Tips for your Invites

With warmer weather and wedding season quickly descending upon us, I have started getting invites to upcoming weddings for family and friends. This has made me think of a couple of important things to point out. Here are my Top 5, in no particular order:

1.       I always appreciate Save the Date cards! If you have a tight budget I understand if you want to cut this, but there are ways to do it cheaper. It’s not hard to print them yourself; Save the Dates can be as easy as a post card. However, after experiencing this myself, I must remind you that the Save the Date goes BEFORE the invitation. This is something that often pulls double duty as a formal engagement announcement and tells your loved ones that you have set a date and to expect an invitation. It is not meant to remind people who have already RSVP-ed that they are expected to show up.

2.       This is a biggie: when to send invitations. All the time I see brides getting over zealous and mailing out invites way too early. Typically, invitations should go out four to six weeks before the wedding, this is especially true if you have sent Save the Dates. The exceptions to this are if you have a destination wedding (a real "destination," not just "driving in to the city," or "a few people live out of town") that people will have to make travel plans for, or if you are having your event around a holiday, i.e. Memorial Day weekend or around Christmas. In that case, eight weeks should do it, though in these cases, a Save the Date is even more necessary. Sans these exceptions, it is wonderful that you are so excited about the invitations you designed or picked out, and that you are doing so well on your checklist by having all of your envelopes addressed, but try to keep them in a safe place and make yourself a reminder note for when it gets a little closer.

3.       I know I have mentioned this before, but please do not list your registries on the invitation. Tacky! Make sure your family knows where you are registered; word of mouth is incredibly effective. Also, I always recommend a wedding website (see previous blog postings) and this is a great place to put a direct link to your registries.

4.       Make it clear who is invited to the wedding. I’ll talk more about how wording and addressing at a later date, but in the meantime I must mention this briefly. Be clear on who is invited. “Mr. and Mrs. Nye” or “Jori and Jordan Nye” or “Jori Nye and Guest” or “The Nye Family.” The first two imply the two adults, the third is for a single person and allowing for a date, the forth is inviting the family, kids and all. If you are asking for people not to bring children, it is appropriate to make a note in the invitations that you would prefer guests to over a certain age. It’s your day, you are putting a lot of time, effort, and money into it, so if you would like it to be adults-only that’s fair. In defense of couples with young kids, many will choose to get a babysitter on their own. It is hard to be a guest at a wedding and keep kids corralled! Do, though, at least consider hiring babysitters and allowing guests to drop their kids off at a designated location. A hotel room or small room at your reception venue works great. Compared to other expenses of the day this would be quite minimal. Have guests RSVP for their children who will be attending childcare, then book an appropriate number of sitters for the children who will be attending.  This sends a fairly clear message that children should not be in attendance at the wedding itself, but won’t alienate anyone. This is entirely up to you, it is not something that is mandatory or even expected, but very appreciated.

5.       Make sure that you have listed a date that you expect guests to RSVP no later than. You will always have stragglers, but most people will try to be prompt. If you have a wedding website allow guests to RSVP online. It’s easy, there is no paper trail, and as long as you don’t forget your password you don’t have to worry about overlooking any responses. Many vendors will be waiting for a final guest count, like your venue(s), wedding planner, and most importantly your caterer. The RSVP date is typically two weeks before the wedding. Any earlier and your guests may not have arrangements made; any later and your vendors could have trouble with arrangements on their end.

Of course, as with every aspect of your wedding, enjoy! This is a moment where you are sending invitations to all of your loved ones (and maybe some obligatory co-workers…and your parents’ friends…) to attend and support you on your most important day.

 

With Love,Jori Nye

Favor Your Guests

They will spend the day with you, they take your picture, they will clap and clink their glasses, they will talk about what a beautiful event you had. They are your guests.

You do a lot to plan your Big Day, but your guests often do a lot to attend. They may travel a distance, get hotel rooms or babysitters, buy you a present. Many have attended a Shower or even an engagement party. You have bribed them to attend with food and drinks, but you can do just a little extra.

Everyone has been to a wedding where the couple sets out a small handful of Jordan almonds wrapped in tulle and tied with a bow. I have asked several people what the best and worst guest favors they have seen at weddings are; many people could not remember most of the favors they have received at all. Does this mean that you should skip the tradition of giving out favors entirely? No. Again, the people attending your wedding have done plenty just by being there. With that in mind here are some ideas for what you can (and cannot) do for guest favors.

