WINTER WEDDINGS IN WONDERLAND

Winter Weddings, Unlimited Designs & Decor

Are you planning a winter wedding? Well, you guessed it. A winter wedding can be the least expensive time of the year to tie the knot. The temperature is cold which makes it a magical time with the weather to add to your decor. Think about the sparkle in the snowflakes, beautiful white snow and the joyous emotion that the holiday brings.

Can you think of a better way to celebrate the holiday season than a winter themed wedding? Seek the help of your wedding planner to put into action all your well thought out ideas; to keep it elegant. Any couple can easily go overboard with all the ideas and too many details. And besides, just because it is a winter theme, you don't want to fall into being so predictable or cliche. The aim is to impress but leave your guests wishing that they were the originator of this idea.

Do you need a little inspiration? Think cold temperature, lots of sparkle and of course, the hue of white compliments anything and everything. 

Stop by and talk to event planners for a few ideas or themes for your next event. We have just the ideas and decor to get your planning started.

BRIDES.... DARE TO BE DIFFERENT!

Tips for a Unique Ceremony

The traditional wedding ceremony is not set in stone; dare to be different and unique. The truth of the topic is that wedding traditions are always changing. Sometimes those changes are relatively subtle, while at other times they can be fairly dramatic. Either way, the trends in the wedding world is constant and continual.

In today's world, it's acceptable for couples not to have to feel hesitant when it comes to creating a unique wedding ceremony that reflects their own singular styles and tastes. If you find the ‘traditional’ wedding service just a little too staid and conservative for your tastes, consider the following tips for adding a unique touch to your wedding ceremony.

Tip #1 – Seating Arrangements

Traditionally, seating arrangements during the wedding service have been highly regimented. The groom’s friends and family are seated on the right, while the bride’s friends and family are seated on the left. In order to better reflect the joining of two families, why not allow your guests to seat themselves. It makes for a more festive, and less regimented, service, and allows your friends and family to meet on equal footing.

Tip #2 – The Bridal Bouquet
The bridal bouquet has a long history, and is one of the longest standing wedding traditions. The bride’s floral bouquet represents new life, while the tossing of the bouquet is meant to mark the next in line for wedded bliss. These are fairly old fashioned concepts, and could use an update. Instead of the traditional floral bouquet, why not have a fabric bouquet created especially for your wedding. A fabric bouquet will never wilt, and makes a great wedding memento. It can still be used in as a traditional bouquet toss, or it can be preserved and presented to the mother of the bride as a keepsake.

Tip #3 – The Bridesmaid Bouquet
During a traditional wedding service, the bridesmaids typically carry their own smaller wedding bouquets. But even here you can change things up a bit. Instead of the traditional floral bouquet, give your bridesmaids something unique to carry. If you are planning an evening wedding, they could carry lighted lanterns to cast a subdued yet festive light on the proceedings. You might also consider presenting each of your bridesmaids with a small clutch purse filled with wedding favors. This not only makes a nice change from the traditional floral bouquet, but gives your bridesmaids a wedding gift that they will use and cherish for years to come.

Tip #4 – A Different Kind of Unity Ceremony
Unity ceremonies have taken many different forms over the years, and the exchanging of rings is only the latest in a long line of ceremonial traditions. Many modern couples have revived the candle lighting unity ceremony, but there are many others that you might consider. For a southern themed wedding, you might include a playful jumping of the broomstick to symbolize long life and a happy home. If you are planning a nautical themed wedding, your unity ceremony might consist of tying a fisherman’s knot, symbolizing your unbreakable bond.

Tip #5 – The Bride’s Entrance
We have gotten used to certain musical selections being played as the bride makes her entrance, and as she is escorted down the aisle. But there is no rule that says you have to play Wagner’s Bridal Chorus" or Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”.

Let your own tastes dictate the music you choose for your wedding ceremony, and don’t be afraid to think out of the box. If classical music is not to your taste, feel free to pick a favorite pop song or jazz tune to accompany your walk down the aisle. Choosing your own music for both the wedding processional and wedding recessional is a great way to put your own personal stamp on the ceremony.

