours looking. You also will know what you are getting for your money and will not be disappointed showing up to a place that doesn't "look like the picture". Another tip is that you don't need to have all the money up front to book a honeymoon. For a nominal deposit you can reserve your trip and then pay it over time up until a couple of month before the wedding. So book early for the best deals!!!

So here is my bonus to my readers today. If you are looking for a fantastic Sandals honeymoon specifically chosen for the two of you and what you like to do, I am sharing my incredible honeymoon specialist with you. You can contact her at: kim4honeymoons@aol.com and tell her Linda sent you. She is loads of fun and you will have a new friend for life.  Have a fun, relaxing time and drink a Margarita for me!!!

P.S. Send me pictures and tell my about your honeymoon experiences!!!

Accessorize your wedding party

Today I want to talk about my NEW favorite store!! Charmng Charlie opened just before Christmas at Jefferson Point in Fort Wayne, IN. With all of the holiday and wedding activities, today was the first time I had a chance to go check it out and WOW!! I walked in and told the sales associate "I have died and gone to heaven!" There were jewelry, purses, belts, scarves, and gifts as far as the eye could see. The selection is HUGE and set up by color so if you are looking for purple (which is what I went for today, as you can see in the picture!) you see it together, animal print inspired in another section, brown, copper, green, blue, red, etc. You get the idea.  Just phenomenal displays. And wait - here is the best part - the prices are very reasonable!!!

So what does my wonderful shopping day have to do with your wedding? Today's weddings are all about accenting with your personality and style and what better way to personalize your bridesmaid's gowns than with a truly unique necklace and earrings. No longer do you just have to choose a simple silver, gold or pearl accent to the gowns. Add a splash of color, a bold beadwork or a funky headband. Get matching jewelry for all the girls to wear or personalize each attendant with her own unique style in accessories. There are so many here to choose from that would be great to mix and match with different girls. Or if silver and sparkle is more your elegant taste - they have a special occasion section that rivals any bridal salon at GREAT prices!! One word of warning, however - they get new shipments in every day and what you see there today may not be there next week. So if you see something you fall in love with like I did - buy it now. A lot of women have been disappointed during the holiday season when they found something they wanted and then came back the next week to get it and it was gone!

And don't forget the bridesmaids, mom's and helpers gifts - what woman wouldn't love a great new purse (check out the unique style in ALL different colors displayed here) filled with fun accessories - from key chains to sunglasses, note pad to jeweled pens, Charming Charlie has the best selection I have seen anywhere. They even have a kid's section where you can find unique gifts for your flower girls.

I was so impressed with this store that I have special gift for you!!! Any bride who books her 2011 or 2012 wedding with One of a Kind Events during January or February of this year will receive a Charming Charlie gift card from me to start your shopping! So check out this amazing store and then if you have a wedding coming in the next 2 years, give me a call, email or text to schedule a free consultation and talk about your wedding style and dreams. You could be shopping on me!!!