Let’s cover the “don’ts” before we get to the fun stuff. Generosity, by nature, shouldn’t have regulations, but you want to make sure what you do is worth it. The average spent on guest favors is $3 per person. This can be spent on something kitschy from the likes of Oriental Trading that people will throw away before they even get home; or candy, that will take you longer to put in to little packs than it will for them to eat. OR this can be spent on something personal to you or your guests that they will remember and appreciate.

Try to make your favor relative to your wedding: play off your theme, venue, or even the season. For example: if you are getting married at a vineyard or using cork in your wedding décor (popular on Pinterest) you could give decorative wine stoppers to your guests. (Averaging $3/per from wedding suppliers like Anne’s Bridal Bargains or WeddingStar.) If you are having a Christmas wedding you could give personalized Christmas ornaments, perhaps little picture frames with an engagement photo.

We all know how much I love a “trend.” What is popular currently, especially within the green wedding movement, are plant-able or edible favors. Here are some of my favorite ideas by season.
Spring: Seed packs or Seedlings
Summer: S’more Kits
Fall: Caramel Apples
Winter: Hot Cocoa Mixes

I mentioned seeds or seedlings as favors. Linda Maggert, our fearless leader and owner of One of a Kind Events, as well as an incredibly experienced florist and FTD Master Designer, recommends using seeds that germinate quickly: wildflower or annual plant seeds. She says, “Make sure to buy seeds from a quality provider and that they are not too old, then package them in creative ways for your guests.” If you choose to give seedlings, Linda suggests buying extras since some may not survive the transplanting process into the containers in which you will display them. And most importantly, “Make sure you have someone to take care of the plants the week of the wedding, as you will have other things that occupy your mind that week, and watering plants may not be at the top of your list!” All in all, they do sound like a little bit of extra work, but they are great for outdoor weddings and brides who love DIY projects. This would also be a fun task to do with your parents and/or future in-laws who have a green thumb. They will not be a favor that guests easily forget, but some guests may forget to take them, so have someone in your wedding party to take them home and keep them alive.

One of the best options is to give a charitable gift in honor of your wedding. Many couples are choosing to donate to a special charity or non-profit. Instead of leaving something on each place setting for your guests to take home, you could place a note card on each table, or a note in the program, that, in lieu of favors, you have chosen to make a donation to “Such and Such Charity.” Not only will your money be going to a great cause, but it is also budget friendly. No one needs to know the amount you donated, and it can be more or less that the average $3 per guest that you may have spent on a more traditional favor.

 Another great part of this deal, if you have booked with One of a Kind Events and show us your Lending a Hand tag, we will donate a portion of your planning package and a percentage of your floral package, plus we will match your donation (to a certain amount) when you choose a charity from their list. Linda Maggert (pictured above at far right) feels, “We are in the business of celebrating love and what better way to celebrate than to ‘spread the love around!’” Visit www.lendingahand.net to get all the information, and a list of charities.

These are several fun ideas for an extra way to say “Thank you!” to your guests; but don’t let this part of the wedding stress you out, it truly is the thought that counts.

Fort Wayne Spotlight: All Occasion Party Rentals

 I recently had the opportunity to visit All Occasion Party Rentals. Linens, centerpieces, lighting, chairs, tableware, serving equipment, accessories, everything is available for rent.  I spoke with Kelli Kline, who has worked at All Occasion for most of its 28 years of operation, and I was so impressed with her knowledge of Fort Wayne trends, venues, and vendors that I would recommend that ALL of my brides visit this store and check out their large design showroom when they start planning their Big Day.

The “shabby chic” look is still going strong for local weddings. Think distressed wood, things appearing homemade or vintage, and textiles like burlap. (Personally, I despise burlap; it itches, it never lays right, and it SMELLS! But luckily, linen companies have caught on and have created a synthetic burlap material that has all of the benefits without those icky side effects.)

 Trend reports for upcoming seasons are predicting that weddings will have a return to elegance; more formality and pomp, with spotlights on shades like blush pink and ivory. All Occasion Party Rentals has their finger on the pulse, with these trends on display in their showroom, as well as currently popular bold colors like royal blue and emerald, and my very favorite look, black and white.