The truth of the matter is that wedding traditions come and go, and new ones are being created every day by couples who want to put their own unique stamp on their big day. Your wedding ceremony should reflect your personality, and you should feel free to depart from tradition at any time. Let your own imagination be your guide, and design a wedding service that is uniquely yours. And as you walk back down the aisle as husband and wife, your guests will say “Now that’s the happy couple we know and love.”

SARA + DIEGO:: MARRIED: CHARLOTTE, NC

Palacios Nunez Wedding

We have never been so emotional about a couple. From the food, to the family, to the bond, to the atmosphere, and to the tradition; simply amazing! We still get a little teary eyed looking at the photos. Everything about this day was beautiful and so welcoming. This was truly a joyous celebration of two families coming together. We were just in awe. One word... Wow!

Here a a few pics to highlight the day we share with this couple:

We will miss working with this couple and were truly blessed to be a part of their day! We thank you!

Ceremony: St Marys Chapel

Reception: Maggiano's Little Italy at South Park

Coordinator: It's a Bridal Thing Too

Photographer: Cindy Bonilla

Offficiant: Linda Silver with Iris Newton

DJ: Sotos Entertainment

SUE + ANDREW:: MARRIED: CORNELIUS, NC

Paris Dornbusch Wedding

A beautiful day on the lake to marry in the mist of friends and family. This wedding was very intimate and was posed with such style and grace for this DIY bride. We were glad to share the day with Sue and Andrew.

This destination wedding for this couple was an unforgettable celebration. We wish this couple many years of happiness and endless love. They have blended a beautiful family!

Venue: Jetton Park - Waterford Hall

Photographer: JT Photography

Musician: Stephen Savastano (Guitar Soloist)

Hair & Make Up: Sweet Southern Glam

Officiant: Reverend Victoria Hutchins

Caterer: Catering by Tara

Coordinator: It's a Bridal Thing Too

Florals: Braswell Interiors & Florals

ASHLEY + ANDREW:: MARRIED: CHARLOTTE, NC

Dillard Vanderberry Wedding

Everything about this wedding was stunning. Ashley was breathtaking, the Charlotte skyline overlooking uptown was amazing, and the detail categorized through the venue from flowers, attire, and food was just unbelievable. 

We were excited and waited eagerly to see this day unfold. The wedding was everything that you would see in a movie. The Foundation of the Carolinas was the perfect venue for this exquisite day. We were delighted to share this time with such gracious friends and family of the bride and groom. 

Here are some classic moments from the warm September day:

A beautiful day, for a beautiful couple. We wish them all the happiness life can bring!


Venue: Foundation of the Carolinas

Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Vera Wang
Photographer: Lauren Friday Photography

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: WToo by Watters

Bride’s Jewelry: PearlsOnly
Coordinator: It's a Bridal Thing Too

Cake: Hatley on Main

Caterrer: Best Impressions Caters

DJ: AAA Entertainment

Hair & Make Up: Sweet Southern Glam

ARE YOU TRYING TO RUIN YOUR WEDDING DAY?

Being a Bridezilla Can Destroy Your Whole Wedding Experience

Yes, believe it or not there are some brides that just decide to take it to Bridezilla mode on the wedding day. Let us assure you, not only will it not work in your favor but it will ruin your day. Apparently, Sandy with Weddings in Vieques has experienced the same:

"Just a little bit of sugar goes a long way in wedding planning. Now I know I've written before about getting the most bang-for-your-buck with your wedding planner, and how to work with your photographer, and how to get the most out of your DJ, and in all of these blogs I've explained that being nice will get you just about anything if you're a bride and groom about to be married. So if I've explained this all over and over again, what is it that these Bridezillas and Groomzillas are missing?

I am dead freaking serious here. And it's not just me. I've been talking with colleagues in the industry and we're all wondering the same thing -- has seeing brides and grooms misbehaving on reality television given everybody the idea that it's okay to behave as though you were raised in a barn just because you are the clients? The answer is no. Being a bride does not give you a license to be rude.

Here are some tips for things that brides and grooms can do to make their wedding planning experience fun and enjoyable for everybody. A wedding planner who adores you will move heaven and earth to help you undo something that she's not even responsible for, while somebody you've been abusing via email for the past six months will likely not have any nail polish to lend you in the shade you're requesting... even if you see it on her toes. A little bit of honey goes a long way...

- Do your homework. 

The planner will give you lists of things that ONLY YOU can complete. She will give you deadlines. Adhere to them. She's answering to vendors on the other end who want to know where your ceremony plan, DJ playlist and dinner orders are.

- Follow instructions. 

Your planner will send you forms to complete. Fill them out as instructed. Don't create your own ginormous spreadsheet of everybody invited, attending, dinner orders, accommodations, etc. We need you to provide the specific information requested in the format it was requested in. On the actual forms we sent you.

- Read and return contracts in a timely manner. 

When you get a contract from your planner, for them or for another vendor, review it and respond with questions within 24-48 hours. Or respond with a completed contract and payment within 72 hours. The vendors are holding a date/time slot for you based on your wedding planner's word. We prefer that you aren't irresponsible about responding with contracts and deposits.

- Keep on top of your budget. 

Your planner will be keeping a spreadsheet of some form for you (I hope) and you can ask for an update at any point. With that said, you are the one who is signing all the contracts and you have all the numbers in front of you. Don't play stupid. Plus, shopping like a madwoman at home and buying two wedding gowns and ending up with 25 more guests than you'd initially budgeted for are not the wedding planner's problem. Taking it out on her might make you feel better (after you've already fought with your fiancé and parents about it), but really, is that the best way to handle things?

- Use the words "please" and "thank you." 

Not just to your wedding planners, but to every vendor, waitress, and staff member you encounter through your wedding weekend. Don't you think that if you take a second to compliment the bartender at your wedding, he's going to take extra special care of you? Don't you think it's a great idea to be polite to the photographers who are going to be shadowing you all evening? Trust me, you don't have to be super friendly to anybody. But common courtesy is expected. Unfortunately, it doesn't always happen.

- Pay your bills on time. 

Unless you've got a reason to question the invoice or the contract, pay your balances as soon as possible when you get your final invoice from the planner. Even if the invoice is late on the planner's end, it's your obligation to get the payments returned quickly. Sometimes those delays are unavoidable and your planner is holding all your vendors or her word -- and sometimes her credit card.

Now I want to make something perfectly clear - the wedding planner is NOT always right, and brides and grooms, as clients, should absolutely question anything they feel is appropriate to question - lack of responsiveness, a problem on a contract, etc. It's the way that you go about doing it that will yield you so much more success.

If your goal is to fire your wedding planner or another vendor, go ahead and call her names and tear her up and CC everybody in creation if it makes you feel better. But it's not going to make life pleasant as she's transferring over all your wedding planning information to you. You will get exactly what is owed to you and not one iota more. And I'm not even speaking from experience on this one. I just know what happens.

Send a respectful email listing your problems and concerns and ask what's going on in a manner that gives the vendor an opportunity to fix the problem with their response email. Fight the urge to get nasty unless you get a nasty reply back. Most vendors say "OMG" when they get a well-written complaint email from a client, and do everything possible to fix the situation to make the bride or groom happy. But if you attack the person -- especially if there's the slightest chance it's not their mistake -- you're not going to get the end result that you desire.

Don't you want to have fun planning your wedding? Don't you want a long-term friendly relationship with your wedding planner? I'm not going to lie and say I've never had a pissed-off client -- but I will boast that the vast majority of our clients have stayed in touch and share baby pictures and good news on a regular basis. That's the kind of relationship we want with our clients. And trust me, you want your wedding planners to anticipate your arrival with enthusiasm, not joke about it with dread for a month before your wedding."

Through experience, we couldn't agree more. Thank you Sandy; very well stated and appreciated from one professional to another. 