We all know that budgets are still tight these days. Kline has several ideas for creating great events for less. If you can’t afford to decorate your entire event space they way it looks on the pages you have pulled out of magazines or “pinned” online, try creating a “focal point” in the room. For the biggest effect, use the head table, which is where eyes will be for most of the night. Up-lighting can create a great ambiance, but the cost can add up to light an entire ballroom, so instead you can focus on the area behind and around your head table. Creating a stunning backdrop with draping, lights, or even something more out of the box like lanterns, will add that wow factor you are looking for.

Kline explained that the single biggest way you can create a dramatic look at your event is with LINENS! (I couldn’t agree more!) Walking in to a room full of vibrant, coordinating table linens has a huge impact on the eye. If you don’t have room in the budget for fancy table cloths on every table, consider using table runners and save the standout linens for your head table. Chairs also can add to your overall look, but they can certainly add up in cost. Throwing a chair cover and tie on the existing chairs will cost less than a chivari chair, but for that look there is no substitute.

To create an event like the ones everyone is ogling on Pinterest, Kelli insists that you should have your event outdoors. Renting a tent will ensure that weather won’t be a deterrent. Tents provide a great blank slate for decorating and themes; there is no bold ballroom carpet to coordinate with, or ugly chandeliers to distract from your décor. It may cost more up front than a traditional location, but you can save money on your food and drinks by being able to shop around, as opposed to being locked in to your venue menu. (Go ahead, say it out loud, “venue menu!”)

Truly, what sets All Occasion apart is their service; Kline said, “We help them come up with the overall look they want to achieve.” They are primarily a rental company, but can also be hired as full service decorators. However, as a cost saving consideration, they can teach you how to do your own set up. (Obvious side note: this is a great reason to hire a planner with One of a Kind Events – you’ll never have to worry about any set up between having your hair done and getting in your dress. Besides, who wants to risk a nail on their wedding day.)

Look for both All Occasion Party Rentals and One of a Kind Events at the upcoming Fort Wayne Bridal Extravaganza at the Grand Wayne Convention Center on Sunday, February 24^th .

http://www.grandwayne.com/calendar/index.php

Visit All Occasion Party Rentals online at: http://www.alloccasionpartyrentals.com/index.html

And visit our site at: http://www.oneofakindevents.org/

 

All the best!Jori Nye
Event Designer, One of a Kind Events

2013 Trends: Color



The first place brides start when planning their wedding is often with color. There is no need to plan your big day based on what is currently popular, but choosing a trendy color will increase the number of different  products that are available in that shade. Two years ago, “mint” was thought of as an ice cream flavor, not a fashion statement. Now, Pinterest is claiming that mint green is the single most searched wedding color on their site, so manufacturers and stylists are making sure that they have plenty of options available for brides in this trendy tint.

Pantone 2013 Wedding Colors



Alfred Angelo

 Pantone is showing that jewel tones are also going strong:  Emerald Green, Monaco Blue, and a bright Poppy Red. Don’t forget, these colors aren’t just for flowers and linens any more. Cakes are more colorful, invitations are intense, and even bridal dresses are brilliant!

If you aren’t comfortable with bold color statements, add a touch here and there to emphasize your theme. Have your white bouquet wrapped with a colored ribbon, or add a couple of colorful flowers to the bridesmaids’ flowers. Pick napkins and a chair sash in matching colors.



Board from Sherika De Livera, Dubai, via Pinterest

A trend dominating both the fashion and wedding scenes is black and white. My personal favorite! You can do so many things with this combination. Black and white is easy to make elegant with a damask or chevron pattern, or make it more playful with polka dots. One of the best things about using black and white is that many venues offer white and/or black linens. Using the linens that are on-site will save you the cost of ordering-in all of your linens.

To keep guests from feeling like you’re trying to send them to the Twilight Zone, pair  with another color to make it pop. A very on-trend option: metallic! Think black and white with touches of gold: gold table runners, gold candles and embellishments on the centerpieces, gold picture frames for décor, so glamorous!

These are the top color trends for 2013, but – as always – you should choose what you like best!



Log-In to Your Wedding

Engagement announcements, save-the-dates, invitations, RSVPs…the amount of communication required for a wedding can seem overwhelming. Of course, not every couple sends out formal announcements, or even a save-the-date these days, but there is another way to ensure that all of your guests receive all of your information. And best of all, it doesn't have to cost you anything!

Many websites offer free hosting for wedding pages, and incredibly user-friendly formats and templates. I used mywedding.com to host my personal wedding page, and even made one for the couple whose wedding I was in recently. This site, as with most, will let you choose from a variety of themes and colors, surely one to fit your own event. WeddingWire.com has designs from a number of companies including Wedding Paper Divas, Vera Wang, Magnet Street, David’s Bridal, and even Bed Bath & Beyond. The best thing I found with this website is that you can also order invitations that coordinate with the theme you choose.  The Knot also offers free websites and is always a favorite for their planning tools and resources.

How do I get my website out to my guests?
I recommend creating a website after the engagement as soon as you start seriously planning. If you send out save-the-dates this would be a great time to include a blurb as simple as “Please visit our website at  www.website.com/brideandgroom for  more information.” If your first mailing is your invitation, it’s not too late to include the site. You can put it on a separate card, or on the very bottom of your invitation, though this can take a little away from the feeling of formality.

What to include on my website?
The information you can post is only limited by your imagination. Most websites allow you to publish photos and even encourage sharing the story of your engagement. (I was proposed to in a parking lot, so it’s safe to say I left that off my page.) This is a great time to show off those engagement pictures that you had taken. You can have a tab for accommodations if you are planning on having any out-of-town guests, and even create an easy link to the websites of the hotels. Save another tab for the addresses and directions to the wedding day events; this is another that can have a link to MapQuest or Google Maps. Something you will want to decide is if you plan on having pre-stamped RSVP envelopes in your invitations. Most wedding websites allow an option to collect RSVPs online. It’s as easy for your guests as logging in and clicking a box, you can even include meal choices, and it will save you the expense of printing the RSVPs, adding extra postage, and trying to keep track of those little buggers in the mail. One extra great advantage of a website is that it’s a place for you to publish where you are registered. Please do not write this on your invitations! Invites are meant to request the pleasure of your GUESTS, not to solicit swag. A tab on your website, with a link to any stores that offer online access to your gift registry, is much more appropriate. Other fun ideas are including pictures of your wedding party with a short ditty about their relation to you, and information about anything fun happening in the area over the weekend for out-of-town guests (i.e. Friday night Tin Caps game).

What should I avoid?
Please be careful posting your website on any form of social media. If you post the site on Facebook, for instance, some well-intentioned “friend” may think that serves as an invitation for them to attend. Some host sites do allow you to create a password that you can send out to your guests with the web address. Know your audience. For example, if you are sending an invitation to Great Aunt Margaret, who you know is less than “computer literate,” include any necessary information in the invite itself, don’t expect her to figure out how to turn that computer on. Now, I know many grandparents who now have Facebook profiles, but just be aware of any guests who would prefer the distribution of information the good old-fashioned way.

 

As with all of my recommendations for your Big Day, have FUN and go ahead and personalize, personalize, personalize!

 

Jori Nye
Event Designer
One of a Kind Events

Allow me to introduce myself...

Hello all! Let me introduce myself; my name is Jori Nye, and I am proud to be the newest Event Designer with One of a Kind Events!

I became a Certified Wedding Planner in 2009 through the Wedding Planning Institute, and spent the last few years doing weddings in  coastal North Carolina before moving to Fort Wayne in 2012.   I have been an active member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, and participated in Local Area Networking
and Women in Business Networking Groups.

I am in love with my husband, my 2 year-old son, Kyle, and weddings! My very favorite thing about the wedding industry is that it is constantly changing and evolving.New color combinations are becoming popular, brides are taking risks, and sites like Pinterest have turned us all into DIY-ers. New trends are becoming tradition, while old traditions are being  revitalized.

There are so many exciting new things on the horizon for 2013 and I look forward to blogging about them all! I am also excited to begin spotlighting local vendors so that we can all get to know what the best of the Fort Wayne bridal scene has to offer.

Keep up with our Pinterest page at http://pinterest.com/okefortwayne/

and check out our website at http://www.oneofakindevents.org/

 

Nice to meet you!
Jori Nye

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!!!