Wedding Planner & Your Wedding Budget

Kiss Your Budget Goodbye Without the Help of a Wedding Coordinator

A common question among many brides: "Should I hire a wedding planner?" And the answer is yes! 

Whether you're planning a month or months in advance; you only benefit on the day of your wedding. Who wouldn't want a wedding professional on their side to handle all the logistics. Many see hiring a planner as an added expense, but the reality is that its a savings in every aspect of your wedding day!  

The reality remains: timing is everything! Parents and couples may hire a wedding planner based upon all the details involved for a successful wedding day. Hiring a wedding planner provides another opportunity to the family to enjoy their day that much more. Above all, hiring a wedding coordinator saves! It saves money, saves energy and equally important; it saves time.

Wedding coordinators are working to assist with every detail from your initial meeting up to the departure for the honeymoon. They will assist you with your budget, vendor referrals, negotiating contracts, and focus on the theme you have encrypted as your special day.

We all know planning a wedding is an enormous task and undoubtedly stressful. It's important that you are able to place emphasis on the positive highlights and why this day is important. Enjoy the moments that lead up to the wedding.

Your next question may be: How do I find the right wedding planner?
Key factors: Don’t hire the first person you meet who says she once planned a wedding for her brother, sister, cousin, or aunt. Ask friends or family members that have recently married, search various associations or through online resources. Just remember, a wedding planner should be professional and trained. A true wedding planner does not plan weddings on the side. It's their career. You want to make sure you feel comfortable and this individual is working for you. Many brides have felt as if they were working along side their new best friend. It should be a great experience.

There are independent event coordinators who work alone, and there are those who have turned it into a larger business. Some coordinator businesses include a full service event, wedding coordinating and might even have a store associated which may have everything from wedding invitations to wedding accessories.

I urge all brides to utilize a wedding planner, so that at the end of the day, you can be among those that say, "I don't know how I could have gotten through the day without you!"

KIRSTEN + MIKE:: MARRIED: DURHAM, NC

Scheer Hammock Wedding

OMG! There is a first for everything, and let me expound on the word first! There will be no other wedding celebration like Kristen and Mike's. In one word: CREATIVE!

Kristen and Mike are two of the most creative people we have ever worked with and truly the pleasure was all ours to be able to experience such a unique celebration. This wedding was indescribable. From the proposal, through the planning process and to execution on the day. All we can do is share their day through snapshots; it's all creativity. It stapled a new level of imagination to our experience! Not to mention the way the Courtney Potter Photography was able to capture each moment on film. 

The focus for their day in their words was simply "we wanted a wedding that was not traditional, so we just did what we thought would sound fun and meaningful to us. We loved the idea of playing games with our friends and families and spending as much time with them that we could. Other weddings we had gone to, we barely spent any time with the bride and groom and we really wanted everyone to feel like their treck to come see us get married meant that we really got to spend quality time together. Having a potluck style dinner allowed us to share the food we love with our families and made people feel like they were really a part of our wedding day."

"When we were planning this, a lot of our ideas came way ahead of our realization that we actually had to execute things - so as the wedding got closer we realized that having a day-of wedding planner would be essential so that we could enjoy and relax and not stress about how it was all going to come together."

It was an unforgettable day and we got the opportunity to work with great vendors! 

Venue: Spruce Pine Lodge

Cake: Miel Bons Bons

Coordinator: It's a Bridal Thing Too

Photographer: Courtney Potter Weddings

Florals: Wild Scallions Farms

JOLENE + CHRIS:: MARRIED: CHARLOTTE, NC

Hrinda Taylor Wedding

Words can't describe the marriage celebration on this day in May. There were tears of joy, contagious smiles, and lots of laughter. Unforgettable moments... Not to mention the flower girl not making it down the aisle. All was well, the bride made it down! And was absolutely gorgeous. 

Jolene and Chris were surrounded by friends and family with the love and support to last a lifetime. This couple was definitely meant to be together. Anyone could feel the love they share for another. It was genuine, it was unique and is just enough to surpass the test of time. 

We wish them all the happiness for the years to come! 

Officiant: Andrea Smith

Florals: Braswell Interiors

Wedding Coordination: It's a Bridal Thing Too

Reception: Maggiano's Southpark

SIZZLING STYLES FOR OUR THE ENTIRE BRIDAL PARTY

New Collections Added to Our Spring Edition by Alexia Designs

Spring is on the way and so are new spring styles! We all know that brides love to look stunning on their wedding. But who's to think that bridesmaids don't have that same thought? Without upstaging the bride of course.

Our intimate boutique offers a wide selection of bridesmaid dresses that offer elegance, value and fashion. We are delighted to offer our signature collection by Alexia Designs. Their designs have received much recognition, attention and awards. We were excited to release to you our fall collections. We are even more estactic to share new styles added to the spring edition!

Alexia Designs defines attractive, luxurious, elegance, extraordinary, irresistible and affordable. Shop the different collections of Alexia Designs. Every wedding should have its unique touch! That's why our intimate boutique only offers the best.

See Our Sneak Peak Below and Schedule your bridal party appointment today!

New Engagement? Ready for 5 Important Tips

5 Very Relevant Tips for Newly Engaged Couples

Getting engaged is undoubtedly a blissful time and memory for couples, but many couples can get overwhelmed by the wedding checklists and all of the decisions that they have to make in the months to come. We wanted to highlight a few tips from our experience working with other couples and from having the pleasure of walking the aisle. Not to mention, we have learned in working with other brides to be; in a short note, they to felt challenged by the planning process. You're not alone. 

For our planning team, helping brides organize their memorable occasion by providing not only gorgeous real wedding photos, but professional vendor recommendations that we have had the pleasure of working along side, and resourceful online wedding portals. Her are a few pointers to help make the engagement period as enjoyable and stress-free as possible:

Photo Credit: JT Photography

Tip #1. Embrace the moment!

So many couples rush into planning mode right away without taking the time to jut enjoy the engagement. Regardless of whether you are planning a 12-week or a 12-month engagement, you have time, and you only get to experience this once. So breathe.

Tip #2. Set the boundaries.

When you do start the planning process, it is important that you have a sit-down with all parties involved and go over the big picture that you have in mind; from everyone's responsibility to budget. Note: Communication and Organization are essential. Not only does this help everyone get on the same page, but it also avoids future conflicts.

Tip #3. It’s all about the two of you. And that's okay! 

Too many couples that I speak with say they lose sight of this and get wrapped up in trying to make everyone else happy but themselves. Remember this is your wedding. As harsh as it may sound, you have to come to terms with the fact that you are not going to please everyone. But that's okay because you have set the boundaries.

Tip #4. Prioritize.

Budget or no budget; make your checklist and prioritize it with whats most important to you.

Tip #5. Photographs are memories to last a lifetime.

Choose a photographer that is able to capture your day. Hire a professional not a friend. You'll find it very helpful to take engagement photos before the big day so that the photographer gets a sense of you as a couple. 

IT'S CAKE CONSULT TIME!

Who to Bring or Not to Bring, That's the Question!

You probably have so many ideas and know just exactly what your thoughts for your wedding cake. Ideas like fondant or non fondant; three tiers or four... 

But most importantly, the consultation with your baker/ cake designer should be fun, easy and go smoothly. It can take a turn to the exact opposite when a bride brings all of her bridesmaids to the consultation. Not to worry, it's a common mistake but one that you don't want to make. 

You really don't want to bring all of your friends, all the bridesmaids, sisters, mothers and grandmothers. It is wonderful to have the support and want everyone to be there for you. However, having too many attendees at the consultation means incorporating too many different opinions. One person may love the idea of a square cake; and another make love the idea of a round cake. And let's not talk about all the difference discussions about flavors. It's exhausting with just the thought in which way the meeting can go with too many participants. 

With that thought, unless you can stand your ground and not be easily swayed, our suggestion would be that you only need to include you groom and parents at the consultation. One things for sure, it can definitely illuminate a lot of confusion and frustration. And definitely, gives you a special memory to add to your wedding book.